eviltwinkie

Looking at getting the RB kit for a few reasons...

1) Weight reduction...
2) Increase braking performance...

Checking out what TeamRX8 has been having success with I believe he is using the "oversized" 13" kit. I noticed the the "stock" 12.6" kit and made a quick comparison between the two.

13" Rotor = 14.4 lbs - More surface area than 12.6"
12.6" Rotor = 14.1 lbs - Less surface area than 13"

So...the question is...do the 13" actually provide tangible benefits? In my mind does the small increase in weight provide any actual useful gain? The performance of the 12.6" currently seems more than enough so outside of the 13" looking hella cool...is it worth it?

Next question would be slotting/drilling. I feel like the slotting and drilled rotors would be a touch lighter but I know that for the most part its not really needed. Anyone have any opinions on that subject at all? Wouldnt the reduction of surface area also reduce braking performance?

EDIT: Next question...if I purchased the two-piece rotors now...could I add the calipers later on? Or do I HAVE to get the kit? Anyone know?


Cheers all!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

what are you going to do with the car?

slotting good drilled well read around.. lighter very good..

the car with the stock brakes, is very, very, well few are better..

it is what are you going to do, vs how much money is it going to cost?

and teamrx8 is on the cutting edge of everything, and i mean that in a good way..

beers

eviltwinkie

I'm tracking the car mostly at HPDE's but will eventually move into more serious avenues.

Lighter is good...primary drive is to lighten the car up...hence why I am wondering if I should get the rotors now and upgrade the calipers later on...also I already have hawk pads which should fit so I dont need the ones in the kit...AND I already have upgraded brake lines...so I dont need those later...

If I could get the calipers/brackets later on to compliment the rotors that would be best...I'll probably send them an email...

I agree the stockers are quite good...I am running w/ HP+ and already upgraded the lines and fluid...very impressed...

scsi

i wondered the same thing but ultimately decided on stock sized curved open slotted 2 piece rotors with hawk HPS pads. i plan to get the aluminum calipers for the front later on when i have more money. i decided to go as light as possible and also the stock size was cheaper.

hogcar

Question 1 No
2 No
3 No
4 Slotted yes and no, Drilled no
5 No within reason


Your stock brakes are more than enough with a good set of pads and quality fluid.
Spend your money on seat time.

eviltwinkie

In case you missed it...I DO have good pads Hawk HP+...already run with ATE Super Blue and already upgraded the lines...

And I already spend money on seat time...

So...outside of that...please justify your generalized answers...

avenger

Keep your wheels in mind as well. Not all wheels will be able to take the larger rotor and caliper.

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't the larger rotors also have the added benefit of being able to absorb more heat?

eviltwinkie

I'll be switching to the RPF1's soon. But I was also looking to change the rotors to reduce some of that weight. Since the BBK (13") is designed for the RPF1 I *could* take advantage of that BBK. But I guess I am wondering what for? The current sized rotors offer more than enough stopping power. And if I am truely going to be obsessed with weight than in my mind...I dont think the 13" really provide anything substantial. I *might* just get the 12.6" rotors for now and pick up the RPF1's after I finish chewing thru the BFG's on the OEM wheels.

I was looking at doing either the rotors or RPF1's before the June 2/3 event at TWS.

Spin9k

If you get the RB std sized 2-piece rotors w/stock calipers and are able to overheat them, you need to 1) get brake cooling ducts, 2) not use you brakes so much.

The RB calipers will loose your significant lbs, but not significant braking distance, that's your tires job. If you can lock your brakes with OEM setup (or get ABS function) , you can't stop faster with just bigger brakes.

We already know BBKs won't help stopping distances as the OEMs are among the best in the car world. So how much are the weight savings worth to you. Thinksing another way, you could get (spend for) lighter wheels and accomplish the same with the benefit of wider wheels too.

Also something to consider, if you use a BBK and so fixed rather than floating caliper, you are possibly subject to brake 'knockback' - a debilitating track malady under braking that can really mess up your day.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

first, in order to get clearance on the Enkei 18 x 9.5 x 45mm RPF1 wheel without spacers you'll need the Enkei wheel version which is only available in the 13" BBK

second, I can say that there is a substantial difference over my present RB 13" BBK and 2-pc rear rotor braking package over the OE brakes. I seem to recall people saying an air filter on a stick doesn't work in an RX-8 too ... I have to be very conscious of overbraking now, very easy to do and with much reduced pedal effort

the weight savings are a definite advantage for the cost

I run mostly autox, but dannobre tracks his heavily, I'm sure he'll drop in his input

eviltwinkie

Thanks spin!

The more I think about it the more I think I simply want to get the 12.6" two-piece rotors for the front and two-piece stock replacements for the rear now and then update the calipers later on.

Unsprung weight to me is more important right now and so dropping weight from the wheel/rotor combo I think is the best bang for the buck.

I sent an email to RB about purchasing the calipers later on separately so lets see what they say.

eviltwinkie

Gracias Team...your input is very appreciated...

scsi

wait....so the calipers for the stock sized rotors will not fit?!? fawk

this is news to me. i thought that the calipers for the stock size rotors would fit both. but if you wanted the BBK then you needed the special kit for the enkeis...

LionZoo

Reduced pedal effort... I take that to mean the brake pedal is softer now?

scsi

i think it means, you have to press the pedal less to get the same results as stock, so if you press it all the way vs stock youll brake a lot harder

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

no, I lightly lay my foot on top of the pedal and the car instantaneously decelerates, great for competition but a bit touchy on the street

the pads play into it too

eviltwinkie

Your doing a whole lotta laying there team...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

same RB caliper for both OE size and BBK rotor kits

did you already buy/install it or something?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

and too slow on the edit button

scsi

i have the stock size curved open slotted 2 piece rotors all around right now, as well as the RPF1s 18x9.5 +45. i was planning on buying the aluminum calipers later on. wanted to ask them if they would sell me just the calipers, if not, buy the kit and sell the brand new rotors. does this mean my plan wont work?

LionZoo

Any chance of the caliper coming in silver to match the rears? I don't really want look at me red, but black and silver just seems like a wrong combination.

StrokerAce

It's so hard being a poser when the colors don't match.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

they only provide red or black, you can always pait your rear OE calipers black

I plan to add a set of their 2 pot calipers in the rear in the near future. I'll have to make the mounting brackets myself.

scsi

hey teamrx8, can you confirm?

eviltwinkie

I already have an email in to them asking if they will sell the componets separately and if that will work. I'll keep you posted on thier response. I dont see why they would not sell it in pieces.