This is a question of wheel, tire, and brake appearance and performance. Financial considerations are also a factor, but not THE overriding factor.

Obviously its my car, and all that - do what makes me happy... Etc. i don't need to here all that. I am really at an impasse where i cant make up my mind on the best way to move forward, and i would like to hear some opinions that might inspire me on a course of action. So, here's the situation: last year i bought the SSBC 1LE (A123-2) kit for my '89 Formula 350. It was a MAJORly frustrating waiting for the kit to get made (waiting for spindles). The kit has been determined to have been shipped with defective pads which "painted" the rotors "grease pencil black" and there was no noticeable gain in braking performance. NOW i have to wait (week after week) for the pads or buy my own for $120.00 locally. Come to find out, Jegs WILL refund my $1250.00 if i send them back the brake kit (will require me to remove the brake kit from the car completely - not a small job. And Hawks is selling both Baer Sport (12") and Track(13") kits for $900.00.

Oh, and i need new tires as my rears are getting pretty bare.

Option 1 - Go Big or Go Home:



I have been hot and cold when it comes to the subject of Ronal R-15s. On the one hand, they're 17's (better tire options) and are factory Firebird wheels. On the other hand, i don't think they always look good. The above picture of Justin's Formy inspires me that if done properly, R-15s can look very good.

Option 1 involves sending back the 1LE kit and breaking even (after shipping costs) on a 13" Baer kit, 275/40 r & 245/45 f BFG KDW 1's, lowering springs, and a compulsory alignment - $2600.00.

Option 2 - Screw SSBC; Stick with the Factory Wheels and a Baer Kit.

Option two involves removing the SSBC kit, breaking even on a 12" Baer kit, and $600.00 worth of BFG g-Force Sport Comp 2 tires - $600.00.



Option 3 - stick with the 1LEs.

Involves keeping the 1LE kit thats on the car, buying some new brake pads for $120.00, and $600.00 in 245/50/16 tires. Can keep the pads that SSBC sends (eventually) and put them on the TTA or put em in the "other box" and return them. - $720.00.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

Crap! Poll didn't work. Thats what i get for doing this on my iPhone.

Anyway, i'd still like to see your input, with or without a poll.

option 3, just my 2 cents

I like option 1. Always been a fan of the baer brakes, both how they look and how they work. Plus, after all youve been through with the ssbc brakes, why would you want to leave them on your car and let them keep your money?

I say yank em off, like sc24 said, in a way you are supporting them keeping them on. I know option 1 is expensive but if it's doable in your budget it sounds better. Though i didn't see an option for sticking with 16's and a baer kit?

Get the front 13" baer brakes and get a 275-40-17 on all 4 corners using a 17" x 9.5" wheel.

Best bang for your buck, best handling, best braking...

Personally, I like option 2. It seems like you are disappointed in the lack of braking performance gains with the 1LE stuff. If you have a chance to get your money back, I'd jump on that.

For an additional $600 you get Baer brakes and new tires.

that would be option 2.

i have heard that with 275/40's on the front, they will rub.

they will. I ran those for years and they rubbed bad. Switched to I think it was 245s and all was better. Didnt notice any difference in driving or handling.

does anybody have information on getting a 13" Baer kit behind stock 16's? isnt it possible? i could swear that someone on here was saying that they had that set up. what has to be grinded off or modified?

Brake upgrades are great and all, but first tell us what you're planning on doing with the car. Do you plan on making a track car out of it? I've seen guys spend upwards of $3k and more for brake upgrades, and their car has NEVER been on a track to do any type of competitive driving to justify dropping that kind of coin on brakes.

Go big or go home.

a fair question i 'spose. track use? unlikely. do i still demand superior stopping power? yes. for the way i drive, did i find the stock brakes inadequate? yes.

then there's the appearance factor... i need upsized/upgraded brakes.

the best option for me would be option 4 (not listed) which would be to get the 13" Baer kit, and put them under the factory 16" wheels. this would allow me to ugrade my brakes now, and forego the expense of upgrading the wheels until later. however, i do not know exactly how to achieve this. my understanding is that this is not achievable 'out of the box' - modifications would have to be made. whether they are easy and cost-effective, i am unclear. i'm hoping someone with some knowledge or experience can chime in.

Another possible option is to go with C5 Corvette or '98 - '02 F-body calipers with 12 inch rotors. That combo will still fit your 16 inch wheels, the parts are readily available, inexpensive, they look good, plus it'll be a substantial braking upgrade over your stock binders.

welp...i'm going right down the middle with Option 2. i ordered the Baer 12" Kit from Hawks today. i'm going to button up the SSBC kit so i can drive the car to a shop and have it removed and the Baer Kit installed. Bruce says the Baer Kit should ship on Wednesday (6/11).

Customer Service Rep Laynya and Supervisor Josh Q. at Jegs have confirmed that they will refund me for the SSBC stuff. kudos to Jegs for a very flexible return policy.

thanks for the input, guys.

IF, in the future, i spring for some Ronals, it'll still be a cool set up with the 12" Baers, i think.

Not that this is an option, Why not just go with a newer model car OE brake. Ease of getting parts off the shelf is very nice. I have around $400 invested into my Front C5 Z06 fronts with GMPP Drilled/Slotted rotors and Hawk pads (bought off the corvette boards, added ARP studs then stainless lines. I couldn't ask for any more braking. Mind you I built the bracket and modified the spindles and hubs myself.

Only downfall is the use of 17's. However my last Iroc-z I had 98-02 Brakes and it also stopped nice and was nice that I could fit 15" skinnies for the track and stock iroc-z rims.

But if you are a big track racer then I could see the use in Baer Brakes.

If I were to pick from the 3 options, I would probably say 3 though.

Jay

Ummm... Thanks?

I have 275/40/17s (all 4 corners) on my car and they barely touch if you go full lock to lock, which I never do.
I'm running the 13" Baer kit with either 1.5 or 1.25 spacer up front and the other on the rear.

i already have the Baer 12" kit on the car. i kinda wanted to keep the 16" Formula wheels (at least for now.) Ronals or maybe some 4th gen 17"s could be in the future...maybe. as someone else mentioned, tire options are what will prolly eventually force me off the 16"s.