PFC Z-54 front brake system

[VictorH]

I've been running my stock calipers since the car was new. My car sees a few track events per year and as many of you know the stock system is not that great. I upgraded to PFC DD rotors (V2) about 3 years ago which was a. big improvement in fade resistance. However, if you look at my calipers the dust boots are burned to a crisp and though they still work fine, they've probably served their useful life (at least for track use). I've never boiled my brake fluid, though I've run pretty much every brand on the market and really can't tell one whit of difference among any of them. I'm running PFC 665 which is fine, but Motul is fine too and less expensive.

Just took off the 4th (or was it 5th) set of Pagid RS-19 pads after a VIR event about a month ago (early March) and they were done (got good life out of them). I've resisted the "everyone who tracks needs big brakes" parade but it's time. I've done plenty of investigation and there are lots of really good brake systems out there. I choose PFC because they're local to me (SC), I've spoken to their engineers at a trade show and they really know their stuff. Also, they are strictly performance based, not really into looks (which doesn't matter to me either, I went for the black calipers). Consequently I bought their 4 piston Z-54 caliper set up with V3 rotors (I'll show you later) from Bimmerworld.

I'm going to do a mock up with some measurements to make sure everything is okay, but I can't fully install or run the system until the street pads come in, in 2 weeks.

[VictorH]

Fun stuff waiting for installation. Measured run-out on the hub which is not easy to do as there's not much surface area to run the little roller. However, run out on the hub is a very acceptable .002 (measured out the outer part of the disc).

The older V2 rotor which has lots of track events and some daily use has 0.004" of run-out also pretty good.

[VictorH]

New V3 DD rotors from PFC. Uses a spring steel spring to retain the rotor onto the hub. No nuts or bolts just a screwdriver, two actually or snap ring pliers and a screwdriver to get the open end out of the channel. Pretty cool, if you know what you are doing you could change the rotor in 2-3 minutes with a little practice.

[VictorH]

The calipers are nothing fancy but 4 piston, with aluminum bridge for out the top pad change. Hardware is really nice.

[VictorH]

System installed but not tight other than the rotor. Run-out with the rotor bolted on was .003" which is pretty good. The rotor hat is a bit sensitive to how you mount it and the first time the run out was .006", took it off and got same reading, on the third time got it nicely seated with three thousands run-out (hub was clean). Not pictured but I used washers and three lug nuts to hold the rotor down for measurements (not just the little retaining bolts).

[DR-JEKL]

They look very nice!

May I ask how much did they run you?

[VictorH]

Bimmerworld has them on special for $3,249.

[admranger]

[VictorH]

Spoke to PFC yesterday. Z-54 street pads (1659.10) in final production at PFC and should arrive in 2 weeks. I'll document pad shape and thickness differences from stock as well as the installation and initial impressions.

[dparm]

What are the caliper and disc weights?

[SYT_Shadow]

I have the full Z54+Z45 BBK on one M3 and the Z54 front only kit on the other

They are just wonderful. So, so capable. No brake ducting and a set of pads and rotors lasts over one season. PFC12 pads which are the new PFc08.
I get around 35 track days on the pads and rotors.

A side benefit of these spectacular brakes, other than people shitting their pants at tech inspections in HPDEs, is that the PFC12 pad is perfectly suitable for DD duty. Once they have been used on track they are very quiet on the street.

When I bought the first full set of PFC BBKs I also got the Z rated street pads which I would switch back and forth. Not anymore! I just run the track ones all the time.



Oh, and when the time comes for a rotor change you'll fondly remember the days when you had to dismount 8000 stupid little bobbings, washers and bolts and instead install a single piece to get the v3 rotor to stay put.

[VictorH]

Thanks for your review, that's really reassuring. Good to hear the 12 track pads are fine on the street, but they're more than twice as expensive as the street pads. Mine is my daily driver so I'll probably just swap out back and forth.

How is the wheel to caliper clearance with stock (220) wheels?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by VictorH

Thanks for your review, that's really reassuring. Good to hear the 12 track pads are fine on the street, but they're more than twice as expensive as the street pads. Mine is my daily driver so I'll probably just swap out back and forth.

How is the wheel to caliper clearance with stock (220) wheels?

They are really a superb setup. I doubt there is a better bbk out there.

I have them on one car with the stock 18" wheels. They need a 15mm spacer to clear those.
On the zcp wheels of the other car they fit without any spacers as you'd expect

[s65m3fan]

I'll add my praise for the Z54+Z45 combo with the 12 pads for the track. I've been running them for a little over 2 years now and they are beyond fantastic. The PFC guys themselves are great too! Nothing but great things to say about them!

I run with 18x9.5 HRE R43s. The fronts just fit.

[VictorH]

Still waiting for the street pads to arrive but the PFC 12 track pads just came today. Some comparisons with Endless track pads for the stock caliper. Both sets are new unused.

[VictorH]

Caliper set - inside and out.

[VictorH]

Measured pad
Endless Track pad
Total thickness .755" - backing plate thickness .223" = .522" Pad thickness

PFC 12 Pad for ZR-54 caliper
Total Thickness 1.128" - backing plate .244" = .884" Pad thickness

[admranger]

So jealous.

[VictorH]

Originally Posted by admranger

So jealous.

Don't be. For my entire history with this car (I bought it new in 2009) I have been in stock calipers. You learn to live with it. The only upgrades were PFC rotors 3 years ago (huge upgrade) and ducting (huge nuisance now off). So, perhaps it was about time. I'm really looking forward to this new set up, however, I can't say that having a stock brake system has diminished the fun that much and it improves your ability to recognize what's going on with the brakes when they are getting hot and making adjustments.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by VictorH

Don't be. For my entire history with this car (I bought it new in 2009) I have been in stock calipers. You learn to live with it. The only upgrades were PFC rotors 3 years ago (huge upgrade) and ducting (huge nuisance now off). So, perhaps it was about time. I'm really looking forward to this new set up, however, I can't say that having a stock brake system has diminished the fun that much and it improves your ability to recognize what's going on with the brakes when they are getting hot and making adjustments.

I totally agree with the stock system with pfc pads and pfc dd rotors is more brake than 90% of people need.

This kit takes it to another level. It's incredible. Besides, I enjoy street driving with the pfc12 pads and never swapping anything. The pads and rotors last 30-40 track days. The rears last 2-3 times as long

[su_root]

Nice kit.

Pad width is 25mm? Most street/sport pads are 18mm. I know you measured in inches but..

What's the disc width, air gap, annulus and vane count?..couldn't find the tech specs on pfc's site

I'm torn between this PFC kit and the 3K2.9031A kit from Brembo for my E92.

[SYT_Shadow]

I thought the front pads were 28mm