Finally ready - My GT on BBS FI wheels and ceramic brakes (pics)


Jason Watt

Had both, sold both
Mark II Lifetime
Oct 14, 2005
1,229
Copenhagen, Denmark
Sinovac,
Well first you need to be willing to machine and alter your car's uprights to the extent that the original brakes can't be used after this.
Here is a pic of the bushings that was made, but before they were welded on..

IMG_0454.jpg

Beautiful color combo. How involved is the ZR1 brake converson?
 

M_FGT

GT Owner
Jan 12, 2013
62
A beauty!
 

Indy GT

Yea, I got one...too
Mark IV Lifetime
Jan 14, 2006
2,545
Greenwood, IN
Very nice looking car after your project modifications!

You obviously spent a considerable amount of your time and money on this upgrade. And it certainly shows professionalism throughout. And as we all know anything we put our minds to can be accomplished given enough funding and time.

Just interested in hearing what you found deficient in the original Ford design team system? And can you quantify how much your new Corvette calipers and associated hardware exceed the OE equipment so prospective owners wanting to do the same can adjudge value of this brake upgrade?

Thanks!
 

Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,154
MA
Hey Bill, get a ride in Brian's car, sometime, the stopping power is VERY VERY noticeable. FORGET this option for the street (unless the "bling" factor floats you boat), you really have to truly be exploring the upper limits of braking to reveal how different these are.
 

BlackICE

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2005
1,416
SF Bay Area in California
Ron made a post about how much better the brakes on Brian's car worked on the track than stock. For the 90%+ of us that don't have the skills to drive like Ron, stock is probably more than adequate.
 

Superfly

HERITAGE GT OWNER
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 23, 2008
2,210
Edmonton, Alberta
I'd like to hear Ron's thoughts, but for my thinking, the CC brakes would reduce the unsprung weight of the brake disc, although that caliper is a LOT bigger and might re-introduce some of that weight savings. As for braking, I can't see how bigger brakes will stop you faster than the stockers, except if the stockers are heating up (maybe at the end of a mile?) or through repeated use. By that I mean, at the limit, you're at the mercy of the tires locking up (or not because of the ABS). How can a bigger brake thereby apply any more usable clamping force? Obviously, bigger brakes (vented, slotted plus the size) will dissipate the heat faster, but I think (again not sure, just speculating), grippier tires will give you more braking force than larger brakes. Of course, on a track, my comments are invalid. And on the street, damn, those Carbon brakes and the sheer size of the discs is pure sex.

And on that point, does something like the McLaren air brake, or a huge wing (to increase drag) create more stopping force (using same tires/brakes), or is that simply again a way to assist in reducing the clamping force required by the brakes?

Sorry for the OT, again, your GT looks amazing. Love it on ALL counts!
 

Indy GT

Yea, I got one...too
Mark IV Lifetime
Jan 14, 2006
2,545
Greenwood, IN
Andy and Clinton, you guys are good and see my point. And thanks for your comments.

Our GT's can be modified in any number of ways given unrestricted time and money.
And if an owner achieves personal satisfaction from modifying the car to the way "he" wants the car, that is perfectly fine.

But as you both point out, the OE brake system Ford gave us on the GT is more than sufficient for 95% (I will up the ante a bit) of us owners. If not more.

Brembo and Ford gave us a pretty good "stock" package, all things considered. IMO
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,680
Belleville, IL
See, that damn StormCat is always causing trouble even if he's not here. Don't forget to figure in the new wheels needed to cover the larger brake rotors and calipers.
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,862
Largo, Florida
Sinovac,
Well first you need to be willing to machine and alter your car's uprights to the extent that the original brakes can't be used after this.
Here is a pic of the bushings that was made, but before they were welded on..

View attachment 29519

Nicely done.
 

Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,154
MA
Bill you nailed it OEM is great, even just with a pad upgrade, will provide a great track experience.

I'm able to move a car on the track pretty well. At Nola, just doing track rides, for any one that wanted to go, I used up a set of new Pagid pads, and ran both front Hoosiers to the cords, I was done by 11am on day 2. The point here is that I was pushing the car. My OEM brakes were wonderful. Then I drove Brian's car. Going in to one, I was applying the brakes, if I recall 2 markers later. I could have gone deeper. They hit hard, and stayed there. Was a huge upgrade, and I mean a huge difference.
 

roketman

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 24, 2005
8,086
ma.
I'd like to hear Ron's thoughts, but for my thinking, the CC brakes would reduce the unsprung weight of the brake disc, although that caliper is a LOT bigger and might re-introduce some of that weight savings. As for braking, I can't see how bigger brakes will stop you faster than the stockers, except if the stockers are heating up (maybe at the end of a mile?) or through repeated use. By that I mean, at the limit, you're at the mercy of the tires locking up (or not because of the ABS). How can a bigger brake thereby apply any more usable clamping force? Obviously, bigger brakes (vented, slotted plus the size) will dissipate the heat faster, but I think (again not sure, just speculating), grippier tires will give you more braking force than larger brakes. Of course, on a track, my comments are invalid. And on the street, damn, those Carbon brakes and the sheer size of the discs is pure sex.

And on that point, does something like the McLaren air brake, or a huge wing (to increase drag) create more stopping force (using same tires/brakes), or is that simply again a way to assist in reducing the clamping force required by the brakes?

Sorry for the OT, again, your GT looks amazing. Love it on ALL counts!
The Carbon brakes in Brian's car as I stated are simply awesome .No fade or over heating.The obviously lighter brake package will clearly reduce unsprung weight ,our worst enemy!
Down side expensive.People who have them ,LOVE them!If you are a hard core track junkie and cost is no issue they are for you.I do however think that they look ever so cool!I wish Stormcart would chime in!I have used the Brembo racing 2 piece floating rotors on my car with a racing pad and SRF or Prospeed Extreme 686 racing fluid.(also use this in your clutch) And this has worked just fine .Just ask my thrill riders!
Bottom line is if you like em do it.I know you will be happy ! If not ,you will still be happy!
 

MartynL

GT Owner
Feb 19, 2012
184
Sarasota, FL
Dynamite mechanical & cosmetic upgrades. We may be going to Copenhagen on vacation in Sept, drop me a note so we can stay in contact if we are going. MLSchorr@Verizon.Net
Marty
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,575
Ft. Lauderdale
Your car looks awesome! I have driven Brian AKA Stormcats Gt with the zr1 carbon brakes at the track many times .I must say they are awesome!
I was 10 mph faster down the front straight than in my car .I should also state he has a wonderful down force package.A front spoiler and rear wing.He has even done wind tunnel testing to optimize effectiveness .
Here is a video of me driving his car with him in it (at the rally)at Nola Motorsports park .If you can see the speedo it say 160ish on the front straight!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYMRonE94IE Go to the 2:35 mark ,and watch from there on.

Bill you nailed it OEM is great, even just with a pad upgrade, will provide a great track experience.

I'm able to move a car on the track pretty well. At Nola, just doing track rides, for any one that wanted to go, I used up a set of new Pagid pads, and ran both front Hoosiers to the cords, I was done by 11am on day 2. The point here is that I was pushing the car. My OEM brakes were wonderful. Then I drove Brian's car. Going in to one, I was applying the brakes, if I recall 2 markers later. I could have gone deeper. They hit hard, and stayed there. Was a huge upgrade, and I mean a huge difference.

The Carbon brakes in Brian's car as I stated are simply awesome .No fade or over heating.The obviously lighter brake package will clearly reduce unsprung weight ,our worst enemy!
Down side expensive.People who have them ,LOVE them!If you are a hard core track junkie and cost is no issue they are for you.I do however think that they look ever so cool!I wish Stormcart would chime in!I have used the Brembo racing 2 piece floating rotors on my car with a racing pad and SRF or Prospeed Extreme 686 racing fluid.(also use this in your clutch) And this has worked just fine .Just ask my thrill riders!
Bottom line is if you like em do it.I know you will be happy ! If not ,you will still be happy!

Chiming in Ron !!:biggrin

Hey 101 ,Your car looks fantastic. !! Good Job on the brakes. I really like your BBS F1 wheels. :thumbsup

Well there is a reason CC brake are the only brakes offered on a Ferrari and they are the top option on a McLaren. There is a reason They are on the ZR1 and why Chevy is putting them on the Track prepped Z28. And it's not because they look cool
The Stock GT brakes are good for the street and some track use. But I have found their limits on more than one occasion. I hot spotted some at one of the Airstrip events .. and the track etc,,,

The CC brakes not only provide a huge stooping advantage but provide very noticeable acceleration advantage if combined with a light wheel and tire. They provide stronger stopping as they heat up they stop better. They are fade free on the track they are light years ahead of steel or cast iron rotors.

The brakes will actually make a weak or sub par driver better . You can go so much deeper down a straight before you need to brake..They will also allow you to accelerate faster out of turns and down the straight. See Ron's comment and ask Terry : She's Got Legs " what he remembers about Miller.. And my car has more drag with the aero package.

I had the two of the three guys who I know would know they are the real deal drive my car. Roketman Ron S. and Andy Spec racer. The 3rd guy is Mark McGowan. I really wanted Mark to drive my car at NOLA but the timing didn't work out. I know he will be blown away.. I would like to add that Ron and Andy were very respectful of my car and were no where near what I have done to those brakes as far as push the car deep into the straight and standing on them..

Everyone sings the praises of unsprung weight. That's what we all learned years ago. Reduction in unsprung weight only helps the suspension work more easily. Reduction in Rotational mass is where real gains are made in acceleration and deceleration. The CC set up offers a minimal savings in unsprung weight because the calipers and pads are very heavy. But there is a huge savings in Rotational mass in the rotor and it was very noticeable the first time I drove the car. The acceleration was that much better. The lighter wheels and tires also contributed.

I think I can say no one has logged more miles on CC brakes on a GT !! 3 years and it's the best mod I have done to date

I will posting some details about CC brake packages in the coming weeks. Complete bolt on with Ebrake etc,, Stayed tuned,,,
 

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Specracer

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Nov 28, 2005
7,154
MA
Awesome Brian!
 

B.M.F.

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jan 29, 2009
1,810
Minnesota
Chiming in Ron !!:biggrin

Hey 101 ,Your car looks fantastic. !! Good Job on the brakes. I really like your BBS F1 wheels. :thumbsup

Well there is a reason CC brake are the only brakes offered on a Ferrari and they are the top option on a McLaren. There is a reason They are on the ZR1 and why Chevy is putting them on the Track prepped Z28. And it's not because they look cool
The Stock GT brakes are good for the street and some track use. But I have found their limits on more than one occasion. I hot spotted some at one of the Airstrip events .. and the track etc,,,

The CC brakes not only provide a huge stooping advantage but provide very noticeable acceleration advantage if combined with a light wheel and tire. They provide stronger stopping as they heat up they stop better. They are fade free on the track they are light years ahead of steel or cast iron rotors.

The brakes will actually make a weak or sub par driver better . You can go so much deeper down a straight before you need to brake..They will also allow you to accelerate faster out of turns and down the straight. See Ron's comment and ask Terry : She's Got Legs " what he remembers about Miller.. And my car has more drag with the aero package.

I had the two of the three guys who I know would know they are the real deal drive my car. Roketman Ron S. and Andy Spec racer. The 3rd guy is Mark McGowan. I really wanted Mark to drive my car at NOLA but the timing didn't work out. I know he will be blown away.. I would like to add that Ron and Andy were very respectful of my car and were no where near what I have done to those brakes as far as push the car deep into the straight and standing on them..

Everyone sings the praises of unsprung weight. That's what we all learned years ago. Reduction in unsprung weight only helps the suspension work more easily. Reduction in Rotational mass is where real gains are made in acceleration and deceleration. The CC set up offers a minimal savings in unsprung weight because the calipers and pads are very heavy. But there is a huge savings in Rotational mass in the rotor and it was very noticeable the first time I drove the car. The acceleration was that much better. The lighter wheels and tires also contributed.

I think I can say no one has logged more miles on CC brakes on a GT !! 3 years and it's the best mod I have done to date

I will posting some details about CC brake packages in the coming weeks. Complete bolt on with Ebrake etc,, Stayed tuned,,,

I was able to put 2500 miles on my car with the zr1 brakes last year... They are simply amazing! Also my car makes 1450rwhp so it needs to stop as fast as it can accelerate. Hands down they are amazing and well worth the money!

I also notice Brian that you started building them like i do with modifying the castings and you got the parking brakes to work now too! thats awesome!
 

Superfly

HERITAGE GT OWNER
Mark II Lifetime
Jun 23, 2008
2,210
Edmonton, Alberta
Geez Brian, I forgot how amazing your brakes look under those wheels. That front wheel close up shot is AMAZING!!!
 

Vince H

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 23, 2012
2,423
Southern California
Geez Brian, I forgot how amazing your brakes look under those wheels. That front wheel close up shot is AMAZING!!!

Thought the same thing. I'm not nearly the driver that would need carbon brakes on my GT and there's no way to kid myself into upgrading mine, but wow they are nice.

Vince H
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,575
Ft. Lauderdale
I was able to put 2500 miles on my car with the zr1 brakes last year... They are simply amazing! Also my car makes 1450rwhp so it needs to stop as fast as it can accelerate. Hands down they are amazing and well worth the money!

I also notice Brian that you started building them like i do with modifying the castings and you got the parking brakes to work now too! thats awesome!

No .. I do not modify the casting.. Those are 101's photos the guy who started this post.. sorry we hijacked his post. I have a complete bolt on set up. No modifications required, can go back to stock.. I am proud to say I figured out how to do it .. :biggrin I will be starting a new post of my own in a few weeks,,, Signing off from this thread,,
 
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Jason Watt

Had both, sold both
Mark II Lifetime
Oct 14, 2005
1,229
Copenhagen, Denmark
Managed to have this shot taken at the recent children's cancer event.
Nice effects by the guy who took the picture.
Yes I know I lost the front center cap (there are cut from cardboard whilst I'm waiting for the original BBS caps to arrive in the mail :facepalm:)

fs2b.jpg
 

bonehead

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 18, 2012
2,827
Houston, TX
[video=youtube;AZS4TD4aS2U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZS4TD4aS2U[/video]