My post may of sounded a bit off from the intent, I believe AP to be one of the absolute best in brakes, period.
If AP was available to fit my "needs" 3 years ago I would of bought them in a heartbeat, my last big project was a 2300lb 95M3, 600HP forged LS, massive underbody aero in the works, full tubular suspension, 3-way Ohlins, AP brakes
I have a lot more money and a great deal of time invested in making up my own WW kit than an off the shelf setup would of cost and likely I spent not a great deal less than AP would of been.
I had to get away from 17" wheels as just not a good size for this cars fenders, 16's to expensive as the only viable ones were forged and needing 4 sets minimum....I had to go to 15's and with the very good low weight 15x9's that are just over $100 each plus the challenge of DIY BBKs to fit under them was just to much of a pull, I had to do it, I love a challenge and enjoyed the process but it did get a bit trying at times.
I used the biggest and best rotor I could fit from WW, the GT in 11.75" up front, 11" rear. I wanted to run other calipers and wider rotors but could not make the ones over .81" work out. I have a very effective setup but again I spent probably $4k front and rear and a couple of hundred hours on it.
Just about to turn 18k miles on the brakes, same pads front and rear are in fine shape as well as rotors, only tracked the car two days on Carbotech pads, fronts nearly gone but did not have cooling ducts yet and forgot to turn off the nannies a couple of times which is very hard on the brakes. I do need to mic the rotors, showing some wear, to ensure not getting to thin. I will inspect and clean the caliper bores and rebuild them if needed since they have no dust shields.
I have very good airflow to the calipers but have not finished the design and build of the backing plates to attach the hoses so the air just blows into and around the calipers and rotors but it helps a great deal having that much air blowing there. To properly build the backing plates takes a bit of effort as you need to seal up the area so teh air has to flow into the center of the hub and out through the rotor slots for best results. Having a one off set of brakes means I cannot simply buy the parts and none made are optimized as it is, they help but far from perfected.
I have driven over the mountains in the winter, clear days only as I do not take the car out in bad weather unless an absolute must, have done hard stops in 117 degree weather on very sticky 225 Rival S tires, etc...I am happier with the WW setup than I imagined it would be able to do with how I am hard on brakes.
Having 32lbs or so per corner, 23" diameter when on full tread tires, helps the smaller and much lighter weight rotors deal with the heat better as much less is generated that with heavier, taller, weight further out from the center larger wheels and tires and bigger rotors, a major part of why my brakes works so well.
They started squealing a bit lately, on and off, just when pulling up to a light nearly stopped, get some funny looks from it which I find amusing.
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Anyway, AP, damn good brakes and I would not of hesitated to put them on the car if I could of done so.
The WW I setup are working better than expected and I was prepared to do quite a bit of maintenance on the brakes which has not materialized from racing brakes on a street car, driven all season, WW can work done right and properly maintained.
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You have a damn good set of brakes, congrats on that
If AP was available to fit my "needs" 3 years ago I would of bought them in a heartbeat, my last big project was a 2300lb 95M3, 600HP forged LS, massive underbody aero in the works, full tubular suspension, 3-way Ohlins, AP brakes
I have a lot more money and a great deal of time invested in making up my own WW kit than an off the shelf setup would of cost and likely I spent not a great deal less than AP would of been.
I had to get away from 17" wheels as just not a good size for this cars fenders, 16's to expensive as the only viable ones were forged and needing 4 sets minimum....I had to go to 15's and with the very good low weight 15x9's that are just over $100 each plus the challenge of DIY BBKs to fit under them was just to much of a pull, I had to do it, I love a challenge and enjoyed the process but it did get a bit trying at times.
I used the biggest and best rotor I could fit from WW, the GT in 11.75" up front, 11" rear. I wanted to run other calipers and wider rotors but could not make the ones over .81" work out. I have a very effective setup but again I spent probably $4k front and rear and a couple of hundred hours on it.
Just about to turn 18k miles on the brakes, same pads front and rear are in fine shape as well as rotors, only tracked the car two days on Carbotech pads, fronts nearly gone but did not have cooling ducts yet and forgot to turn off the nannies a couple of times which is very hard on the brakes. I do need to mic the rotors, showing some wear, to ensure not getting to thin. I will inspect and clean the caliper bores and rebuild them if needed since they have no dust shields.
I have very good airflow to the calipers but have not finished the design and build of the backing plates to attach the hoses so the air just blows into and around the calipers and rotors but it helps a great deal having that much air blowing there. To properly build the backing plates takes a bit of effort as you need to seal up the area so teh air has to flow into the center of the hub and out through the rotor slots for best results. Having a one off set of brakes means I cannot simply buy the parts and none made are optimized as it is, they help but far from perfected.
I have driven over the mountains in the winter, clear days only as I do not take the car out in bad weather unless an absolute must, have done hard stops in 117 degree weather on very sticky 225 Rival S tires, etc...I am happier with the WW setup than I imagined it would be able to do with how I am hard on brakes.
Having 32lbs or so per corner, 23" diameter when on full tread tires, helps the smaller and much lighter weight rotors deal with the heat better as much less is generated that with heavier, taller, weight further out from the center larger wheels and tires and bigger rotors, a major part of why my brakes works so well.
They started squealing a bit lately, on and off, just when pulling up to a light nearly stopped, get some funny looks from it which I find amusing.
--------------
Anyway, AP, damn good brakes and I would not of hesitated to put them on the car if I could of done so.
The WW I setup are working better than expected and I was prepared to do quite a bit of maintenance on the brakes which has not materialized from racing brakes on a street car, driven all season, WW can work done right and properly maintained.
------------
You have a damn good set of brakes, congrats on that
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