AP Sprint kit durability in road salt/magnesium chloride

[why?]

Originally Posted by Pat

A winter beater as an alternative to a $15,000 car? Many would consider a $15,000 car the winter beater. Let's face it, we basically drive economy cars that handle really well and are a ton of fun. I'm not going to buy a second car so I don't have to expose a Subaru to winter conditions. it's not like it's a fancy car. Besides, although it is terrible in the snow, it sure makes for some fun times!

ok i understand CO winters are a total different beast than winters in MA, but with winter tires this car is awesome in the snow. Unless we are talking rural roads where you might need more height. I've never seen anyone say these cars were bad in the winter with good winter tires.

[churchx]

Yes, in deep snow low ground clearance often makes it known especially due bulldoser shaped front bumper that seems made for digging in, instead on sliding above. But no traction or control issues with good winter tires, business as usual.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by why?

ok i understand CO winters are a total different beast than winters in MA, but with winter tires this car is awesome in the snow. Unless we are talking rural roads where you might need more height. I've never seen anyone say these cars were bad in the winter with good winter tires.

Yeah, 'terrible' is a bit harsh, although you do still have to keep in mind that it's a lightweight, rear wheel drive car with very little weight on the rear. The Torsen definitely helps though, and 4 snows are mandatory. That said, I go pretty much anywhere our Jeep goes, ground clearance not included.


I was considering upgrading to the Wilwood WRX kit (12", 4 piston) in the front, but the way salt is so aggressively used here in central New England, durability of the caliper and rotor hat is a concern. The caliper uses dust boots, but they pretty much pave the roads here with salt from December to April...




EDIT: I apologize for the partial derail...this doesn't have much to do with calipers without dust boots...still curious about durability of other anodized components though...

[Lynxis]

I don't have the Sprint kit but I've got the RR Racing Sport Performance kit which I'll be running this winter. It uses a single piece rotor so I don't expect issues there but the caliper is anodised and doesn't have dust boots so that is what I'm concerned about although it does use stainless steel pistons which should be better than nothing. Our roads are heavily salted and rust is a big problem here so it will be interesting. I'm doing my winter car prep this weekend and I'm planning to swap pads and do a final partial bleed as part of that process so I'll be taking lots of pictures and notes on the current state of all of the brake hardware and then I'll compare it again in the spring.

[churchx]

Problems with corrosion in salty environment usually are not that much affected what finish or what metal is used in brakes parts, rather that there are different metals placed next to each other. As in two piece disks, as in aluminium calipers (and yes, including stainless steel pistons). Throw in electrolyte, which is from salt+thawn snow/ice, and you get corrosion. Frequent washing may lessen it, but not prevent.

[Scenic Driver]

Originally Posted by churchx

Throw in electrolyte, which is from salt+thawn snow/ice, and you get corrosion. Frequent washing may lessen it, but not prevent.

StopTech used to have a document on their website where they said this.

[Tokay444]

Why aren't these higher end caliper companies using ceramic pistons?
A Chrysler mini van comes with ceramic pistons...

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Tokay444

Why aren't these higher end caliper companies using ceramic pistons?
A Chrysler mini van comes with ceramic pistons...

Based on all the frozen ChryCo calipers I've replaced, I don't think ceramic pistons would help much...lol

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Based on all the frozen ChryCo calipers I've replaced, I don't think ceramic pistons would help much...lol

I think they'd help a great deal with limiting heat transfer into the fluid.
I can assure you it's not the material causing them to freeze.

[thpark93]

Pat, did you ever end up getting the sprint kit? And run them through the winter? How did they hold up? I'm in a similar situation

Originally Posted by Pat

I'm considering purchasing the AP Sprint kit. My car is used on the track and I find myself having to rebuild calipers frequently. Dust boots crack and thinks just don't work smoothly.
I realize I am in a situation that requires compromise. I either:
1. Rebuild OEM calipers frequently and deal with overheating brakes
2. Buy some other BBK with dust seals and hope they don't need frequent rebuilding
3. Buy the AP Sprint kit and hope the mag chloride doesn't destroy them
I spoke with the engineer at AP yesterday and he said they don't have any long-term testing with the kit in salty environments. I live in CO and it's mostly dry here during the winter. But several times each winter we'll see enough snow that they spray mag chloride on the roads.
I'm not asking anyone here to theorize how they will hold up. I'm looking for people that have first-hand experience with this kit that has run it year-round in an area where roads get salted in the winter. Can anyone share their experiences with me? I generally keep my cars for a long time and want to ensure I'm not abusing parts.

[Pat]

Your timing is good, thpark93. I have run the Sprint kit through two winters now, and plan to clean inspect the calipers sometime this week. At the end of the first winter I cleaned them with Flitz Metal Pre-Clean and a small brush. I'm told that is an excellent remover of mag-chloride. I'll post pictures in this thread when I clean and inspect them soon.

[thpark93]

Originally Posted by Pat

Your timing is good, thpark93. I have run the Sprint kit through two winters now, and plan to clean inspect the calipers sometime this week. At the end of the first winter I cleaned them with Flitz Metal Pre-Clean and a small brush. I'm told that is an excellent remover of mag-chloride. I'll post pictures in this thread when I clean and inspect them soon.

Thanks Pat!

Your posts have been very helpful lately!

Mark

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Lynxis]

I ran the RR Racing kit for 2 winters and it's still in good condition although they are filthy and the dirt is more difficult to clean off than I have time/patience for right now.

[Pat]

Due to this website not allowing large photos to be posted, and the benefit that high-resolution photos provide in this situation, I'm not going to add them to my album on this website. Instead, you can see the full-res photos here. Hope that helps.