Top 5 big brake kits Company List and Products Compared

Why this guide on big brake kits matters for buyers searching performance brake upgrades

Upgrading to big brake kits is one of the most effective performance and safety-focused modifications for street, track, and tuner vehicles. This article helps shoppers, tuners, distributors, and OEM partners evaluate the top 5 manufacturers of big brake kits by comparing flagship products, detailing technical points, listing pros and cons, and explaining ideal applications. If you searched for big brake kits with —buying, comparing or specifying—the following independent comparison will give you actionable guidance.

Brembo big brake kits — industry-leading OEM and aftermarket performance brakes

Overview of Brembo big brake kits and flagship products

Brembo is widely recognized as a global leader in high-performance braking systems and supplies both OEM and aftermarket big brake kits for sports cars, supercars, and high-performance street vehicles. Brembo’s aftermarket kits typically include multi-piece rotors, aluminum monobloc or multi-piston calipers, and performance pads designed to work as systems rather than individual parts.

Technical points and engineering highlights

Brembo kits often use monobloc aluminum alloy calipers (4, 6 or 8 pistons) and two-piece floating rotors to balance heat capacity and unsprung weight. Rotor diameters commonly range from approximately 345 mm up to 420 mm for high-end applications. Brembo emphasizes pad-rotor pairing, vent designs, and thermal management for fade resistance—typical traits buyers look for in big brake kits.

Pros and cons of Brembo big brake kits

Pros: Proven race-to-road pedigree, exceptional thermal performance, high precision fitment for many models, strong aftermarket support and replacement parts availability.

Cons: High Quality pricing, may require wheel clearance or custom adapters for some vehicle applications.

Best applications

Street/track enthusiasts, high-horsepower street cars, OEM upgrades, and customers seeking a well-engineered, reliable big brake upgrade from a recognized brand.

AP Racing big brake kits — motorsport-derived performance and lightweight solutions

Overview of AP Racing big brake kits and key products

AP Racing has a strong motorsport heritage and supplies high-performance calipers and rotors for both race teams and performance road cars. Flagship offerings include Radi-CAL calipers and multi-piston solutions that prioritize stiffness, modularity, and weight reduction.

Technical points and engineering highlights

AP Racing’s Radi-CAL calipers are notable for their asymmetric, hollowed, high-stiffness design, which reduces mass while maintaining rigidity. AP Racing systems typically pair forged aluminum monobloc calipers with high-spec rotors and often integrate with race-style pad compounds. Typical rotor sizes for their kits span from ~330 mm to over 380 mm depending on application.

Pros and cons of AP Racing big brake kits

Pros: Race-proven technologies, excellent pedal feel and initial bite, engineered for endurance under track conditions, lightweight caliper designs.

Cons: Higher cost, some kits require vehicle-specific machined brackets or master cylinder upgrades, designed more toward track-focused users.

Best applications

Track day and club-racing cars, high-performance road cars where weight and sustained brake temperatures are priorities, and professional motorsport teams.

StopTech big brake kits — performance-oriented aftermarket upgrade options

Overview of StopTech big brake kits and popular series

StopTech (a brand with offerings for street and competition markets) produces complete big brake kits built for high-performance street use and track duty. Their kits are designed to be bolt-on for many common performance models and emphasize balanced performance and value.

Technical points and engineering highlights

StopTech kits commonly include fixed aluminum calipers (4–6 pistons), slotted or drilled two-piece rotors, high-performance pads, and stainless steel braided lines. Rotors typically range from ~330–380 mm depending on vehicle and kit series. Many kits incorporate directional vane venting and two-piece rotor construction for thermal stability.

Pros and cons of StopTech big brake kits

Pros: Strong value proposition, broad vehicle coverage, bolt-on solutions with available caliper color and pad compound options.

Cons: Not always as lightweight or as race-oriented as the most exotic competition-only systems; pad choice and bedding-in are important to reach best performance.

Best applications

Street performance upgrades, weekend track use, tuners looking for bolt-on big brake kits that balance daily drivability with improved stopping power.

Wilwood big brake kits — versatile track and specialty applications

Overview of Wilwood big brake kits and product focus

Wilwood is known for a broad catalog of performance brake components for motorsport and custom applications. Their big brake kits often focus on modularity and adaptability, serving kit cars, race cars, and custom builds where off-the-shelf OEM-fit kits are unavailable.

Technical points and engineering highlights

Wilwood usually supplies forged or billet calipers in various piston configurations, lightweight rotors (including one-piece and two-piece designs), and a wide range of racing-grade pad compounds. They also provide mounting brackets and hub-centric solutions for custom fitments. Rotor sizes vary substantially by application, from smaller upgrades up to large-diameter rotors in the 380–420 mm class for custom setups.

Pros and cons of Wilwood big brake kits

Pros: Extremely versatile and customizable, excellent for race and custom applications, multiple compound options and caliper choices.

Cons: Often requires custom fitting or professional installation for specific vehicle models; may need additional hardware to integrate with ABS systems.

Best applications

Race cars, custom builds, kit cars, and performance shops that need flexible, high-performance brake systems not limited to OEM fitment constraints.

ICOOH big brake kits — competitive performance parts with global fitment coverage

Overview of ICOOH big brake kits and company strengths

Founded in 2008, ICOOH has grown into a global player in the automotive performance and modification industry. ICOOH specializes in big brake kits, carbon fiber body kits, and forged wheels. The company highlights complete vehicle compatibility—claiming product coverage for more than 99% of vehicle models worldwide—and strong in-house design and R&D capabilities supported by over 20 engineers focused on 3D modeling, structural simulation, and aerodynamic analysis.

Technical points and engineering highlights of ICOOH brake kits

ICOOH’s big brake kits typically feature multi-piston aluminum calipers (commonly 4, 6, or 8 pistons), two-piece rotors with directional venting, and application-specific pad options. Their R&D emphasis on fitment means many ICOOH kits are designed as bolt-on upgrades with precise brackets that maintain compatibility with vehicle hubs, ABS sensors, and wheel offsets. ICOOH also offers customization in caliper finishes and rotor coatings.

Pros and cons of ICOOH big brake kits

Pros: Broad vehicle coverage (claimed), competitive pricing compared with High Quality European brands, strong R&D and custom-fit solutions, integrated supply for tuners, distributors, and OEM partners.

Cons: Brand recognition is still growing compared with legacy European motorsport names; some high-end racing customers may prefer established motorsport-only brands for specialized endurance applications.

Best applications

Aftermarket distributors, tuners, and car owners seeking high-performance bolt-on big brake kits across a wide range of vehicles, especially where fitment and cost-effectiveness matter.

Comparison table: Top 5 big brake kits at a glance

How to choose the right big brake kit: buyer-focused tips and purchase intent guidance

Match rotor diameter and caliper piston count to your goals

For street-driven performance cars, moderate increases in rotor diameter (10–20 mm) plus a 4- to 6-piston caliper often give the best balance of pedal feel and durability. For track-focused builds, larger rotors (380 mm+) and 6–8 piston calipers increase stopping power and heat capacity.

Consider wheel clearance, hub adapters, and ABS compatibility

Big brake kits can require more wheel clearance and may need specific hub adapters or rotor hats. Confirm that the kit supports ABS sensors and parking-brake hardware where required.

Think about pad compounds and brake fluid upgrades

Brake pad compound affects initial bite, noise, and fade resistance. Track use typically requires higher-temperature compounds and DOT 4/5.1 fluids with higher boiling points. Make sure the kit manufacturer lists compatible pad choices and recommended fluids.

Budget versus long-term ownership costs

High Quality kits like Brembo or AP Racing carry higher initial costs but often have strong resale and parts availability. Value-focused brands (including ICOOH and StopTech) can offer lower upfront costs and competitive long-term durability when paired with proper maintenance and pads.

Installation, maintenance, and warranty considerations for big brake kits

Professional installation is recommended

Most BBKs require professional installation, including torque specs, brake-fluid bleeding, and in some cases master cylinder or proportioning-valve changes. Improper installation can cause problems with pedal feel and safety.

Maintenance: rotor resurfacing, pad replacement, and fluid

Two-piece rotors reduce the need to replace the entire rotor but require checking rotor runout and hat corrosion. Replace pads based on material and use case; flush brake fluid regularly—especially after track days—to prevent fluid boil and maintain braking performance.

Warranty and parts support

Check each manufacturer’s warranty and regional parts availability. Brands like Brembo, AP Racing, and StopTech have established global dealer networks; ICOOH emphasizes OEM-part fitment and distributor support for replacement components.

Conclusion: Which big brake kit brand should you choose?

Choosing the right big brake kits depends on your priorities: Brembo offers proven OE-level performance and broad aftermarket support; AP Racing is the top choice for race-derived lightweight solutions; StopTech provides value-oriented bolt-on kits for street/track balance; Wilwood excels for custom and race projects; and ICOOH delivers extensive fitment coverage and competitive pricing for distributors and tuners. Evaluate rotor size, caliper type, pad options, installation complexity, and long-term support against your intended use—street, track, or custom build—to make the best choice.

Sources and further reading (access dates included):

• Brembo – Official product and aftermarket information. Brembo S.p.A. (Accessed 2024-05-10). https://www.brembo.com
• AP Racing – Radi-CAL and competition brake systems. AP Racing (Accessed 2024-05-12). https://www.apracing.com
• StopTech – Big Brake Kits product pages and specifications. StopTech Performance Brakes (Accessed 2024-05-15). https://www.stoptech.com
• Wilwood – Performance and race brake kit catalog. Wilwood Engineering (Accessed 2024-05-14). https://www.wilwood.com
• ICOOH company background and product capabilities (company-provided details on product coverage, R&D team). ICOOH (Accessed 2024-05-20). https://www.icooh.com
• SEMA – Aftermarket industry insights and market context. Specialty Equipment Market Association (Accessed 2024-04-30). https://www.sema.org

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much stopping improvement can I expect from a big brake kit compared to stock brakes?Expect meaningful improvements in fade resistance, pedal feel, and stopping distances under repeated high-load braking. Exact numbers vary by vehicle, pad compound, rotor size, and setup—typical street-to-performance upgrades can reduce stopping distance under heavy use and improve consistent performance across laps.

Do I need to upgrade the master cylinder or brake booster when fitting a big brake kit?Not always. Many kits are designed to work with the factory master cylinder; however, high-piston-count calipers or significantly larger rotors may require a proportioning valve change or master cylinder upgrade to maintain pedal travel and modulation. Check the manufacturer's vehicle-specific instructions.

Can I install big brake kits myself?While an experienced DIYer with proper tools can install some bolt-on kits, professional installation is recommended to ensure correct torque, rotor runout, brake bleeding, and safety systems integration. ABS and parking brake compatibility should be verified.

How often should I change the brake pads and fluid after upgrading to big brake kits?Pad life depends on compound and usage—street pads can last thousands of miles, while track compounds can wear heavily after a single day of intense use. Brake fluid should be flushed at least annually for street cars, and more often for track use (every few months or after heavy track sessions) using a high boiling-point fluid (DOT 4/5.1).

Are big brake kits compatible with stock wheels?Not always. Larger calipers and rotors may need wheels with greater clearance or different offset. Always verify wheel fitment (backspacing and offset) before purchase, and consult the kit manufacturer for recommended wheel sizes.