High Performance brakes for PT GT

[ptgtcb]

The larger but standard 2 piston Stop Tech caliper with larger rotor is more than adequate for our PTGT. With the 2 piston caliper there is no screwy mounting bracket, it bolts directly to the stock spindle assembly. Only the 2 piece floating rotors with 4 piston calipers require a mounting bracket which I feel is Over Kill, unless you are tracking it. Also, you can not turn the floating rotors so if they score or when it is time to replace pads you will need to replace the rotors $$$$! Do not believe that you can pad slap these rotors and have acceptble braking! Worn rotors are worn rotors.

I still do not understand if the kit for the non turbo fits the smaller wheels, ones that will not fit our PT GT's calipers, how they would interfere with our GT wheels? Please explain.

[Kirby]

For those on a budget; zoomy 'stuff' pads, bling rotors, and hoses are what I consider a 'brake enhancement' and in no way can be compared to a true brake conversion kit. Not that there is anything wrong with the former, its by far the more popular means of brake modifications. And in truth not everyone can spend $700, let alone $1200-1500. That' understandable.

I have NEVER had any respect for vendors that get off on dising other vendor's offerings!

I am also sure that the folks at Brembo feel that this guy's hommade offering is equally "not up to their standard", and merely an upgrade, not a real conversion.(I doubt that they will drop in on the SRT site to call his stuff "bling")!

If this guy has a brake that will fit a 2003-2004 PT Turbo let him post the part numbers of AVAILABLE (Right Now) products and prices, otherwise he is doing exactly what he said he wasn't.....dropping in to dis and spam the only AVAILABLE brake upgrade that you can buy. and, by the way it is about $1000 cheaper than other options, it fits, and it does improve braking (their stats show between 20-30% increased coeficient of friction over stock, I wonder what his homemade kit does?[8)]

[Kirby]

The reason I started this thread in the first place was to help other weekend wrenchers with a common problem on our PT Turbos, most mechanics will tell you that the front rotors are notorious for expiring within 30-40K, and they throw all kinds of hot carbonized brake dust on the wheels.

The rotor and caliper on the PT Turbo is not the same as the N/A PT and, as some experts will not verify that SRT brakes as a perfect fit, we as PT Turbo owners have a problem that is best solved by good honest discourse and research.

I well know that a 4 piston setup is markedly better than replacing pads on the original single piston setup. Aluminum hat crossdrilled rotors are inherently better than solid rotors. This is no secret!

What I was trying to investigate is the best "value" for the average joe that would probably change the brake system out by himself, without welding brackets or other unreversable modifications.
There does seem to be a tiered pattern of availability; Brembos being the most expensive (possibly the best quality), Then Stop Teck and others (hovering at $1200+), then Wilwood (if they ever make the brackets) for about $500 less, and lastly the swap to high pro/low dust pads and hardened and slotted rotors.(Right now only EBC does this, but I am sure others will follow.)

My own personal opinion of value is that, for now, the pad and rotor is hard to beat;
Cost - best by a mile (The cost was about the same as stock goods that I had to buy anyway)
Function - dust free and noticably improved stopping
Looks - not much change (this would be a negative if you like rice Mr. Bling)
Availability - I got mine in 1 1/2 days after ordering
Install - it took less than 20 minutes to do both sides

This is my solution for now (seeing as how I have already purchased and installed the goods), maybe in the future I will look at a further upgrade, and keep in touch with the Wilwood folks or Precision Brakes, because they were so conciencious (and didn't put down any other system).[8)]

[ptgtcb]

Hello Kirby,
I was not trying to aurgue any particular point or discount any effort you have made to find a brake solution for our cruisers, I am glad you are making the effort.

Does wilwood make a brake kit for the non GT turbo cruiser?

If they do, why would this kit not fit the PT GT? The reason I ask is I do not know and more importantly do not understand why they would not?
The non GT PT uses smaller caliper and wheel and if they make a kit to fit this application then it should fit our wheels since they already clear a larger caliper, the caliper mounting should be the same.

Can anyone actually answer this/these questions?


Stop Tech kit for the srt-4 and PT Cruiser are the same P/N.

[Todd TCE]

Was that directed at my post? I'm not sure.

Look, I'm not here to put down any other manufactures parts, kits, pieces or whatever. I didn't point a finger at ANY other supplier or builder or such. If you don't care for the summary of stock sized parts (i.e. stock rotors regardless of who makes them, holes, slots, both or none at all) some stainless hoses and zoomy branded brake pads (all of which are pretty generic comments) to be a brake enhancement then you don't know brakes.

Lucky for you, I do. There's ample 'enhancement' to the front of any car with such changes, but in no way to they match the overall package of any complete brake kit. Hey, that's fine too! Like I said; not everyone can afford etc. etc. Sorry, I don't see where this is offensive to others. I didn't make up the physics.

The reason for not expanding upon the package of my 'homemade' (that is a funny one!) is that I don't care to be a vendor here, nor upset the apple cart for those who pay properly for that right or whatever the rules are pertaining to such. Don't get me wrong, I like the PT, but it's just not the market my products sell to. Yes, you can use the very same products of the SRT4 on the PT.

Forgive me for what was openly a bit of an education for some and some sort of flame to another. That was not the intent.

For the doubter; get off your high horse and put your money where your mouth is. I'll have it at your door Tuesday morning with proper UPS fees. All 13" of it with four piston calipers, hoses, pads, just like any responsive vendor. Customer service and no BS is what I'm known for. No time to argue it with you. I've got it, it lives, performs and you can have it for your PT. I'll even put you ahead of the local install I'm supposed to be doing on Monday or Tuesday if you wish. Anyhow, if you're interested you can surely find me, if not then we'll leave the 'smack' as it stands and move on.

Regards to the rest for putting up with some of this, hopefully someone has learned a couple of things on what does and does not share parts with your PT. If anyone has specifics to why there may be issues between na and turbo models that would prevent cross fit please let me know the specifics and we'll address them for you.

[ptgtcb]

quote:Originally posted by Todd TCE




..... If anyone has specifics to why there may be issues between na and turbo models that would prevent cross fit please let me know the specifics and we'll address them for you.

I do not?

I would appreciate to see you as a vendor here. If you choose not to please email me @ flyanbryan@earthlink.net with specifics on your brake kit that would fit the stock wheels, what it includes and cost. I am very interested!
Thanks,CB

[Kirby]

Ptgt,

I am not a vendor, so I have no stake in any outcome. I could not get the folks at Wilwood to sell me a set of calipers and rotor. They had the integrity to say that they had not specifically engineered a kit for the PT Turbo yet (as they said, coming soon). They do make a kit for the NA PT! I did not have time to wait for their engineering, that affected my choices. If you have some time I suggest you talk to Wilwood directly, or one of their vendors.

As rude as this Todd TCE guy is, I would not recommend him at all. Ordering anything that has no guarantee of fit other than "ship it back if it doesn't fit" should give you pause.
I wouldn't accept anyone's OPINION that the PT Turbo with ABS is just "the same as" anything. If they have not personally tested it they are full of SH**! I had one vendor ready to write up an order until he mentioned that the caliper would have to be welded to the suspension. (Just a little fact they forgot to mention.)

There are a bunch of guys like the one spraying on this site for customers that will sell you a 13" disk knowing full well that it will only fit under 18" or 19" wheels, (You do have an extra $1500 for new wheels and tires, don't you).

Beware!![8)]

Don't do anyone's testing on your dime!!

I fully appreciate your desire to change out the front system, I was ready to do same just days ago. Stay in touch on the site about what you decide, we all need to know about your experience.

[Kirby]

Todd,

Remember; If you can start it, TCE can stop it!

STOP IT!

[ptgtcb]

quote:Originally posted by Kirby

Todd,

Remember; If you can start it, TCE can stop it!

STOP IT!

Kirby, why do flame on this guy? He is very knowledgeable and very interested in producing a big brake kit for the PT GT. Take a chill pill, please.

[Kirby]

Even though this guy has a history, he came on the site and proclaimed himself the only intelegent poster, and proceeded to dis other products as "bling".His technical info was: 4 piston calipers are better, two piece rotors are better, that he was the expert that would straighten us out, and that his stuff was best (though it won't fit on a stock 17" wheel). The largest rotor that will fit inside our stock 17" wheel that anyone will stand behind is just slightly over 12". I know that oversizing the calipers will at some point require a larger and more powerful master cylinder. This is why I am saying that guys with a shop, that can make anything fit with a cutting torch and a large hammer may be a risk. There is an eventual limit to the value of a racing brake setup on a grocery getter sedan.

Plenty of folks that are major suppliers are already on line to produce a top quality replacement brake setup for our PT Turbo, their egos actually fit into a helmet, and they are more than willing to admit that they may not know everything.

Would you trust a physician, that upon shaking your hand made a diagnosis?[8)]