Wilwood Brake upgrade 6 piston fixed review

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

MRV99

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Posts
409
Reaction score
519
Location
HOme
When the group buy popped up on the forum for the 6 piston Wilwood which FIT the stock 17' wheels, it was take my money and send them. But now that I have 8 months on this setup: Do I have buyers remorse? Was this just another overpriced upgrade? Would I do it again? These last 2 months put the Wilwood's to the test and can give you an update on my feelings. Not that I am a brake expert but I have many many years and 1000+ laps on the racetracks with multiple cars. I have experience with Brembo, AP Radical, Audi SQ5(fixed 6 piston's), BMW ///M brakes, Standard BMW and Ford F150's so I feel i have experience different types.

Daily Driving: Yes they stop better. Some will say you can only stop as fast as the tires and antilock will allow. Yes/No but I can tell you there is a feel of confidence which exceeds the stock F150 brakes. This is my 1st raptor(2019) but i had 2 F150's (gen 12 and gen 13 lariat ) prior and did the same truck stuff as the raptor. Past F150's had 305/20's so i was used to the larger/heavier tire on stock F150 binders... Wilwood just feel better. Confidence is there no matter what so day to day it was a win in my book. Plus they look great

Towing: Now I have a Raptor and we all know that these are not tow monsters. I have a Small Jayco SLX 184BS (3350 dry with 3814 on the scale) and a 12' enclose trailer. Did some race watching at Road America and it was the first time I did long distance towing with the TT. I now have 1000's of miles on the Wilwood's and basically forget the upgrade was done. I was doing 65 on the highway through Milwaukee in medium traffic. Come around a slight bend and there it was, stupid people doing stupid things required panic braking.... those 6 piston's just dug in and there was no pucker. I have had to do some aggressive braking in the past with the TT and you had that oh shit feeling but this time, it just stopped..... When it was all over and we were on our way, the wife said "I completely understand why you spend stupid money on brakes for our cars". HAHAHAH granted we all have Big Brakes on every car we own but if we don't, I have the Green light 100% of the time
:p

Mountain Driving: The oldest is off to college and picked Colorado to begin his collegiate journey. We are from Illinois so road trip! His hand me down SQ5 was packed up and the Raptor followed with the bigger stuff. Moved the kid in, fed him one last time and then was told "Get out of here so you don't embarrass me".... So off we went. We then spend a few days, driving the mountains and exploring different towns. We did highway mountain driving and slower speed scenic passes. I have been driving in the mountains for 30 years and have driven many types of cars from your go fast and fun your basic car. This was the first time with the Raptor and let me start off by saying, these Brakes were AWESOME in this environment. No matter what speed, no matter how long you had to be on the brakes, there was NO fade and they had what felt like unlimited stopping power. From the panic brake grab due to the Deer approaching the road to your typical 6% downgrade speed control. They performed awesome! Once again, i got the acknowledgement from the wife that she like the brakes!!! The only downside I can say about the Wilwoods, was when I got into SteamBoat Springs after the few hours of mountain driving was the screech!!!. Pulled to the first stoplight and you would have though I had a track car with cold brakes. They squealed like a pig.... and every stop after that. I immediately hit the first pressure washing place I could find. Hosed down the binders and the noise was gone.... Small price to pay for the enjoyment of these brakes.


So in summation, if you are hesitant to buy the Wilwood's you can be sure it will be a excellent purchase.
 
Last edited:

TomDirt

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Posts
3,229
Reaction score
9,079
Location
Hesperia CA
When the group buy popped up on the forum for the 6 piston Wilwood which FIT the stock 17' wheels, it was take my money and send them. But now that I have 8 months on this setup: Do I have buyers remorse? Was this just another overpriced upgrade? Would I do it again? These last 2 months put the Wilwood's to the test and can give you an update on my feelings. Not that I am a brake expert but I have many many years and 1000+ laps on the racetracks with multiple cars. I have experience with Brembo, AP Radical, Audi SQ5(fixed 6 piston's), BMW ///M brakes, Standard BMW and Ford F150's so I feel i have experience different types.

Daily Driving: Yes they stop better. Some will say you can only stop as fast as the tires and antilock will allow. Yes/No but I can tell you there is a feel of confidence which exceeds the stock F150 brakes. This is my 1st raptor(2019) but i had 2 F150's (gen 12 and gen 13 lariat ) prior and did the same truck stuff as the raptor. Past F150's had 305/20's so i was used to the larger/heavier tire on stock F150 binders... Wilwood just feel better. Confidence is there no matter what so day to day it was a win in my book. Plus they look great

Towing: Now I have a Raptor and we all know that these are not tow monsters. I have a Small Jayco SLX 184BS (3350 dry with 3814 on the scale) and a 12' enclose trailer. Did some race watching at Road America and it was the first time I did long distance towing with the TT. I now have 1000's of miles on the Wilwood's and basically forget the upgrade was done. I was doing 65 on the highway through Milwaukee in medium traffic. Come around a slight bend and there it was, stupid people doing stupid things required panic braking.... those 6 piston's just dug in and there was no pucker. I have had to do some aggressive braking in the past with the TT and you had that oh shit feeling but this time, it just stopped..... When it was all over and we were on our way, the wife said "I completely understand why you spend stupid money on brakes for our cars". HAHAHAH granted we all have Big Brakes on every car we own but if we don't, I have the Green light 100% of the time
:p

Mountain Driving: The oldest is off to college and picked Colorado to begin his collegiate journey. We are from Illinois so road trip! His hand me down SQ5 was packed up and the Raptor followed with the bigger stuff. Moved the kid in, fed him one last time and then was told "Get out of here so you don't embarrass me".... So off we went. We then spend a few days, driving the mountains and exploring different towns. We did highway mountain driving and slower speed scenic passes. I have been driving in the mountains for 30 years and have driven many types of cars from your go fast and fun your basic car. This was the first time with the Raptor and let me start off by saying, these Brakes were AWESOME in this environment. No matter what speed, no matter how long you had to be on the brakes, there was NO fade and they had what felt like unlimited stopping power. From the panic brake grab due to the Deer approaching the road to your typical 6% downgrade speed control. They performed awesome! Once again, i got the acknowledgement from the wife that she like the brakes!!! The only downside I can say about the Wilwoods, was when I got into SteamBoat Springs after the few hours of mountain driving was the screech!!!. Pulled to the first stoplight and you would have though I had a track car with cold brakes. They squealed like a pig.... and every stop after that. I immediately hit the first pressure washing place I could find. Hosed down the binders and the noise was gone.... Small price to pay for the enjoyment of these brakes.


So in summation, if you are hesitant to buy the Wilwood's you can be sure it will be a excellent purchase.
So.... they paid for themselves by avoiding a collision, including both property damage and personal injuries.

Good to know.
 
OP
OP
MRV99

MRV99

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Posts
409
Reaction score
519
Location
HOme
So.... they paid for themselves by avoiding a collision, including both property damage and personal injuries.

Good to know.
Sure did.... The initial readings on these brakes were like 1-2 truck lengths shorter stopping which to me is a massive amount and sold me on the upgrade. The rest is just additional proof and benefit from having better brakes.
 

TomDirt

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Posts
3,229
Reaction score
9,079
Location
Hesperia CA
Here's an interesting comparison:
Ford's Raptor-spec Gen 1 front shock sells for around $440, while the generic F-150 shocks go for around $45 (RockAuto).
Meanwhile, a set of generic front brake calipers, rotors & pads is $360-410, while the Wilwoods retail for around $1700 (for calipers, rotors, pads & lines). If Ford SVT had partnered with Wilwood to design a Raptor-spec front caliper/pad set; how much would those cost today? If Wilwood had the opportunity to make a bolt-on replacement caliper for the most popular vehicle on the planet, (with millions of potential customers), how much cheaper would they be?
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
MRV99

MRV99

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Posts
409
Reaction score
519
Location
HOme
Welcome to the world of OEM. BREMBO partners with many manufactures to provide their equipment as OEM.
 

Zeusmotorworks

Semi-retired, now just a happy grumpy old man!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2017
Posts
2,320
Reaction score
4,003
Location
Northwest shore of Lake Travis
I've only ever upgraded from Brembo pads on my so equipped street cars. Everything else was gold. Had to do Alcons on the Raptor. Would have done Wilwood had they been available at the time.
 

STHenry

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Posts
108
Reaction score
58
Location
So Cal
Great write up. I did the upgrade on my Gen 2 and it was one of the best upgrades. They just provide better pedal control and never seemed to fade. It is on my list of upgrades on the Gen 3 now. Just waiting until I rotate the tires.
 

Reaper308

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
Posts
509
Reaction score
638
Location
Texas
Great write up getting ready to do a shock rebuild and a wilwood big brake kits is being done at the same time. Can’t wait!
 

MDJAK

FRF Addict
Joined
Feb 23, 2019
Posts
4,991
Reaction score
7,145
Location
NY
Great writeup OP.
I have some track time in my former 911s, not as much as OP, but I think I know quality brakes also. I’ve never had to use the brakes in my 4 Raptors so much that they ever experienced fade.

I’ve also never thought the brakes on my Raptors weren’t adequate nor did they ever give me that ass-pucker feeling.

I don’t doubt the upgrade is worth it, especially for the shorter stopping distances reported.

I would like to ask what causes the reporter squeal, as my wife’s Cayenne GTs with the surface coated brakes does it since new when going slow and espec when backing up. It’s really annoying.
 
Top