What is perhaps one of the best-respected names in performance braking, Alcon Pro System Brakes, highlighted some of its best brake systems for street and competition use at SEMA 2018. Its newest offerings for the aftermarket/street market are the RC4 and RC6. These big-brake kits are the sportiest offerings for BMW and Nissan bolt-on performance for those who want to test their car’s abilities and run quick laps at the track without fearing fade or fire.
Aftermarket/Street Applications
Of these two, the RC4 is the introductory model. This system uses a forged, two-piece, four-piston caliper, as well as fairly hefty disc sizes ranging from 330 x 28mm to 380 x 32mm. The pad area — 66.1cm² — provides more than enough for an M1, M2, or M3 to decelerate forcefully and repeatedly.
The slightly larger variant, the RC6, is much the same, but larger. It uses a forged, two-piece, six-piston caliper, with disc sizes ranging from 380 x 34mm to 410 x 36mm. This allows for a pad area of 117.5cm², and provides enough stopping power for a heavyweight like the Nissan R35 GT-R.
For the Corvette and Pro Touring crowds, Alcon created its new Pro Touring kits for the C5 and C6 generations.
This six- and four-piston setup is designed to work with stock Z06 wheel fitment for Corvettes — no need for aftermarket wheels — and is optimized for stopping power with the stock master cylinder. It even retains the stock parking brake! This full-floating system is a great bolt-on modification for someone who wants their modern ‘Vette to stop harder and more consistently on the road course or the street.
Race Applications
The race brakes were no less impressive, particularly the massive TA6 brake system, which caters to the GT1, T/A, and GTS categories. It’s a six-piston, staggered-bore design for better pedal feel and reduced pad tape, its aircraft aluminum-alloy provides superior strength at high temperatures, while a mono-block construction offers increased caliper stiffness.
Additionally, the TA6 offers a large pad area and volume for maximum braking performance and pad life, with titanium-nitrided stainless-steel pistons and ventilated piston inserts to reduce heat transfer through the brake fluid. For brakes you can rely on in the heat of battle — in light or heavy cars — these items are ideal.
For more on Alcon and their incredible lineup, you can visit their website here.