Has anybody heard of or possibly used this company for a big brake kit?

http://ceikaperformance.com/Small-6-...e-kit-p29.html

Seems like too good to pass up and they have great reviews. I'm 90% sure I'm going to pull the trigger and go with these guys, but I want to see if any one has any feedback one way or the other.

 

I would not buy from them as they are out of the country have no contact phone number and what happens when you need pads or rotors or support from them? No price for shipping either until you complete your order. Check this out from a reputable company http://www.fastmini.net/wibigbrkitfr.html
or http://www.lpiracing.com/Wilwood-Dyn...374p183745.htm

 

Ya I was sort of hesitant for those reasons. But a 6pot BBK for $814!! The Dutch in me got really excited (the Dutch are known for being thrifty in case that made no sense).

 

^LoL. I'm all for catching a good deal, but it's a deal not worth the headache when it's time to order replacement parts. Sure it says the calipers can take many optional pads from Wilwood and the likes, but I wouldn't trust it. Consider all the other companies that have a huge reputable company, I wouldn't want to get a 6-pot and the bite isn't even, causing improper wear.

Big brake options? AP Racing, Stoptech, Brembo, and Wilwood/TCE.

The most versatile of the group really is Brembo. Their pad options and their rotor options separates itself from the proper big brake group, but their asking price is $$$$. I really like my Stoptech, but some will say that's more bling and for showoffs and try to point you toward Wilwood because 1) they're cheaper and 2) because wheel options expand because they fit nearly all 17's and lower inch wheels.

But I'll say that the Stoptech's are amazing because of their Aero Rotors and the many many pad options they have for street and track use.

 

You don't need a 6 pot for a mini.

Just ask yourself who you will call if this does not fit properly. And what pads would you need for it later.

 

I have a kit from TCE with the wilwood 6pot dynapro calipers and they are great.

 

You should also consider rotor mass not only the number of pistons. Todd steered me away from his six pot dynapro for his FSL 4 pot caliper with 13" rotors because I wanted it for more consistent higher temperature use.

 

I meet with him in person as he is based out of Tempe and he did mention that but since I am not a circuit racer I didn't need the thicker pad that takes longer to seat.

 

In your opinion, what would be the advantage of going 6 pot without additional rotor mass?

 

In my opinion I know an individual who bought the 4 piston and it sounded like a wheel was going to fall off for the first 500 miles until they properly seated and until he reached that point the brakes didn't really work that well. If you are going to circuit race buy the 4 piston. I know one mini owner who actually needs the 4 pots and that's because he actually circuit races once a month. Since I daily drive my car I wanted something that was going to seat easily and had a short break in which you get with the 6 pot set up.

 

I think what you may be describing is more about race pads that take a little bit to seat than a 4 pot issue. Normal street pads like the BP10 or BP20 should be no problem with little noise. You can also put anti-squeal lubrication on the pad backs to reduce squeal.

What you typically want to improve is braking feel and braking consistency under more extreme load. You typically get that from rotor mass and caliper weight reduction.

 

No they were street pads and the same mechanic that installed his set installed mine brake feel and consistency are greatly improved with both sets after the 4 pot seats. The thing is that heat cycling a larger mass rotor is more difficult and serious racers are the only people I know of who would suffer from the reduction of rotor mass. Having driven cars with both set ups there is nothing the average driver does that warrants the need for a larger mass rotor it's just annoying to deal with the 4 pot set up until you can put them through enough heat cycles.

 

Not sure I can agreed with your assessment but that is not important. I have had 4 pot and 6 pot brakes in many cars and they are nothing like what you describe. Does not matter, we will just disagreed here and move on.

 

Yeah I'm just comparing 4 vs 6 pot on the r53 so apples to apples this is just my personal experience and assessment I am by no means saying the 4 pot set up is garbage I am simply stating that the 6 pot is a viable option unless you are going racing every month. So we will just agree to disagree on this one.

 

I just noticed you have the 13" or 320 mm rotor with your dynapro 6 pot so your rotor mass is exactly the same as mine.

 

I thought you were referring to his 92hd upgraded rotors he offers as an option with his 4 pot FSL kit.

 

Even so his 92 hd option does add some mass but it should not all that different in terms of break in.

 

Of course the six pots off the GPs are available for sale if you've got the cash.

 

There is no inherent advantage to the six piston DP6 vs the DP or FSL caliper. They both have nearly the same piston area. *Actually the FSL a bit less for you techno types.

The DP6 kit was assembled for two primary reasons; first it just looks fantastic and comes pre powdercoated as part of the build. Secondly it is the lowest profile option of any of the calipers we've fit to the MINI- that simply means that it's all but unheard of that you'd need a wheel spacer to clear it.

The benefits of the six pot caliper beyond that are better pad wear due to the differential bore or pressure points on the pad and some things such as ease of pad service etc. Not that is has any real performance advantages. It still has ample pad selection available for the occasional track day use.

The benefits of the DP and ultimately the FSL are that they are geared more towards the track user; they have a more robust body and thicker brake pads. The FSL being much, much thicker for longer wear a bit bit more heat rejection. Again, just because they have four pistons vs six is a moot point. It's not qty, but area that you're looking at.

I classify them like this:
FSL- the most durable for track day and more of a racing class caliper, only for 13".
DPr- a good combo of both with ss pistons, affordable, but rotor limited to 12.2".
DP6- ideal for the street enthusiast who may only see limited track use, fits 13" discs.

 

Great info Todd. Thx

 

I guess the differences in break in was that I had the TCE rotors and hats and the other guy had the wilwood rotors and hat.

 

Todd appreciate the clarification. This is exactly what you told me. I was just surprised by all this poor break in discussion so I was seeking some clarification.

 

My 13" discs being plated do tend to be more abrasive at break in for some reason. I think it's mainly the removal of the zinc plating which tend to muck up the pads a bit as well. Anytime someone gets track pads with a kit I tend to suggest they use those for a short time to do the initial bed in. They are more aggressive on the rotor when cold.

 

Got it. Never been a problem for me. The pad break in and three days at WGI took care of that.

 

Yeah, funny how a good track day fixes about anything huh?!