KVR Brakes - yay or nay?

[ND4SPD]

So ever since i realized that KVR Performance is located right here in Ottawa, and coincidently - i need new brakes... i was just curious as to how many people from around Ontario have done buisness with them, and what the opinions are on their products.

I'm looking at some nicer than oem sport brakes... nothing that would be legal on a race track, but something that will stop all 3000lbs of cougar VERY fast if need be. :wiggle:
oh, and under $1000 bucks... heh.

[Mike]

I had KVR cross-drilled rotors with cadmium plating and KVR carbon fiber pads.

Overall I was very happy. There was less brake dust, the pedal feel was improved and, of course, they look so cool. ;)

The only downside was the squealing. That got a little annoying. Oh, and don't bother with the cadmium plating, it doesn't do squat. Waste of money. The rotors started to rust after 1 winter anyways. ;)

Overall I give them an 8 out of 10. I would highly reccomend them. :thumbsup:

Mike

[hamill]

Originally posted by: Mike
I had KVR cross-drilled rotors with cadmium plating and KVR carbon fiber pads.

Overall I was very happy. There was less brake dust, the pedal feel was improved and, of course, they look so cool. ;)

The only downside was the squealing. That got a little annoying. Oh, and don't bother with the cadmium plating, it doesn't do squat. Waste of money. The rotors started to rust after 1 winter anyways. ;)

Overall I give them an 8 out of 10. I would highly reccomend them. :thumbsup:

Mike

agreed 100%, mine still squeel like a [censored], but they are AMAZING in the rain. Just make sure if they are even slightly warped, you send them back. Mine haven't rusted, but came slightly warped, I put them on anyway :):)

[topjoe]

I have Mikes car right now and it stops great but if you let the car sit in the rain until morning you'll have rust dust lol on the rotors.

but i agree with mike 8 out of 10

[ND4SPD]

heh, can't be any MORE warped than my good ol stockies... they've been on the car since 98 (when the car was made) and the previous owners used them up to 65,000kms. Now, any braking above 60kph results in serious vibration through the steering wheel... heh, its embarassing when my nice painted dash starts rattling :rofl:

what makes them squeel?? that kinda sucks! is there anything to prevent that?

Here are the few brake kits im looking at:
the Baer 12" Select Kit (slotted) for the front w/ the eradispeed rotors for rear... http://www.spmotorsports.com/ATCcontour_brakekits_baer.html
the KVR's front and back... http://www.kvrperformance.com
or CTA's Large brake kit... http://www.ctamotorsports.com/contour_parts/contourbrakes.htm
TEC's - http://www.tceperformanceproducts.com/BrakeKits/Cougar.mgi2


i'd definitely like something that fills in the 18" wheel a bit more than the factory brakes too if its possible without spending a fortune - or importing brakes from the US :tongue:

[Mike]

The carbon fiber pads make them squeal. It must be some kind of reaction from the steel rotors and the carbon fiber pads. That would be my best guess. :shrug:

[ND4SPD]

so if i say.... got different pads, i "should" be squeal-free?

[Mike]

Its hard to say. I've heard good things about Bendix Titanium Metallic pads. They seem to be all the rage over on CEG. Maybe check those out? :shrug:

[iNFAMOUS]

I have had KVR rotors and pads on my car for a couple of years now, and have had no complaints. Breaking power is definatley improved over stock, and they look nice too. However as the others have mentioned I'd get different brake pads, the KVR pads are pretty noisy.

[Mike]

Something to check out over on CEG:

Stazi's Brake Replacement Kit (http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=brakes&Number=363852&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1)

Seems like a good setup, depending on price of course. ;)

Mike

[timeless420]

I had the KVR pads and they were the worst pads I ever had. No they never squealed, but just being half worn the pads decided to separate from thier backing plates. Also I found that they needed some heat in them to stop (read cold winter highway drives and stabbing the brakes sucked). Oh and F- the drilled rotors....they don't do [censored]. If you want an upgrade from full face rotors go slotted, but beware, you will go through pads faster.

[hamill]

the stopping power of the KVR's is the same in dry weather conditions, I'll admit that.....BUT, in the rain...HUGE difference.

as for winter driving...neither Matt or I do that in the cougars anyway :)

[hamill]

Sorry...just remembered this,

if I had the $$ and needed brakes....I'd be buying number 3 on this list :):):):):):):) (http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=116229)

[ND4SPD]

OMG! mind if i jump on those dan???!

[hamill]

go for it.....I have no money lol

[hamill]

oh...and Matt...Crispy is selling Rotors Here...(you have to scroll down) 3000 miles, cross drilled, $100 for front's, 60 for rears, so for $160 + shipping you have rotors, just need pads :) (http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=116341)

[ND4SPD]

sweet! muchos thanks... actually affordable too! heh - just gotta ask her a few quick questions.

i've known Crispy for a long time, but im not quite sure i would buy used brakes from ANYone...

[hamill]

I sold a used set a little over a year ago....to a guy with a Contour SVT....I sold them (all 4) for $125, he's had them on all summer, winter, etc and no problems. Rotors can be turned :)

[lauraq]

I have had them on my car for about 3 years now and I really like them. I will be replacing them with the same ones again, so I must still like them.