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K-Sport oversized brake kits
K-Sport oversized brake kits they are one of the best solutions if you want to significantly increase the braking of your car. They are indicated for users who have problems with the effectiveness of the original brakes under circumstances of high mechanical demand, since they are designed to work cold and preserve emergency braking under normal circumstances.
K-Sport brake kits they are especially recommended for users who enhance the performance of their cars for sporty driving in sections, circuit runs, track days...etc. In these cases it is not only recommended but almost obligatory, since the original brakes will fall short and we should boost braking at least in the same proportion that we boost the engine.
When we use the car's brakes daily when traveling in the city, on the highway, etc., we are making use of the brakes that is far from reaching its limits, we usually use between 10 and 50% of the thermal capacity of the car. the same (depending on the habits of each driver).
At times of maximum mechanical demand on the brakes, they can overheat and once the thermal capacity exceeds 100%, the brakes lose their effectiveness and their performance can plummet.
It is when we already have to consider a change in the braking system of our car to improve it, if we do not want to increase the braking distance and have a displeasure.
When is it advisable to oversize brakes?
In general it is advisable to oversize brakes in the following cases;
- By increasing the power of our engine above 30%
- When the power/weight ratio varies in the same proportion
- When using high grip semislick or slick tires
- In general when we have a car intended for batches and/or trackdays.
We often get inquiries from users who want to mount oversized brake kits and don't really know the difference between the various options on the market.
To know more exactly what kind of kit and brand we have to assemble, it is better to always have the opinion of an expert who can guide us well, however, below we will give some basic recommendations so that the user has a little more clarity about what must ride.
To choose the best option, you must first explain a bit of theory to know how the brakes work and behave.
Brake dynamics
The need to assemble one kind of kit or another will be conditioned mainly by the use that we are going to give it and the average temperature that we are going to reach, the more we brake and the more intensely we do it, a quantity of heat during braking proportional to the temperature that the brake system will reach.
Starting from the premise that "energy does not create or destroy, it transforms", we know that a moving car has kinetic energy and that to stop it within space and time we will need to apply a braking force.
The kinetic energy in movement produced by the explosions or combustion of the engine is transformed into thermal energy when the brakes stop the car, the temperature that the brakes will reach will depend on how long we are pressing the pedal and the intensity of the force that we apply on it proportionally, the more time and pressure, the more heat generated.
It is important that the brake discs have the ability to quickly evacuate the heat accumulated in them between braking and braking, if we do not stop braking and continue to produce heat continuously, there will come a time when the material will overheat too much, it will not hold and it will break. .
Hence, the braking habits of each driver directly affect the duration and effectiveness of the materials.
How to correctly choose our brake kit?
All friction materials used in a brake system have a thermal capacity that, depending on the materials used, will be higher or lower. The final price of the product is also a direct factor as a consequence of the materials used.
The original brake discs are made of a standard steel material, as is the lining of the brake pads. For reasons of cost, parts are originally mounted that are designed to withstand cold emergency braking, but if With continued use, the brakes become thermally fatigued and an effect known as fading occurs.
Due to the fact that each driver has a different braking habit, the maximum average temperature that will be reached can vary considerably from one driver or pilot to another.
The ideal would be to know the maximum temperature that we usually reach, but since we do not have the telemetry measurement systems used by professional racing teams, in general terms we can guide ourselves by the following guideline:
Table of temperatures used brakes
The values in this table are approximate, from temperatures above 400ºC original equipment brakes is when they start to fatigue and lose effectiveness.
We can estimate that we are over 600 ºC when at the maximum point of final braking the disc acquires a slightly incandescent red colour, 700 ºC when the hue is a more pronounced cherry red, 800 ºC if the hue is a more vivid incandescent red , 900 ºC if it is an orange red.
From 1000 ºC the hue is a very bright orange, turning yellow, racing cars move in these temperature ranges, in these cases only carbon brakes can withstand these temperatures and are used for example in Formula 1, Yes, the prices are astronomical.
There are several brands and different prices on the market, which one do I choose?
Strictly adhering to oversized brakes (larger discs and calipers) there are several brands on the market, Galfer, Vmaxx, D2 Racing, K-Sport, AP Racing, Stoptech, Brembo, G-Force, Yellow Speed... among others.
To be sure that we do not fall short in our choice, we must orient ourselves with the previous table and if we have doubts between one range and another it is always better to go up to the upper one, better than not missing.
AP Racing and Brembo:
Recommended for high-level competitions and high-performance sports vehicles.
The Brembo and AP Racing brands are the best known and used in the world of competition, they are the best brands in terms of quality and performance, the only drawback is that the prices are very high and a brake kit for each axle It does not fall below 3000 eur.
They are normally recommended in supercars in high-end supercars like the AMG versions of Mercedes, Ferrari, Porsche GT3, Nissan GTR, Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8...etc
K-Sport and D2 Racing:
Recommended for batches and track days on circuit for compact vehicles and high-end passenger cars and power up to 500 hp.
Examples: BMW M3 & M5, Audi S3 & S4, Nissan S13 & S14, Subaru Impreza, Mitubishi EVO, Civic type R, Alfa Romeo GTA, Focus RS, Supra, Golf GTI & R32...etc
If our car is not going to be used in competition and if our budget does not allow it, there are other very interesting options on the market such as K-Sport and D2 Racing with an excellent balance between performance and price.
VMaxx:
Brake kits VMaxx they are recommended for sport driving on the street, in the mountains and for occasional runs on the circuit, and in those cars in which the user wants to improve the braking of the original equipment without spending a lot of money.
They are only manufactured in 290 and 330 mm diameters with 4-piston calipers, suitable for passenger cars and compact cars medium range or medium / high up to 200/250 hp
Otras marcas low cost:
In general, any fat brake kit on the market for less than 900 eur is not a guarantee that we will have a good braking response, since the quality of the materials can be mediocre and it can tire with not very high efforts. even before the original equipment, unless the intention is merely aesthetic or posturing.
Guaranteed KSport quality
Many are the users who already enjoy the quality and performance of the K-Sport brake kits, but despite the good quality/price ratio that K-Sport provides in its products, some users still have doubts about its effectiveness.
It is not surprising when leading competing brands see their hegemony in the market endangered, it is when rumors appear that K-Sport kits are of mediocre quality, that they break and/or bend discs... etc
To dispel any possible doubts that there may be about their brake kits, K-Sport has produced a very illustrative video in which some K-Sport discs and one of the competition of mediocre quality are subjected to extreme effort.
Pay special attention at the end of the video to the brake on the right
K-Sport supplies high-performance brakes to professional racing teams and its range of brakes includes carbon brake discs and titanium monoblock calipers.
Features and components of K-Sport brake kits
K-Sport kits are made up of the following elements:
- Set of 2 monoblock calipers (optional Street or Sport model)
- Set of 2 discs (Optional grated or perforated) of 2 pieces with aluminum cores
- Optional fixed or floating disk system (the floating system has a surcharge)
- Set of 2 clamp holders
- Set of 2 metallic reinforced hoses
- Set of 4 street spec pads (optional extra set of Racing pads)
- Mounting hardware set
- Assembly instructions
K-Sport Racing kits are offered with 2 types of calipers:
Street Calipers
With 4 pistons for 286/304 mm discs and 6 pistons for 330/356/380/400/421 mm discs. All with dust seals on the caliper pistons. The manufacturer grants a 5-year guarantee for these kits against manufacturing defects. Its use is recommended for street cars.
Sports Calipers
With 6 pistons for 286/304 mm discs and 8 pistons for 330/356 mm discs. They do not have dust seals on the caliper pistons. The manufacturer grants a 2-year guarantee for these kits against manufacturing defects. Its use is recommended for racing cars, the brakes in racing cars reach very high temperatures, which is why they are mounted without seals to prevent them from burning. On the other hand, they need much more frequent cleaning maintenance.
Brake Kit Features
- K-Sport oversized brake kits are high-performance brakes specially designed to provide braking far superior to that of the car's original equipment.
- All discs have built-in aluminum cores to better evacuate heat, minimize heat conduction to other mechanical parts, such as shafts, bearings, knuckles, bushings...etc
- K-Sport kits are compatible with the use of other pills known as AP, Pagid, Ferodo, Hawk, Mintex, EBC, Carbon metallic...etc.
- The calipers are monoblock, are manufactured in one piece to reduce weight and increase structural strength and virtually eliminate deformation.
- The default brake caliper colors are, red, orange, yellow, black, if you want another color, they can be customized but the delivery time will be longer and there will be an extra charge for painting work.
- EITHERoptionally discs can be chosen drilled or slotted (option to choose in the shopping cart)
- The track anchors the aluminum cores of the kits with disc diameters of 286 and 304 mm are served by default as a fixed union system, while for diameters 330 and 356 you can optionally choose a fixed or floating system (the floating system is better but it is also more expensive) and for diameters 380, 400 and 421 mm are all supplied with a floating system by default.
- The default compound of the brake pads supplied in the kit is a standard street compound for daily use and to guarantee emergency braking when cold, if you want pads with a racing compound for runs on the track, we recommend purchase an extra set of pads with Racing compound in the shopping cart options.
- It is not only recommended but practically imperative use Racing pads in circuit sessions if you are going to use high grip tires (semislicks and slicks). Otherwise, the tablets may disintegrate.
Characteristics of the monoblock clamps
- More compact and lighter design than double body clamps.
- Manufacturing with CNC methods with highly advanced machines, computers and software that requires a very specific specialization.
- Greater structural resistance that practically eliminates the chances of suffering deformations.
- It allows to have a longer brake caliper than the conventional ones
- High quality design and finish with the incorporation of racing logos with a carbon fiber look.
- Brands like Brembo offer monoblock forged calipers only for high-end sports models in GT3 racing versions such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi R8…etc. The cost of these kits in brands like Brembo and AP is usually astronomical, D2 Racing offers this technology in the entire catalog of its kits and also at affordable prices for all those users who wish to mount a Sport or Racing fat brake kit in their car for batches and/or track days but without having to make an excessive outlay.
Intended Use of K-Sport Brake Kits
The original equipment mounted brakes of the cars are designed to work within certain parameters, specifically to provide a high coefficient of bite from cold braking to stop the car as quickly as possible with a relatively low use temperature.
These brakes are prepared to perform emergency braking, at most two or three times in a small space, but if they are used continuously then their temperature increases and causes fatigue and a strong drop in performance known as fading. No matter how hard we brake, the car will have a hard time stopping.
On the other hand, the heat is generated by the friction between the pad and the disc, being transmitted to the caliper pistons and from there to the brake fluid, which under normal conditions is incompressible, but when it reaches boiling temperature, appear gas bubbles, and the gas itself is compressible, causing a drop in performance.
The k-Sport brake kits they are designed to absorb, ventilate heat and delay the onset of fading as long as possible when used in extreme sports driving and pushing the limits of braking far beyond conventional brakes.
Important mounting tips
It is recommended to choose the same diameter of discs for the front and rear axle to guarantee a correct braking distribution, the K-Sport kits have a distribution ratio of 7/3.
It is recommended to check the runout of the old hubs and the condition of the bearings, if these are in poor condition, they can lead to the appearance of vibrations in the discs when braking (the manufacturer's warranty covers material manufacturing defects, but not vibrations caused by this cause).
It is also advised to request a self-test template before confirming the order to verify that the discs and calipers will have sufficient seating clearance on the tires your vehicle currently has and to ensure that they will not interfere with the tires. If the brakes touch due to wearing a different tire than the original, the seller is not responsible.
Try to always maintain adequate cooling of the brakes to guarantee their effectiveness, if there is no air they can overheat. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES NEVER WET THE HOT BRAKES.
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO COMPLY WITH THE OBLIGATORY RUN-IN RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
It is very important to carry out an initial run-in of at least 1000 km with the standard pads that come with the kit by default before entering a circuit to do batches. Failure to comply with this condition may cause premature damage to the brakes which will invalidate any warranty claim.
These types of brakes are designed for sports driving and not for normal daily use. The use made of them is the responsibility of the user. The more demanding the brakes are (for example, driving in circuit batches), the more wear the pads will have. . The wear of the pads in this type of brakes increases exponentially compared to the original brakes. In the case of batches and track days on the circuit, it is always recommended to check the wear of the pads before starting each batch.
Regarding ITV's
These brake kits are designed to significantly improve vehicle braking compared to the original equipment brake system. The assembly of an oversized brake kit is considered in most ITV stations as an important reform that must be legalized.
It is the responsibility of the user to introduce important reforms in his vehicle and not of the manufacturer or the seller that supplies the material. If you want to use these components for use on the street, and you are wondering if your car will pass the ITV or not with them, we recommend that you consult your usual ITV station if they are going to allow you to pass the inspection or if they are going to force you to legalize the reform.
The seller cannot answer this question because the ITV stations in each autonomous community work independently and each station's chief inspector applies a protocol for interpreting the regulations that can be very different from one site to another.
In some stations the cars with oversized brake kits have passed the inspection without problems and in other stations a technical study with proof tests has been required to legalize the reform on file. Unfortunately there is too much disparity of criteria according to the inspector that touches us in the review.
You can also consult with an homologating engineer so that you can process the legalization of the reform. BBSport has a service with external contracting to legalize the brake kits for use on the street and pass ITV without problems.
Tutorial on how to identify and diagnose problems in the brakes of your car
When confirming your order, you must add the product to the cart on the web, taking into account the possible options that you must choose;
- Color of the clips; it has 4 colors to choose from free of charge, Black, yellow, red or orange, (other colors carry additional charges of 200 eur)
- Disc diameter: you must choose the diameter of the discs if applicable
- Disc type: grated or perforated. You have the option of choosing scratched or perforated brake discs. Scratched discs have more effective braking surface than perforated discs, on the other hand, they can make some noise when braking.
Perforated discs dissipate heat better than grated ones but they also heat up faster because they have less braking surface, in the long run the phenomenon of "cracking" may appear. - Axis: you must choose front or rear axle, for both, add the product in duplicate to the cart select axle in each one.
- Tweezers Type: You must choose between Race or Street if applicable in the product menu. For the diameters of 286, 304, 330 and 356 vd you can choose one of these two options, street caliper with 6 pistons for street use or race caliper with 8 pistons for use in races. For 380 discs, 400 and 421mm are all Race 8-piston.
All the calipers of all the kits from 2015 are supplied by default as a monoblock of 1 a single casting part. - If you have questions when processing the order through our website, do not worry, contact us at info@bbsport.es or by phone 93.429.97.00 and we will help you.
KSport kit pad sizes
286 MM KITS (For minimum 15" rim)
304 MM KITS (For minimum 16" rim)
330 MM KITS (For minimum 17" rim)
356 MM KITS (For minimum 18" rim)
380 MM KITS (For minimum 19" rim)
KITS 400 MM (For minimum 20" rim)
421 MM KITS (For minimum 21" rim)
