Who has the VAS/wilwood big brake system?

[surfingfreeman]

Hello All
Looking at either Whoa or VAS brake kit, I have 14" speedline rims and really like the idea of the VAS vented rotors vs. The non-vented Whoa rotors. Does anyone know what model wilwood caliper VAS uses? I'd like feed back from people that actually have the VAS kit. Thanks

[maytag]

so, what you're really asking is: "what's the vas-deferens?"













oh my gosh.... I'm like... 12 years old today.

[surfingfreeman]

Well done ..........LOL. Don't you have the Whoa kit, how do you like them?

[maytag]

No, not me. Maybe some day. I'm running stock size rotors with stock calipers. They are very clean and well lubed..... Which should make an improvement over what I had before.

I'm also running ceramic pads, as I do on all of my vehicles.

I will be watching this thread closely.

[vandor]

I have the 85.5 brakes on my car with the larger solid rotor, and I can't make them fade on the race track. Jeff has the Whoa brakes on his Coupe (same rotors as mine, but with Wilwood 4 piston calipers), which has a lot more power than my car, and his brakes did not fade during the track session last year.
If you have about 200 hp, then you would need vented rotors

[So Cal Mark]

in my opinion, the vented rotors are only a benefit if you're using your car in a situation where brake overheating is an issue such as a track day or prolonged hi performance use

[maytag]

in my opinion, the vented rotors are only a benefit if you're using your car in a situation where brake overheating is an issue such as a track day or prolonged hi performance use

agreed.
but lets be honest: they look cool.

[boogiedude]

I've got the Whoa series 2 kit(kit for 14" rims and larger) and it's fantastic. Straightforward installation and great performance. I spend a lot of time driving on twisty roads where my brakes get a lot of abuse, and my daily commute constitutes going up and over a mountain range. Lots of opportunities for brake fade to occur, and there just isn't any. The hotter they get, the better they grab. Couldn't be happier. The only downside is that they develop a squeal sometimes around a certain temperature range with light pedal action, but that's an inherent trait of wilwood calipers and the aggressive compounds they use for pads.

One of the best improvements I've made to my car

[Fiatmonkey]

Only for track use? That seems odd. Hmmmm I have an idea, let's call GM, Ford, Fiat, etc etc etc etc. I think you get the point . All major manufacturers use vented rotors now regardless of HP. I believe the original post asked for people with the kit and not VENDORS that don't supply anything like it.

[maytag]

edited 'cuz I typed before I thought about it.

still agree with what I said... but shouldn't subject y'all to it.

sorry.

[caferacer]

ya know what, monkey? Shut the hell up.

I'm new to the forum, glad to be here. But I have to say, that was offensive and totally un-called for. I would be surprised if a mod doesn't step in.

Anyhow, are you maybe thinking of drilling/slotting rotors? Because VENTED rotors are invisible with wheels on. Vented means the rotor is basically two peices, split down the middle, so air can pass between the two braking surfaces. It's a safety feature that ensures that brake rotors stay cool and, say, don't warp if you hit a puddle after hard braking. My huge, lethargic minivan has vented rotors, and I can guarantee that they didn't have racing in mind when they disigned it. More like convincing people with kids (like me) that their family will stay safe.

Drilling/slotting is kind of stage two of rotor cooling, as it breaks up the heat wave generated at the front of the brake pads as the rotor rubs against them. It is overkill for most street driving, as it seems to wear pads out very quickly. Not too surprising, since the holes and slots have a good chance of chipping away at the leading edge of the pad.

By the way, I've been interested in better brakes, too, and I haven't found anybody but Vic that offers vented rotors. Is there somebody else? Because the $30 difference between the complete Whoa setup and the vented VAS kit is a no-brainer to me.

I like the specs and price, so I'd like to hear some actual input from people who own the Vic kit, rather than third party bickering.

cafe

[TX82FIAT]

I drove the White Spider (Jerry's I think) that has the VAS brake kit on it. I could feel the difference in braking and if you are going to track the car I do think it will help you in the right situations. I also agree with the many comments about the need or lack of need for drilled and slotted rotors. However, you can buy drilled and slotted rotors pretty cheap on evil-bay that work well with our stock calipers.... If your rotors are thin or need to be resurfaced you may want to give some consideration to the drilled and slotted disc. Why one might ask? If your calipers are functioning properly I have found the drilled and slotted do help our Spiders stop better. And yes... they do look cool

[opus10583]

edited 'cuz I typed before I thought about it.

still agree with what I said... but shouldn't subject y'all to it.

sorry.

..."Follow the money". - Deep Throat

[FulviaHF]

I can’t directly answer surfingfreeman’s question. But I’ll say that Mark’s right that vented rotors make no sense on the street. Drilling and slotting doesn’t do much of anything there either, but I won’t argue with anyone who wants the boy racer look. Frankly, on the street keeping some heat in the brakes is usually a bigger issue than dissipating the level of heat that will fade the pads. And if retaining heat is the bigger problem, the very last thing you need are vented rotors that dissipate faster. So I’d say stick with solid.

@ Fiatmonkey: sorry, but (as maytag put less delicately) accusing a vendor of dishonesty isn’t any better if you do it indirectly.

[surfingfreeman]

"Frankly, on the street keeping some heat in the brakes is usually a bigger issue than dissipating the level of heat that will fade the pads. And if retaining heat is the bigger problem, the very last thing you need are vented rotors that dissipate faster.

I have never heard of "keeping some heat in the brakes" as an issue except for people running autocross/racing pads
I currently run the drilled and slotted solid rotor with stock calipers and EBC green stuff pads, but still experience excessive heat build up and occasional fade, so switching over is a priority as I live in the S.F. bay area in a hilly area and do a bit of that spirited canyon, windy road driving, which requires in my opinion something more substantial than the stock set up.