It's interesting to watch tuner cars build ultimate horsepower without balancing the vehicle by providing adequate stopping power. In professional racing, setting the best lap time doesn't just depend on how fast you can make it down a straight, or accelerate out of a corner. One of the most critical factors is how consistently late you can brake. Having a comprehensive brake package can give you the edge, shaving time off your lap, which could make the difference from finishing first or last.
Elsewhere in this issue, you saw how Evolution Racewerks' '08 BMW 135i project car set faster lap times than its competitors, including a comparable 135i. It may have been a combination of performance upgrades such as the tuner's hand-built front-mount intercooler, downpipe and exhaust, or KW Clubsport suspension and Snow Performance water/methanol injection. However, it could have been its brakes - the first Brembo Gran Turismo aftermarket kit for the new BMW 1-Series, to be exact.
We were curious about the installation, since we have our own Project 135i, so we infiltrated ER's facility in Southern California to gather the tuner's first impressions. The install was completed a couple of months prior to the Super Lap Battle Finals at Buttonwillow Raceway, and took less than two hours to complete.
We were skeptical about the new Brembo GT brakes at first because the OE equipment is very impressive. Engineered by Brembo and utilizing six-piston front calipers, they're among the best BMW has ever sold. These new six-piston Brembo GT calipers were lighter than stock, however, and featured a larger pad surface area to provide consistent stopping power.
You can also choose between several colors for your calipers, including the traditional red, as well as black, silver and yellow.
In addition, the two-piece aftermarket Brembo GT rotors were larger in diameter, measuring 14" compared to the OE 13.3" rotors. They were also slotted to provide superior pad bite and endure the stress of track use.
One snag is that once the new Brembos were installed, the stock 18" wheels could no longer be used. Fortunately, ER already had 18x10" Forgeline wheels, which cleared the new brakes without difficulty.
Following Super Lap Battle, the crew at ER (including its professional driver VJ Mirzayan who races for Turner Motorsport) had nothing but positive comments about the Brembo brakes. Although the team used more advanced pads for the track, Brembo engineered its kit for daily street use, so have retained pedal feel and minimum noise. And while we know they work well on the track, they will also provide more assurance on your street car.
The Brembo Gran Turismo front brake kit retails for $3694.99, although we've seen it discounted by up to $350 online. While expensive, it will provide extra stoppping power for track day regulars, while the red calipers and slotted rotors are undeniably more appealing than the stock parts.
1. Remove wheels |  2. Loosen rotor retaining...  2. Loosen rotor retaining screw using a 6mm Allen wrench. |  3. Pull brake line off bracket....  3. Pull brake line off bracket. Now loosen the brake line fitting with two 11m flare out nut wrenches, holding from the top and bottom. Place a container below because fluid will drop from the hose. |
 4. Remove the two 18mm bolts...  4. Remove the two 18mm bolts holding the brake caliper to the hub. |  5. Remove the rotor by unscrewing...  5. Remove the rotor by unscrewing the loosened 6mm Allen screw in step 2 |  6. Prepare Brembo rotor by...  6. Prepare Brembo rotor by cleaning the rotor surface with brake cleaner |
 7. Modify the brake dust cover...  7. Modify the brake dust cover to fit Brembo caliper bracket by trimming the bottom section until bracket safely clears |  8. Install rotor by reusing...  8. Install rotor by reusing the 6mm Allen screw. Ensure rotor is mounted securely with vents rotating counterclockwise and tighten screw to 15lb-ft |  9. Install Brembo caliper...  9. Install Brembo caliper bracket using two 18mm bolts, torque to 35 lb-ft |
 10. Ensure a washer is on...  10. Ensure a washer is on both the top and bottom sides of the fitting. Secure using a 14mm wrench |  11. Before installing the...  11. Before installing the caliper, fit the new stainless lines to the caliper. |  12. Use the Brembo-supplied...  12. Use the Brembo-supplied 10mm hex socket bolts, fit the caliper onto the bracket. Torque to 35 lb-ft |
 13. Slide the two rubber grommets...  13. Slide the two rubber grommets onto brake line brackets to secure it in place |  14. Secure the line by using...  14. Secure the line by using an 11m flare nut wrench on the bottom of the nut and 15mm flare nut wrench on top |  15. Installation done! Repeat...  15. Installation done! Repeat on the other side and use brake cleaner on the rotors. After the brakes are installed, bleed the fluid according to BMW specifications |