StopTech Questions

[PaulPDX]

Thanks for the info. Not sure if the 35 offset wold work with 1Gs since 1G fenders don't flare as much. Looks good though and at a decent weight to boot. You're going to have fun cleaning those rims. I had a set of BBS RCs in the past (very similar design) and they were a pain to clean.

 

[SpicyTuna]

Thanks for the info. Not sure if the 35 offset wold work with 1Gs since 1G fenders don't flare as much. Looks good though and at a decent weight to boot. You're going to have fun cleaning those rims. I had a set of BBS RCs in the past (very similar design) and they were a pain to clean.

Maybe (*hopefully*) they wont get dirty?? :laugh::laugh:

 

[PaulPDX]

Tip: wax the wheels. Easier to clean when the time comes.

 

[Todd TCE]

Um, btw; I hope that pic of the wheel on is only for mock up and not the final fit. Unless you took the pic upside down some how, the caliper is. Not to be pesky, but bleeders go up. Hope you didn't pay a shop to install this for you....

 

[SpicyTuna]

Um, btw; I hope that pic of the wheel on is only for mock up and not the final fit. Unless you took the pic upside down some how, the caliper is. Not to be pesky, but bleeders go up. Hope you didn't pay a shop to install this for you....

Ya. . . . I messed up, took the pictures before I flipped them. . . . . .

My mini review:
The kit provided by StopTech is top notch. They include everything that you need to do the install. My kit included a Celica installation manual because at the time of my purchase there were no DSM instructions. Each step is illustrated with picture and text which makes installation a breeze. The kit includes new stainless steel lines, and even the little clips that hold the line in place. My instructions failed to mention the the bleeder nipples where to face up, so I had some initial problems bleeding the brakes. After a 10 minute call to StopTech they directed me to the online PDF containing the DSM install instructions. This version of instructions clearly stated that the nipples were to face up. Twenty minutes and a brake bleed later I was up and running.

The initial bedding of the pads was disappointing. I got the feeling that they were equal or worse to my previous AEM big brake kit. I took the car home to cool down (heat cycle) per the instructions. Later that night I went back out, wow, thats all I can say. Night and day difference. The car stops noticably quicker, and I feel like the pads bite hard -- which solidly bring the car to a stop. I have no comparison numbers, just seat of the pants feel.

Another advantage that I personally found, and love, is I no longer lock up my fronts. Previously with my big brake upgrade, my car seemed to lock up very easily (I have no abs). Mike@RRE told me to upgrade the rears to the AEM's but I never got around to it. Now with the StopTechs I dont seem to lock up like I used to. Maybe I have just learned control?

 

[PaulPDX]

Todd,

Since you are reading this thread, I've been meaning to ask you about the issue of dust boots. Lots of folks say track days can produce melted dust boots, yet the ST calipers appear to have dust boots and do seem to have been used by customers for track days. So is this common notion just one of those automotive myths that gets passed around as fact too often?

Also, I was leaning towards the STs, but lately have been thinking about your line more (more specifically the 6 pot). Since the Willwoods do not have dust boots are there additional maintenance tasks that owners would need to perform on a regular basis as opposed to calipers with dust boots?

Thx.

 

[Todd TCE]

Here are some thoughts on the options.

Boots are nice. And can be had from me on the DP caliper only so that limits you to the smaller 12.2 kit with a max of 1" wide rotors. Boots can and do melt under heavy track use on many calipers. Can't speak of the STs but yes, there are materials which can take heat better than others, such as the very common vaporizing of PBR boots. Are they needed? That's up to you. Anyone who says they are needed to keep out dirt is just running their mouth; I think I know dirt and and can tell you that they calipers on my car have five race seasons on them now and work just fine. Most damages come from pushing back pistons at pad change and fail to clean them. Poor weather? Sure packing them full of road salt in the winter won't help either. Keep them clean and they are just fine.

As for the other 'pros and cons' of one manufacture over the other, the reason you can't lock them up as easily is that they reduce front piston area to develop their 'balanced' package. Sure there are some benefits to it, but it's not quite the rocket science they may proclaim.

ST goes to length to bash WW products for reasons the guys at WW just don't understand. They do produce very good product mind you, but they also produce some deceptive advertising too. While quick to point out caliper stiffness and deflection, they are slow to mention that their calipers weigh a lot more than some of the others. In fact danm heavy for what they are. Tests show the results of pressures of 1500psi which is way over what should be used for input pressure. Why? Because the smaller piston area does in turn require more pressure to generate the same torque. Use more piston and you need less pressure. Most big brakes run quite well in the 700psi range- strangely enough this is not shown in the nifty charts. Also pads play a huge role in the bite and torque of the kits. Despite what some manufactures claim; there is no one size fits all pad. Balance be damned, when you change vehicle dynamics via susupension or tires or even pads the whole equation goes out the window. The more front weight you have the more front brake you can use.

Pad options for one or the other are varied and some might say limited. Some of that stiffness and mass comes from thinner pad or more caliper body too. They don't often speak of the pad being about 20% thinner than many other pads used by other manufactures. That's not only less life but also more heat transfer.

All in all, I think you'll be very happy with the final product. I only know of a few who have said they later didn't like the ST product. But yes it has happened. Just as there are those who swear they'd never use a WW product again....life goes on. It's kinda like tires. I do like the directional rotor hat idea if they were supplied! That one has some merit to me; the pushing of air over and through the mount surface is a pretty trick idea. Still it requires a pair of hats to do a car and that in turn costs more money to produce and manage.

Is the price difference of $600+/- worth it in the end? That's entirely up to you and the buyer of any product is happy that's all that matters.

BTW: Glad you got thos nipples pointing up finally!

 

[TSiAWD666]

Did you get the red calipers or the black? I have a friend with reds and his too are very glossy. Thank goodness mine are matte black, I am not looking to be noticed, I just want the benefits of the upgrade. It is not the pictures at all, they are flat ("matte") black.

Black, because I ain't payin' $200 for some red paint, hehe. My black is nice and glossy.

 

[SpicyTuna]

Black, because I ain't payin' $200 for some red paint, hehe. My black is nice and glossy.

Maybe they changed something then. Cause I know a couple people with black and they have flat (matte) black. . . . . then I know one person from AIM who has red and its very glossy (shinny). . . . . Oh well doesnt really matter, I am happy with what I have.