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So after a solid break-in and a little over a thousand miles on my new brake setup, figured I'd better post up with some after thoughts. Some may wonder why I did this as I was one of the original testers for the 15" Vanco brake kit many years ago. Original post from that upgrade is here:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=36966&hilit=Vanco+brake+upgrade
My only real answer to that question is well, after testing many sets of brake pads over the years, I was ready for another test. In addition, I am toying with the idea of moving up to a 35" tire and decided since my rotors were pretty well worn, I may as well just do a complete upgrade to my entire braking system.
As I had my entire front end torn apart for some basic maintenance, decided it was a good time to get the brakes done too-finish everything at once while it was all apart. Here's that thread for the newb's who may have never tackled a job like that before:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/p...=23&t=71897&hilit=basic+front+end+maintenance
So with the front end torn down, on re-install I added a few new brake "upgrades" to my Vanco brake kit. I had the original 15" kit with 46mm dual piston calipers, so for an "upgrade" to an already outstanding brake kit, I gave Blaine a call to see what he had to offer. Enter new 48mm dual-piston calipers, new Centric Premium rotors and the new Savvy "Black Magic" brake pads, along with fresh Valvoline synthetic fluid.
After install and working with Blaine for a very specific "break-in" bedding period, I have to admit at first I thought he was absolutely out of his mind for recommending the pads. A word of advice to those ready to install the pads-be absolutely 100% certain you are away from regular traffic and out away from other distractions as your initial stops are more of an attempt to stop at best as the pads warm up. I blew right through my initial stops as the brand new pads were only beginning to come to life and the initial stops are more of a "wake-up" call for both you and the pads. After a couple more stops according to Blaine's directions, the pads were slowly coming to life, and begining to bite back showing a willingness to get serious. Upon completion of the break-in period, the pads were most assuredly developing an aggressive attitude of their own, in the most surprising of ways. What is unexplainable at this point is it doesn't stop there-after several hundred miles, the pads only got better. Now, with over 1000 miles on the setup including heavy wheeling and trailer towing, I felt it necessary to post up with my findings. I have tested a lot of pads over the years, but THIS setup here is absolutely amazing. For those that have read my original Vanco brake upgrade, this new current setup only doubles the intensity of my original post. These brakes flat out get with it and get with it NOW! I can't really explain any difference between the two kits other than the aggressiveness of the Savvy Black Magic pads begin to bite, then bite with ferocity the more you use them. Like a pissed off pit-bull on steroids, these things just stop and stop now. While there is no real way to measure stopping distance accurately and repeatedly, I will say these new pads stop much quicker than my original setup. The stopping distance has been shortened greatly and speed of which they bite is greatly increased as well. I don't mean speed at which you touch the brake pedal then calipers/pads respond to rotor, I mean that once you hit the pedal, you are stopping now, as fast or as hard as you hit the brakes. They will easily lock the tires up, but you stop so fast without actually locking them up that it's crazy. No explanation as to why this is, it just is.
Bottom line is these brakes are incredible. If you already have the Vanco kit and want a little more, give these pads a shot-you'll be amazed at what they'll do to improve your current setup. For an outstanding brake improvement over stock for those that don't want to spend big money on a complete Vanco kit just yet, give Blaine a call for some Centric Premium rotors and the new Savvy Black Magic pads. While it's not a replacement for the Vanco kit, it is about as close as you'll get to improving the stock setup without spending the money on a full-blown kit. I have no noise from these pads that I had with others, they are quiet through and through. Regarding brake dust, I have nothing to report of significance with the little use I've had so far in roughly 1000 miles of use. Wheeling in low range, these pads are incredible and have no trouble stopping the rig-you won't push through these like you will with others in low range. These new pads actually saved me from a roll last week in some hard wheeling conditions that otherwise would have resulted in a roll for sure with my prior setup, and something serious enough that I likely wouldn't have walked away from it considering the terrain involved.
I never thought I'd ever need any more from my Vanco kit. I also didn't think it could get any better than the Vanco kit. These new Black Magic pads do just that and will definitely wake-up both a stock rig and a Vanco equipped rig. They are truly amazing. Keep in mind simply swapping rotors and pads will not be AS effective as a full Vanco upgrade, but they WILL add significant stopping power to an otherwise stock setup that is to date, unavailable with any other pad setup on the market. Whatever this "Black Magic" is, I don't know, but I do know full well it works. This is by far the best braking I've had of any setup I've run to date. For those on the fence deciding if they really want to mess with another new pad, just do it-you'll be glad you did.
Best of Luck,
Mike
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=36966&hilit=Vanco+brake+upgrade
My only real answer to that question is well, after testing many sets of brake pads over the years, I was ready for another test. In addition, I am toying with the idea of moving up to a 35" tire and decided since my rotors were pretty well worn, I may as well just do a complete upgrade to my entire braking system.
As I had my entire front end torn apart for some basic maintenance, decided it was a good time to get the brakes done too-finish everything at once while it was all apart. Here's that thread for the newb's who may have never tackled a job like that before:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/p...=23&t=71897&hilit=basic+front+end+maintenance
So with the front end torn down, on re-install I added a few new brake "upgrades" to my Vanco brake kit. I had the original 15" kit with 46mm dual piston calipers, so for an "upgrade" to an already outstanding brake kit, I gave Blaine a call to see what he had to offer. Enter new 48mm dual-piston calipers, new Centric Premium rotors and the new Savvy "Black Magic" brake pads, along with fresh Valvoline synthetic fluid.
After install and working with Blaine for a very specific "break-in" bedding period, I have to admit at first I thought he was absolutely out of his mind for recommending the pads. A word of advice to those ready to install the pads-be absolutely 100% certain you are away from regular traffic and out away from other distractions as your initial stops are more of an attempt to stop at best as the pads warm up. I blew right through my initial stops as the brand new pads were only beginning to come to life and the initial stops are more of a "wake-up" call for both you and the pads. After a couple more stops according to Blaine's directions, the pads were slowly coming to life, and begining to bite back showing a willingness to get serious. Upon completion of the break-in period, the pads were most assuredly developing an aggressive attitude of their own, in the most surprising of ways. What is unexplainable at this point is it doesn't stop there-after several hundred miles, the pads only got better. Now, with over 1000 miles on the setup including heavy wheeling and trailer towing, I felt it necessary to post up with my findings. I have tested a lot of pads over the years, but THIS setup here is absolutely amazing. For those that have read my original Vanco brake upgrade, this new current setup only doubles the intensity of my original post. These brakes flat out get with it and get with it NOW! I can't really explain any difference between the two kits other than the aggressiveness of the Savvy Black Magic pads begin to bite, then bite with ferocity the more you use them. Like a pissed off pit-bull on steroids, these things just stop and stop now. While there is no real way to measure stopping distance accurately and repeatedly, I will say these new pads stop much quicker than my original setup. The stopping distance has been shortened greatly and speed of which they bite is greatly increased as well. I don't mean speed at which you touch the brake pedal then calipers/pads respond to rotor, I mean that once you hit the pedal, you are stopping now, as fast or as hard as you hit the brakes. They will easily lock the tires up, but you stop so fast without actually locking them up that it's crazy. No explanation as to why this is, it just is.
Bottom line is these brakes are incredible. If you already have the Vanco kit and want a little more, give these pads a shot-you'll be amazed at what they'll do to improve your current setup. For an outstanding brake improvement over stock for those that don't want to spend big money on a complete Vanco kit just yet, give Blaine a call for some Centric Premium rotors and the new Savvy Black Magic pads. While it's not a replacement for the Vanco kit, it is about as close as you'll get to improving the stock setup without spending the money on a full-blown kit. I have no noise from these pads that I had with others, they are quiet through and through. Regarding brake dust, I have nothing to report of significance with the little use I've had so far in roughly 1000 miles of use. Wheeling in low range, these pads are incredible and have no trouble stopping the rig-you won't push through these like you will with others in low range. These new pads actually saved me from a roll last week in some hard wheeling conditions that otherwise would have resulted in a roll for sure with my prior setup, and something serious enough that I likely wouldn't have walked away from it considering the terrain involved.
I never thought I'd ever need any more from my Vanco kit. I also didn't think it could get any better than the Vanco kit. These new Black Magic pads do just that and will definitely wake-up both a stock rig and a Vanco equipped rig. They are truly amazing. Keep in mind simply swapping rotors and pads will not be AS effective as a full Vanco upgrade, but they WILL add significant stopping power to an otherwise stock setup that is to date, unavailable with any other pad setup on the market. Whatever this "Black Magic" is, I don't know, but I do know full well it works. This is by far the best braking I've had of any setup I've run to date. For those on the fence deciding if they really want to mess with another new pad, just do it-you'll be glad you did.
Best of Luck,
Mike