Who wants to see Wilwood Brakes vs. AP Racing Brakes ( Sprint Kit )

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

We did, because we are building our silver FRS for the 2013 One Lap of America (more on that another time) and needed to evaluate both options.

What we have here is the Wilwood 6 Piston Big Brake kit for the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ vs. the AP Racing Sprint Big Brake kit for the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ.

If you have done your research you know the weight of both kits so we will skip that. What hasn't been shown before was them side by side and some of the differences. You clearly have a price difference. The Wilwoods are $1600 or so and the AP Racing Sprint kit is $2100ish. So, lets keep that in mind as we talk about the two.

The first thing I noticed was the size of the calipers. The AP and Wilwood are almost identical in length. It's the width that sets them apart.







The AP ends up over a 1/2 thicker. That's good news for the track guys!

The other thing is obviously the finish of the caliper. Wilwood uses a nice glossy red or black coating. AP's are anodized and raw. Now the coughricercough in me loves the red of the Wilwood. The track guy in me loves the rawness of the AP even more. I also love how subtle it will be when installed. It's hard to explain that feeling but I am sure those that understand follow me there.

Next up is the rotors. AP's rotors are massive in width vs the Wilwood. Again another solid point for cooling on the AP side of things.

Check out the photos below. We put the AP vs. Wilwood vs. Stock vs. DBA T2 for width. You can see which ones make use of the center vanes. Also note how Wilwood has taken the time to "knife edge" their vanes vs. the other brands. I thought that was neat to see as well.

AP vs. Wilwood


AP vs. Wilwood vs. Stock vs. DBA T2


The next thing I noted was the diameter. Overall not as important but the Wilwood has the advantage in that department.




Next up we have the brake pads. The Wilwood kit comes with a street/track pad. The AP kit is all business with a track pad. We have the same amount of area being covered by the pad on both sides, but overall thickness is increased again on the AP side of things.

Wilwood on left, AP on right.


Last we have the brackets that make this all possible. The AP is hands down better. It's smaller and lighter by far.

AP on the left, Wilwood on the right.



Want to see any other comparison between the two, post up. We got updates in store but those to come later.

[ATL BRZ]

Great comparison, thanks!

[JoeBoxer]

AP is just all business, love it for a track build.

[bpracer]

I disagree a bit with some of your points:

"The next thing I noted was the diameter. Overall not as important but the Wilwood has the advantage in that department. "

Not as important??? The same caliper on a larger diameter rotor has more leverage. Kind of important.

"Also note how Wilwood has taken the time to "knife edge" their vanes vs. the other brands. I thought that was neat to see as well."

...and on the other hand the greater number of vanes in the AP rotor is more important. The way Willwood finishes the rotor edge is a bit cheaper process in my thinking. The AP is purpose built to one size, the Willwood casting diameter is adjusted by machining the outer edge. The actual cross section of the vanes is also important. IIRC the AP has a aero cross section. Willwood does make a higher vane count rotor but not part of this kit.

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

@bpracer, valid points and all good parts of the Wilwood kit. I was just doing a very high over view.

I also want to confirm the AP ESSEX Sprint Kit does fit Enkei RPF1 17x9 + 35 wheels. Pics soon.

[SubieNate]

The design of the AP looks like it would have way lower stress concentrations around the pistons than the Wilwood kit. Those nice blended in supports and smoothed contours are going to go a long way when it comes to keeping things both stiff and structurally sound after thousands and thousands of cycles.

Nathan

[D1cker]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

@bpracer, valid points and all good parts of the Wilwood kit. I was just doing a very high over view.

I also want to confirm the AP ESSEX Sprint Kit does fit Enkei RPF1 17x9.5 + 35 wheels. Pics soon.

17x9 +35 or 17x9.5 +38?

If so I'd love to see it as the paper template didn't clear when I tried it with my 17x9 +35.

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

Originally Posted by D1cker

17x9 +35 or 17x9.5 +38?

If so I'd love to see it as the paper template didn't clear when I tried it with my 17x9 +35.

Jeremy must be loosing his mind....

Specs on the RPF1's are 17x9 +35 and they barely clear, but they do

Should have pics up tonight.

Cheers!
-Yo

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

@bpracer, valid points and all good parts of the Wilwood kit. I was just doing a very high over view.

I also want to confirm the AP ESSEX Sprint Kit does fit Enkei RPF1 17x9.5 + 35 wheels. Pics soon.

This makes me happy.

[Tansey86]

Whats the weight of both vs stock?

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

Jeremy must be loosing his mind....

Specs on the RPF1's are 17x9 +35 and they barely clear, but they do

Should have pics up tonight.

Cheers!
-Yo

How barely? Enough room for wheel flex and heat related expansion?

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Tansey86

Whats the weight of both vs stock?

Essex Sprint kit is 10lbs less per front corner, so 20lbs total.

Not sure on the Wilwood setup.

[Hanakuso]

So they both use the same exact pads, with the exception that AP Racing kits can use thicker pads?

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

How barely? Enough room for wheel flex and heat related expansion?

It's really close. I couldn't find my caliper to measure, and getting anything up to temp when it's snowing is hard. lol Should be enough for heat expansion though. Absolute worse case is 5mm spacer.

You got an estimate on how much everything expands? Makes me wonder if any studies have been done on that... hmmmmm

-Jeremy