"Is bigger better?" Stoptech 380 vs. Stoptech 355

[ortho281]

I am wanting to make the switch to the StopTech BBK. I prefer the StopTech over Brembo mainly due to quicker pad changes. I searched the forum and could not find any comparisons btw the StopTech 380 mm and the StopTech 355 mm front BBK. Has anyone had any experience with both sizes and what are the possible pros/cons with going with either?

Thanks in advance for any input that will help with my purchase decision.

[THE TECH]

I would always go bigger. The only possible negative issues is that not all wheels can clear a 380 kit. Otherwise I see no negatives about the larger kit.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I would always go bigger. The only possible negative issues is that not all wheels can clear a 380 kit. Otherwise I see no negatives about the larger kit.

Thanks! My track wheels are Apex Arc-8's in 18 x10 and I was told that the 380's will still fit. I am mainly concerned with the difference in stopping power, increased upsprung weight of larger caliper/disk, and the availability and cost of the larger brake pads.

[Porschefile]

You won't be able to feel the couple of pounds difference in unsprung weight. Go for the larger rotors, the pads last longer and you have more thermal capacity.

[ortho281]

Thanks, you are right, I would probably not be able to tell any difference in weight. The reason for my inquiry is that a friend who has the ST-60 is recommending the the ST-40 as good alternative for the reasons listed above. I was always under the impression with regards to brakes, that bigger is always better.

[dmw16]

I think the only real world downside of the 380mm is increased cost both initial and for pads and rotors in the future.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by dmw16

I think the only real world downside of the 380mm is increased cost both initial and for pads and rotors in the future.

Thanks, that is one of the considerations, my friend was taking into account.

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by ortho281

Thanks, that is one of the considerations, my friend was taking into account.

At Zeckhausen the rotors are $20 more per corner so that's pretty much in the noise.

Pads are a little bit of a different story. It's a mixed bag, but for track pads, if you wanted PFC01 pads you'll pay $120 more per axle for the ST60 over the ST40 calipers. The real 'cost' of this will be a matter of how quickly you consume pads.

[Porschefile]

The cost of pads per axle will be offset by the bigger pads and lower temp wearing more slowly. And a lot of wheels fit 380's. I think 355 would work, but why not get the better brakes for a few hundred bucks more?

[Vic311]

Might want to read this before switching to ST

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=624330

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by Vic311

Might want to read this before switching to ST

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=624330

Yeah, you should not buy products from a company that has had 1-2 cosmetic failures out of the thousands of kits sold

Mine have seen 15k street miles and ~25 track events and look great.

[Vic311]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

Yeah, you should not buy products from a company that has had 1-2 cosmetic failures out of the thousands of kits sold

Mine have seen 15k street miles and ~25 track events and look great.

Just saying..he should be aware..I cant see why someone would go for ST over Brembo..which is top of the mark..but hey do what you must

[Porschefile]

Originally Posted by Vic311

Just saying..he should be aware..I cant see why someone would go for ST over Brembo..which is top of the mark..but hey do what you must

$2k less and work just as well. I've had brembos before, and they're great, but it isn't like some brand name makes them immune to weathering. I have seen Brembos that look just as bad as the ST in that thread. Both companies make great brakes, as does AP and Alcon.

[Transfer]

Ease of pad changes is a huge plus for Stoptech.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by dmw16

At Zeckhausen the rotors are $20 more per corner so that's pretty much in the noise.

Thanks, that's not much more.

Pads are a little bit of a different story. It's a mixed bag, but for track pads, if you wanted PFC01 pads you'll pay $120 more per axle for the ST60 over the ST40 calipers. The real 'cost' of this will be a matter of how quickly you consume pads.

Thanks, makes sense that the ST-60 pads would last longer. So it may be a wash.

Originally Posted by Porschefile

The cost of pads per axle will be offset by the bigger pads and lower temp wearing more slowly. And a lot of wheels fit 380's. I think 355 would work, but why not get the better brakes for a few hundred bucks more?

Thanks, I am leaning towards the 380's, unless I find a good arguement to go with 355's.

Originally Posted by Vic311

Might want to read this before switching to ST

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=624330

Thanks, I did. Hope this is only an isolated case. A bummer regardless.

Originally Posted by Porschefile

Yeah, you should not buy products from a company that has had 1-2 cosmetic failures out of the thousands of kits sold

Mine have seen 15k street miles and ~25 track events and look great.

Thanks, costmetic is not as important, but still something to consider.

Originally Posted by Vic311

Just saying..he should be aware..I cant see why someone would go for ST over Brembo..which is top of the mark..but hey do what you must

I like the Brembo but dont want to have to remove calipers just to change pads.

Originally Posted by Porschefile

$2k less and work just as well. I've had brembos before, and they're great, but it isn't like some brand name makes them immune to weathering. I have seen Brembos that look just as bad as the ST in that thread. Both companies make great brakes, as does AP and Alcon.

Thanks, this is what I understand also. Prefer the StopTech for faster pad changes.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Ease of pad changes is a huge plus for Stoptech.

+1 Thanks

[MilehighM3]

My car has the trophy 355s all around. It's got plenty of stopping power, there's no doubt about that. I personally think that the 380s over work the tires as the 355s already exceed the tires gripping abilities. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's sure what it seems like to me. The quick pad changes are really nice. Mine are still like new despite the what "other" thread referenced states. That's acid rain, or aggressive wheel cleaner usage if I've ever seen it. Despite what's actually explained.
Any car I've had with red brembos had dark red/purple brembos after a few track days and getting really hot. I vowed to never buy a powder coated bbk again unless they were black. Then the only thing you would notice would be lettering turning yellow...just my .02

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

My car has the trophy 355s all around. It's got plenty of stopping power, there's no doubt about that. I personally think that the 380s over work the tires as the 355s already exceed the tires gripping abilities. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's sure what it seems like to me. The quick pad changes are really nice. Mine are still like new despite the what "other" thread referenced states. That's acid rain, or aggressive wheel cleaner usage if I've ever seen it. Despite what's actually explained.
Any car I've had with red brembos had dark red/purple brembos after a few track days and getting really hot. I vowed to never buy a powder coated bbk again unless they were black. Then the only thing you would notice would be lettering turning yellow...just my .02

Thanks for your input. I decided to go with the 380's up front mainly to better deal with the heat. The plus side, I am told is that the front pads will last longer. I was concerned about the increased upsprung weight (2 lbs) per side, but most said it would not be noticed.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by Vic311

Just saying..he should be aware..I cant see why someone would go for ST over Brembo..which is top of the mark..but hey do what you must

When I got got my Stopteck 380/355 kit I was offered the Brembo kit for less money the |ST kit.After a lot of research I went with the ST kit over the Brembo for a few reasons.

Much faster pad chanks thanks to not needing to remove the calipers for a simple pad change.

The Brembo's are 8mm larger which limits your 18' wheel choices

Replacement parts are much more expensive than the ST's

No regrets on the ST's at all.make sure you select the proper pads for your useage.

[surlynkid]

Paul - get the 380mm/355mm F/R setup and never look back.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

When I got got my Stopteck 380/355 kit I was offered the Brembo kit for less money the |ST kit.After a lot of research I went with the ST kit over the Brembo for a few reasons.

Much faster pad chanks thanks to not needing to remove the calipers for a simple pad change.

The Brembo's are 8mm larger which limits your 18' wheel choices

Replacement parts are much more expensive than the ST's

No regrets on the ST's at all.make sure you select the proper pads for your useage.

Thanks for your input! It seems that the ST 380/355 setup is the way to go. Which pads you recommend for the track?

Originally Posted by surlynkid

Paul - get the 380mm/355mm F/R setup and never look back.

Thanks! This is what I decided to go with. I placed an order with Ahmed @ Vivid Racing yesterday. Looking forward to receiving and trying them out on the track. Now I have to do some research on which track pads to go with.

[Porschefile]

I recommend the ST street performance, at least worth a shot for the price. The bbk manages heat a lot better than stock brakes, and the ST pads are not bad on track. They're also only $120 or so for front ST60 IIRC.