These brakes obviously look incredible. Although I'm not much of a "look at me" guy, I really appreciate the comments I get now. People actually stop to ask me about the truck--and they are not the usual morons, but instead people who really know performance cars. This rarely happened before the new wheels and brakes.

But how do they perform for nearly $4K (disclosure--I got mine used for half that)? Outstanding! Although I have not had an opportunity to try to break them on a track yet, the pedal feel is superb! This is an unexpected benefit. I bought them just to be able to survive open track events and did not expect that they would do anything other than provide more repeatable high speed stopping.

I was wrong. They stop better and have far better pedal feel. The stock brakes had lots of travel before the brakes would start grabbing, which annoyed the hell out of me. I like Porsche brakes--touch the pedal and things start happening immediately. Well, the Brembos do not quite get there, but they are much closer than the sponge-under-my-foot feeling of the stockers.

I went out to bed the rotors and pads (not really necessary, since I bought them used), and immediately noticed subjectively better stopping power. The truck seems to have more dive under braking now (still not much given the stiff suspension and shocks in the front), which might suggest a problem with front-to-rear brake bias on the track (Stan Martin has warned of this). But it sure seems like the truck wants to transfer the weight to the front and stop much quicker now. Brake dust generation is about the same as stock.

And if you figure the long-term costs of cooked rotors and pads, the Brembos might (and I emphasize might) actually be cheaper in the long run for road racing. Although the pads are much more expensive than stock, if the rotors can hold up to the abuse, it might be a wash over several years of hard use.

If you road race and have the cash, I give the Brembos my highest recommendation. The street performance is just icing on the cake.

 

After checking out Pawn's brakes and yours, if I could come across a "deal", I think I would put my wheel/tire mod on hold for the time being and invest in some brakes

 

Tim

You never seize to amaze me

is all I can say

AWESOME SET UP, IT LOOKS GRRRRRRREAT

 

What does the kit go for new?

 

gulp. $3,700.

 

Well Luke, how big of a glup did you take?

 

I also have brake envy.

 

GULP!!
Pretty big! Those will have to wait a while. I have other things I would like to get first.

 

In all fairness thou Tim you also installed braided brake hoses too.Which will help in cutting down on the spongy feel do to the flexing of the rubber lines.Atleast I think you did.
Brembos are the way to go if you do lots of open track events.Tims brakes will outlast minebut a I figure 2 to 1 but I had to see if I could do it too.Would love to see the ft to rear psi now.Do you know anyone that has a shop that can diagnois ABS problems?There is a pad guage system out that you install between the pads [were the rotor would be] and you press on the brake pedal and it measures the psi applied to the sensors and reads it out on a guage. I have a set here as well as one that reads fluid psi.Might be able to send them out to you to see if youcan not find anyone. stan

 

I did install some SS lines at the same time, but in past experiences, they just add a little firmness, especially when the pedal is pushed hard. The added firmness from the Brembos is way more than can be accounted for with the lines.

I am going to a Solo 2 event on Saturday. I'm hoping there will be lots of opportunities to intentionally late brake and see if the truck gets upset in the corners.

Stan, at my first event--a relatively high-speed (100+) cone course, the truck performed amazingly well, thanks in part to the QA's and panhard from Ruslow! The balance was nearly perfect with 40/40 tire pressure and 8/5 on the shocks.

I know most people recommend 8/7 or 8/6, but the national runner-up in the Pro Solo class which runs Mustangs drove my truck and thought that 7 in the rear was too stiff. Pulled over, lowered a couple of clicks on the QA1's, and volia! The big dip on the back straight and a dip in the middle of a 30 MPH curve were much more manageable.

If I notice any brake balance issues, I will look into the pressure sensors. I'm sure here in SoCal there are a bunch. Hell, Brembo itself is only a few miles away. Car nut heaven.

 

I am jealous of your locale Tim.

Wow, 100mph+ Solo2 event? Thats quite a setup. Most around me only get up to the 60's, maybe the 80's (tend to be very techincal).

My instructor at Limerock HPDE loved the way the truck handled and was surprised at how far he could push it (including the late braking before the Esses)....Coming into the esses, there is signage (6, 5, 4, 3, etc) to help drivers judge their braking point, where he instructs most people to start braking at 4-5, we ended up late braking the truck at 3-2, getting through the first curve much quicker while still being able to corner, scrubbing off a little extra speed and throttling to then next apex.

What brake fluid are you running? I was toasting the Ford-HD fluid easily, I've been running NEO SuperDOT 610 now with great results so far.

 

Oh Hey, Tim, I was meaning to ask, how much of the brake dust shield were you able to keep?

Daniel

 

Hi Guy's, any of you have the stock rear sway bar and small parts laying around and would like to sell it??? I have a 2002 Harley Davidson F150 and would like to install the lightning rear sway bar set up!!! Is there a difference in the rear bar thickness for different year Lightnings? Thanks for all the help!!!

 

Tim,

Thanks for the report, and for that matter, thanks for all the information you give us!! The Brembos look awesome. I can't wait to hear more!

Have you done anything to upgrade the rear?
Have you finished your front air ducts project yet?

Thanks!
Chris

 

You should check the classifieds.