PP vs GT350 calipers

[EFI]

My initial plan was to upgrade my base GT brakes with the PP calipers as it's a direct bolt on swap. However I recently saw that LMR was offering a billet adapter kit that allows you to run the GT350 calipers on the GT and EB with either the 15" PP rotors or the 15.5" GT350 rotors. And in fact, the GT350 calipers are cheaper than the PP calipers, so when factor in the cost of the adapter it makes the caliper swap the same cost.

Is the GT350 caliper that much better at stopping power and build rigidity due to the cast in bridge? It almost seems like a no brainer seeing the 2 options are the same price.

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[Biggsy]

Thats interesting.

What about the brake bias? Since GT350 have Brembos in the rear I would assume something would be off.

 

[fatbillybob]

And what about the master cylinder which is matched to the appropriate calipers? Are you sure a base can even handle PP calipers? If for street nothing matters the base units are fine enough. If for street get the calipers that work but look better. Racing you are not going to change the stopping distances by much but you might change the durability and consumables consumption. As an example when I was racing the C5Z06 we cracked oem rotors on the 3rd trackday. Then the Stoptech T1 brake kit was developed on my car and the rotors lasted a whole season of racing but the stopping distances were not improved but we got durability and consistent pedal modulation. That modulation even helps our heeltoe downshifting. All this leads to lower laptimes. None of that matters on a streetcar that rarely sees threshold braking and when it does are solitary events.

 

[EFI]

what about the master cylinder which is matched to the appropriate calipers? Are you sure a base can even handle PP calipers?

I will be going to a PP MC, which is the same as in the GT350. But it has been shown that the base GT unit works fine with the PP brakes.

 

[fatbillybob]

Then keep the base MC. Why ask for more work and cost. PP1 rotors are insanely heavy. I think I dropped some rediculous number like 10 or 15lbs/corner I forget going to 2 piece rotors. So if you aren't spending more to go with 2 piece rotors you are loosing some performance advantage with the boat anchors at the worse possible place rotating mass. Doesn't the 350gt use 2 piece rotors stock? Maybe go that route is better?

 

[mikeD4V]

If just choosing to do fronts, GT PP would be my choice.

1. The pad changes are easier if/when you need to do them at the track. GT PP is one 13mm bolt and 2 pins to replace pads while the GT350 caliper has to come off. Can use studs to make the GT350 pad change easier but the caliper still has to slide off the rotor on the studs.

2. GT350 front caliper requires a 19" wheel while at GT PP caliper can run 18" wheels. More tire availability since you can run 18" or 19" and inexpensive take off slicks are available in 18". 18x11 ec-7 apex wheel is 23lbs and the 19x11 is 24.5lbs. GT350R carbon fiber wheels are 18lbs.

3. The GT PP rotors are 34lbs and the GT350 2-piece are 30lbs. A 2-piece GT PP rotor will drop 7-10lb/rotor depending on the brand and how much you want to spend. GT PP iron rotors are ~$50/each. GT350 rotors are ~$300/each. Replacement rings for GT PP 2-piece rotors are $400/each. In the long run, while more expensive starting cost ($900-$1500), the 2-piece will prolong pad life since they will run cooler than stock iron rotors, will not warp if overheated, and the aluminum hat will help keep the hubs cooler. 1-piece vs 2-piece decision should depend on budget and frequency of use. If you go through more than one set of pricey track pads per year then it should be something to consider.

I'm on steeda 2-piece rotors which are the cheapest but not the lightest. With 19x11 apex wheels and 305/30r19 SC3R tires my total front wheel (24.5) + tire (29) + 2-piece rotors (26.5) is 80lbs. For comparison, the GT350R is front wheel (18) + tire (29) + GT350 2-piece rotors (30) is 77lbs. With AP J-hook 2-piece rotors, at 22.6lbs, the total weight drops to 78lbs.

 

[EFI]

With the caliper studs and extensions (which I plan on getting) the pads are just as easy, just one extra nut. Although not to worried about that.

Not worried about wheels either, I already have my street and track wheels in 19" varieties and will be sticking with this size.

I'm really just interested in whether or not the caliper itself and the way it's mounted (solid vs. floating) is really beneficial or just nice to have.

If just choosing to do fronts, GT PP would be my choice.

1. The pad changes are easier if/when you need to do them at the track. GT PP is one 13mm bolt and 2 pins to replace pads while the GT350 caliper has to come off. Can use studs to make the GT350 pad change easier but the caliper still has to slide off the rotor on the studs.

2. GT350 front caliper requires a 19" wheel while at GT PP caliper can run 18" wheels. More tire availability since you can run 18" or 19" and inexpensive take off slicks are available in 18". 18x11 ec-7 apex wheel is 23lbs and the 19x11 is 24.5lbs. GT350R carbon fiber wheels are 18lbs.

3. The GT PP rotors are 34lbs and the GT350 2-piece are 30lbs. A 2-piece GT PP rotor will drop 7-10lb/rotor depending on the brand and how much you want to spend. GT PP iron rotors are ~$50/each. GT350 rotors are ~$300/each. Replacement rings for GT PP 2-piece rotors are $400/each. In the long run, while more expensive starting cost ($900-$1500), the 2-piece will prolong pad life since they will run cooler than stock iron rotors, will not warp if overheated, and the aluminum hat will help keep the hubs cooler. 1-piece vs 2-piece decision should depend on budget and frequency of use. If you go through more than one set of pricey track pads per year then it should be something to consider.

I'm on steeda 2-piece rotors which are the cheapest but not the lightest. With 19x11 apex wheels and 305/30r19 SC3R tires my total front wheel (24.5) + tire (29) + 2-piece rotors (26.5) is 80lbs. For comparison, the GT350R is front wheel (18) + tire (29) + GT350 2-piece rotors (30) is 77lbs. With AP J-hook 2-piece rotors, at 22.6lbs, the total weight drops to 78lbs.

 

[shogun32]

the caliper is very solidly mounted in either config. You mean radial or not.

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