Brembo GT Big Brake Kit.

[macfly]

I just fitted these gorgeous brakes to my car. They are beautifully made, and they look as if they should have been part of the car from the factory, unlike the unsightly OEM brakes which I always felt let the car down visually. I chose my calipers in silver because I wanted to keep a unifed look to the car, but you can also get them with Red & Black calipers.

They pedal feel is rock solid, and the car pulls up in short order with little effort, but I'll be able to give more feedback once I've had a chance to get her out on the open road.

[robz82001]

.....Andrew, I can't believe how homely the OEM brake components look compared to your set-up. Is there ANY brake out there that you know of that will fit the Z8's OEM wheel? I really love the OEM wheels and have resisted changing them....but I'm so tempted to go to 19s if I can get those gorgeous Brembos. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[macfly]

Rob, you could try calling Robert Lee @ StopTech - 310-325-4799 x 106.

They used to make a system for the Z8, but it was withdrawn because of rear axle bearing compatibilty issues leading to pad knock back on some of the early cars. It is my understanding that these issues were eliminated on later cars (01 onwards) which had much beefier axle-interior mounted rear wheel bearings. There had been some interest in getting StopTech to re-launch the kit over on Roadfly a year or so ago, but I'm not sure if anything ever came of it.

You can see some shots of the original system here (http://bmwz8.us/htmlL/gallery.php?GalleryID=25&ImgID=145) on my old car.

[thegunguy]

Beatiful Andrew - the only thing nicer would be the Cartridge versions.

Looking forward to feeling their performance next week!

[Z8doc]

:thumbsup: Andrew,

Very nice indeed -- time to update the Avatar?:D

[macfly]

After a 400 mile drive, including 100 miles at the track, this is the news;

The pedal feel is much better, the car stops really hard under full braking, it really is like throwing an anchor out back, and overall I feel it looks much better too, so I can give this upgrade a full two thumbs up.

[thegunguy]

I'm really surprised how little dust collected on the front wheels after a day at the track. While it seemed like there were only three or four turns that required heavier braking on entry, it's amazing to do 100 miles on a track and have the wheels looking almost as clean as at the beginning of the day.:thumbsup:

[macfly]

You are right, we did 400 miles in the car, yet there is only a very slight dusting, nothing like the grime the OEM set up would have deposited over the same 400 miles.

[Bend]

Andrew,
I noticed the remarkable lack of brake dust, too. It was all the more significant, since I had recently switched out to Centric Posi-Quiet pads to deposit less brake dust on my wheels (http://bmwz8.us/vbb/showthread.php?t=817). I have been very impressed by how much less brake dust that I have had with these pads compared to my old OEM pads; yet, when I looked at my wheels at the end of the track day, they were almost black and I had to look hard to see any dust on your wheels.
Brembos stop great, look great ... and they're tidy, too :)

[macfly]

A nice shot of the Brembo's with Dave's RD-2 19" rims.

[Norcal]

Silver calipers look really nice

[dwz8]

Andrew, are you using SUV springs at the rear? Looks quite high, doesn't it?

[macfly]

That is the EU Alpina suspension - see here (http://www.bmwz8.us/vbb/showthread.php?t=735&referrerid=2)

I think that your eye may be tricked by an optical illusion, as there is no light on the tire, so the gap looks much larger, but it seems about the same as the Dave's car above on stock springs - I think you are just used to looking at your low, low K&W kitted car.

[dwz8]

That is the EU Alpina suspension - see here (http://www.bmwz8.us/vbb/showthread.php?t=735&referrerid=2)

I think that your eye may be tricked by an optical illusion, as there is no light on the tire, so the gap looks much larger, but it seems about the same as the Dave's car above on stock springs - I think you are just used to looking at your low, low K&W kitted car.
You're right, it's the light. I had a second look.
But then I am spoiled anyway... :rolleyes:

[thegunguy]

But then I am spoiled anyway... :rolleyes:
:thumbsup:

[Z8doc]

When you guys switched to the Big Brakes... what brake fluid did you install? Did you stay with the BMW Brake fluid or did you switch to a performance brake fluid with higher boiling points?

Just curious as I am gearing up for the install and my dealer does not carry anything but the BMW fluid.

[macfly]

I use the same Motul 600 (http://www.performanceoilstore.com/proddetail.asp?prod=8069HC) in my Z8 that I have used in all my track cars (M3/GT3./Lotus).

[dwz8]

I use ATE Blue High Performance. You should definitely not use the regular brake fluid if you intend to put these brakes to good use.

[Z8doc]

Thanks Deiter and Andrew,

Ignorant question but how much fluid do I need to buy? They both come in 1/2 liter containers or buy the case. How much to exchange the OEM Brake Fluid for the performance when bleeding the brakes?

Andrew, the Motul states do NOT mix with polyglycol brake fluids or Silicone based fluids. I know the BMW fluid is synthetic but not Silicone based. Can I assume that the BMW fluid is NOT a polyglycol brake fluid too, since you used it in your set up and did not have a problem? Also, what color is the Motul?

One advantage of the Super Blue is that during the exchange, you can just keep pumping it in until the old BMW fluid turns blue to know you have fully exchanged
the fluid. How many miles or time do go between changing the brake fluid out?

[macfly]

I used the ATE Super Blue in the GT3 for a bit too, it is a great product, it just happens that the Motul is easier to get locally for some reason. You need to do quite a bit of whatever you get because the brakes and clutch share a reservoir, so don't forget to flush the clutch while you're at it. I always buy by the case, just simpler that way, but about one bottle should do the entire system.

[Z8doc]

guide to help those interested in getting this upgrade, to assist them in making sure the calipers fit whatever wheels they may choose to get.

As stated previously, you MUST upgrade your wheels if you are going to upgrade to the Gran Turismo Brembo Big Brake Kit (you can get Brembo performance replacement rotors for your Z8 but they will not be bigger but offer better performance than the OEM rotors).

Take the measurements listed here and apply them to the wheel diagram / profile. Then measure your wheels to check the fitment. I found it useful to make a cutout of sorts out of cardboard that uses the dimensions given to then place them in the back of the wheel from the hub out to see if it hit anywhere (BTW, the center hub of the z8 measures 74mm in diameter -- useful too for wheel fitment in order to avoid a hub spacer).

GT Brembo Front 380mm x 34mm with 8 piston caliper
A: 37mm B: 125mm C: 218mm
Requires 19" wheel or greater for Z8 application

GT Brembo Rear 345mm x 28mm with 4 piston caliper
A: 28mm B: 119mm C: 200mm
Requires 19" wheel or greater for Z8 application

[Z8doc]

Well, I finally got it done.

The installation went really great with no problems except one. The rear dust shield would not allow the rear caliper to fit properly and would rub. To remove it required removal of the rear wheel hub do to keep it simple, my mechanic just suggested and I agreed, to simply cut off the rear dust shield low enough to allow the caliper and center cap to clear and fit properly. Not sure if Dave and Andrew had to do this step or not.

The wheels are Beyern Type 5. For those who do not know, Beyern is produced by TSW, who specializes in Staggered fitments for many makes and models. The Beyern wheels, are specifically designed to to fit BMW in staggered fitments. They come in 18 - 20 inch and mulitple widths and offsets and hub diameters of 72 and 74mm (the Z8 is 72mm). They do not require spacers or hub centric rings to make them fit unless you go outside your stock offset or hub diameter.

My wheels are Beyern Type 5 in 20x8.5 with 20mm offset front, and 20x10 with 20mm offset rear. The silver finish matched the car perfectly. I like the curved 5 spoke design as it is classic and consistent with the overall car theme yet more aggressive than the OEM wheel. It's spokes are beveled on the edge just enough to catch the light for stunning photographs (a friend recently told me to always remember the light !) and the polished edge adds just the right amount of accent to the chrome on the Z8, IMHO. Also, high end wheels here in Oklahoma are few and far between but these wheels are easily replaceable.

One thing with the wheels I did not expect was how light they are. Beyern told me they weigh 29.5 lbs front and 34 lbs rear. However, when I picked them up and held them, they seemed lighter so I personally weighed them. The front wheel weighed only 24.5 lbs and the rear only 29.5!! That is nearly 8 lbs a corner of unsprung weight and I can feel it when going down the road. The lightness of the wheel combined with the stiffer smaller sidewall of the Michelin PS2s, is a very nice compliment to the Dinan Stage 3 Suspension I have and so far -- I like it alot.:thumbsup:

I have not really had a chance to test the brakes today as it has been raining on and off and they are not bedded in fully yet. I did order but did NOT install a set of the Centric Posi-Quiet brake pads, which were recommended by Brakewarehouse as the best low dust pad for this application -- BUT... they did not FIT the front calipers. Turns out, that there is NOT a replacement Centric pad for the GT - 8 Piston. The pad they make (the one they sent me) fits the Brembo 6 piston caliper, which is on the Audi RS4. The only production vehicle that apparently uses the GT 8 cailper is the VW Toureg, and only available as a performance upgrade -- according to Dave Zeckhausen, whom I called to get advise when the pads did not fit. So, for now, I will have to put up with some dust.

Can't wait though to get some seat time and let er rip!:3gears:

Pictures below:

[Dogsbreath]

Nice Jeff !

If you had removed the rear dust shield you would not have been able to mount your ebrake. I cut my dust shields back. I am using 15mm spacers but I like the idea of these wheels.

Looks awesome

Dave P

[Bend]

Hi Jeff,
Your combo looks great!
Your description will make it that much easier for anyone in the future to duplicate the great results. Thanks for the pics and the your, as usual, thorough explanation.
Ted

[thegunguy]

Okay, I'm lost. Andrew's Brembos came with slotted rotors, and Dave and Jeff have drilled. Is there a choice? :confused:

[Dogsbreath]

Yup, just tell them how you would like them. You can even opt for slotted and cross drilled I believe.

Dave P

[KenZ8]

Jeff,
Beautiful result. It looks like the car should have had that combination from the beginning. I hope it stops raining near you so you can enjoy the upgrade.

[Z8doc]

Okay, I'm lost. Andrew's Brembos came with slotted rotors, and Dave and Jeff have drilled. Is there a choice? :confused:

want. But alas, the drilled AND slotted rotors are NOT available on this GT 8 pistion front, 4 piston rear set up.

The drilled and slotted ones you sometimes see are for smaller rotors and Brembo does not recommend them for these larger ones for reasons unknown.

The drilled holes and slots are oriented the same but it is an optical illusion on the drilled ones that the rear holes curve forward and the fronts curve to the rear. In reality, the holes follow the vents in the center of the rotor (so do the slots) and the vents are oriented to slope to the rear from center hub to the rear as you get to the top of rotor (outside edge)-- hope that makes sense.

[macfly]

A quick look at Norcal's specially painted blue Brembo set up and my silver ones. A few years on and I'm still loving mine, and think they look much more correct on the car than the standard calipers.

[thegunguy]

The Roundel blue looks great with Norcal's unique look.

[Norcal]

Andrew, you even lined up our tires!

I really love the Brembos too. Not that the car wouldn't stop before, but they look great and feel great, and they're lighter, and they won't give up the ghost at the track for sure.

[redz8]

The blue/black combo looks great. Well done!

[Z8-NL]

and mine are RED

[Z8Mania]

I think the blue look great because it appears you matched the blue from the Roundel. The red give great contrast against the black and Andrew's silver look great with his silver car. Theres no doubt the stock brakes look puny inside larger wheels. I've been thinking of going with a new set of brakes but I think I will make that next years upgrade. This year Im doing the Dinan caster/ camber plates. They go on in a few weeks. :)

[tomfakes]

What brake options are there for the stock wheels? Mine are all rusty and ugly, and need to be replaced sometime soon

[Norcal]

Tom, not sure what will fit inside the stock wheels, but the Brembos will fit in 19s.

[thegunguy]

Didn't Stoptech make a front axle set that fit the OE 18s?

[macfly]

I think AP makes them for stock sizes.

[tomfakes]

The AP ones price out at $8K for a full set. They are already black though - and shipping is free!