How come Wilwoods are so cheap compared to Stoptech or Brembos? Is it really worth the extra $400 to get the Stoptechs, or however many $$$ for Brembos come track day? What's the difference in terms of feel, fade, and how well they fit the rest of the stock setup?

I'm planning on upgrading only the front brakes.

100

I'm not sure, but I think Willwoods are so cheap b/c they don't have a niche in the import market yet - they're usually on big ol' American muscle cars. I don't know how they feel since I don't own a set ;)

True. Plus they are made locally and not considered to be "Versace" of brakes like Brembo's or AP's.

- Alex

But from what I hear they are just as good .

Very possible.

Don't forget that tires are more important in regular braking performance. Tire compoud is critical. Bigger, more pistons and other brake characteristic usually doesn't show on the street but only during performance spiritted driving. ;)

- Alex

Alex made a good comparison - you can wear your GAP and still be warm and clothed, but then again, it's different than wearing your Versace ;)
I see no real reason why you wouldn't want a set of Willwood's. Of course, me being the wanna-be pimp that I am, I'd save up for at least Japanese brakes like Endless. Just my preference.

be "Versace" of



What does this mean------I just got the six pot wilwoods-----hop3fully they are all i hoped for.....if not ill be buying another set....


Thanks Goat Face
Andrew

As far as I know, Wilwoods do not have seals. I'm sure they work just as good as the others but might not be the best bet for street use.
I'm not 100% sure on this, but have heard if from a couple of people (no, not salesmen from the other companies).
Has anyone else heard this?

Originally posted by Obi-Wan
As far as I know, Wilwoods do not have seals.

bump bump bump

Are Wilwoods okay in the dirt?

100

Originally posted by 100
Are Wilwoods okay in the dirt?

Again, going from what I've heard they work well but the calipers need frequent overhauls do to the lack of seals.
Can anybody else confirm this? I'm just repeating what I've heard from other people and don't know for sure.

do you really have to rebuild the seals often.

Originally posted by stealth-wrx
do you really have to rebuild the seals often.

From what I've heard (I can't stress it enough that I'm only going on hearsay) is that the calipers don't have dust seals.
This would mean that the piston seals are taking more of a beating than on a piston that has a dust seal. Therefore, the piston seal will not last as long in dirty conditions.
How often would you have to replace the seal? I don't know. maybe somebody who is using a set of Wilwoods on the street could pipe in......

I havn't heard any bad things about Wilwoods as of yet. All I know is that they're also popular w/ the VW community.

i'm putting wilwoods on my civic eventually because i've never heard anything bad about them and the brembos and whatnot only fit under 17's and i have 16's

Do Wilwood 6-pots fit under the stock 16's?

I think you should spring for the StopTechs. They're a little more expensive, but they're on par with the really expensive Brembo, Alcon, Endless, etc brakes. For $1600, they're actually a bargain for the performance.

The stoptechs are one of the best kits you can get for overall performance and value.

~v6

Originally posted by 100
Do Wilwood 6-pots fit under the stock 16's?
I think that the web site says no
I don't see how they could with a 12.9" rotor
I think that to many of you people have been caught up with getting JDM stuff
Willwood is highly respected in racing well at least my friends that race vett's

i also have heard that wilwoods make alot of noise...

Are Stoptechs built in the States? Not sure. Thanks!

Yes the StopTechs are built in the states. In fact they make everything in house. I have been to their facility in Torrance, CA. It is a first rate company. I cannot believe that they test every single SS Brake line that they manufacture.

what brands can you buy that dont require as much maintanence like willwoods.

What do you mean by maintenance? Basically everything that moves on your car will require maintenance. I honestly don't think that the Wilwoods require that much maintenance as compared to any other brake kit out there.

Originally posted by ImprezaRSDriver
What do you mean by maintenance? Basically everything that moves on your car will require maintenance. I honestly don't think that the Wilwoods require that much maintenance as compared to any other brake kit out there.

That's what we've been trying to find out. I've heard that Wilwood calipers don't have dust seals on the pistons, thus needing new seals more frequently (especially when used daily on the street).
So you can confirm that they do have dust seals? I'd like to find out for sure one way or another.

Originally posted by stealth-wrx
do you really have to rebuild the seals often.

Any more info on this?

i have put several front kits on cars and even have a 4-pot set on my 255whp OBS.
FACTS: they are light calipers, there is a slight creaking from the calipers compressing, the SS lines provided work fine, the "E" pads are mettalic pads (they squeel when you brake). Use "Q" pads for normal/spirited street driving

I have logged over 15k miles on these brakes already. They work fine in wet/dry weather.

That's good to hear.
Does it mention anything in the spec sheets or manual about not having dust seals?
If you've had them on the car for that long and they're still working great without any leaks they sound good to me.

there have been no leaks to date.
I do clean out my breaks with brake cleaner every 3000k or so miles. I just take off the tire remove the pads, and spray away. that's it.ohh yeah there are no dust shileds. good for track running...not so good for street. The dust can become an annoyance on your clean rims and the dust can cake on the rotors. So you must clean the brakes routinely like i mentioned above.

I have a 4pot set on my Legacy with WRX roters. They are a little loud, but work really well. I've only driven 2K on them so maybe the noise will subside a little (mostly brake pad squeal, as christoph1371 mentioned). For the price you can't complain. They are light, fit under OEM 16" wheels, and stop much better than stock.

If you like to hear noise go with the wilwoods. I had them on my car for a while...couldnt stand them.


areg

Thank God and Subaru for OEM Brembo Breaks

If noise is all that is the down side then, I would say that there is nothing wrong with the kit. Even my Subaru 4pots make noise and so do my StopTechs a little bit. But the noise from the StopTech kit is only because the pads are cold. I am sure that if you changed pads, it could reduce some of the noise.

Originally posted by 100
Do Wilwood 6-pots fit under the stock 16's?

nope.. 17's..

I have wilwoods and they are very good, and their tech support is good. All the mechanic types that have seen them are impressed by the build design and quality. They really are track brakes, so expect dust. I dont know about rally use. Its good stuff tho..