Brake Tests

[Jeremy]

I thought I would share an interesting story. I checked my 60-0 braking with the VBP transverse setup and the Bilstein shocks and was horrified with the performance. It was 160 foot plus range. My previous best with the factory suspension was right at or under 120.

I went out today and tested it again as I have gotten my shock valving much more squared away. It stopped in under 120 ', but the motor died in the process. I thought it probably flooded. It started right up but ran like crap. When I got home I started checking everything and found the timing was way off. I guess the car shut down so hard that the distributor spun. This is something I never would have anticipated.

Anyway I was very pleased with the performance. I just need to get a better pedal feel. It feels a little soft, but apparently it works okay.

[ks71z28]

Jeremy,
I don't remember what brakes you have, but 120' is very good. My 12" B-body brakes with Willwood GMiii calipers and cady rear discs and Hawk HP Plus pads stop my car in 130-135', tires were the biggest limit, I flat spotted my Kumho Ecsta front tires in the test, oops!

Keith

[Jeremy]

I'm very pleased with the distance. The brakes are factory four wheel discs with stainless flex lines and wilwood GM III calipers all the way around.

I use cones and hit the brakes when I get to the first cone and always stop at or near the 120' mark. I've never done more than three tests in a row, but ever time it is the same result.

[silver69camaro]

120-130ft is very good, you should be proud. Better than most ABS-equipped sedans. Just curious, how's the fade resistance with those factory-esque brakes?

[Jeremy]

I've done back to back to back tests and all three were the same. I have never pushed them past this and I only did this once. I would imagine if I was to autocross that fade would creep in but they have never failed me on the highway or in stop and go traffic.

[ks71z28]

with part store metallic pads, the brakes were done within 4 laps around the road coarse, with Hawk HP plus pads they take about 10 laps before I notice any significant fade

[Jeremy]

How do you like the hawk pads for street driving? They seem like they will be my next upgrade, as long as they work well on the street. I was planning on using the larger 614 pads on the front.

[ks71z28]

Jeremy,

Hey the Hawk HP Plus pads i run are a bit more track friendly than the HPS pads. They do work cold, but they squeal under light braking, and the brake dust is pretty bad, but you can really abuse them. Seems like our brake set ups are about the same.

[Jeremy]

I am pretty sure that it is the HPS pads I would be running on the street. Any experience with them? They seem to get some real good reviews on Nastyz28.com.

[calforniacuda]

Rear brakes coming in at right time can help stopping distance. Rear brake temp could be check after few stops. Rear proportioning valve adjustment, allow more pressure to go to back until rear lockup, then remove some pressure.

Sticky tires do more for stopping than most big brake kits. Many times big brake kits use too much front brake. They hit hard but will increase stopping distance if not balanced correctly. Lowering car will improve stopping distance.

[MonzaRacer]

That will reduce or eliminate brake squeal.
I can get a product called Brake silencer and rather than the silver stuff you spray on fresh machiuned rotors this you spray directly on the pad/shoe (yes it will work on drums too) BUT its like 20 or 25 bucks a can.
I usedthis at one shop I worked at as the brand of pads we used were too hard and seemed to squeal on some cars.
Anotherthing is a light coat of silicone brake lube on the backs of the pads can help too.
Wagner had a brake seminar something like 20 yrs ago and told us to throw away the blue spray and the orange goo and use silicone brake lube on the pads,,, it works for most cars.
anyone interested in the Brake Silencer spray I have to order 2 cans minimum can email me at [email protected] or PM me.
It works , or I wouldnt recommend it.
Heck it even worked on my 71 Monte Carlos rear drum brakes that squealed.
The way it works is is has microscopic quartz in it, rub quartz and it sets up a resonate frequency and hopefully it cancels the offending noise.
And you can use it several times in the life of the pads, but it is supposed to last a long time.
Lee

[twoformulas]

Jeremy, did you ever do any tests with the stock calipers? I'm curious how they compare to the Wilwood calipers. Thanks, Rick