dannobre

iTrader: (3)

If the stock calipers fit over your rims they will fit...the Enkei's will fit over the stock sized 2-pc calipers. If you go to the upsized rotors and the 4 piston calipers....you will need the "enkei" compatable rotor hats to get them to fit.

So...s far as i can remember...the Enkei's fit on the stock calipers OK...so the stock sized 2 PC will fit normally.

If you buy the calipers to upgrade, then you would need to buy new hats and mounting brackets for the calipers if you have the Enkei wheels...

How's that...clear as mud

As far as braking goes.....I go back and forth with the rotors/calipers in the front over winter...cause the RB ones don't fit my snow tire rims . There is a distinct difference in the RB gear over stock with the same pads. The RB 4-piston calipers are much smoother in on/off transitions, and the pedal pressure is different. It is more linear. The stock brakes fell almost grabby in comparison. I haven't had either system fade significantly...but i have always run good fluid and decent pads. I have upgraded my pads to HP10 this year to try and get better stopping power and a bit better wear..so far they work great

Carrera26

Braking ability is going to be far more affected by suspension and tire than by your braking system, at least as far as benefits over the OE system are concerned. As I am sure you already know, the only real benefits of a big brake conversion are better brake modulation (feel and ability to control precisely) and fade. Since already have made the move to better pads and fluid, have you also invested in some steel braided brake lines? These will significantly improve modulation and fade resistance and they are exceptionally cheap.

If you are still having fade issues with everything working right, you'd probably get better results from brake ducting at a much lower cost as well.

Only if; you are still fighting fade on track, still feel that the ability to modulate braking is holding you back, and/or are unable to lock the wheels after several laps then you should definitely consider the upgrade. Unless you're situation fits all these parameters, though, that's just a lot of $$$ for very few tangible benefits. 100% of the people I know who have gotten SS brake lines have told me that they have much better fade resistance and pedal feel with very little cash spent. I'd merely suggest that you give that a try first.

eviltwinkie

Yep...I did the pads/lines/fluid all at once. I am not fighting fade at all and with the updated components I am very impressed overall with the system. I am SO impressed that I am questioning if the BBK was even worth it. I think the reduction of unsprung weight is a better goal for me so far. I am heavily leaning towards simply getting the two-piece rotors and RPF1's and calling it a day. I think until I can consistently say that I am getting fade or feel as you said that the brake system is holding me back would the BBK be a worthwhile upgrade.

Any objective opinions on slotted/drilled?

Carrera26

I would stay away from drilled rotors. Unless they are very high-level pieces (read $$$), then they tend to crack fairly quickly under heavy use. Slotting is a better idea, but again unless you are experiencing fade or glazing you are paying to fix a problem you just don't have.

You would likely get more lightweight bang-for-the-buck out of relatively light solid discs and looking at lightweight suspension pieces like A-arms. I'm still new to the RX-8 community so I don't know where to send you, but it's been my experience that you can get more benefit for significantly less $$$ from lightweight suspension parts than lightweight brake parts, and they won't be wear items...

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I have slotted...would have been just as happy with plain....I don't believe that drilled/slotted do anything really useful...in fact they are detrimental to strength. Since they don't make plain I went with the next best thing for me...the slotted ones.

The 2 pc rotors wear unbelievably. i went through 5 sets of pad, with minimal wear of the rotors. I bought a spare set of rings...and I probably won't need them till next year at this rate...

eviltwinkie

Thanks all for your input. Good stuff for sure. I learn something new all the time...

scsi

LOL clear as mud is correct. i still dont get it... so to recap i have stock size 2 piece curved open slot rotors now with the RPF1s. i wanted to upgrade later to the aluminum 4pot calipers on my stock size rotors. i knwo the stock calipers fit now since its how my car is setup, thus confirming the first 2 parts that you wrote

but i figured the 4 pot calipers might be bigger and after reading this thread, i am afraid they might not fit. so when you say if i want to buy the calipers to upgrade, is that only assuming i get the upsized rotors?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

the 4 pot calipers need to set further inboard to clear the Enkei RPF1 spokes, this requires a more offset mounting bracket and deeper rotor hats for the 2-pc rotors. The OE or OE-replacement rotor will not work with this setup. The issue is that the Enkei RPF1 wheel spokes do not have as much brake clearance as the OE wheel spokes.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you'l be hard pressed to lose 24 lbs off the front aluminum control arms and uprights and aluminum shocks won't get you anywhere that either, which is all documented in my "Goodies" thread

putting it nicely, you're RX-8 experience seems limited ...

scsi

i guess aluminum calipers arent happening for me for a long long time. i guess that also means ill have to upgrade to the BBK

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

To go BBK you would need new rotor rings and the calipers. To go to Enkei wheels you would need new rotors with different offset , and calipers with different mounting brackets than you would need for the regular ofset rotor hats.....

I think you would be better to stay stock sized...or go to the BBK and get the Enkei offset.....That way you don't have to dick around to try to upgrade.......

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

A very old thread on the NASIOC forum by Luke at Tire Rack about brakes can be found here.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

The Racing Brake system was absolutely fantastic today

Apparently Porsche is just too stupid to know better than drill their OE and race rotors ... I have the drilled and slotted rotors on all four corners, no cracking or warpage. No surprise, top quality material as noted by dannobre

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

I have the one piece drilled and slotted RB's on all four corners. I did not want to spend the money on the two piece. Will the 4-pot RB front fit with OEM wheels?

eviltwinkie

I have an email in to RB asking if they will sell components separately as well as fitment issues or an upgrade path. I'll keep everyone posted.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Yes...both the kit for regular wheels ie stock...and the Enkei offset kit fit on stock wheels

The stock 4 piston kit doesn't clear the Enkei wheels without spacers is all.....

Mazurfer

It does say somewhere on the website that they will do the upgrade.....for instance, I have the two-piece slotted sport rotors on all four corners and will be able to upgrade that with BBK if I choose to do so. Brian(at Goodwin Racing) also said that it is possible if you buy something and wish to upgrade later. Think he said there would be a discount if he has you on file, but don't quote me on that. And...........I really like the rotors very much!
I didn't want to take a chance with the drilled/slotted.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Thought so, thanks for clearing the mud so to speak. Now get down here and work on my car! LOL

j/k - looks like I may need the spacers soon

hogcar

I saw it. If you think that the HP pads a good pads, then you are not using the stock brakes anywhere near there capacity and IMHO should stick with the stock system. If you want the RB's get them they are probably fine, just not needed. Good luck.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

and your direct experience with this particular brake kit is ...?

eviltwinkie

Response from RB...

Our two piece rotors are built to the same offset and spec of original stock. You can add the aluminum calipers later with full compatibility from our upgrade center:
http://www.racingbrake.com/RX8_4_po.../cpadbp-rx8.htm

NOTE: I misspelled my email address and they went the extra mile and tracked me down to the forum and sent me a PM. These guys now have me as a customer for life...talk about service.

eviltwinkie

I question your statement...not just because its so grossly generalized but because it doesnt take much to eat thru the stock pads at all. The HP+ are significantly better than the stockers and withstand more abuse. I am not stepping up to a racepad simply because I have not yet needed to, however I did NEED to step up from the stock pads. So when the time comes I upgrade accordingly. That said, could you please perhaps provide more details or supporting arguments to back up your opinion? Perhaps contribute some personal experience and rational instead of a generalized statement with an invalidated opinion?

avenger

I can't understand the stock brake (pad) comment at all. They (stock pads) take horribly to heat. After 2 laps, they were fading like there was no tomorrow. They wear horribly on track as well. I've never used the HP+ but I had used Porterfield R4S with good success. I'm told the HP+ are comparable as well. But the stock pads ... thumbsdown for track use.

eviltwinkie

Ha...I never even got a chance to use the stock pads on the track...They wore out and faded quickly after a few "spirited" drives...going to an HPDE on them would have been pesticide.

I'm happy so far with the HP+ as the OEM replacement...squeaky and dusty...not as much bite as I could get with a better pad, but reliable and trustworthy under abuse. I got at least one-two more events left on them for sure.

I'll be interested in avenger's new pads hold up at the next DE. He's a much better driver than I am and probably alot harder on his brakes.

avenger

Unfortunately that will be awhile. August or September unless I decide to brave the Texas summer in July ... that will be brutal.