I'd like to know the differences between the Euro and US versions. It seems wierd that they would have different quality like that. Are you saying that the US versions are inferior to say a Brembo or Stoptech kit?
I am with you on that, could quality control drop this much just because its made in the US (which is usually an import tax dodge), surely AP would pay attention?
its really important to fdind out why this would be the case
I'd like to know the differences between the Euro and US versions. It seems wierd that they would have different quality like that. Are you saying that the US versions are inferior to say a Brembo or Stoptech kit?
Well that is the impression I got when I was speaking to Dave.
"While this thread is a bit dated, we at Stillen Brake Pros (division of Steve Millen Sportparts, Inc., and the North American distributor for AP Racing's road car product line) have an obligation to correct what might be misinterpreted from the conjecture made earlier in this post. Please allow us to explain a bit about AP Racing and how its road car products are developed and distributed into North America.
Coventry, UK-based AP Racing is a company with over 40 years of top-level professional motorsports experience in clutches and brakes. Purchased about 5 years ago by Brembo SpA, it is still operated as a completely separate entity from the Italian-based parent corporation. All AP Racing calipers are made by AP Racing and no one else. Of course, subcontractors are used in various parts of the manufacturing process. Most, if not all, of these are also based in England. Low-cost, questionable-quality sourcing from Asia or India are not part of the past or present AP Racing business plan. As an important footnote, AP Racing celebrated their 600th Formula 1 Grand Prix victory in 2007.
AP Racing has also expanded their OE supercar business, which includes Bugatti (Veyron with Carbon Ceramic), McLaren, Noble, Holden HSV, Koenigsegg, Ultima, Lotus, Aston Martin, Caparo, Ascari, Pagani, and more. These are mostly branded products, unfortunately, meaning that most people would never know AP Racing components were on the car.
Steve Millen Sportparts, Inc. (Stillen) is a 21 year old aftermarket and performance parts company based in Costa Mesa, CA. Steve Millen turned his formula from successful professional racing (winningest driver in IMSA history) into a lucrative career in upgrades for performance vehicles. Stillen offers a variety of performance improvements from superchargers, intake, exhaust, suspension, etc. The StillenBrake Pros division concentrates solely on brake systems for a wide variety of select vehicles. These include everything from the 1900 lb. Lotus Elise to 17,000 lb. up-armored SUV's all around the world.
For historical reference, Stillen was effectively the first company to commercially market Brembo brake upgrades for vehicles other than were originally intended. This started with adapting the Ferrari F40 brake system to the 1990 Nissan 300ZX SMZ limited edition. Next were Suburbans and Tahoes that suffered from being woefully underbraked when used hard. >From those roots, the entire big brake upgrade industry was born.
In 1995, Stillen switched from Brembo to AP Racing, after Brembo decided to sell their own big brake kits directly to the North American market. Stillen has been the exclusive N.A. road car distributor for AP Racing ever since. AP's racing products are distributed by 3 other U.S.-based companies.
All that said, no one has more years of experience in developing and marketing big brake system upgrades in North America than Stillen. And, it can be argued that between AP Racing and its parent, Brembo, there are no companies that have done more research, testing and OE approvals for big brake systems -- anywhere on the planet.
AP Racing brake systems that are developed in the U.S.A. are produced by Stillen's Brake Pros division. There are over 400 applications now available, with more being added at the fastest pace ever, thanks to recent investments in R&D. These are very far away from the offshore junk now being marketed on eBay and elsewhere. All machined components are designed, developed and manufactured on site. Brake kits come complete with all bracketry, hardware, pads and stainless steel brake lines making installation straightforward for technicians skilled in brake work. Most mechanically-inclined DYI'ers have little trouble bolting these kits on.
There is an extensive list of very satisfied customers that have chosen big brake kits. Some of these have extensive experience with "competitive" brake kits, only to discover what they were missing once they made the decision to step up to AP Racing. Those who know, know it well.
I hope we have helped people to understand a bit more about AP Racing and Stillen Brake Pros. Thanks for the opportunity to clear up any confusion that might have resulted from incomplete information. If there are specific questions, please contact me at:
Had my AP Racing BBK (Fronts) fitted at Thorney motorsport three weeks ago (while it was in for re-map, tyres and Milltek). The difference between AP and OEM is staggering! 120mph, brake and it feels like your eye balls are being sucked out! They have great feel too and give you super-confidence when approaching traffic islands at ***mph! They also look great too and I think there is a decent weight saving v OEM. I am one happy bunny!!!
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2002 Carbon Black e39 M5 Super-Saloon
Miltek Cat Back exhaust system
Miltek Racing 100 cell CATs
De-limited
Re-mapped (Superchips/Thorney stage 2)
AP Racing BBK
KW Variant 3
Had my AP Racing BBK (Fronts) fitted at Thorney motorsport three weeks ago (while it was in for re-map, tyres and Milltek). The difference between AP and OEM is staggering! 120mph, brake and it feels like your eye balls are being sucked out! They have great feel too and give you super-confidence when approaching traffic islands at ***mph! They also look great too and I think there is a decent weight saving v OEM. I am one happy bunny!!!
What size and style rotors did you go with? Do you have any pictures?
__________________ 2009 Toyota Tundra TRD Black/Gray
Tomtom Go 720 Navigation with Bluetooth
2008 Toyota Highlander Black/Gray
Still searching for a reliable race car...
"The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive"
Will post some more details and pics soon,.....promise!
__________________
2002 Carbon Black e39 M5 Super-Saloon
Miltek Cat Back exhaust system
Miltek Racing 100 cell CATs
De-limited
Re-mapped (Superchips/Thorney stage 2)
AP Racing BBK
KW Variant 3
I've had various AP Racing kits on previous cars (subaru/evo fq etc) all performed brillantly and without any failures.
They do a off shelf road kit for the e39 m5 to fit frontend only... with a 6 piston caliper and 343mm disc. As far as I'm aware, they don't do a e39 m5 rear kit. Grooved discs very capable on the track with suitable track pads eg DS3000.
I've got no connection with AP.. just my previous experience.. incidently I've got the Brembo GT kit which is a 4 corner system, 8pots front, 4pots rear.
I would like to find a BBK that offers same disc size and preferably same amount of calipers front and back, I don't believe in unbalance or bias in anything... anybody know of a kit like this?
__________________ 2009 Toyota Tundra TRD Black/Gray
Tomtom Go 720 Navigation with Bluetooth
2008 Toyota Highlander Black/Gray
Still searching for a reliable race car...
"The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive"
When a car brakes weight is shifted forward and the front tires are pressed into the ground harder offering more friction thus more clamping pressure and force can be applied on the rotor.
If you had a perfectly balanced system wit hthe same size rotor front and rear with no proportioning valves, you would ALWAYS lock up the rear, regardelss of the type of stop you are doing.
Brake engineers usually know what they are doing.
Bob
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2001 Jet Black M5
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7 HEMI
2001 Dodge neon - Slomatic winter beater
When a car brakes weight is shifted forward and the front tires are pressed into the ground harder offering more friction thus more clamping pressure and force can be applied on the rotor.
If you had a perfectly balanced system wit hthe same size rotor front and rear with no proportioning valves, you would ALWAYS lock up the rear, regardelss of the type of stop you are doing.
Brake engineers usually know what they are doing.
Bob
Not possible, eh? Then how do you explain the brakes on this car? (scroll down to the bottom)
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