They're here: Stillen Big Brakes

18976 Views 40 Replies 24 Participants Last post by MuskyHunter, Jul 14, 2008

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · Feb 21, 2005 (Edited)

3

Installed photos: Stillen 14 inch Big Brakes

The Big brake kit I ordered from DR came in today directly from Stillen Motor Sports and boy am I happy.

Coincidentally, I visited my dealership service/parts department earlier today to pick up my overhead racks I ordered and I had a conversation with the service mgr in reference to the "brake problems" that Titans have and asked him if the dealership could install the kit I am expecting from Stillen instead of resurfacing my rotors again so I do not have to keep coming back for brake repairs and he said he will check it out. (my fingers are crossed) I'm just a little concerned about warranty. I'm also still waiting for a driver door latch assembly needed to fix my "still frozen" drivers door.

I only have 3K miles on my truck and am very carefull with those darn brakes. I even practice the "embedding technique" but I guess the darn truck is just too heavy and too powerful for the mid-size "Frontier" front brakes.

Update:
Photos of rotors 2/28/05 installed by my local Nissan Dealer

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1 - 20 of 41 Posts

Deepwater

· #2 · Feb 21, 2005

Hey that is a nice brake kit!
Can you tell me how much it cost, I might have to go with that kit as well.

Thanks for any info.

Deep.

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 21, 2005

Deepwater said:
Hey that is a nice brake kit!
Can you tell me how much it cost, I might have to go with that kit as well.

Thanks for any info.

Deep.

Deep,
I purchased them through one of the TT sponsors: Dynamic Racing (DR) and their price was $100 better than Stillen's own website. Paid $1252.58 delivered to my garage door.
This thing looks BIG!!! Hope it solves all the brake problems as I am looking forward to summer fun towing my boat.

hkusp45

· #4 · Feb 22, 2005

Let us see it when you are done!!

smoketitan

· #5 · Feb 22, 2005

1300 for brakes??? whoa hope they are nice

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 23, 2005

Spoke to the local Nissan service manager and due to the fact that I have a 3rd appt to have my brakes checked ( pulls hard left) on Monday, he said they will install the Stillen big brake kit for free instead of resurfacing the OEM rotors (again). I need these brakes corrected as I will be towing a 4000 lb boat and trailer this summer and I just won't risk life and limb waiting for Nissan to solve this problem.

An apparent good news for those who can wait (I am very impatient): Nissan will issue either a TSB or a recall for the front brakes. They will replace the front rotors with thicker but same diameter ones and softer pads. Apparently the time table to start is within 6-8 weeks.

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 23, 2005

smoketitan said:
1300 for brakes??? whoa hope they are nice

Gotta pay to play.

With all the performance mods being done to any vehicle to increase engine power, the least focused upgrade we shy from is beefing up the stopping power "IN PROPORTION TO" all the gained HP & torque.

As inadequate as it is, the Titan's front brakes are the same size as the rear ones. However, we really don't realize that the front braking system is using more than 60% effort & the rear less than 40% effort in stopping the vehicle. This fact alone should be a good reason enough for a hypothetical 60% larger front brakes. (but Nissan will just replace them with same size but thicker rotors)

No wonder there is no such thing as "rear brake judder" in a Titan!!!

Squid

· #8 · Feb 23, 2005

I'm with ya brother, if and when i have brake problems I'll be upgrading also. Let us know what you think after you put some miles on them.

Thanks.

TOK

· #9 · Feb 24, 2005

Way cool that your service manager is going to do that! I'm surprised.
Anyone that hasn't seen the kit in person might be taken aback by the price, but it's a sweet setup... Braided lines, big powdercoated calipers and huge drillled rotors so pretty it's a shame to hide them behind wheels.
I can't wait to see how those look on there!

Gr8Titan, perhaps you could do some impromptu stopping distance tests between the stockers and the Stillens? Put out a marker and do 3 stops from 60 or so to get an average, then do the same after the new ones are on there.
I realize you're more after feel, but with all the extra swept area and cooling of the replacments, it'd be interesting to see if it drops your stopping distance.

Tim

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 28, 2005 (Edited)

3

They are installed

They were installed today just in time for me to bring the Titan home before the "northeaster snow". Have some pics at www.usantonio.com/stillen_big__brake.htm Also enclosed a few thumbnails

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smoketitan

· #11 · Feb 28, 2005

okay i stand corrected 1300 is a GREAT price ( I have been searching for sets myself)

I have two little ones and I lke to get on it wehn Im in the truck myslef,and the wimpy brakes do scare me some time,

my front wheels stay black from all the brake dust

BoneDaddy

· #12 · Feb 28, 2005

gr8titan said:
An apparent good news for those who can wait (I am very impatient): Nissan will issue either a TSB or a recall for the front brakes. They will replace the front rotors with thicker but same diameter ones and softer pads. Apparently the time table to start is within 6-8 weeks.

Softer pads??? That doesn't sound too encouraging. Instead of going through rotors, we will be going through pads and wheel cleaner! The brake dust is already a bit much to keep up with.

I really wonder what Nissan's goal is with these brakes in terms of milage? Having owned a mid-Nineties Chevy Suburban that needed the brakes done every 10,000 to 12,000 miles, I am really hoping for a 30,000+ mile solution. Chevy finally figured out the brakes in 2000, and now my 2003 Suburban is a little past HALF way on the pads at 33,000 miles. Shocking but true!

On a similar note... I have seen a couple of these polls for various topics. Could someone put one together for the brakes? Maybe one that covers the first 12,000 miles. In other words, "How many times was your Titan serviced for Brake Judder in the first 12,000 miles?"

With responses being:
None
Once
Twice
Three times
Four times
More than four times
Not at 12,000 miles yet, No problems
Not at 12,000 miles yet, But I have had the Brake Judder

I think this would be a worth while poll since these statistics are not being shared with us from Nissan corporate, and we all know too well that many of us are being effected. I would put this out, but I think you need to be an admin or moderator to do it.

BTW... Those Stillen brakes do look like the bomb. Good luck with those!

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sigmapititan

· #13 · Feb 28, 2005

Those brakes do look nice but how do they feel? Can you feel a noticable difference in performance?

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 28, 2005

sigmapititan said:
Those brakes do look nice but how do they feel? Can you feel a noticable difference in performance?

I'll let you know next week. We (NJ) are presently having a northeastern blizzard and just drove the truck less than 3 miles home and it immediately went in the garage. Nice felt though. Didn't dare push it until it is properly broken in and on nice weather. Till then.....

Feimrte

· #15 · Mar 1, 2005

gr8titan- What size wheel is required by this brake kit? The reason I ask is that I still have the stock wheels, and it looks as if Nissan and the BBB are looking to make me a cash offer. So maybe I can get more than enough to cover the cost of the kit and wheels should I need to go bigger.

After the storm has gone you need to keep us informed as to how the kit is holding up.

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 1, 2005

Feimrte said:
gr8titan- What size wheel is required by this brake kit? The reason I ask is that I still have the stock wheels, and it looks as if Nissan and the BBB are looking to make me a cash offer. So maybe I can get more than enough to cover the cost of the kit and wheels should I need to go bigger.

After the storm has gone you need to keep us informed as to how the kit is holding up.

Minimum wheel size required for the big kit is 18 inches. It will fit in the OEM 18 inch alloy rims.

Hope this helps.

TOK

· #17 · Mar 1, 2005

Those look horrible on your truck!
I'll give you $500 for them. :futwice: :cheers:

gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 1, 2005 (Edited)

2

TOK said:
Those look horrible on your truck!
I'll give you $500 for them. :futwice: :cheers:

Just for you Tim, $550 cash and i'll throw in my tires and wheels 'cause them big brakes won't fit your 17 inch rims!!!! HA HA HA. :futwice:
How you doin' Bud? :cheers:

I took the Titan out today in the snow (ouch!) and drove around to "embed the rotors" and I am very impressed with the stopping power. It tracked straight & calipers gripped with mean intentions. In fact I had to make myself aware all the time that "these are not the OEM tiny front brakes anymore" Not much pedal effort is required.

I use to grip my steering tight at 3 and 9 o'clock when braking because I don't know what direction the brakes would pull at anytime but now, the Stillens stop the truck straight like they mean nasty bussiness and no brake dust yet!!
Ray

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gr8titan

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 3, 2005

3

300 mile review of Stillen kit

4 days and 300 miles later, here is my honest review of the Stillen kit.
After undergoing the "brake imbedding techniques", I tried to simulate the conditions where I experienced ineffective brake symptoms

1. Coming down my driveway (300 ft) with cold brakes: the OEM will pull to either side if I have my hands off the wheel. Stillen brakes = comes to a stop straight no pedal effort.
2. Uneven road surface at 30 mph: OEM pulls if cold diappears when warm. Stillen = does not pull whether cold or hot
3. Slowing down to 5-10 mph from 20 - 40 - 60 & 80 mph:
OEM brakes = I have to hold the steering at 9:00 & 3:00 because the Titan will not stay straight unto the same lane. Possible cause: Big tires??? Too wide?? Too heavy?? I'm beginning to think so...
Stillen kit = Tracks very straight without steering wheel compensation and minimal pedal effort. No brake fade. Pads grab the rotors with equal intensity and power. If the tires were a factor, then Stillen handled them like a piece of cake!!

Icing on the cake: NO BRAKE DUST. Check the photos and see how clean the calipers and the rotors are after 300 miles. Wheel is dirty from snow

I'll continue to update this forum on the Stillen big brake kit

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smoothTitan

· #20 · Mar 4, 2005

anybody check any prices for brembo, wonder if they even make a kit for the titan.

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