Stoptech VS Brembo

[Cottonmouth]

So when I was at the shop getting the APR software, I asked about BBK's. They recommended the Brembo kit. I kind of always liked Stoptech. Not sure if I should just go with the Brembo because this is what they recommend or stay with my original plan.

Does anyone have any advice on this area? I am sure there are some of you that will say "just get what you want". But what I really want to know is... Is one that much better than the other?

Side question... What is the biggest BBK I can get while still being able to fit it inside my factory 17" wheels? I am driving a 2006 B7

[NickZag]

I don't think one is better then the other. Your best bet is going to the Stoptech web site and printing the templates that they have to see if the brakes will clear your wheels. Personally, I think your going to have a hard time finding anything much bigger using a 17" wheel. I'm struggling finding a kit to work with my 18" Enkei RPF1's. Personally, I've done hours and hours of research and I'm waiting to smoke my stock pads and rotors before I switch to a BBK. When the time comes, I'm 99% sure I'm going with Stoptech.

[tazzzmania]

There are pros and cons for both.
Brembo cost a lot, almost twice as much compare to stoptech. The advantage of Brembo is that it has a true floating rotor that eliminates corner kick back. Then again you will only experience that when you drive the car to that extreme level in the corner, meaning in a track and provided that you have that level of driving skill.

Stoptech is relatively lot cheaper than Brembo, and has specific application for your car. Meaning the break bias is adjusted. However it is not a true floating rotor ... but close enough that you most probably won't feel any corner kick back. The other thing to consider is your location. Stoptech hat tends to rust if you live in areas where salt is used during winter. You can always opt for zinc coated hats to kind of address that.

Bottom line .. if you have the dough to dish out... Brembo or Alcon is the way to go... and it gives you the extra prestige and looks regardless whether you can drive or not :). Otherwise if you are wise about your money and know that you won't push your car to extreme limits on a regular basis... stoptech could be the most appropriate and sensible thing to get.

Please note that the stock break is quite good. You really don't need a BBK unless you are tracking your car on a regular basis. The biggest BBK you can fit under a 17" in the front is 332 mm.

[Cottonmouth]

Thanks for the info Tazz.. You make some really good points. I plan to autocross this car in the summer. I don't think I will come close to that sort of abuse since most courses don't get above second gear. I know how to drive btw. Been racing for years.

I live in southern Ontario so road salt is definitely an issue. I didn't know Stoptech hats rust. So I will then move towards Brembo.

[wpod]

I, too, am in the market for a BBK, and recently was reminded of Alcon. To be honest, I wasn't aware that Alcon made "upgrade" caliper/rotors for our Audis. I finally got a decent price on a couple of different Alcon setups, the first, using a 4 piston (CAR98 monobloc )caliper and two piece Alcon rotor with brake lines and pads, is just under $2600.00. The 6 piston, (CAR97 monobloc )caliper with same rotor and accessories is just under $2900.00. I see that Alcon makes quite a few different type calipers, are the CAR 98 and CAR 97 calipers the equal of the 4 and 6 piston Brembos from the Porsche Cayenne? This is one of the toughest decisions that I've come across with regard to performance upgrades. Thanks, Paul

[EBG 18T]

Stoptech hats are aluminum like brembo; neither hat will rust. The issues lies in the hardware and rotor float design. But the hardware used on the brembo is said to be better and suppose to function better with the corrosion that salt creates. I have had stoptechs and never had any issues in either the salt or magnesium chloride used.

[swoardrider]

I, too, am in the market for a BBK, and recently was reminded of Alcon. To be honest, I wasn't aware that Alcon made "upgrade" caliper/rotors for our Audis. I finally got a decent price on a couple of different Alcon setups, the first, using a 4 piston (CAR98 monobloc )caliper and two piece Alcon rotor with brake lines and pads, is just under $2600.00. The 6 piston, (CAR97 monobloc )caliper with same rotor and accessories is just under $2900.00. I see that Alcon makes quite a few different type calipers, are the CAR 98 and CAR 97 calipers the equal of the 4 and 6 piston Brembos from the Porsche Cayenne? This is one of the toughest decisions that I've come across with regard to performance upgrades. Thanks, Paul

BBK systems are not something you want to just "piece" together. If not engineered right, a bad system can actually have longer stopping distances than OEM brakes. If you want Alcon stuff, then buy a kit from Stasis that is already engineered for your car model.

[Cottonmouth]

Any thought son the Porsche Cayene Kit?



This looks like a decent kit. Does anyone have any experience with it?

[BremboGuy]

I stand firm on the theory that you get what you pay for.
I can describe every item in the Brembo kit that actually adds MORE value, that the difference in price between any of the competing kit.

If a brake kit is significantly less expensive, then you should really identify where the cost difference comes from and weigh the pro's and con's vs. what you want to accomplish with a BBK.

Hands down, Brembo has the longest lasting rotors and pads of any of the options out there.
The other guys will say "but our replacement parts are less expensive".
I can tell you that Brembo is not 2 to 3 times more expensive, but they do consistently last 2 to 3 times longer with less maintenance as well.
And then it's up to you to decide...

...save money now on a less expensive kit...or...save money over time on the higher quality option?

For your question about 17" wheels, the largest kit you will be able to fit is a 332mm kit.
PM me and I can get you the template for the Brembo kit for you to compare against your wheels.
I'll give you some tips for measuring the wheel as well, since printing the PDF's to actual size and cutting it out accurately can be tricky.

[BremboGuy]

Any thought son the Porsche Cayene Kit?

Yes. It works very well on a Cayenne.

Other than that. Nothing nice to say at all.

[EBG 18T]

Yes. It works very well on a Cayenne.

Other than that. Nothing nice to say at all.

Exactly. Buy a kit designed for your car.

[Cottonmouth]

I think Brembo might be the route I take. Now to find the best deal.

Any suggestions where to look?

[steffie905]

I see you're a fellow Ontarian..try JRP, they're located in Mississauga, or Euroline might have them.

[VZWalex]

I live here in the states (Socal) and have 2 friends with Brembo kits ... they cant seem to stop crying about what a pain in the A$$ they are to break in or something .... all I know is they have warped rotors already and the kits where less than 4 months old. As far as performance goes the where pretty happy with them while they where not vibrating .... Now the interesting part is my other buddy ( the odd ball guy ) went with Stoptech ... he drove down to Torrance, Ca and spoke to some of the engineers and designers first hand about there product ... long story short ... a few of them went over from Brembo .. there mission was to create BBK systems for the said vehicle application retaining and taking into account the OEM Master cylinder, ABS module and Proportioning Valve. So no matter what .. you will have the best braking possible with your OEM equipment and there BBK. Call me silly but it makes allot of sense ... No to mention how many SCCA cars run stoptech .... must be for a reason ... I like Brembo but for a full race car where an Adjustable Proportioning Valve is at hand along side a strong master cylinder ... but for my road car with OEM parts .. I will choose Stoptech ... ...

rust .... it happens ... zinc coat it or spray it .. end of story.

PS lets not forget ... rotor wear is also Dependant on the pads you are using ....

Porsche brakes belong on a Porsche ... end of that story ...

Alcon ... yeah I would do what the other guy mentioned ... contact Stassis to get the right set up for your car.

[4AudiQ]

Any thought son the Porsche Cayene Kit?



This looks like a decent kit. Does anyone have any experience with it?

I had Ron Woods of VW Specialties in Huntington Beach put together a kit for me in 2006
that uses Porsche calipers with a 314 x 30 front rotors to fit 5 lug upgraded wheels.
email me at [email protected]
Roger

[s4Jah]

DO NOT BUY STOPTECH!!!!! These brakes suck. My st-40s nearly killed me when the bracket literally broke and my wheel locked up unexpectedly on the highway in the snow. I tried getting a little help from the company and Howard the manager told me Im stupid and installed them wrong. Imo this should be covered far beyond warranty and they should also cover the damage to my car. Also did not notice any difference in performance over stock b5 s4 brakes. the only thing these brakes are good for is having the bbk look behind your wheels.

[RS6er]

for 17" wheels, I think AP 5200 with 330mm rotors works the best.

[icutrauma1]

s4Jah, do you have any pictures of what happened to you? I purchased my B6 2005 A4 1.8T Avant from the dealer in 2006, new. Within months I installed the ST-40 BBK, I have 160,000 miles and just last month I changed the aerorotors. I have not had any issues with my kit.

I would recommend speaking to Chris at Zeckhausen Racing, 800-222-8893, extremely intelligent and will keep you on the phone longer than you want, not selling, but talking about brakes and the dynamics involved to become more educated as to which company Brembo or Stoptech or AP will fit your needs and make you feel comfortable with your purchase.