High Performance brakes for PT GT

[sakigt]

quote:Originally posted by Kirby

The trouble with the slotted rotors on Ebay is that they fit the standard PT, not the Turbo. The turbo was fitted with different rotors, thicker and different offset. I would gladly go with a set of drilled and slotted discs if they were available....sadly, they are not available, yet.

The good news is that our special brake functions (ABS, and Traction Control) work from the spindle, which is the same for all PTs. That means putting on a set of Brembos, Willwoods, or Stainless Steel Brake Co.s will not adversley effect brake function as we know it.

For all the guys that have watched the searing hot metal from the front brake pads eat holes in their wheels....there is a reason for it, your brakes are getting too hot!

I'll keep you posted on the progress with this S.S.B. package.

The S.S.B. folks seem very helpful, the kit includes braided stainless lines, plated grouved 12" rotors, adapters for the new calipers, competition brake pads, and large two piston calipers (I chose to have them just clear coated - could have had them painted.[?]

Yes...but as discussed previously on this board if you email the guy and ask for the ones for the turbo he gives them to you at the n/a price...

[Kirby]

quote:Originally posted by MEXICANPT

Does that kit fit the stock GT wheel?

According to their tech advisor, yes.

They make one 12" rotor kit that requires 17" wheels (our stock wheel), and one larger setup that requires an 18" wheel.

[Kirby]

I am sure that the product that the Ebay guy sells is the best that he can make. My problem is that drilled (by hand) rotors tend to crack if not done correctly. I am extremely hesitant to buy safety gear from a non-major supplier (I tried to pull up the rotors and current Ebay does not list his product (how does the company deal with manifacturing defects? What is the track record for reliability? Are these just stock discs with holes in them?)

NO major manifacturer has(yet)put out a replacement rotor for the PT Turbo. How can this be the ONLY product on the market?

Does this manifacturer advertise on this site for business?

The problem will still exist with a replacement drilled rotor of the same size...sweep area is too small and a one piston caliper, leading to overheating, leading to premature failure of the brake system.

(Remember that this brake system has been upgraded slightly, but was originally made for a car 400 lbs lighter, and was constrained by 14" wheels.)

[jgale]

I would definitely go with the Wilwood or the Stoptech kits before even thinking about that goofy SSBC caliper. AND, it's only a 2-pot caliper instead of the 4-piston that you get with the Wilwood and Stoptech kits. Also, the SSBC kit has a one piece rotor vs. the aluminum hat 2-piece in the Wilwood setup. Try and find any SSBC calipers on some race vehicles.
Just my thoughts.

[Kirby]

I agree about the race capability of the SSBC system, but you have to look at what you want out of an upgrade. The SSBC entire kit is a little over $700. Stop Tec sells a two pot solid rotor system for $1,200. Willwood runs well over the $1,200 dollar mark without extras, and Brembo wants from $1,600 to over $2,000. This is why I did not ask SSBC to paint the calipers fire engine red. It isn't about how it looks as much as how it deals with a problem area in my PT, related to my personal driving expectations.

I did put Brembos on my Porsche Turbo because it tops out at 170, my PT will never be there;(I won't put it there).

The SSBC system is a viable upgrade for an increased horsepower move that can use the stock master cylinder (4 piston calipers move so much more fluid they require a larger and expensive master cylinder and booster to get the most out of them).

[Cal Cruzer]

Not a PT but when I had a 94 and a 95 mustang they came with single piston calipers. The new mustangs started coming with 2 piston calipers in 2001 I believe. Anyhow, Saleen would sell thier brand new take-offs for about $50. I bought them and put them on my cars. With this upgrade and some better rotors and pads my car would really stop when you stomped on the binders. It saved me from rear-ending a Suburban once...unfortunately the guy behind me didn't stop and punted me into it anyhow totalling my car...BUT THE BRAKES WORKED BRILLIANTLY! [:I]

[Stephen R.]

The Wilwood kit is around $650 for BOTH sides (look around) and includes rotors, hats, 4-pot calipers, and brackets. Calipers are Dynalites which have the standard 3.5" mounting bolt pattern, They have been used in circle track racing for years and therefore are relatively "cheap" costwise.

Two-piece rotors are thermodynamically superior to one-piece rotors. It would have been nice if Wilwood would have supplied the 1.25" rotor as a super heat sink for super nutzo braking [}] but, as previously mentioned, who's going to do that with this vehicle?

Examples of Wilwood parts & prices from this kit:

http://www.secureperformanceorder.co...ProductID=6620

http://www.secureperformanceorder.co...ProductID=4431

Wilwood offers the flex lines and matching rear OEM rotors if you go drilled/slotted.

As far as I recall, the only thing the caliper is "missing" are piston dust boots to keep road crap outta there.

I'd say it's one helluva price for what you get!

[Kirby]

What an interesting journey. The Stainless Steel Brake folks were not able to ship right away, so I cancelled. Called the folks at Willwood...nice folks, but low on stock at this time also. It will take another two weeks to get a set of brakes on my PT.

It turns out that the total price for both systems was a wash... I thought that the 4 piston anodized caliper, anodized aluminum hat and replacable drilled and slotted rotor, might be a little better.

Interesting facts that surfaced in talking with SEVERAL brake dealers.

1) Not all dealers that sell Willwood calipers sell the Willwood cnc bolt up caliper brackets (just slightly important if you want to actually put the brakes on th car, as opposed to in the trunk).
2) Prices for the same item vary by more than $100.
3) Some sources (independant of manifacturers)feel that the SSB setup does not improve braking capability over stock.
4) Buying from a dealer is cheaper than direct from the manifacturer.
5) The folks at Precision Brakes have been the best help of the lot so far.

[Kirby]

One more time! Ohhhh!! You mean THAT PT Turbo.... well....I don't think that these will fit your car at all. If you can wait 6 months we will have something for around $1000. (Chances are that the SSB kit also was for the "regular" cruiser, not the Turbo.)

This is definitely a learning experience.[xx(]

[Kirby]

I am sharing my experience probably more closely than some would prefer, but here goes the latest on the saga:

EBC says that they do have the slotted and dimple drilled rotor for the front of my PT Turbo. It will arrive in 2 days, they are however out of Green stuff pads... ordered them from Tire rack. This is not what I would have preferred, but it is reality for now
$200 for 2 rotors, $80 for pads. Cheaper, but only a slight improvment in the too small stopping system!

Sometimes I wonder if the aftermarket even knows we are out here.[:I]