Is it too good to pass up?

[JohnnyT]

I briefly discussed this in the chatbox but I'll spill all the beans here...

The shop that did the work on my C5Z (Doug Rippie Motorsports) posted on the local board saying they're looking for a test mule for a new brake system. Ironically, I was looking at brakes yesterday but certainly nothing expensive as this. I talked to Randy (shop welder with a keyboard) last night and he game me the basics. Alcon is the company that's sponsoring this - I'd never heard of them before but they're basically the top dog in the racing scene. They do $50k kits for Nascar, off road, open wheel, late model and formula car kits. The kit they want to test out is a performance street/track kit valued at $8k and is complete with slotted rotors (14" front and rear), calipers (6 piston fronts, 4 piston rears), pads (street and track variants), brackets, hats, hardware, fluid, etc. The rotors alone are $500 a pop so this is definitely some quality stuff. I believe this is the kit: http://www.alconusa.com/client_images/files/92_593.pdf

Being the 'test mule,' there's a few requirements. Initially, Randy said the car must attend 3 road race events this year. After talking on the phone with him it sounds like he's going to try to either A) do a private test run at BIR or B) head up to Road America and see if Alcon will cover the travel and hospitality costs. Now, I've never done road racing before but that's actually a good thing in this case as rookie drivers wear out brakes quicker. My car's not exactly road race ready, but Randy said he'll slap on an oil cooler for me and we can likely use a spare set of race wheels and tires for the runs. Not only will I gain racing experience from this, but I'll get a killer deal on an incredible brake kit if I decide to buy after testing - Randy said it'll likely cost $2k if I decide to purchase (75% off sounds like a good deal to me).

Being that it's only a few runs I'm not too worried about the wear on the system. It sounds like we'll use track pads and if I decide to buy, they'll slap in the street pads. If I crack a rotor they'll have spares on hand to swap out. They won't leave me in the dark if anything goes wrong - DRM has been good to me since the beginning and I have faith in these guys. I wasn't exactly planning on even spending $2k for a brake kit but this sounds like too good of a deal to pass up....

What are your guys' thoughts? I'd like to get your input.

 

[mndsm]

Dude, smokin deal on silly brakes. The only thing i'd worry about is them being 100% useless on the street, because race brakes tend to need some temp to stop good. I'd also worry about replacement parts when it came time (rotors at 500$ EACH.... yeah, no.) Other than that, sounds like a sweet deal.

 

[Picklz]

Well, being its not a daily driver I don't think JT will be replacing rotors on a yearly basis or anything. Street vs Track should be a matter of swapping pads, they aren't using any fancy rotor material as far as I know that would prevent them from being decent on the street (correct me if I'm wrong here). The track time (Especially if you get paid expenses to RA) should be pretty invaluable and getting a full BBK for $2k is a steal man, If I had a z06 right now (or if I get one soon ) I'd seriously try and get in on this if there was any possibility I could swing the $2k(ish) price.

 

[DrWebster]

Dude, you'd be dumb not to go for it.

And if having race brakes on a street car just doesn't work for you after a while, you could swap back to something more appropriate, sell the fancy brakes and probably make a decent profit.

 

[JohnnyT]

Dude, smokin deal on silly brakes. The only thing i'd worry about is them being 100% useless on the street, because race brakes tend to need some temp to stop good. I'd also worry about replacement parts when it came time (rotors at 500$ EACH.... yeah, no.) Other than that, sounds like a sweet deal.

They're not purpose-built race brakes - just an aggressive street/strip duty application. With street pads they should be just fine. You're right though, when it comes time to replace those suckers I'll be choking a bit.

Well, being its not a daily driver I don't think JT will be replacing rotors on a yearly basis or anything. Street vs Track should be a matter of swapping pads, they aren't using any fancy rotor material as far as I know that would prevent them from being decent on the street (correct me if I'm wrong here). The track time (Especially if you get paid expenses to RA) should be pretty invaluable and getting a full BBK for $2k is a steal man, If I had a z06 right now (or if I get one soon ) I'd seriously try and get in on this if there was any possibility I could swing the $2k(ish) price.

The rotors sound like your typical slotted goodness, but to be that spendy I imagine they're cryo-treated.

Dude, you'd be dumb not to go for it.

And if having race brakes on a street car just doesn't work for you after a while, you could swap back to something more appropriate, sell the fancy brakes and probably make a decent profit.

Exactly my thoughts - I know brakes aren't something that hold their value like other hard parts, but I imagine this kit will still be worth more than what I'd pay for it if I decide to swap down the line. There's certainly nothing wrong with my brakes now, but MOAR BECAUSE MOAR, right?

 

[mndsm]

Moar because moar is the defining argument here.

 

[Picklz]

If you have plans/desires to start hitting fast road courses like BIR and RA the upgraded brakes will be really valuable, if your mainly planning to stick to the street and auto-cross then it's probably not a big deal. Overall though I still think it's too good a deal to pass up if you can swing it.

 

[AJ]

most people don't get the best brakes cause they are just too fucking spendy, but it's a KEY aspect in road race, auto cross, hill climb, and even at the strip. If you can swing the cash, do it 100 times out of 100.

 

[concealer404]

I like the idea of big brakes for cheap. (Relatively.)


But to play Devil's Advocate... are the stock brakes inadequate on these cars for track work? Or upgraded stock form? (Pads, lines, high temp fluid)

 

[Matt D.]

Playing the devil's advocate here, have you even found the limit of your current brakes? During the Proving Grounds at BIR I was on track with Corvettes and they didn't have crazy brake setups and were doing just fine. 6-pot calipers and unobtanium rotors are cool and all, but I'd rather put $2000 into brake pads, wheels/tires and track time if doing road course events is the direction you're looking to go.

 

[JohnnyT]

I like the idea of big brakes for cheap. (Relatively.)


But to play Devil's Advocate... are the stock brakes inadequate on these cars for track work? Or upgraded stock form? (Pads, lines, high temp fluid)

OEM brakes are certainly adequate enough for track work. It's really nothing special - 12.8" diameter x 1.25" thick fronts, 11.8" x 1" rears, two piston calipers in front, one piston in rear, and an aggressive street/light track pad, but the car's light and it has brake ducting in front and rear. A few people have driven the car and are amazed at how little the pedal needs to travel to brake heavy. As simple as it is, it really does a solid job.

Playing the devil's advocate here, have you even found the limit of your current brakes? During the Proving Grounds at BIR I was on track with Corvettes and they didn't have crazy brake setups and were doing just fine. 6-pot calipers and unobtanium rotors are cool and all, but I'd rather put $2000 into brake pads, wheels/tires and track time if doing road course events is the direction you're looking to go.

Nope, haven't bought new tires yet so no track time to test the brakes. I didn't know you were at Proving Grounds. I was at the road course nearly all day Saturday watching Chris try to make his silver EVO explode. You're right though, Eric did pretty damn fine in his 442 LS7 and I don't think he has some ridiculous set-up. I'm glad you brought up the wheel/tire idea too because this kit will not work with 17" wheels up front. I believe the rear will be ok for 18s but I will definitely want that extra meat for track time.

With all this said, I'm not even sure I care to swing the $2k for it, as funds aren't exactly limitless and I pretty much capped out my spending for the 'vette this spring. I'll get a few more details, and think about it some more. Appreciate your input, everyone.

 

[concealer404]

If they're adequate enough, then the only reason to piss away $2k would be for the baller status.


DAYUM BALLER TOWN!!!!!!

 

[niterydr]

Moar because Moar, do it!