grambles423
Automotive Engineer
Review: StopTech Pads + Tyrol Bushings + Centric Blank Rotors (CarpartKings)
As part of my K04 build, I've felt that the stock braking was lacking. It felt squishy at instances, and very very unconfident when needed the most. Emergency braking always scared me since the pedal was so soft and did not have much modulation. With the addition of K04......I DEFINITELY needed more stopping power!
My choices were so broad that I could've gone a number of routes. I needed new rotors so I made sure I took that into account. I had 3 options:
1) Pads/Lines/Fluid/Rotors
2) NQSBBK: Porsche Boxster Calipers or R32/Golf R Upgrade
3) BBK: Most likely Stoptech
So, doing what I do best.....I googled the hell out of these kits. I researched everything from pad temperatures to mu compounds, and even did some light engineering calculations to deteremine the best for my application. I had to also keep in mind, that my philosohpy of upgrading my car had to stay intact. The modification had to be "required" or suffice for Daily Driving, yet not be showy and/or over the top. It had to be more functional and make sense for every day occurances. Immediately, this knocked off the BBK. I never track, and while I drive at excessive speeds every now and then, I never could justify the cost over the practicality. This left me with the NQSBBK or Pads/Line/Fluid/Rotors.
The more I priced the Porsche brakes...the more I felt that the application for the kit just wasnt the most top notch. I never feel great about running a bracket kit for a caliper, but I gave it a chance since most BBKs run this. However....I still had my doubts. They look AWESOME, but I strayed a little too far from my motto....and reeled myself back in.
I settled on the Golf R kit for so long that when the time came, I had money in hand and ready.......and I thought to myself...."I can not spend this much money and something I'll only use 50% of." I almost regret my decision not to do it because of how good they looked......but still, its a heavy system and I did not want to deal with it.
I settled for Pads/Lines/Fluid/Rotors/Bushings. The more I thought about it, the more I felt that I needed to JUST eliminate the spongy ness of the pedal and I could have a great time. I bought USP SS Lines, StopTech Pads, Centric Blanks (Carpartkings), and Tyrol bushings. I didnt feel I needed fluid so I wasnt tracking the car. I THEN came to the realization I didnt need the Lines when I never noticed any real fade during my drives to and fro to work.
Performance
I was surprised how well JUST the pads and rotors worked. The initial bite is definitely a lot better and the modulation was easier to maintain throughout the stroke but I felt that there was STILL "some" squishyness that needed to be resolved. Enter Bushings.
The bushings had to be on of the easiest parts of the install. One of my spring clips were a little difficult to place, but once I got it, there were no other complaints. The first drive definitely showed that the pads were wearing much more evenly by giving it that added braking feel. I was intoxicated. The modulation was FINALLY there and I felt that the upgrade was well worth it. So much so, that I sold my USP lines. I still need to bleed my lines again, but after roughly 2K on the set.......I'm again in love with the car!
Overall....I'm VERY satisfied with this setup and did not spend much money on it. CartpartKings had an amazing deal that I could not pass up and I suggest EVERYONE go there and purchase pads NOW just because they were ~$90 for all four.
As part of my K04 build, I've felt that the stock braking was lacking. It felt squishy at instances, and very very unconfident when needed the most. Emergency braking always scared me since the pedal was so soft and did not have much modulation. With the addition of K04......I DEFINITELY needed more stopping power!
My choices were so broad that I could've gone a number of routes. I needed new rotors so I made sure I took that into account. I had 3 options:
1) Pads/Lines/Fluid/Rotors
2) NQSBBK: Porsche Boxster Calipers or R32/Golf R Upgrade
3) BBK: Most likely Stoptech
So, doing what I do best.....I googled the hell out of these kits. I researched everything from pad temperatures to mu compounds, and even did some light engineering calculations to deteremine the best for my application. I had to also keep in mind, that my philosohpy of upgrading my car had to stay intact. The modification had to be "required" or suffice for Daily Driving, yet not be showy and/or over the top. It had to be more functional and make sense for every day occurances. Immediately, this knocked off the BBK. I never track, and while I drive at excessive speeds every now and then, I never could justify the cost over the practicality. This left me with the NQSBBK or Pads/Line/Fluid/Rotors.
The more I priced the Porsche brakes...the more I felt that the application for the kit just wasnt the most top notch. I never feel great about running a bracket kit for a caliper, but I gave it a chance since most BBKs run this. However....I still had my doubts. They look AWESOME, but I strayed a little too far from my motto....and reeled myself back in.
I settled on the Golf R kit for so long that when the time came, I had money in hand and ready.......and I thought to myself...."I can not spend this much money and something I'll only use 50% of." I almost regret my decision not to do it because of how good they looked......but still, its a heavy system and I did not want to deal with it.
I settled for Pads/Lines/Fluid/Rotors/Bushings. The more I thought about it, the more I felt that I needed to JUST eliminate the spongy ness of the pedal and I could have a great time. I bought USP SS Lines, StopTech Pads, Centric Blanks (Carpartkings), and Tyrol bushings. I didnt feel I needed fluid so I wasnt tracking the car. I THEN came to the realization I didnt need the Lines when I never noticed any real fade during my drives to and fro to work.
Performance
I was surprised how well JUST the pads and rotors worked. The initial bite is definitely a lot better and the modulation was easier to maintain throughout the stroke but I felt that there was STILL "some" squishyness that needed to be resolved. Enter Bushings.
The bushings had to be on of the easiest parts of the install. One of my spring clips were a little difficult to place, but once I got it, there were no other complaints. The first drive definitely showed that the pads were wearing much more evenly by giving it that added braking feel. I was intoxicated. The modulation was FINALLY there and I felt that the upgrade was well worth it. So much so, that I sold my USP lines. I still need to bleed my lines again, but after roughly 2K on the set.......I'm again in love with the car!
Overall....I'm VERY satisfied with this setup and did not spend much money on it. CartpartKings had an amazing deal that I could not pass up and I suggest EVERYONE go there and purchase pads NOW just because they were ~$90 for all four.
