To bring up an old thread, here are more details on my thoughts than you probably wanted to know.
Summary of my research (note that these are my opinions, you are
welcome to have your own):
Brembo - top notch R&D and brand recognition. Only made a front kit
for the FX and specifically designed to work with the rear OEM brakes
(per Brembo representative). Can purchase matching rear rotors from
R1 Concepts (888-712-6623 ask for Kit, these have to be custom
ordered. He knows what the GT rotors look like and will duplicate it
using Centric rotors) in California.
Buy these if you want top notch quality, brand recognition and a test
and proven brake kit as long as you can live with OEM rear brakes.
You are paying for it as the front kit retails at $3,795.
AP Racing - owned by Brembo, but two companies are run separate. I
was told by AP that the parts are made in England and shipped out to
the USA through it's exclusive distributor, Brake Pros, a division of
Stillen. Also, top notch quality and R&D. Here you are also paying
for this as retail is $2,799.75 (6 piston front) + $3,299.75 (4 piston
rear) = $6,099.50. I mention this setup as it's not recommended to
pair the 4 piston front (13" rotor) with the 4 piston rear (15" rotor)
by AP Racing.
Buy these if you are set on the best quality manufacturer that
provides front and rear brake kits made for the FX. It maintains the
correct front/rear bias. These also have a proven history and very
well know in Europe.
StopTech - Front only big brake kit with matching rear rotors. These
are perfect for street use and those that want increased stopping
power.
Buy these if you're set looking for a front only upgrade and also
looking at Brembo's and want to save $1,000+, get the StopTech.
Rotora - These are street bling to me. They make anything from a 6
piston to 12 piston front with a 4 piston rear. I personally think these
kits look the best and also good quality. I would have gotten the 12
piston front and 4 piston rear, but a specifically balanced 6/4 AP
Racing slightly appealed more to me.
JBT - I think same manufacturer as Rotora? Either way, same review
as Rotora's in my book. Pricing is similar too.
OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono - These are OEM – that pretty much explains it
to me. Cheapest brake upgrade, huge stopping power and availability
of aftermarket for rotors and pads, it's the best cost-effective brake
upgrade for the 2003-2008 FX35/FX45. Again thanks to Turbo for his
custom ball joint adapters and research to make this possible. Also
to offer this at cost – that's a stand-up kind of guy.
K-Sport/D2 - I have not seen any bad reviews on their brake kits and
only surprises of how well they work for the price. The other parts such
as suspension parts have several bad reviews, but none specific to the
brake kits. I personally will wait until they are more proven in the
marketplace before purchasing something as critical as a brake kit,
even though the price keeps tempting me every time I see it. K-Sport
and D2 use the same manufacturer.
Brand value (my personal thought as some don't add a value to this):
1) Brembo
2) AP Racing
3) Rotora
4) StopTech
5) JBT
6) K-Sport/D2
Bang for the buck front only (this is based of my personal quotes, not
retail – as Rookie said, who pays retail!):
1) OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono
2) K-Sport/D2
3) Rotora
4) JBT (these don’t sell as kits, you have to buy the lines separate
and more for cross drilled. Also less of a discount off retail)
5) StopTech
6) Brembo
7) AP Racing
Bang for the buck front and rear
1) OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono
2) K-Sport/D2
3) Rotora
4) JBT (these don’t sell as kits, you have to buy the lines separate
and more for cross drilled. Also less of a discount off retail)
7) AP Racing
Best front only kit if cost was not a consideration
1) Brembo
2) AP Racing
3) StopTech
4) Rotora
5) JBT
6) K-Sport
Best front and rear kit if cost was not a consideration
1) AP Racing
2) Rotora
3) JBT
4) K-Sport/D2
(all personal opinion and this is based off my personal price quotes)
Executive Summary:
Best bang for the buck front only upgrade:
OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono (~$900)
Best bang for the buck front and rear upgrade:
OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono (~$2,500)
Best front only upgrade if you don't take cost into consideration:
Brembo 4 Piston Front (note a 15" rotor) (retail = $3,750)
Best front and rear upgrade if you don't take cost into consideration:
AP Racing 6 Piston Front and 4 Piston Rear (retail = $2,799.75 +
$3,299.75 = $6,099.50)
Here are my other personal opinions:
Best looking front and rear setup:
Rotora 8 piston front, 4 piston rear (12 piston just looks too big,
even on the FX)
Best track kit (this is a complete guess):
AP Racing 6 piston front, 4 piston rear
Best street kit:
OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono 4 piston front, 2 piston rear
Best aftermarket availability of different rotors and pads:
OEM FX50S/G37S Akebono 4 piston front, 2 piston rear
Everyone has their own priorities on what's important to them so
hope this can help others make their own decision.
Thanks for all the feedback as everyone's comment did make a big
impact on which kit I purchased.
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AP Racing Details
Front:
AP Racing 6 Piston Caliper (CP7040)
-Cast aluminum alloy
AP Racing Rotor
- 14.25" x1.25" (362mm x 32mm)
- two-piece, cross drilled and slotted
- replacement cost $411.58/each
Mintex Xtreme Motorsport Compound Brake Pads
- replacement cost $327.34/set
Rear:
AP Racing 4 Piston Caliper (CP5306)
- cast aluminum alloy
DBA (Australian) Rotor
- 15" x 1" (378mm x 26mm)
- two-piece, cross drilled and slotted
- retains OE parking brake function
- replacement cost $399.00/each
Mintex Xtreme Motorsport Compound Brake Pads
- replacement cost $223.34/set
Replacement pads options (I believe there are others):
FRONT – AP00FD61R4S – Porterfield Kevlar Pad – $363.74
REAR – AP00FD55R4S – Porterfield Kevlar Pad – $257.66
AP5500R – FRONT BIG BRAKE KIT
$411.58 – AP00063L – Left Rotor
$411.58 – AP00063R – Right Rotor
$62.14 – 30BOLTHW – Replacement Hardware
$885.30 – Total, Rotors & Replacement Hardware
$179.00 – AP5509 – Rotor Hat, each.
$1243.30 – Total, Rotors, Replacement Hardware, and Hats
AP5550R – REAR BIG BRAKE KIT
$239.00 – DBA52924.1XL – Left Rotor
$239.00 – DBA52925.1XR – Right Rotor
$62.14 – 30BOLTHW – Replacement Hardware
$540.00 – Total, Rotors & Replacement Hardware
$179.00 – AP5559 – Rotor Hat, each.
$898.14 – Total, Rotors, Replacement Hardware, and Hats
Hats are not necessary to change, but the replacement hardware is. Hats only need changing if cracked, broken, etc...
Also, after 1,000 miles, I was surprised at how much the pads squealed -- then I bedded the brakes again and burned off the glaze and, silent once again.
Looking good Ed, but I really wish you would have gone with the black calipers as red is sooooo common and boring now.
