Planning to go for a 280mm Big Brake Kit on my E30.
Been searching the forum and asked it before but didn't get any smarter out of it .
When you use a BBK on a E30, don't the wheels tend to lock up a lot quicker ? It's already quite a big task not to lock up the brakes in the wet @ trackdays. Planning to upgrade the front suspension, but does this make driving in the wet even more worse?
Or how should I see it ?
Thx
BBK: wheels locking up
Moderator: martauto
- TurtleDesignTech
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 250
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:00 pm
- Location: Hampshire
I do not have any experience with big brake kits, however it would seem logical to me that:
A BBK increases surface area for braking, spreading the same force over a larger area, this would increase modularity of the brakes.
The increase modularity should make it easier to not to lock up the brakes.
Alternative ways to prevent the brakes from locking up would be:
1. Different brake master cylinder: to change brake feel, more to your suiting.
2. Increase contact patch with road: Wider wheels/tyres.
A BBK increases surface area for braking, spreading the same force over a larger area, this would increase modularity of the brakes.
The increase modularity should make it easier to not to lock up the brakes.
Alternative ways to prevent the brakes from locking up would be:
1. Different brake master cylinder: to change brake feel, more to your suiting.
2. Increase contact patch with road: Wider wheels/tyres.
- TurtleDesignTech
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 250
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:00 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Willwood website:
A big brake kit will provide increased heat capacity, which means substantially more resistance to brake fade and caliper distortion with multiple stops from high speed. A firmer pedal due to stronger and stiffer components, as well as better modulation characteristics are also benefits of a properly balanced brake upgrade.
http://www.wilwood.com/TechTip/TechFaqs.aspx
A big brake kit will provide increased heat capacity, which means substantially more resistance to brake fade and caliper distortion with multiple stops from high speed. A firmer pedal due to stronger and stiffer components, as well as better modulation characteristics are also benefits of a properly balanced brake upgrade.
http://www.wilwood.com/TechTip/TechFaqs.aspx
I would have thought that this is as much to do with your brake "feel" than anything else.
I would practice learning where the lock up point is and holding the pedal just above rather than just slamming them on.
Also waiting until the car is loaded on the front end before applying the full braking force will also help.
I'm not saying that different brakes wouldn't help, but you have to always remember that your technique can always be improved.
"Upgraded" suspension would help i would imagine as the weight of the car would transfer faster and also the car would be more stable.
Remember that well suited tyres make all the difference when on a track also.
I would practice learning where the lock up point is and holding the pedal just above rather than just slamming them on.
Also waiting until the car is loaded on the front end before applying the full braking force will also help.
I'm not saying that different brakes wouldn't help, but you have to always remember that your technique can always be improved.
"Upgraded" suspension would help i would imagine as the weight of the car would transfer faster and also the car would be more stable.
Remember that well suited tyres make all the difference when on a track also.

