Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.

Wilwood or Stoptech?

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Old 10-02-2006, 08:56 AM
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Wilwood or Stoptech?

I would like to upgrade my brakes to BBk and I like the price of the Wilwoods at about $1000, the Stoptechs seems to be double in price. What are the differences? They both 4 pistion calipers with hats and rotors.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 09:04 AM
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I really like Stop-techs...Here's a good price on them too!! Haven't heard too much about wilwood but I'm interested to learn -- Johan
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 09:14 AM
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If money is no object, go with the Stop-Techs... Otherwise, the Wilwoods provide the same performance (with cheaper replacement parts) for half the price... JMHO...
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by scobib
If money is no object, go with the Stop-Techs... Otherwise, the Wilwoods provide the same performance (with cheaper replacement parts) for half the price... JMHO...
What he said.

I know TonyB has been happy with his Wilwood kit.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by obehave
What he said.

I know TonyB has been happy with his Wilwood kit.
Another what he said.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 01:11 PM
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Hey,

I have the 11.75" Wilwood front kit on my 05 mcs and am very satisfied with the braking performance. I have the 11.75" kit in stock as well as the 12.2" w/ drilled/slotted rotors. The wilwood kits offer a tremendous amount of brake compounds to choose from mild to track use only.

You can check them out on my site here: Wilwood Brakes



We also include free S.S. lines for the kit as well as free shipping with just a 7.00 handling fee per order.

Any questions let me know-

Thanks, Cliff
CoasttoCoastUSA.com
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 01:44 PM
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Do they use dog tooth hats or are they just flush bolted?
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by obehave
Do they use dog tooth hats or are they just flush bolted?
huh? (sorry, couldn't resist, as I have no idea what you're asking, obehave...I really need to read around a little more.
I have the super duper gershpluper Wilwoods (13.1" F with matching rears) that come with the FSL calipers that don't look like the ones in the photo... And I swear by them. Absolutely great, especially on the second half of the 13 mile descent of Sandia Crest just east of Albuquerque (part of this year's MTTS.)

cheers, btw why hasn't this been moved to the brakes forum?
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 03:00 PM
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I think they are flush...

but I'm sure you can go to the catalogs to put together a full floater, all it takes is $!

Matt
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by gandini
huh? (sorry, couldn't resist, as I have no idea what you're asking, obehave...I really need to read around a little more.
I have the super duper gershpluper Wilwoods (13.1" F with matching rears) that come with the FSL calipers that don't look like the ones in the photo... And I swear by them. Absolutely great, especially on the second half of the 13 mile descent of Sandia Crest just east of Albuquerque (part of this year's MTTS.)

cheers, btw why hasn't this been moved to the brakes forum?
Ditto what Gandini said. The really big Wilwoods are amazing, and never fade. If you're looking for durability get the Wilwoods.

Paul
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by pberry51mini
Ditto what Gandini said. The really big Wilwoods are amazing, and never fade. If you're looking for durability get the Wilwoods.

Paul
What he said x 2

I have the TCE Wilwood 13" front + the rear kit, drilled & slotted and they are fantastic.

Todd from TCE is the man.

Bill
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 04:34 PM
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Do you track or autocross?

If neither, and just for looks, then it's up to which logo or font you like better!

The stock brakes rock, they just need good pads and fluid is all. Braided hose is good too.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 06:10 PM
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Basically the hat has square dog teeth that mesh with slots in the disc surface.
Much stronger than flush fit which depend strctly on the shear strength of the attaching bolts alone.

Not really a big deal just curious since I've never seen one disassembled.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 06:56 PM
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OK, thanks for the definition. I have the answer! The Wilwoods are flush fit, and do not "engage" the hub, so all the stopping force is transmitted via the bolts to the axle. There is some friction between the hat surface and the hub surface of course, as the bolts are torqued to 89 ftlbs.
cheers,
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by obehave
Basically the hat has square dog teeth that mesh with slots in the disc surface.
Much stronger than flush fit which depend strctly on the shear strength of the attaching bolts alone.

Not really a big deal just curious since I've never seen one disassembled.
Do you mean these rotors?


LongBoard
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Longboard Mini
Do you mean these rotors?


LongBoard
Yes, but like all the pics I've seen you can't tell how the hat engages the disc.

gandini has cleared it up and I do appreciate that.

I like that they now have a set that fit 15" wheels.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by obehave
Yes, but like all the pics I've seen you can't tell how the hat engages the disc.

gandini has cleared it up and I do appreciate that.

I like that they now have a set that fit 15" wheels.
Also notice in this picture the Wilwood11.75" race kit now comes standard with slotted rotors.


 
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Old 10-02-2006, 08:26 PM
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Also note that the calipers photographed by Longboard are mounted to the steering/hub assembly in a different way to the larger FSL calipers. The FSL calipers are bolted directly to the bracket that extends the mounting points from the original ones on the steering hub assembly. Having read many Wilwood/TCE threads, care must be taken with the torquing of the nuts holding the calipers shown in the photograph on. There is no problem with them at all, but care must be taken not to over-torque them (duh!)
The fact that Todd (TCE) makes kits that fit 15", 16" and 17"+ wheels for the MINI is amazing, IMO. I must admit that the install (pictures posted on my web) was very straight forward, with only a few unanticipated gliches that fell well within the *large scale modification* realm that a complete BBK represents. Not for the faint hearted, but no more than a single day job, either. I put a BBK installed ahead of a suspension swap in the ease of doing it at home scale.

As for bling, I can't tell you how many people *stare* at my brakes at stop lights--it's as if they glowed green and sang songs. And I'm not BSing...! I just wish people would see all the other mods on my car so easily.

cheers,
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 08:30 PM
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Do they have rears?

Originally Posted by cliff@coasttocoastusa
Also notice in this picture the Wilwood11.75" race kit now comes standard with slotted rotors.


The OCD in me needs a rear kit to balance out the look. I know, nut bag. But do they have a rear kit??

Longboard
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Longboard Mini
The OCD in me needs a rear kit to balance out the look. I know, nut bag. But do they have a rear kit??

Longboard
Wilwood does not currently offer a rear kit. TCE has a rear kit using stock calipers that compliments their larger 13" front BBK. Brake bias is an issue to consider when looking to upgrade both the front and rear. Whats better for appearance may not be ideal for braking performance.
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 09:23 PM
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Go for the TCE Wilwood kit. I don't own it but have enough buds who do to know I overspent on my Brembos.

Todd has a rear kit with Wilwood calipers as well. It just isn't listed on his site. Give him a call he'll hook you up.

TCE FTW!!
 
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Old 10-02-2006, 10:28 PM
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I like the Wilwoods but for bling factor i wish they came in other colors like red or something other than just black.
 
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Old 10-03-2006, 03:54 AM
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Cliff:
What size and offset are the Rota Slipstreams in the picture???? Wheel spacers required???
 
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Old 10-03-2006, 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by cliff@coasttocoastusa
Also notice in this picture the Wilwood11.75" race kit now comes standard with slotted rotors.


Are these 15 or 16 inch slipstreams? The 11.75 kit will not fit 15 inch slipstreams, correct?

mb
 
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Old 10-03-2006, 05:08 AM
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Thanks for the plug guys.
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...s.pl?record=13

Let me go back to the question above about the hats.
The hats on both the factory Wilwoods as well at the TCE/Wilwoods are both flush mount. Or direct mount. They are not floaters or lug drive. (all depends on what you call this stuff) The reason for this is mainly cost.

Floating rotors do offer some benefits- improved thermal expansion management and more tollerant of rotor run out are the most common. On the flip side they've been known to rattle in time as the rotor moves on the lug. Biggest issue however is cost; both new and replacements. Generally speaking you can expect a $300 difference in kit price and about 50% more cost of rotor ring and hardware replacement.

So are they really better? Depends on what you consider to be better or what best suites your needs. I could make arguement for the benefits for the most hardcore track user however those who run the 13" FSL kits now don't use them and are not complaining. For the average enthusiast, street user, and occasional track/AutoX user their gains will be minimal.

There are plenty of options, just find what's best for you.
 


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