I've got a question about upgrading your brakes. Do you have to do one of those $1000+ upgrades or can I just get some cross drilled rotors and some better pads? Please help.

 

i think you know the answer to that question. what is the purpose of the upgrade, looks or better brake performance for extreme braking situations?

 

If you plan on braking at say 140+ to 0mph within a few secs then you'll definitely need a big brake kit. I know mines saved my @ss a few times

 

Me? I definitely 'had' to. Look below to see who made me do it....

And this also depends which car u drive...the 2000/2001s have REALLY marginal brakes while the 3.5 liter cars have better brakes so I guess if u have a 3.5 you can get away with less radical mods whereas if you have a 3 liter car, it depends on your useage model & how lucky u were with the particular car you bought.

I personally am really easy on brakes but even then, I gave up going back to the dealer every 6k miles because my rotors were warping plus I wanted to enhance looks and lighten up the car so I went with a full kit

Here's the real culprit:

 

Can someone tell me what exactly comes in one of these $2000 brake kits that you don't get when replacing the rotors/pads? I'm very clueless about all this, so please help me out. Thanks...

 

alumimun center section or 'hat' as it's called, the cast iron rotors themselves, slotted and/or drilled or both, the larger -typically four piston- aluminum calipers, a set of pads in the compound you want, braided SS lines to replace the rubber lines and all mounting hardware.

You can get kits in the sub-$1k range that have the calipers and larger rotors but there are one-piece rotors...they do the same job but typically weigh LOTS more than the two-piece rotors.

The 'better' kits with two-piece rotors & four-piston calipers will run from the $1300 range (ala my Wilwoods) to the $2400 range for top-of-the-line Brembos.

Check this site out for lots of info on brake stuff...
www.wilwood.com

 

Take a look at this thread to see the very nice brakes we're offering. Complete front kits (2 piston aluminum calipers, 12" or 13" slotted & plated rotors, braided hoses, performance pads, brackets and hardware) for under $800. We've got a group deal going on these. Check it out.

 

Don't get me wrong I like your set-up and the price is really good, but aren't cross drilled rotors better?

 

Actually cross drilled rotors are worse. Drilling leads to stress cracks in the rotor, which can shorten it's life span and could result in a dangerous situation. That's why we only slot ours. I'm sure others will back me up on this. Here's what cross drilled rotors typically end up looking like.

 

folks recommend only slots for street use, no holes...

 

Oh ok I didn't know that. Maybe after a while I may give you a call and get a brake kit.

 

My Stillen rotors are maybe a little better.

 

Some cross drilled rotors may be better than others, but all usually end up cracking at some point.