F10 Brake Retrofit from ECS Tuning

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by Amirsm3

I'm sure ECS can tune in again about weights, but the OEM calipers are pigs, lol. Even loaded with pads, pins and the tension clip, the M5 calipers are still significantly lighter. Still, I'm gonna wait for ECS to chime in for the specifics.

Just ran in the back and scaled some of the parts that I had readily available.

F10 M5 Pads 5.93lbs per side
F10 M5 Caliper 9.93lbs each

E9X M3 Pads 2.26lbs per side

-James

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

Just ran in the back and scaled some of the parts that I had readily available.

F10 M5 Pads 5.93lbs per side
F10 M5 Caliper 9.93lbs each

E9X M3 Pads 2.26lbs per side

-James

I'll have to grab a scale and weigh the OEM caliper without the pads or the line attached to it. I'm pretty sure they're heavier than 9.93lbs. For increasing the rotor size by almost an inch and adding bigger pads, this kit isn't adding much in weight with respect to what it's replacing.

[Richbot]

Several people including me have weighed the stock pads/caliper/bracket and come up with 14-14.5lb. The stock caliper is heavy but he stock pads are small and therefore relatively light compared to a pad shape for the Brembo or other 6-pots

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Several people including me have weighed the stock pads/caliper/bracket and come up with 14-14.5lb. The stock caliper is heavy but he stock pads are small and therefore relatively light compared to a pad shape for the Brembo or other 6-pots

So I'm looking at a ~2lb penalty per side plus the rotor weight. So, I think your initial estimate of 4-6lbs heaver is right on the money there. Not bad for what it is, I suppose? I'm not a track rat. I have no clue how the extra weight affects the car in that respect.

[Richbot]

Well short answer is it makes the car slower and handle worse. But probably not to any appreciable agree without a stopwatch on it.

Put it this way: the weight penalty is about the same as the weight penalty for the ZCP wheels vs the 220M. Is the extra wheel width and looks worth taking a weight hit? Only one person can decide that

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Well short answer is it makes the car slower and handle worse. But probably not to any appreciable agree without a stopwatch on it.

Put it this way: the weight penalty is about the same as the weight penalty for the ZCP wheels vs the 220M. Is the extra wheel width and looks worth taking a weight hit? Only one person can decide that

Ah I see. I've only been to a handful of HPDE's and Auto crosses, so I'm no authority on the issue, lol.

[Amirsm3]

Hnnggggg my rear rotors are on their way. There aren't any forecasts for snow this week either, so I should have a little time to snap some photos while the car is clean

[M.A.R.C.]

Awesome stuff! Thanks for posting

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by M.A.R.C.

Awesome stuff! Thanks for posting

I appreciate that! Hopefully I can finish up my end of the review when I've got the brakes complete and then I can do a better photo shoot to really show off how massive these things are - unlike my "egg roll"

[r3zon8]

Thanks for taking the time to write this all up and post the pics. Im on the fence on this upgrade kit. I hope I dont catch too much flack for playing the devils advocate here but these are my concerns(none are cosmetic) and keep in mind Im no expert whatsoever...

-Calipers are a component in braking system; 1/3 the equation so to speak. Pads and rotors play a large part as well in the overall performance. I'll assume this kit ships with OEM pads or M pads so thats 2/3 out of the way. Rotors..there is very little info on the rotors themselves, where they are manuf., performance testing, etc. While this kit 'fits' the E92 M3 will it actually perform on the track/heat? I mean tracking is why I'm looking for a BBK. If you're in it for pure cosmetics you should stop reading now.

-I guess my mind would be MUCH more at ease if ECS can get this kit reviewed by one of the well known performance shops we all know and trust. Turner, EAS, etc, etc. Someone who can say this really works, lasts, and is a decent 'Stage1' route for enthusiasts looking to improve thermal capacity of the OEM M3 braking system but are on a budget.

These are my .02c and they come from someone who's gone through two sets of OEM rotors/pads through dealer good-faith replacement after trashing them in HPDE's. I doubt the dealer will gift me another entire front set of rotors/pads/fluids/labor so I have to purchase something soon if I have any intent to continue tracking the M3.

This kit is still on my radar but I need additional proof of engineering/performance and promise of future support from ECS on this kit(what if ECS decides to stop manufacturing their rotors? Where do I get parts?) in order to commit to it. In the meantime I'll continue trolling the FS section.

[m3aviator]

ECS won't tell you who is the manufacturer bc it will cut out the middle man and their profit. Their website says they will sell you rings with proof of purchase.

[ECSTuning]

-Calipers are a component in braking system; 1/3 the equation so to speak. Pads and rotors play a large part as well in the overall performance. I'll assume this kit ships with OEM pads or M pads so thats 2/3 out of the way.

Pads in the kit are Textar pads, they are equivalents of the factory pad on the F10 M5. For track use more aggressive pads are suggested, this goes for your stock brakes as well.

Rotors..there is very little info on the rotors themselves, where they are manuf., performance testing, etc.

There was a thread on here a while back where we dump a ton of info. I can't find the one on M3Post but HERE is a link to the same thread on M3F (the OP started it in several places). All our 2 piece rotors are engineered by our Research & Development department and manufactured to our specifications, as for location these particular rotors are manufactured by one of our partners in Taiwan. The rings are made from FC-30 (equivalent to US ASTM standard 45A/DIN GG30) cast iron with a carbon content as high as 3.3%. The hats are CNC Machined from billet 6061-T6 aluminum.

Our 2 Piece Rotors have been subjected to thousands of miles of hard street use and to the elements (including snow and salt) for years. They have also been subjected to scientific brutal stress testing at the track, performing countless high speed stops in quick succession. We have measured stopping distances and elevated rotor temperatures of over 1000*F for long sustained periods (to the point of rotor bluing and catching brake pads on fire), as well as subjecting rotors to careful post-test inspection for signs of irregular wear, warping, stress cracking, or any other signs of failure. Our rotors have proven themselves to be robust, demonstrating excellent wear characteristics, no warping, no thermal stress cracking, no signs of hot spots and minimal pad glazing.

This kit is still on my radar but I need additional proof of engineering/performance and promise of future support from ECS on this kit(what if ECS decides to stop manufacturing their rotors? Where do I get parts?) in order to commit to it.

We expect to sell this kit indefinitely, it's get's great feedback and is rather popular. Now on the off chance we choose to cut this kit from production, we will still support rotors for it for 3 years from the end of the kits life. After that if a customer is needing rotors we'll either discount an equivalent BBK or offer a partial refund depending upon customers wishes and availability of products.

I think that covers everything you asked, feel free to shoot me a PM if I can be of any help/assistance/etc

-James

[tey elvis]

I wonder if the brackets for the calipers are the original one for f10m5 or ECS custom milled for the rotors.

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by tey elvis

I wonder if the brackets for the calipers are the original one for f10m5 or ECS custom milled for the rotors.

The bracket is an ECS designed part.



-James

[W///]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

Pads in the kit are Textar pads, they are equivalents of the factory pad on the F10 M5. For track use more aggressive pads are suggested, this goes for your stock brakes as well.



There was a thread on here a while back where we dump a ton of info. I can't find the one on M3Post but HERE is a link to the same thread on M3F (the OP started it in several places). All our 2 piece rotors are engineered by our Research & Development department and manufactured to our specifications, as for location these particular rotors are manufactured by one of our partners in Taiwan. The rings are made from FC-30 (equivalent to US ASTM standard 45A/DIN GG30) cast iron with a carbon content as high as 3.3%. The hats are CNC Machined from billet 6061-T6 aluminum.

Our 2 Piece Rotors have been subjected to thousands of miles of hard street use and to the elements (including snow and salt) for years. They have also been subjected to scientific brutal stress testing at the track, performing countless high speed stops in quick succession. We have measured stopping distances and elevated rotor temperatures of over 1000*F for long sustained periods (to the point of rotor bluing and catching brake pads on fire), as well as subjecting rotors to careful post-test inspection for signs of irregular wear, warping, stress cracking, or any other signs of failure. Our rotors have proven themselves to be robust, demonstrating excellent wear characteristics, no warping, no thermal stress cracking, no signs of hot spots and minimal pad glazing.



We expect to sell this kit indefinitely, it's get's great feedback and is rather popular. Now on the off chance we choose to cut this kit from production, we will still support rotors for it for 3 years from the end of the kits life. After that if a customer is needing rotors we'll either discount an equivalent BBK or offer a partial refund depending upon customers wishes and availability of products.

I think that covers everything you asked, feel free to shoot me a PM if I can be of any help/assistance/etc

-James

Just my 2 cents James. But I think a few of us would have loved to see the testing process that this kit went through. Whether through pics or vids.

Either way, I might be looking at this solution in the future for sure.

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by W///

Just my 2 cents James. But I think a few of us would have loved to see the testing process that this kit went through. Whether through pics or vids.

Either way, I might be looking at this solution in the future for sure.

I don't think we've formally released any footage/pics of the testing process beyond the little clips here and there on various social media outlets. LINK to quick clip from the brake dyno testing of the rotors that I put on IG a while back. I'll see if I can get approval to upload and release more footage.

-James

[EJT86]

Wonder if there's any plans for an F8X retro fit kit...they'd weigh less than the F10 caliper and would probably solve most clearance issues

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Wonder if there's any plans for an F8X retro fit kit...they'd weigh less than the F10 caliper and would probably solve most clearance issues

Not at the current time.

-James

[Bagelfast]

Any plans for a E60 M5 with F10 M5 brake retrofit!? i would assume its close to and same as a upgrade from the E9X M3 for the E60 M5.

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by Bagelfast

Any plans for a E60 M5 with F10 M5 brake retrofit!? i would assume its close to and same as a upgrade from the E9X M3 for the E60 M5.

We don't have anything on the books for the E60 M5 at the current time. But if the market calls for it we will look further into it.

-James

[BombaE90]

I ordered a set last week. They should be arriving tomorrow. I've always been a big fan of "OEM plus" style mods. I'm still not sure if I'll track the car much, but I do plan on tracking it. Time will tell.

Hopefully I'll have them installed this week.

I have a competition package E90 on ZCPs for what it's worth.

[wyatth]

Very nice. I would like this kid but with different rotors. Too bad they won't piece out the kit.