Tom's brakes or Dave's brakes?

[Warfang]

First off, I respect anyone that has the skills to better Gen1/2 brakes... they're awful stock! I've had a near miss or two on the freway that needed quick braking, and the results nearly scared the poo outta me!

So I've been looking for a better alternative for my 97gts and there's been some talk about Dave's brake kit lately, but I also remember some mention of Tom's brake kit as well.

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/sho...o=&fpart=1

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/sho...rue#Post557485

Has anyone done a comparison of both kits? What are the pros/cons/cost? Both seem to be effective. Does one stand out a little more than the other in performance or bling?

[Dave's Big Brakes]

Well, first what are you trying to do,track events,AX, etc.
Tom's work's great with the stock fronts mine is a complete upgrade, front and rear.

Both deals work great, mine you need to have at least 18" wheels, where Tom's is a straight rear change over.

Tough choice

[Tom, F&L GoR]

When the weather warms up near the Tator neighborhood we will do a little testing; a few folks have sprung for Dave's system and few for 40mm calipers. I have a vehicle decelerometer and we'll get some numbers.

40mm calipers get zeroes on the bling scale. Dave's are beautiful. The straight swap to 40mm's can get you over 1 G braking (on a stock '94 with street tires.) I'm sure Dave's get you there too. (non-ABS cars.)

I developed them because I'm cheap and you can think of the 40mm's as what Dodge should have had from the beginning. Therefore you'd use the same pads, same nuts and bolts, same proportioning valve, same brake lines, and from start to finish be done on the same day. And you retain factory parking brakes.

Dave's is a true change-over; all calipers have four pistons, you will need an adjustable proportioning valve, you will need larger rear wheels, you will have to cut some mounting arms off the rear knuckle (irreversible) and if you want parking brakes, add them back with more parts. New pads, different brake lines, more time, more cost.

Both are clever engineering and you'll get a lot for the money; 40mm's are $630/pair (plus core and about 2.5 hours) and Dave's system (I'll get this wrong, but I know he's watching) on the order of $2500 (maybe more for parking brakes and a few more hours work) For 4-wheel upgrades, I don't think you'll find one for less than Dave's. And they get 10's on the bling scale, too.

Yes, tough decision, but hopefully with a little more info, you can see which way you want to go.

(I know someone with several pairs of OEM rear calipers - if you are interested in 40mm's and want to keep your OEM calipers, let me know and I'll see about a three-way deal. It's convenient for me because they're withing driving distance.)

[Tom, F&L GoR]

Pretty funny who the first two responders are, huh?

Dave, we need to get a life!

[Dave's Big Brakes]

A-Men

That's because we don't charge Viper Tax

(the 2500 is for srt/gen2,e-brake,dot lines,with 18" wheels)

The pro valve deal is for "OFF ROAD ONLY"

[Andrew/USPWR]

You should also think about the squeal factor. I have 14’’ rotors up front with the Baer 6 piston calipers. They are great on the track but get them back home, and they squeal like a bitch. I put the front brake kit in the back and that was fine till I changed the pads to Brakeman's now they squeal.
I changed out the brakes when I first bought the car so I never drove it with it not squealing till I went all street pads for the winter. What a difference and joy it is to the Viper without the hair on the back of you neck standing up at every stop.
I don’t know much about Tom or Dave’s brakes, but I think if I could do it over again I’d go with the SRT/10 set up. I think you’ll have more varieties of pads to chose from.

[Dave's Big Brakes]

What Tom Said about Bling

My Brake kits have Bling-bling- bling,bling,bling
When you grew up in the 50s, the word was, if it doesn't go chrome it,and even if it does go Chrome It

How's this for Bling

[Warfang]

Thanks to the both of you for responding. It's nice to see two respectable engineers/businessmen honestly selling their own AND each other's products. It's refreshing considering all the negative feedback some Viper merchants have been getting lately, so I applaud you both.

Unfortunately, I only have one Viper (for now), so I can only select one. As great (bling) as Dave's setup looks, I would have to go with Tom's only because I'm trying not to mod myself into the poorhouse, which I'm sure you all know what a possibility that is.

Do you make or sell anything else Dave?

[ViperRay]

The only problem with the various brake upgrades Warfang is that there are no actual real world tests to compare them (ie: stopping distances at various speeds).

Having said that, I have Tom's upgrade because it corrects an obvious fault in [at least] the pre-ABS cars... very little rear brake participation.

There was a very noticible improvement in the stopping ability of my car on the track and I am now using up my rear pads.

How does it compare to Dave's upgrade or Stoptech?... no idea but I wish I knew.

[JGK95]

WarFang,

Check out Dave's gallery of pics. I beleive he might have steel braided brake lines to complement your Tom's provided enhanced calipers for additonal stopping power. Either way you're a winner.

Congrats,

Jay K.

[Dave's Big Brakes]

ViperRay,

Question, as I see you have Gen2 & Gen3 cars, which one stops better?

If you say the SRT-10 like everyone else, then you have your answer
The only differents between your SRT-10 and my Bling kit is, you have 4 channel ABS, and my kit for Gen2 ABS cars is we have 3 channel ABS. All the calipers and rotors are SRT-10, OEM. I just make the mounting hardware, to be able to use SRT-10, on the Gen2 cars.

Like Tom said if nothing else, I have BLING I'm from the 50's lead sled type

Hope this helps, because now I'm confused

WarFang, I sent you a PM, but all you have to do is go to,
New Products and Supplier Specials on this forum to see all of my ads.

Dave

[ruckdr]

Warfang,
Either way you go, and I think you said you were going with Tom's, be sure to use Stainless steel brake lines. You won't be disappointed.


Tom, I thought you posted some stopping distances, deceleration forces, or something like that some time ago ????

Later

[Tom, F&L GoR]

Here's the older data. Please be aware that tires and road surface make a huge difference, so caution when comparing data from different sources. The more valid comparison is when cars use at least the same tires and same road on same day. As mentioned, when the weather is better in upstate NY, I'll try to organize this and have a bling vs. sleeper brake-off. (Any tire companies want to sponsor the event?)



http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/sho...amp;PHPSESSID=

[GTS Bruce]

The answer is:Both are an improvement over stock pre abs and if you can afford it go stoptech 4 wheel big brake like the racers do. GTS Bruce

[Warfang]

Warfang,
Either way you go, and I think you said you were going with Tom's, be sure to use Stainless steel brake lines. You won't be disappointed.

When I bought my gts, it came with stainless steel brakes lines, so I'm good to go.