Wilwood Front Big Brake Kit
I have a comment on this "big brake" kit. I really think the kit is complete overkill for these little cars. Additionally I think those who get these will be risking flat spotting their tires if they aren't careful.
The brakes will only work as well as the tires will allow them to stop. People only think of stopping power, but your tires are a prime factor in stopping, not just the size of the rotor and caliper.
Since the majority of braking is handled by the front brakes, this is only going to potentially make this a problem. I read where there is no plan to make them for the rear brakes. Since this is the case, those who get this should know that they may need to get some kind of a brake bias kit to move the braking around.
I may be wrong, but this was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw no plan for a completer four rotor kit.
I ran this thought past my boss, who has worked on the Factory BMW's that won numerous ALMS championships and he confirmed my thoughts. He said, that little car should stop real quick, but with only large front brakes, you really risk flat spotting the tires and that is expensive since those of you who are going to buy this kit need at least 17" wheels and really good tires. (no junk tires)
Sorry for the length. Maybe the guys at RMR can comment on this or any problem they might have seen.
The brakes will only work as well as the tires will allow them to stop. People only think of stopping power, but your tires are a prime factor in stopping, not just the size of the rotor and caliper.
Since the majority of braking is handled by the front brakes, this is only going to potentially make this a problem. I read where there is no plan to make them for the rear brakes. Since this is the case, those who get this should know that they may need to get some kind of a brake bias kit to move the braking around.
I may be wrong, but this was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw no plan for a completer four rotor kit.
I ran this thought past my boss, who has worked on the Factory BMW's that won numerous ALMS championships and he confirmed my thoughts. He said, that little car should stop real quick, but with only large front brakes, you really risk flat spotting the tires and that is expensive since those of you who are going to buy this kit need at least 17" wheels and really good tires. (no junk tires)
Sorry for the length. Maybe the guys at RMR can comment on this or any problem they might have seen.
Considering we HAVE to change/have changed wheels and tires for these to fit I don't think that will be a huge issue. So far as I know the two cars that already have Wilwood 4 pots up front don't make square tires.
That is true if you go screeching to a halt at 70mph al of the time. We have a parts car that is running a larger upgrade then this and we drive the **** out of it and we have never flat spotted a tire yet. You realistically could flat spot your stock tires with stock brake if you slammed on the brakes hard enough and with ABS it shouldn't really get a chance to skid in one spot for long enough to flat spot it. Also, the brake bias would only need to be changed if you change over to disc rear. And that’s even not necessary all of the time. The bias splits the pressure from front to rear. If you are still running the drum rears there is no reason to put more pressure to them. They suck, their drum brakes, they will never get any better even with more pressure.
Glad to hear you guys actually test the products. Guess one of the points I was trying to make in the post was the fact that we do have the "lame" drum brakes. This is where my concern was aimed at, the fact that now with bigger brakes in the front , they will be doing more braking than normal. ( think it is usually 70/30 or so front to rear) On a front wheel drive car I would think you wouldn't want the front brakes to be under such heavy braking (larger percentage of work) that they fail to to rotate and you start to push like a mad dog in the entering or in the middle of the corner.
I don't think you should assume that people don't drive fast on the street. I would venture to say that most people drive well over the posted Hwy speeds and at those speeds, ABS or not you don't want the balance of the car to be upset. (lots of nose-diving). I would think at highway speeds if you had to quickly stab the brake, which we do quite often, the weight transfer to the front is greatly accelerated at those speeds, that would cause the rear end to get extremley light, considereing the Lancer is a frontwheel drive car. These are just my random thoughts. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade.
One last thing, the ES Lancer doesn't have ABS. And yes you can flat spot your tires with a full lock brake, no matter the size of the brakes. I just want people to think a little bit before they go and do upgrades. I would assume that most people who chose to do a big brake are upgrading for "looks" and not any real need to stop faster.
I deal with racers for a living and there is so much bad information or misunderstandings about the relation between tires and wheels to the whole set-up of a performance car. One continuous problem with the street guys is they get lowering springs and forget to get the camber kit. Then they wonder why they are buring the inner edge of the tire off. Ignorance is expensive, you could pay with your life not just broke or worn out parts. Just want people to think. That is why these forums are so great. javascript:smilie('
')
I don't think you should assume that people don't drive fast on the street. I would venture to say that most people drive well over the posted Hwy speeds and at those speeds, ABS or not you don't want the balance of the car to be upset. (lots of nose-diving). I would think at highway speeds if you had to quickly stab the brake, which we do quite often, the weight transfer to the front is greatly accelerated at those speeds, that would cause the rear end to get extremley light, considereing the Lancer is a frontwheel drive car. These are just my random thoughts. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade.
One last thing, the ES Lancer doesn't have ABS. And yes you can flat spot your tires with a full lock brake, no matter the size of the brakes. I just want people to think a little bit before they go and do upgrades. I would assume that most people who chose to do a big brake are upgrading for "looks" and not any real need to stop faster.
I deal with racers for a living and there is so much bad information or misunderstandings about the relation between tires and wheels to the whole set-up of a performance car. One continuous problem with the street guys is they get lowering springs and forget to get the camber kit. Then they wonder why they are buring the inner edge of the tire off. Ignorance is expensive, you could pay with your life not just broke or worn out parts. Just want people to think. That is why these forums are so great. javascript:smilie('
')
The only model with ABS is the LS. I think Blair's point was that, so long as you don't go slamming the brakes to lock and screeching to a halt, you shouldn't have any problems. I'll be sure to confirm or deny that as soon as I get the chance. I'm sick of my tires anyway. 
LS, even the ABS is an option, not standard. It's not like anyone is going to flip their car end over end slamming the brakes super hard. It would be nice to test severe conditions with them on though....traction on the rear tires is what's in question at high speed sudden braking.
