Essex Tour and Interview with Jeff Ritter | Video
 

Essex Parts Tour and Interviews

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz8usUhhzgQ"]Brake Tech and Interviews | AP Racing Essex | SE0203 - YouTube[/ame]

Most of us who enjoy a performance car usually have to deal with some type of brake upgrade or at the very least pad changes for autox and track.


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SUPPORT

After spending the past 10 years with sporty cars one thing I absolutely have to say is that no matter what brand or product you are loyal to, when it comes to key components on your car once you modify them your warranty is long gone.

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One of the critical things to choosing a brand or product is that you can get help, replacement parts and tech support with minimal BS.

Essex is the North American Distributor for AP Racing products which is actually owned by Brembo. However AP Racing operates completely separate much like how Hyundai and Kia do. They even compete with each other. The difference is they share technical resources, which is why you will see Brembo dust boots on an AP Caliper.

Much like our trip to Ohlins, we found your product is only as good as your support network. As it relates to this platform a majority of the key players on this forum run AP Racing brakes and the one major reason for it is because they work and have some of the cheapest consumables and pad choices.

For example if you happened to be at a track weekend, and realized on Friday you had a cracked rotor or a caliper failure, you could call Essex and they could have you parts shipped to the track next day or to your hotel with no drama. They have the stock and parts to make sure you don't sit with the car parked for a week or two waiting on parts from over seas.

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This sometimes can be the case with more esoteric kits from brands like Alcon or Project Mu. The bottom line is a place like Essex has a long standing history of supporting race teams in America and have been around for a long time. This is not some internet drop ship establishment that disappears in 2 years.

Even though Essex is the distributor you can also get these parts from credible vendors on this site like CounterSpace Garage, RaceCompEngineering and get full support from them.


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BURNISHING/BEDDING SERVICE

One area we saw that was unique to Essex was a computer controlled burnishing machine. Its for customers who want their pads and rotors pre-bedded before they use them. They place the rotor of your choice on a machine with the pads you will use, and run it through a series of computer controlled bedding. The result is a perfected bedded pad a rotor set they ship to you so all you have to do is put it on your car and start lapping. The service was between $50-$75 per rotor.

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CHOOSING A KIT

The biggest thing to walk away from when choosing brakes for this car or any car is to know exactly what you are actually going to be doing.

WINTER AND COLD CLIMATE ISSUES

The other massive consideration is climate, if you are choosing a big brake kit, and see cold climates with road salt you can count on having to remove the brakes in the winter to avoid destroying the finish/caliper or seals. Even if you choose a street caliper with a power coated finish you will likely have a two piece rotor. As soon as that road salt gets in between that iron disk and aluminum hat it starts to corrode the hardware and hat. Again with all performance parts we have the fine print you have to deal with.


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Pad choices carry similar trade offs:

"There is no unicorn brake pad that will have a 2000F operating range that will also be usable on the street."

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CONCLUSION

If you are in the market for a brake upgrade the best thing to do is talk to people about brakes for your platform who actually have experience with on the track and street. Places like Essex have massive experience with multiple platforms. Companies like CSG have the practical experience on the 86 platform. And people like use try and gather information from multiple sources to show different perspectives.
@JRitt @CSG Mike

Between all of this drivers should be able to make a more educated choice on what will work and what the trade offs are before dumping money on something that may not work for your needs.

"Remember there is no magic bullet for all climates and all drivers in the world of brakes."

I should have taken photos when I was there but going to get lunch, and then go drinking after leaving there, was more important :)

Did you experience the "the bridge is out" place for lunch? lol

So in other words, I need to visit Essex...

I suppose it's only fair... Jeff's been out to SoCal before.

Mark, thanks for coming to visit us, the kind words, and for putting such a nice vid together! I had a lot of fun hanging out and talking shop. You guys crack me up. I'll go on record saying that it's extremely tough to keep a straight face when these guys are conducting an interview. I'm just glad some of the topics didn't make the final cut! :bellyroll:

We always welcome our customers to stop by for a visit if they're in our neck of the woods...if you're looking for brakes and BBQ, we're your guys.:thumbup:

@Dezoris you make the best videos!! Keep them coming please!!!