AP Racing by Essex Brakes for the 2022 BRZ

[JRitt]

Hello,

I wanted to update everyone on where we are on AP Racing brake system development for the Gen.2 cars.

We were hopeful that our AP Racing by Essex Competition Brake Kits for the Gen.1 BRZ/FR-S/GT86 would bolt directly onto the new Gen.2 cars. That is unfortunately NOT the case. We have confirmed that the bottom portion of the caliper bracket from our Gen.1 Sprint Kit prevents it from seating properly on the Gen.2 spindle. The humps on the bottom of our bracket prevent the mounting holes from lining up (see pic below). As such, we are back to the drawing board. We have a new 2022 BRZ on loan from a generous customer arriving next Monday 12/13/21. We will be taking complete front and rear measurements from the car, and will very shortly know what exactly what type of brake upgrades we can provide.

We definitely intend to produce a new version of our tremendously popular Sprint Kit for the new chassis, which shaved 20 unsprung pounds off the nose of the Gen.1 while offering a wide array of other benefits (huge fade resistance, tons of pad options, low long-term running costs, etc.). We are also considering a complete front and rear Radi-CAL Competition Brake Kit, leveraging the latest AP Racing caliper technology.

Please let us know if there is anything else brake-related that you'd like to see.

Finally, if you are interested in receiving the latest updates on our progress, please visit our homepage, scroll to the bottom, and sign up for our email newsletter. That will ensure that you're kept in the loop: https://www.essexparts.com/


On recent brake kit releases we have been offering reservations, which has worked out really well and put our brake kits in the hands of those who want them the most as quickly as possible. I expect we'll do the same with our new BRZ/GR86 products.


Thanks for your continued support, and for making the 86 chassis one of the most popular in the history of our AP Racing by Essex Brake Kit program.




One more image that AP Racing recently shared with us that I thought was pretty darn cool. AP Racing has had one of their brake or clutch products on every car that has won a Formula 1 race since 1967!

[Kado]

Is there any chance you'd sell the updated bracket to current Gen 1 kit owners?

[DarkSunrise]

This is specific to the BRZ right? Meaning the kit should still work on the gr86…

[Dylans47]

This is so great to hear! I've been looking forward to an updated sprint kit, and the Radi-Cal looks interesting too. Thanks Essex.

[Opie]

Originally Posted by Kado

Is there any chance you'd sell the updated bracket to current Gen 1 kit owners?

For those converting to 2022 knuckles? I'll let Jeff confirm, but I'd guess "yes".

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

This is specific to the BRZ right? Meaning the kit should still work on the gr86…

If the new 2022 GR86 still uses the previous gen steel front knuckles as Toyota has stated, then yes, the existing kit should still work on the GR86.

[Joon525]

Didn't see this coming but not too surprising either.

(Maybe see you at PRI tomorrow?)

[JRitt]

Originally Posted by Kado

Is there any chance you'd sell the updated bracket to current Gen 1 kit owners?

We typically don't offer individual brake kit components separately for a variety reasons, as detailed in this blog post: Can I Buy AP Racing by Essex Brake Components Separately?



That said, this is a unique situation that could justify an exception, and we need to discuss it internally. Maybe we could set something up by which owners turn in their old Gen.1 brackets to us before we ship out the new ones, thus removing them from circulation?



What we can't have is a thousand sets of Essex-designed Gen.1 caliper brackets flooding into the classified section of these forums and eBay. People will be attaching all sorts of questionable calipers to them on Gen.1 cars and then calling us asking why their brakes won't work properly (yes, sounds ridiculous, but that's what literally happens). Someone will also figure out how to mate our brackets to an XYZ caliper on a Ford Fiesta, and then our service team will waste the next four years answering questions about what other parts they need to complete 'their kit'. We need to avoid that.


I can't promise anything other than we will do our best to come up with an equitable solution for our loyal customers. I'm confident we'll be able to figure something out. Thanks for the suggestion Kado!

[JRitt]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

This is specific to the BRZ right? Meaning the kit should still work on the gr86…

We will have to see if the knuckle/spindle changed at all on the GR86. I was assuming that it did change just like the BRZ. As of next week, we will only have looked at the BRZ. Thanks!

[JRitt]

Originally Posted by Joon525

Didn't see this coming but not too surprising either.

(Maybe see you at PRI tomorrow?)

It's pretty darn rare for our kits to fit cross-generation. There is usually something different as the cars evolve, even if it's not embedded in the brakes themselves, as in this case.


We will have a few people at PRI in the AP Racing booth. Your best person to talk with there will be Daniel Stagg.

[ayau]

Does it just look like the caliper bracket needs to be updated for the gen 2 cars? Should be relatively easy to do? Would you just sell the bracket only?

[Stonehorsw]

What is Essexs opinion on the geometrical distribution? Any plan for changes? How is the bias affected with the planned braking system (considering geometric and mu also)?
Also, for the thermal mass, any plan for testing? (E.g.: AMS magazine testing comparing OEM vs Essex)

My wish (not yet a plan ) is to get a good front brake in a year or two (need to save some $ to get there).

[Dylans47]

Originally Posted by ayau

Does it just look like the caliper bracket needs to be updated for the gen 2 cars? Should be relatively easy to do? Would you just sell the bracket only?

All of your questions were already answered...

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by ayau

Does it just look like the caliper bracket needs to be updated for the gen 2 cars? Should be relatively easy to do? Would you just sell the bracket only?

These questions have already been addressed in the previous 9 posts to yours.

[ayau]

oops, i'm slow today.