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SF-Tuning LTD / Brake Knowledge / Part 2

HEAT IS
THE ENEMY.

Part two of our Big Brake Kits Explained guide: heat management, braking leverage, two-piece discs, stopping distance and choosing the right performance braking system.

← BACK TO PART 1
Heat Is The Enemy

MANAGING
THE HEAT.

Every time you brake, the braking system converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat through friction between the brake pads and discs.

The harder and more frequently you brake, the more heat the system has to deal with.

Larger brake discs generally provide greater thermal capacity. Depending on their design, they can also provide increased surface area and ventilation to help manage and dissipate heat.

This becomes particularly important on high-powered vehicles, heavy vans, modified cars, towing vehicles and cars driven enthusiastically.

03
It's Physics

BIGGER DISCS.
MORE LEVERAGE.

Disc diameter isn't only about heat capacity.

Increasing the effective radius at which the brake caliper acts on the disc can increase the braking torque produced for a given clamping force.

Think of it like using a longer spanner on a bolt. Applying force further away from the centre creates more leverage.

However, increasing disc diameter also affects factors including wheel clearance, unsprung mass and brake balance. That's why a brake conversion should be developed as a complete package.

High performance big brake kit and braking system engineering
Engineered To Perform

THE COMPLETE
BRAKING SYSTEM.

Bigger discs, multi-piston calipers and performance pads are only part of the equation. The real performance comes from selecting components that work together for the vehicle and the way it's going to be used.

The Goal

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT
THE FIRST STOP.
IT'S ABOUT THE TENTH.

SF-Tuning two-piece performance brake discs
Performance Hardware

WHAT ABOUT
TWO-PIECE DISCS?

For higher-performance applications, a two-piece brake disc can provide additional advantages.

Rather than manufacturing the disc as one solid component, a two-piece design separates the friction ring from the centre bell.

Depending on the design and application, this can help reduce weight and improve the way the assembly manages thermal expansion.

Two-piece discs also provide enormous flexibility when developing bespoke performance brake conversions because disc dimensions can be engineered around the requirements of the vehicle and caliper.

Explore 2-Piece Discs →
Myth Busting

DO BIG
BRAKES
STOP YOU
FASTER?

Potentially — but this needs some context.

Your tyres provide the connection between the vehicle and the road.

If the standard braking system can already generate enough braking torque to exceed the available tyre grip and trigger ABS, simply fitting enormous brakes won't magically overcome the grip available from the tyres.

Where a big brake kit really earns its place is its ability to provide greater thermal capacity and more consistent braking during repeated demanding use.

Combine a properly developed braking system with quality tyres, appropriate pads, good brake fluid and correctly functioning suspension, and you have a much more complete performance package.

Is A BBK For You?

WHO BENEFITS FROM
BIGGER BRAKES?

Modified Cars

Vehicles producing significantly more power than their original factory specification.

Heavy Vans

Transporters, campers and working vans carrying additional weight or increased power.

Fast Road

Enthusiast vehicles regularly experiencing demanding, repeated braking.

Track Cars

Vehicles requiring repeatable braking through multiple high-speed stops.

Show Builds

Because sometimes you simply want an enormous set of Porsche brakes behind your wheels.

Since 2017

WHY
SF-TUNING LTD?

SF-Tuning LTD began because we experienced the same problem many enthusiasts still face today.

You find a caliper from one supplier. A disc from another. Then you need brackets, brake lines, pads and hardware — while trying to work out whether any of it actually fits together.

We thought there should be a better way.

Using our background in design engineering and manufacturing, we began developing complete brake conversion solutions around proven high-performance OEM braking hardware.

Since 2017, we've helped thousands of customers worldwide source everything from complete big brake kits to individual, hard-to-find braking components.

Today our conversions cover vehicles including Volkswagen Golf, VW Caddy, VW Transporter, Audi A3, S3 and RS models, SEAT/CUPRA, Skoda, Porsche and Ford applications.

Build Your Braking System

PERFORMANCE BRAKE COMPONENTS

Brake Calipers Brake Discs 2-Piece Discs Brake Pads Braided Brake Lines Wheel Spacers

WE OBSESS OVER
YOUR BRAKES.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

FIND YOUR BRAKES   →