StopTech Trophy Sport/Race setup

[drroc]

Last December I decided to upgrade my stock brakes to a StopTech setup for the new track season. It took me close to a month and a half to finish the process because there were issues with the parts being mixed up, and me wanting to upgrade from Sport to Race setup. In order to simplify the path for people who want to try the same path, I am going to post the part numbers to make it easier to track if packaging error occurred, and I will also post pictures on how to convert from a Sport to Race setup. I also want to thank BuyBrakes for helping me out on journey.

First, the part numbers for the front and rear StopTech Sport kit.

The F80 system Front system is a STR60 380x32 Wide annulus system (62mm).
31.836.5101 380X32 SLOT LEFT WA
31.836.5102 380X32 SLOT RIGHT WA
37.B38.U615 HAT
36.B38.8F19 BRACKET
372.C36.11F3 STR60/30-30-36/32
372.C36.11F4 STR60/30-30-36/32
309.12471 ST SPORT BRAKE PADS


The Rear System is a 380x32 STR41 Normal annulus system (50mm) .
31.836.A101 380x32 SLOTTED LEFT
31.836.A102 380x32 SLOTTED RIGHT
37.B38.8425 HAT
36.B38.8529 BRACKET
950.34531 SS Brake Line Kit
309.06080 ST SPORT BRAKE PADS
372.F30.11F1 STR41/28-30/32
372.F30.11F2 STR41/28-30/32

I don't have the actual part numbers for the Race kit, but the major difference between Sport and Race are a few small components. First, the race calipers don't have any dust boots. Second, the friction disc mounting hard for the race kit uses flat washers, while the sport uses conical washers. Otherwise, everything else is the same.

The race kit doesn't come with anti-knock back springs by default, and they have to be installed separately.

Now on to the pics...

After talking to BuyBrakes guys, I was told that StopTech recommends the anti-knockback springs only on the front calipers. Also, in order for the springs to work correctly, the dust boots had to come off. So I bought a Makita compressor and the springs and went to work. The pistons have to be removed so that the springs can be installed behind the pistons. It is better to just to upgrade one piston at a time to just use the compressed to push the piston out. I recommend to use a towel to catch the pistons when it gets ejected. Also, don't use more than 50PSI to eject the pistons (it might take some time for it to finally start moving). I initially used 100PSI and the pistons got ejected so fast that they bounced around and got nicked.

Once the piston comes out, just remove the dust shield and then attach the spring to the back of the piston. Apply just a bit of Centric caliper assembly lube to the piston and the seal, and slide the piston back in. Then, move to another piston.

[drroc]

Next, there is the Sport vs Race rotor conversion. The only difference between Sport and Race are the washers. The Race setup uses a flat washer and allows the friction disc to move freely side to side by 0.4mm. If you drive with the race rotor on the street, it will sound like you have blown shocks and all of your front end bolts are loose. I drove like this for a few days, and then moved back to Sport setup. My thinking was that having anti knock back springs is good enough, and the conical washers do still provide some float.

[drroc]

And the final assembled look. Overall, the brakes feel much more linear compared to stock, and they look pretty bling

I'll try to get a track report in a month or so.

[GregSM3]

Nice write up. How do you like them? What was total cost?

[drroc]

Originally Posted by GregSM3

Nice write up. How do you like them? What was total cost?

If I knew what I was doing right off the bat, the total cost would have been around $5600 (I am not counting the $200 compressor). I am bit annoyed that the bridges are not that easy to remove. I even had to do a bit of sanding on the rear bridges to make them easier to remove. Otherwise, the pads are fairly easy to change and there is no need to dick around with the pins on the OEM calipers. There are also a lot more pad options compared to the OEM setup, and the pads themselves are larger, which is nice for the track.

Stopping is also better as the feel is very linear compared to the OEM setup.

[GregSM3]

Any reason you did not go with the M2 setup?

[drroc]

Originally Posted by GregSM3

Any reason you did not go with the M2 setup?

weight. This setup weighs about the same as the stock setup, but you get a larger pad and a better caliper.

[dvq]

Here's the part numbers for the race kit (I ordered street pads too at the bottom).

[dvq]

Originally Posted by drroc

Next, there is the Sport vs Race rotor conversion. The only difference between Sport and Race are the washers. The Race setup uses a flat washer and allows the friction disc to move freely side to side by 0.4mm. If you drive with the race rotor on the street, it will sound like you have blown shocks and all of your front end bolts are loose. I drove like this for a few days, and then moved back to Sport setup. My thinking was that having anti knock back springs is good enough, and the conical washers do still provide some float.

I was worried about this I may order the sport washers as I still want to be able to drive on the street without being annoyed. I'm in the same line of thought as you — antiknockback springs takes care of most of the issue. The sport hardware also has some float right just not as much as the race kit.

[drroc]

Originally Posted by dvq

I was worried about this I may order the sport washers as I still want to be able to drive on the street without being annoyed. I'm in the same line of thought as you — antiknockback springs takes care of most of the issue. The sport hardware also has some float right just not as much as the race kit.

I talked to a friend of mine who drives a fully built E46 M3 with an aero kit. His says that unless you are ramming through the curbs or have bent spindles pad knock is not that big of an issue.

I highly suggest to get the washers for the Sport kit as the race kit will drive you nuts, unless you drive with windows closed and tunes blaring.

[dvq]

Originally Posted by drroc

I talked to a friend of mine who drives a fully built E46 M3 with an aero kit. His says that unless you are ramming through the curbs or have bent spindles pad knock is not that big of an issue.

I highly suggest to get the washers for the Sport kit as the race kit will drive you nuts, unless you drive with windows closed and tunes blaring.

Good advice, thanks

The guys over at buy brakes must be annoyed with us lol.

[drroc]

Originally Posted by dvq

Good advice, thanks

The guys over at buy brakes must be annoyed with us lol.

Those guys are good a sport

[hC1001]

I would've recommended you try the brakes without installing the knockback springs first to see if its actually needed.

I have stoptechs on all 4 corners of my track car and was worried about knockback before installing but it was not an issue after installing.

[drroc]

Originally Posted by hC1001

I would've recommended you try the brakes without installing the knockback springs first to see if its actually needed.

I have stoptechs on all 4 corners of my track car and was worried about knockback before installing but it was not an issue after installing.

Its easier to install the springs when the calipers don't have brake fluid I figure that the springs are probably not necessary unless one is hitting the curbs really hard. I installed the springs because the AP racing calipers also come with them.

[jim1013yyf]

nice write up - I ordered the same kit (nickel plated) back in December. Was told the current lead time is about 8 weeks. How long did you wait for your kit to arrive?

[drroc]

Originally Posted by jim1013yyf

nice write up - I ordered the same kit (nickel plated) back in December. Was told the current lead time is about 8 weeks. How long did you wait for your kit to arrive?

I got the Sport kit in less than a week after putting in the order. If you asked for some race components, then it takes a while.

[jim1013yyf]

Originally Posted by drroc

I got the Sport kit in less than a week after putting in the order. If you asked for some race components, then it takes a while.

that was quick - I ordered the sport kit from buy brakes - just checked in with them earlier today, it's still 4-5 weeks out

[drroc]

Originally Posted by jim1013yyf

that was quick - I ordered the sport kit from buy brakes - just checked in with them earlier today, it's still 4-5 weeks out

I bought at the same place, but they had it in stock.

[dvq]

I'm guessing we just got stuck at the next production batch. Supply chain is wild these days.

[JustAnothaM4]

Originally Posted by jim1013yyf

that was quick - I ordered the sport kit from buy brakes - just checked in with them earlier today, it's still 4-5 weeks out

Did you order the latest Gen 5 kit as shown below?

https://frontstreet.media/2020/10/21...big-brake-kit/

[jim1013yyf]

Originally Posted by project e46m3

Did you order the latest Gen 5 kit as shown below?

https://frontstreet.media/2020/10/21...big-brake-kit/

Yes I did. I ordered the nickel plated version (as shown in the thread you shared)

[JustAnothaM4]

Originally Posted by jim1013yyf

Yes I did. I ordered the nickel plated version (as shown in the thread you shared)

Nice...I just hit them up and Adam mentioned the same 8 week wait for the Gen 5 kit. Placing my order tomorrow. I was about to go with the Essex AP kit but this new Stoptech kit is such a great deal.

Are there part numbers for the new Gen 5 kit?