Cosworth / AP Brake kit fitted

[steveoexige]

Cosworth 6 piston 350mm big brake kit

I was a little bit worried that despite the Cosworth name this kit wouldn't be quite as good as AP's bbk for the '86 (for my needs anyway), mainly because it's my understanding that the Cosworth/AP kit comes with pads that are slightly more fast road usage focused rather than the AP equivalent kit which normally sells with a track/race pad.
I needn't have worried because whatever pad type Cosworth picked to mate with their kit works absolutely brilliantly. There is really nice early bite with lots of feel and no grabbi'ness which I've experienced with other BBK's. Best of all there is zero noise when on the move, no rattles or screeching which you can expect with other kits - even the AP kit makes a little a bit of noise.
The Cosworth kit is like a very large but OEM brake setup, which I'd imagine was what the Cosworth guys were aiming for.
Obviously I'll be giving these a pasting asap on the track and will report back again on their effectiveness - although my gut feeling is that Cosworth have got their BBK spot on.
They look great and fill the wheel void well although bear in mind I'm running 18x9 alloys which create the impression of them being not quite so huge. Oh and after going to such great lengths to source light weight alloy wheels I'm pleased to say that the Cosworth brake kit is lighter than the factory brake setup. I wont bang on about unsprung weight suffice to say keeping the components that are attached to the wishbones as light as possible is something you can really feel in all aspects of driving; braking, cornering and accelerating.

[unsurety]

Wow, first time I'm seeing this. Would love to hear more feedback on it, especially regarding track performance.

[steveoexige]

Once my back operation is out of the way I have lots of familiar tracks planned for October/November (weather dependent) including Spa and the Nurburg Ring.

These brakes will get a hammering and I'll report back. I cant see fade being an issue though as a 6 pot caliper on a 350mm disc is more than enough for the little light weight Yota.

[aznatama]

No matched rears? brake bias issues?

[steveoexige]

Cosworth are working on rears although in my experience you have to be driving a dedicated track car and racing regularly to really justify the need for a rear bbk even with uprated fronts. A far cheaper half way house is just to fit better rear pads and if need be a brake bias valve.

[aznatama]

That's what I originally thought, but so many people always harp on bias issues. Thanks.

[steveoexige]

I can guarantee 99.99% of us will drive a faster lap time having spent the financial equivalent of a rear bbk on track tuition. A thousand odd dollars gets you some substantial seat time with an instructor.

[Akari]

Originally Posted by steveoexige

I can guarantee 99.99% of us will drive a faster lap time having spent the financial equivalent of a rear bbk on track tuition. A thousand odd dollars gets you some substantial seat time with an instructor.

Or you could spend $2000 and have both!

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by steveoexige

I can guarantee 99.99% of us will drive a faster lap time having spent the financial equivalent of a rear bbk on track tuition. A thousand odd dollars gets you some substantial seat time with an instructor.

I hate that word, seat time. There's a lot more to learning how drive on a track properly then actually doing it. Class time and educating time is just as valuable. But good luck finding classes that focuses on track day driving in the USA.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by dem00n

I hate that word, seat time. There's a lot more to learning how drive on a track properly then actually doing it. Class time and educating time is just as valuable. But good luck finding classes that focuses on track day driving in the USA.

I suspect he's talking about professional instruction, the fastest way to fast laps for the ordinary driver.

[aznatama]

Skip Barber has lots of classroom

[GT86_PRAGUE]

Originally Posted by steveoexige

Cosworth 6 piston 350mm big brake kit

Is there a chance to fit them in any forged 17" wheel?

[Guillaume]

Originally Posted by aznatama

No matched rears? brake bias issues?

Yeah, is there any info on that from Cosworth themselves?

[Calum]

Originally Posted by aznatama

That's what I originally thought, but so many people always harp on bias issues. Thanks.

Bias is very important. But even though the front brakes are drastically different that doesn't mean the torque output is different. The bais can be changed by varying the piston diameters and position. So with both of those hopefully Cosworth kept the original bias but added more thermal capacity and lower weight.