Big Brakes

[snwman]

well time has come to do my brakes completly. So I am looking to get a set of the baer 12" or 13" brakes for the car. for any of you guys with them alrady can you please post how much they costed and what options you got with them thanks.

[mfuller]

I have Baer's 13" "Track" kit. I bought it about 2 years ago for roughly $1000. Mine was more expensive than normal since I coughed up exta for 2-piece rotors (although the discs were plain - no slots, drilling, or zinc-washing).

[snwman]

do you think the 2 piece rotors are really worth it, I wanted to get at least slotted rotors

[mfuller]

For most people, no way. But being into mountain biking, I'm a bit of a weight weenie (2-piece rotors weigh about 1.5 pounds less than the 1-piece versions). The slotted rotor option I think is $90 for a pair of front rotors.

[snwman]

how much is it to upgrade to the 2 piece

better than talk on her mfuller do you have aim or msn?

[mfuller]

I want to say it's close to $400 to upgrade to 2-piece. Better to discuss here or via PM.

[snwman]

think ill stick with the 1 piece rotors then. probably get them slotted and drilled or dimpled whatever baer does with them, and get a rear set to match

[resevil83]

what I want to know, is it worth it getting crossed drilled slotted and dimpled or whatever the terminology is. Is it a lot better or no?

[mfuller]

Originally posted by resevil83
what I want to know, is it worth it getting crossed drilled slotted and dimpled or whatever the terminology is. Is it a lot better or no?

I my humble and correct opinion, no. I can't detect any performance difference between plain and slotted/drilled rotors on the street or on the track. Slotted rotors do make more noise though. Slotting and cross-drilling is only for cosmetics.

[AaronGTR]

Supposedly slotting helps shed water when driving in wet weather, and venting gas from between the rotor and pad under very heavy braking. I doubt you would notice the difference though without doing actual stopping tests between the two. Crossdrilling is meant for extra ventilation for heat disipation, but if you over work the brakes past their capacity you can still overheat them and they tend to crack around the holes. In which case it would mean you would need even bigger brakes to handle the load. Both slotting and crossdrilling will make your pads wear slightly faster. If you aren't worried about weight so much and just want a big jump in braking power with dependability, I'd stick with the one-peice rotors. Either slotted or plain, and since you won't have the aluminum center hats I'd get the plated ones so they don't rust and stay looking nice. If you opt for the 13" kit you'll need 18" wheels, or 17" with a lot of caliper clearance.

[snwman]

aaron thanks for all the info. I did plan on getting the slotted ones and possibly drilled for mostly cosmtic looks. I will make sure and get the coated ones so they dont look nasty like the factory ones do, . also I didnt know the 13" kit required so much room so I will go with the 12" kit it will still provide better braking and outlast the factory by far. now what color calipers to get.....

[tenspeed]

When I was riding motorcycles, I remember an article about cross drilled rotors. The theory was that unless the cross drilled hole was chamfered, water (when riding in the rain) would remain in the hole and lubricate the pads. This would, of course, increase stopping distance. That what I remember but it didn't matter much to me at the time since I didn't ride that much in the rain. When I rode in the rain, I was slow and careful and didn't have to rely as much on the brakes.

Todays new cross drilled and slotted rotors look good but I doubt if they make much difference in braking performance on the street.

[mfuller]

Originally posted by snwman
also I didnt know the 13" kit required so much room so I will go with the 12" kit it will still provide better braking and outlast the factory by far. now what color calipers to get.....

Just to clarify, Aaron has SSBC (Stainless Steel Brakes) front kit. Their calipers are much larger, and the 13" kit requires 18" wheels. Baer's 13" kit however, will fit behind 17s.

[nnewton123]

i believe the standard kit is around 650.... cross/slot/zinc washed is around 100-150. Power coating the caliper was 250 or so I believe. And as mfuller says, the baer kit fits with no problems over 17's. The 13" kit is like $10 more than the 12" kit, so I guess that is worth it in my opinion if you are looking for some big brakes!!!

[matts]

if you want to notice a difference in brake feel get braided lines. you mash the pedal and your instantly on your brakes. no spongy feeling or anything. i put slotted rotors and braided lines on my truck and i could tell a difference, but in all fairness i done both upgrades at once. brakes felt more reliable, and fade wasn't as much an issue........still an issue, but not as bad.

[AaronGTR]

Originally posted by mfuller
Just to clarify, Aaron has SSBC (Stainless Steel Brakes) front kit. Their calipers are much larger, and the 13" kit requires 18" wheels. Baer's 13" kit however, will fit behind 17s.

Right, but your wheels have extraordinary backspacing. The brakes will fit inside the wheel, but they might not clear the spokes on some wheels. I did say they would fit in some 17's. Just that he has to make sure to get one with enough backspacing. 18's would be easier to be sure they clear. If he doesn't want to worry about it he should just go with 12" rotors. The 13's DO have some more stopping power, but if he isn't planning on racing it's not a big deal. If he just wants the simplest most effective upgrade 12's would be ideal.

[snwman]

heres what im looking for

good Stopping Power
Reliable Brakes that will last
Something that looks good

this summer I may go and race but dont think ill do anything like autocross. maybe ill get the template from baer to see if the 13" kit will fit inside my wheels.

[snwman]

update... ordered todoay

4-5 weeks for delivery sucks but oh well

heres what I got and prices for everyone else who is looking

Track Kit 12" or 13" rotors no price difference I got 13's $695
Cross Drilled / Slotted and Zinc Washed upgrade $100 got it
2 piece rotor upgrade $200 so I got it
powdercoating $175 didnt get it.

total cost 995. no too bad.

[resevil83]

I noticed you have an se. So you got the 4 disc brakes with 4 caliper housings and pads and all that. So you can just take off your rear drums and slap these bad boys on? Or do you need to get extra things. If I remember correctly to swap the rear rotors to calipers you need to run a new ebrake line? I'm sure different lines are required. Well anyways that's what I want to do to. I just don't know what it will take to do it.

[mfuller]

Congrats on your purchase Russ. The prices have come down a bit sine I purchased mine 2 years ago. If I can be of any further assistance, just give a hollar.

And don't be discouraged over the 4-5 week lead time.....they told me 6 weeks and I had them in 3! Big heavy box.