Baer vs Wilwood....better choice for the money?

[g356gear]

Hey guys,
I have been going back and forth between Wilwood and Baer for my front disc upgrade and rear drum to disc conversion. For those that have used these manufacturers, for the money is there any real advantage of one over the other? Thanks.

[chicane]

I guess it depends on which brake systems you are really trying to compare.

If you are using a kit that is comprised of OEM abutments and calipers... this pretty much allows you to get replacement parts from just about everywhere. Whereas... with the Wilwood stuff... you can not. Maybe this is or is not a big issue... but if you do a lot of driving or if this is a daily driver... the down time waiting for parts to show up in the mail can make a difference.

Performance wise... they are pretty on an even plain. The high dollar kits from either of them are comparable. The mid range stuff leans a little towards the Wilwoods (repeatability and overall performance)... as this is where caliper construction of Wilwood makes the biggest difference. And then on the lower end... the OEM kills Wilwood.

For the money... the Baer GT stuff is damn hard to beat. Then to get into a six piston set-up... the Wilwoods start to shine. Iguess this really comes down to what you are looking at and how much you really want to spend.

[ironworks]

I have never used baer brakes, but I have sold and installed a bunch of wilwood brakes and I have them on my personal race car. I have never had one issue with anything. The wilwood brakes have worked flawlessly lap after lap from 140 mph straights slowing down to 30mph hair pins. Everything has always fit, and worked properly. I'm sure there are better brakes but for alot more money.

I have always wondered does Baer make any designated road race brakes? or all their kits designed for street use?

Rodger

[chicane]

Originally Posted by ironworks

I have always wondered does Baer make any designated road race brakes? or all their kits designed for street use?

Sure... the "6R". Although... it too has the proper seals to be run on the streets.

I do believe that every kit they sell, utilizes the proper seals and what-not to be used on the streets. That is part of the flexability of using their kits. But... they dont offer a caliper like that of the Wilwood "Integra" or the AP "CP 4 or 6 series"... or even the Brembo "XA" or PFR "ZR" calipers, which offer performance well beyond that of the typical street going calipers.

[g356gear]

From Baer I am looking at Pro-Plus 14" front and Track system with 13" rotors for the rear.

From Wilwood I am looking at Superlite 6 Big Brake Front and am still looking at rear options from them.

[g356gear]

From Baer I am looking at Pro-Plus 14" front and Track system with 13" rotors for the rear.




From Wilwood I am looking at Superlite 6 Big Brake Front and am still looking at rear options




I really like the look of the rear Wilwood calipers compared to the Baer...especially with an open spoke wheel design that would highlight the caliper/rotor assembly.

[Vegas69]

The original deal killer for me was the baer back brake option at a reasonable price. I hate that corvette style rear caliper. Wilwood 6 piston 4 piston total car package from Frank at Prodigy Customs is hard to beat. I have 14/13 and large 4 piston in the back. They look awesome and the internal e brake works great and you don't even see it through the wheels.

[Vegas69]

You edited your post while I was writing mine.

[chicane]

Between the two listed... I would lean toward the Wilwood.

The Baer 6 series calipers weight a flippin ton... and they have had a few problems with the caliper concerning pad wear... along with some other issues. But even with the issues being corrected... the weight of the caliper alone would make me look elsewhere.

The Wilwoods on the other hand... are damn light. A 13 inch SL4 would do the deed to button up the rear.

[Roadrage David]

Howebout trowing the SSBC Force 10 4 piston 13 inch brakes in the comparison... how do they match up!!!!! anybody running these.........