I just installed a 14" Roe front lightweight upgrade kit ($1500) and can't believe the new, shorter stopping distance! This is an 01 with ABS. Less than 100' stopping distance from 60mph.
I bought it because when the Deer jump onto the highway I want to stop, not hit it. Yesterday another Deer ran onto the highway in front of me, I hit the brakes and No Problem. Wasn't even close - and that's how I like it!
If you search the many posts on brake upgrades you'll notice that the '01's got the 44mm rear caliper pistons and any improvement (other than rotors) is a wasted effort and money. $1500 buys the Roe 2 pc lightweight rotors, Gen3 calipers, SS brake lines, EBC pads of your choice and they make a huge difference.
On the street is where you need the brakes the most. A tiny tap of your nose in an accident would cost you anywhere above $5,000. But after $1500 worth of brake upgrades you'll stop in less distance and may not have an accident. Huge savings! Bigger brakes may also save the life of you and your passenger. Stopping shorter than a Gen 3 is also a bonus (like having the best). Roe's 14" 2 pc rotors are 9# lighter than stock and slotted. When I 'bedded' (broke-in) my pads yesterday I got the same colors on front and rear rotors indicating that both front and rear brakes are perfectly balanced!
I did it.
I was a little pissed at my government insurance not giving me a discount for bigger brakes. They gave me a $50 discount for ABS, but nothing for saving over 10' of stopping distance???
Ted
Being a Viper'owner since only few weeks I could not contribute too much on the specific topics but, having a quite long experience as Gentlement Racing Driver I can add my personal experience with StopTech rotors and brakes up grade mounted on my last Corvette C5 tuned to 435 HP driven as well in circuite as in street.
The performance, mainly due to the slotted rotors + racing pads,was much,much better in racing (less fading) but not enough resistent for a real race and in the street use the noise was quite annoying.
Subsequently I have installed, from a local producer Tarox, a complete new kit with 8 piston calipers,slotted ceramic coated rotors ,racing pads and the performance,but more important, the life of the brakes set was really much better.
For the time being I have not tested my Viper Gts in circuite,I normally do in Monza,but is expected soon.
I really hope not to be out of topic, in which case please kindly excuse,but I'm just trying to learn everything possible about the Viper which is not really the most common sportive car here in Italy
Thanks and regards
Blacktower
BlackGts