PDA

View Full Version : The Big-Brake Kit



Tex Arcana
03-19-2006, 08:45 PM
So this past week I put on my TCE big-brake kit. Nice kit, from TCE Performance (http://www.tceperformanceproducts.com/). Tood, the main guy, is really helpful, and doesn't take online orders, so he can talk to you about your choices and their appropriateness.

Sorry, I didn't have time to get before pics, or pics of the hardware included. But the kit comes with rotors, calipers, stainless steel braided lines, adapters and all hardware necessary to mount the kit. Plus Todd is very helpful and knowledgable about the applications and any pitfcalls you might encounter--and he personally actually answers the phone when you call.

Nice pic of the rotor on the hub:
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtg7kz.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtgbd5.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtgdvk.jpg

Ugh, ran into a problem, tho: the dust shield behind the rotor was interfereing with the rotor!! :mad: I got all pissy and ****, then when the wife came down to check on me, she mentioned I could remove the shield, which reminded me of an age-old fitment method: "field reformation": bend the **** out of it. Which I did, and it fit. While pitching my fit, I called Tood at TCE and left him a message (after hours, of course). He did call back the next morning, and apologized for leaving that little item off his instructions, and told me I could toss the sheild. However, I noticed that there's an item on the shield that I think is important:
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtgf0z.jpg

That rim in the middle is a sheild for the backside of the bearing hub: it protects the dust seal. So I cut the whole shield down and reinstalled it:
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtgkma.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtgmya.jpg

One side done:
http://i1.tinypic.com/rtgoed.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/rti1iv.jpg


Finshed up by 11pm Friday nite, had 'em bedded in by midnite. Of course, I had to pack up the truck for the run at MSR, meaning I was up 'til 3am. :( And, of course, damn the luck, they had to call the event due to flooding. :(

I also put in my QA1 shocks and boxed shackles, but I didnd't get pics of that, either. :(

wesman
03-19-2006, 09:09 PM
Very nice....what's the cost on the kit if you don't mind me asking ?

--wes

dboat
03-19-2006, 09:30 PM
Tex,
they sure are purdy... how do they feel?

Dana

Tex Arcana
03-19-2006, 09:55 PM
Wes: the kit was $1800 all told; fluid was extra (Ate Super Blue from Apex Performance, $10 per quart), and the bleeder (same source, Motive Industries Power Bleeder--works GOOD!).

Dana: They feel GREAT, and stop pretty damn well, too, even in the rain. I wish I could've really put them to use yesterday.

my2002lightning
03-20-2006, 01:15 AM
Tex,

I'll be interested to experience the TCE / EBC QA1 braking comparison when I get my EBC braking setup installed on my truck.

Ronald

Tex Arcana
03-20-2006, 10:33 PM
Tex,

I'll be interested to experience the TCE / EBC QA1 braking comparison when I get my EBC braking setup installed on my truck.

Ronald

Methinks I'll outbrake you handily--just physics, mind you.

Oh, btw:
http://i1.tinypic.com/rvejpi.jpg
:evil

wesman
03-20-2006, 10:49 PM
Wes: the kit was $1800 all told; fluid was extra (Ate Super Blue from Apex Performance, $10 per quart), and the bleeder (same source, Motive Industries Power Bleeder--works GOOD!).

Dana: They feel GREAT, and stop pretty damn well, too, even in the rain. I wish I could've really put them to use yesterday.

Cool...just the front right ?

I wonder what my source can do them for. Or maybe he can make a kit similar.

Here's the Wilwood based kit he designed for the 350Z that was tested on my car:

http://www.350zbrakes.com/350zpictures.htm

Very happy with Wilwood.

--wes

True Blue Aggie
04-11-2006, 07:28 PM
Tex,

So since these have been installed, how are you liking them?

my2002lightning
04-12-2006, 12:29 AM
Tex,

Hmm - I'm running the stock-caliper EBC rotors / green pads on all 4 corners v. your Wilwood fronts with stock rear-setup. Mine stop QUICK compared to the stock setup!

Maybe one way to see which setup stops faster is to throw-down on 380 sometime soon for a side-by-side braking-comparison?



Methinks I'll outbrake you handily--just physics, mind you.

Oh, btw:
http://i1.tinypic.com/rvejpi.jpg
:evil

Tex Arcana
04-13-2006, 12:22 AM
Tex,

So since these have been installed, how are you liking them?

The brake like fewkin' GANGBUSTERS!!! I have NEVER driven anything with such aggressive brakes before in my life! :eek2: The only issues I have right now, is the pads he sent are too aggressive for regular street driving (they've eaten into the rotors a bit), and I need to move down to street pads, and set these aside with specific rotors for open-tracking, and keep the present rotors and pads for street/autocross.

Beyond that, I love it: great feel, great braking. :tu: