TCE/Wilwood Kits

Todd TCE · 06-03-2009, 12:49 PM

Greetings Solstice and Sky owners!

I'm Todd Cook, owner of TCE Performance Products; manufacture of custom Wilwood Brake Kits in Tempe AZ. For some time you may have heard that TCE was working on a new TCE/Wilwood Big Brake kit for your vehicle. Well that is true and it's now official. I'd like to take a moment to tell you about the offerings and what sets these kits apart from others on the market today.

TCE has been building Big Brakes since 1993. Back then only myself and another Phoenix based company were really considered to be in that business. Before many larger companies were an idea on a bar napkin TCE was producing quality, value packed kits for the street and racing market. This commitment to balancing value and performance continued to grow as we captured market share of such popular platforms as MINI, Lightning, Impala SS and Magnum/Charger. Today TCE offers a wide range of kits for various vehicles that many owners feel the 'big guys have passed over'.

With a foothold in the HHR/Cobalt market the next interest was Solstice/Sky. With some help from owners such as yourself TCE has put together a number of variants for your car with one eye on value and the other on application. I'm keen that not every driver truly needs massive race bred parts for their daily driver and some simply wish to enhance the driving experience and not break the bank for their goals. Others who do a lot of track day events are usually looking for meatier parts, have aftermarket wheels and don't care so much about the bling so long as the function is achieved. I believe that a balance has been reached in many if not all of these instances with our kits.

All kit overview- all TCE kits use Wilwood calipers and pads. Our anodized Aluminum hats are fixed mount 8 or 12 bolt configurations depending upon the rotor size. The larger hats are also pillar construction for improved outside air flow and all mating hardware is plated. Most rotors in TCE/Wilwood kits are custom built to our needs. This includes both the finished spec size as well as heat treating, gas venting (or cross drilling) and zinc plating. Mounting brackets are waterjet cut from steel for pairing the vehicles spindles to the caliper mounting needs. All brackets are plated and fit with threaded inserts for easy installation. Unless otherwise notes all kits come with Wilwood BP10 Smart Pads. These pads have proven effective for the most demanding of street enthusiasts and been known to hold their own on a few laps of open track use- while not suggest for that use! Each TCE kit is complete with all the necessary hardware; both Metric and SAE as well as spacers and shims needed to assure proper caliper centering. Lastly, our own spec stainless steel braided hoses are included; fully jacketed and with proper body fittings and supports as necessary- no adapters or zip ties. None of these kits require cutting or mods to the oe spindle (dust shield removal is suggested however) and can be installed by most end users.

Plus1 kit- designed with the street enthusiast in mind this kit offers tried and proven components. The 13" (.810 wide) rotor both fills the wheel and increases the torque value of the entire braking system. Fit with the new DP6 six piston caliper clamping force and pedal response is superior to the oe application and pad taper is at a minimum with the differential bore design. The compact nature of the DP6 and the narrow rotor provide ample wheel clearance for all stock 17" and larger wheels. When fit with optional track pads this set up becomes a spirited performer for the occasional track day user. These kits are available in a number of both factory and custom applied powder coat colors as well as the popular drilled and slotted rotor finish.

Plus1HD kit- takes to the next level by way of a wider 1.10" rotor. For the owner who spends a number of weekends at the race track the Plus2 kit benefits from an increase in rotor mass and wider air gap for improved airflow and cooling. The trade off over the Plus1 kit is of course weight and wheel clearance. Using the same DP6 caliper there are ample track pad compounds to elevate braking performance. The added mass is beneficial to track day use where sustained elevated temperatures are encountered. Also available in colored options and drilled finishes- drilling is not recommended for track use.

Plus2 kit- this kit moves laterally in the caliper family and uses the more race bred Wilwood FSL four pot caliper fit to the 13 x 1.10" rotor The reason is simple; caliper rigidity and pad options. The FSL has been the proven backbone of TCE track kits for years. It offers both a stiff design for high pressure application and uses pads that are much thicker than either of the above kits. That's important for drivers who run 3-5 open 30min sessions a day. While not differential bore like the DP6, the FSL can assure you of long pad life with some simple maintenance. The .800" thick pad does well to keep heat out of the caliper and into the rotor and there are a bevy of compound options to choose from. Calipers are black anodized standard and can be custom powder coated. Rotors are usually gas slotted only.

Plus3- well...not yet. There are some lingering thoughts about production of a full 14" front kit As this time; call it "by special order only".

Rear kits- two on the radar. The first option is expected to be a larger two piece rotor kit and stock caliper relocation bracket package. Proven effective on many other platforms it's ideal for those looking for "matching" appearances and perhaps more rear rotor mass. Also being worked on is a larger kit using the Wilwood combo p-brake caliper for true big brake appearance and performance.

If you've been around the track a bit you've probably been exposed to my products and never knew it. TCE kits have proven successful in winning One Lap and hold current class records as various raceways. So if you're out shopping for some new brakes this year take a look here first.

First orders should be ready to ship within the next two weeks. All orders placed in the month of June will include free ground shipping and custom brake bleeder bottle.

LINKS:
HHR and Cobalt pictures by ToddTCE - Photobucket
SRT4 pictures by ToddTCE - Photobucket

CALIPERS:

SOLSTICE/SKY PAGE:
TCE Performance Products - Producing Winning Results since 1993

opjohn · 06-03-2009, 01:06 PM

I am seriously considering these.... 13" or 14" not sure but my concern is I have 20" FOOSE Nitrous rims and I don't know if the Wilwood 6 piston paired with the .81 rotors will fit ? As far as the caliper to rim goes.....

Todd TCE · 06-03-2009, 01:20 PM

At the risk of sounding like a sales pitch....if you are running 20s you won't be happy with only the 13s. Both for looks and function. The added mass of 20s nearly demands more rotor to help.

I'd say a 14" kit for sure or even up to 16" is possible....didn't see that coming did you? lol

A good version of the 14" would be that of my MINI or RX8 kits:

opjohn · 06-03-2009, 01:28 PM

Hey I'd love 16" Todd....it's the space from the top of the caliper to the wheel spoke that I'm concerned with.... :-( Man those rotors and calipers look awesome !

Todd TCE · 06-03-2009, 01:36 PM

Like this?

The TC6 caliper is a low profile (for that monster size) body. Obviously this was not the direction I was headed when I brainstormed the options but it's do-able. Rough guess here is that you'd see about 1.375 or 35mm of caliper body to deck (wheel mount to hat) surface. Which for the size is not reeeeal bad.

The one 'kicker' here is that we are moving without a doubt to 1.25" wide rotors of roughly 18lbs each. Great for a Charger or F250 but maybe a bit more of a challenge with your current wheels for hp/tq requirements? I'd also not consider such a project without the properly engineered rear kit to go with it. That would most likely be a full 14" flavor.

Price? hmmm. Speculative here; $2800-3k front and $22-2400 rear. (options not incl)

opjohn · 06-03-2009, 01:40 PM

Bite of a price scare there Todd but I will mull over it... maybe the 14" will be more in my range.....you have been MAJOR helpfull buddy.

Todd TCE · 06-03-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opjohn

Bite of a price scare there Todd but I will mull over it... maybe the 14" will be more in my range.....you have been MAJOR helpfull buddy.

Not pulled out of thin air however, they were based upon similar kits now in service on Charger, Lightning and Impala. *Closer to Charger however because they do not require custom hubs as the others do.

For various reasons there's always a jump in price from 13 to 14 and from 14 to 16. Mostly due to parts cost, production cost and limited production run. The basic laws of supply and demand I guess.

BLK GXP · 06-03-2009, 06:59 PM

I've always thought the brakes on this car could use some help. They work fine until they get hot, but then they make me a little nervous. I put Hawk pads on my stockers, and it helped a little, but I want to stop faster before I go any faster. I'm interested, but I have a couple of questions. Which of these kits will work with the stock wheels, if any? What is the stock color/finish without any upcharge?

compression · 06-03-2009, 07:02 PM

can you please pm me a pricing on the larger rear rotor and relocation kit. And a price on a full rear BBK.

Thanks

TCE · 06-03-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLK GXP

I've always thought the brakes on this car could use some help. They work fine until they get hot, but then they make me a little nervous. I put Hawk pads on my stockers, and it helped a little, but I want to stop faster before I go any faster. I'm interested, but I have a couple of questions. Which of these kits will work with the stock wheels, if any? What is the stock color/finish without any upcharge?

The Plus1 will clear a stock wheel with ease. The newer HD I have not yet had an opportunity to review. As the rotor grows wider it does so only in one way- towards the wheel.

Standard or base kit price is always black and slotted only rotors.

TCE · 06-03-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compression

can you please pm me a pricing on the larger rear rotor and relocation kit. And a price on a full rear BBK.

Thanks

No need to pm. If I had the final numbers for this (and when I do) it will be clearly put out on the web page.

Pure speculation....based upon other similar designs....would have the relo kit at about $600 and the full on kit about $1100.

I spent some time on both bracket design and proposed parts for both today. No firm date to what and when just yet. To be very honest part of my hesitation and slow move is based upon reaction and sale of front kits. If there are only few front kit sales I don't wish to be heavily invested in time and materials on a rear kit. Forgive me but I don't subscribe to the notion that folks will only buy a front kit if there is a rear to go with it.

I'll toss you a bone here and say that anyone who wishes to "commission" the build of a rear kit asap will be given a nice price. Until that happens however my plans are to ease into front kit production and see where we go.

opjohn · 06-04-2009, 08:13 AM

Guesstimate on a 14" kit Todd ?

Todd TCE · 06-04-2009, 11:14 AM

Mulling it over actually given the 18" wheels. Problem with 14s is that both parts cost and production costs go up quite a lot.

Depending upon the caliper of choice and the rotor used the price could be as low as $1895 and upwards of $2100. (all before options) If you look around the web page you'll see similar kits for those prices based upon use of four pot BSL calipers on 14-1.10 rotor to W6a (or W4a) on 1.25 rotors so knowing production costs would be identical the end retail would be too. To the build sheet a caliper is a caliper, a rotor a rotor, etc. etc. my costs don't vary much.

I'd like to add to that...in considering a 14" front build it may also effect what I would suggest (or need to produce) for a rear kit. In keeping brake balance (bias for the tech savvy readers I'm sure are following some of this) we'd need to be conscience of the specs used to produce both kits and allow the consumer to buy a rear later if wished and not be too out of whack with a front only purchase. Sometimes difficult when you look to make very large changes like this.

shabby · 06-04-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCE

The newer HD I have not yet had an opportunity to review. As the rotor grows wider it does so only in one way- towards the wheel.

I took a measurement at the 4" starting point of a solstice rim and there seems to be around 24mm of clearance, not enough for the plus1+hd set. If i measure at the 4.5" point there's a bit more room. Is 4" the exact starting point for the dp6 caliper Todd?

Todd TCE · 06-04-2009, 03:12 PM

The min. radius will be about 4.4" and the max radius about 7.2" from center line.

The data on the wheel fit page will be correct with regard to body over hang relative to the Deck or wheel seating but the pic is somewhat generic as each caliper body and shape is a bit different.

It's been a while since I put my hands on the car but this is pretty much as I recall it also. There was not a lot of opportunity for a big wide rotor and caliper to fit behind the oe wheel.