PhotoMunkey

The conversation today with Wilwood was encouraging, but they haven't said "yes" to my request yet. Everyone cross your fingers if you're interested in a 6-piston kit.

BTW-I'd be interested in having a running list of 10 people who might be interested in purchasing the front BBK when we have it finished. "Interested" does not mean "must purchase" of course...

bassy

I had the Track System kit made by Baer on my former Eclipse GS-T. It's got dual-piston PBR aluminum calipers and cross-drilled and slotted, curved-vane, and zinc-plated 13" rotors. The rotors were one piece units. The quality and performance were both excellent. Most of all, the price was an affordable $1,000, which is pratically less than half of what other bbk's go for.

When I wanted to upgrade the stock brakes on my 8, I went straight to Baer.com to find out what's available. I was disappointed to see that they got nothing for the 8. They only got some kit for the MX-5.

Anyway, long story short--I was looking for something similar to Baer's Track System for my 8 in terms of technical features, performance and price. If someone or some company is going to make such a kit, I'll be all over it.

Chamberlin

iTrader: (1)

rumor has it that Wilwood already has a BBK for the RX-8, and a major rotary vendor will be possibly displaying them on their test mule at SSX.... anyone else hear this?

LionZoo

The list of interested people:

1. LionZoo
2.
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auzoom

I will add my name BUT I have to say that its with a Racing Brake price range clause.

The list of interested people:

1. LionZoo
2. auzoom
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ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

1. LionZoo
2. auzoom
3. ac3mastuh
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10.

I would like to find a nice BBK other than Brembo or Endless because they are serious wayy to expensive for me.

PhotoMunkey

Well (seriously chuckling at this one) that would be news to the people at Wilwood since none of their new calipers are properly sized at this moment.

Perhaps you've heard this because I am working on making this happen, with a "major" rotary vendor backing the development, who would very much like to display these on their "test mule" at SSX? Hmmmmm?

PhotoMunkey

I'm glad to see there's some interest in this... just to be clear, this is what we're discussing:

1. 6-piston lightweight billet calipers w/ increased pad area
2. 13" x 1.25" lightweight rotors
3. Aluminum center hat with high quality 1/4-20 fasteners
4. CAD-engineered mounts
5. braided steel brake lines
6. Street/Track pads (can be ordered with a variety of track-only pads if necessary)

Each two piece rotor will (should) weigh around 13 lbs. Each caliper weighs around 4.5 lbs. This should represent sizeable reductions in weight, rotational and unsprung.

Unsure of final price as that will depend on the brackets developed at this point but we plan to make Racing Brake VERY uncomfortable. Brembo, AP Racing, and Stoptech will be extremely pissed at us!

Chamberlin

iTrader: (1)

Hahahaha- OK, it is very possible that we are talking about the same vendor

whoneedspistons

iTrader: (2)

well put me down on the list

drifter_d

Double D is also interested.

PhotoMunkey

1. LionZoo
2. auzoom
3. ac3mastuh
4. whoneedspistons
5. Drifter_D
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This list represents the entire first production run of the calipers, should Wilwood decide to produce them. No guarantees from them yet at this point <sigh> but I'm still swingin' the bat at them every day. Hoping to hit a home run soon with this one folks.

Oh, I forgot to mention that, by our measurements right now, these WILL fit inside the STOCK wheels too! Without spacers! People in snowy climes feel free to rejoice, kneel, and kiss my ring... You are in the presence of greatness! LOL

For everyone looking at Racing Brake rotors, hold on to your money for a few more weeks!

Derex'8

iTrader: (4)

My credit card will never see the day of light

1. LionZoo
2. auzoom
3. ac3mastuh
4. whoneedspistons
5. Drifter_D
6. Derex'8
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I'm also interested in the rear brake kit with AL calipers but only if it retains the e brake system.

PhotoMunkey

That's exactly what we're planning to do, only with a larger rear rotor which will weigh less than the stock one.

staticlag

Ok, count me in, these will fit RPF-1s right?

PhotoMunkey

That is the plan. We will be testing these with 18x9.5" RPF-1s (popular with some of the auto-x crowd), 19x8.5" RPF-1s, and the stock 18x8" wheels. Preliminary measurements indicate these should fit all three without any spacers.

Cross your fingers everyone... parts should arrive Wednesday for the test fitting!

I am hoping to have both a functioning display on a car at SSX, and a non-functioning display, perhaps on a second car.

kinchu007

iTrader: (1)

Are you planning on releasing a 2-piece rear rotor as well?

I would be very interested if the front BBK and rear 2-piece rotor together would be under $2000.

Also how about supporting other aftermarket pads like Endless or Project Mu? Is this possible somehow?

PhotoMunkey

We'd like to do a full rear kit with an oversize yet lighter rotor to match the increase in front brake force. At the very least, the rear rotor will need to be oversized in order to increase leverage.

There are many companies who make pads for Wilwood calipers. Wilwood themselves make a variety of pads, from street out to auto-x to endurance race caliber.

VarneyMazda

im very interested.
put me up.. the plastic is melting.

PhotoMunkey

1. LionZoo
2. auzoom
3. ac3mastuh
4. whoneedspistons
5. Drifter_D
6. Derex'8
7. Staticlag
8. VarneyMazda
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LionZoo

Looks like a good turn-out. When do you feel these will be production ready?

PhotoMunkey

Lionzoo, I asked that question yesterday but have yet to receive a reply.

I can reveal this though... We're not going to hit our target price. At all. We will easily beat Stoptech, Brembo, and Rotora/Greddy prices though. US-made calipers are just too expensive but since the Chinese can't make a watch which runs more than a year, I won't use their products on my car. Certainly NOT in my brake system. The vendor hasn't set a price yet.

The parts are supposed to arrive at my house tomorrow (in theory, if shipping goes well).

LionZoo

I worked for a summer in the Chinese OEM automobile parts industry so I can say that while some Chinese stuff is junk, when the proper quality controls are applied (this usually means coaching from foreign experts) Chinese built stuff is just as good as items made anywhere else. The problem with China currently is that because of uneven applications of QC processes, the quality from one company to another can vary widely. But I digress...

I think the price point is fairly important for a few buyers, but if you can come out with matched fronts and rears you will probably get my business. Unfortunately, that might not be for a few months as I have strict limits on how much money I can spend on my car so my "fund" will require a bit of saving up. Take your time.

PhotoMunkey

Wahooo! Parts arrived today. Test-fitting will occur shortly this evening! Boy these things look good!

Will keep you all updated.

chickenwafer

iTrader: (9)

how about some pics??

I am highly interested. I was looking at the Rotora 6-piston kit but if this one performs as good or better and look good too, then I might just be on-board.