Fastbrakes 11" upgrade

[217gsr]

What I've gathered from my research is that people who have this kit love it. I think it's a great deal, and have been interested in getting them for quite a while. . . but I'm still unsure about their benefit for a street-driven car that never sees autox or drag strip.

How does the weight (at each wheel) compare with a stock setup? Does the increased weight (significantly) affect the acceleration of the vehicle?

And of course, I think the BIG QUESTION is, does it really result in better braking? Keep in mind I have stainless lines already.

Also, I've spoken to the Fastbrakes rep, and they're really pushing the Axxis Ultimates. Anyone have opinions on those?

[217gsr]

I have the Axxis Metalmasters on my car right now, and just like you, I hate them. The compound is just too hard. I expressed these concerns to a Fastbrakes rep, and he basically assurred me that the Ultimates are completely different. I'm kinda willing to give Axxis another try if these Ultimates live up to what they say.

I don't "hate" my current brake setup, but I think that I could always use more braking/acceleration. I've already gotten stainless lines, which improved the brake feel tremendously. And besides the squeaking from my rear AEM pads, I like my rear setup. I'm looking for a setup with great initial bite from the pad that hauls the car down FAST.

[CivicR]

I would just get the Carbotech Bobcats for your fronts. I am telling you that you will love them. There are a number of Autocrosser's and Road Racers that use the Carbotech's and say that they perform excellent. I went by that info when i did my brake upgrade and now agree.

John

[217gsr]

It took me a while, but I finally found a site that lists the friction coefficient of the Axxis Ultimates. Now I feel like I can compare them to the Bobcats that you mentioned, CivicR. They're pretty similar - the Ultimates are a 0.46 and the Bobcats are 0.45. But at 600 degrees, the Ultimates have a reduced coefficient (.35-.45) compared to the Bobcats.

CivicR, do the pads squeal? My car is 100% street driven, and my brakes don't always run hot.

I'll probably end up getting them. So then, should I even bother with 11" rotors and the remanufactured calipers?

One more thing, I find it odd that the Integra Bobcat pads are more expensive than the Integra R Bobcat pads.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 15, 2005 07:46 PM: Message edited by: 217gsr ]</font>

[CivicR]

I have had no squeel at all ever with the Bobcats. I also have no issues at all stopping when they are cold even in winter temps. When I installed them I also installed new Brembo rotor blanks(OEM GSR size). I also flushed the entire brake system and put in Valvoline Syn Power brake fluid which was recomended as a good quiality brake fluid that wont absorb to much water to fast like some of the racing fluids will. I will be Autocrossing on this setup soon so we will see if they hold up. If I were you I would just get the Bobcats for your stock brakes and spend the extra money you save on some power upgrades [img]cool.gif[/img]

Good luck with your setup,

John

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 15, 2005 09:02 PM: Message edited by: CivicR ]</font>

[CivicR]

I had a set of Axxis MetalMasters on my old EX Civic(Same size as GSR)and I hated them. They always seemed to need to be a little hot to make the first stop with them. They also faded very easily. I know they are not the ultimates, but I dont think I would try another Axxis pad again. Right now I am using Carbotech Engineering Bobcat pads on my Civic Hatch with a GSR brake upgrade and I love them!!! Excellent stopping power with no fade and not much brake dust. I have beaten on them pretty good and have had no ill effects at all. I would definate buy the Carbotech Bobcats again!!

PS...What do you not like about your current brake setup that makes you want to upgrade?

Carbotech web page

John

[GreddyTurboSi]

I have used several pads and different rotors on my car. Axiss pads suck, aem pads suck. EBC pads suck. I have used the green stuff, red stuff, and the black stuff. they are all horrible for an agressively driven street car. I have also used crossdrilled rotors, slotted rotors, and crossdrilled and slotted rotors, in the stock size. I give them all a big big [img]graemlins/thumbs_down.gif[/img] Now the best combo I have found is brembo blanks at all 4 corners with HAWK hps pads. they have a great inatial bite and will take several stops from 140MPH-0 then punch it again get to 100 and the brakes are still there with no sign of fade. Also I am from Knoxville TN and I have had the car @ 129 or deals gap several times with all these different barake setups where you are constatly hard on the brakes and if they fail you will go off the side of a cliff and DIE. If you are looking for anything better than what a Hawk HPS or HP pad can do for you on stock sized rotors then I would recommend the Wilwood big brake kitIt is the cheapest quality kit I have ever used. $600 gets you new rotors, new calipers, relacation hardware, and SS brake lines. Plus they look really good. My .02

[217gsr]

Took your advice CivicR and got those Carbotech Bobcats. They're on order right now and should be here by the end of this week. Did some further research on them, and it looks like they come highly recommended from other people also. For those who are interested, Carbotech has a great deal on the Bobcats + ROTORS on their website. The rotors may not be Brembos, but for the price, you can't beat this package!

[CivicR]

I drive on them everyday and I love them. I highly doubt you will not like them!! Let us know what you think of them after you get them installed. Make sure you follow the bedding instructions that come with the pad.

Good Luck!

John

[CivicR]

How are your new brake pads doing? I did an Autocross school with mine and they were great. I did a ton of back runs for 30 minutes straight multiple times in one day with no fade at all!! I and definately sold on the Carbotech's!

John