27/06/2002
When it comes to vehicle safety and performance, the braking system is undoubtedly one of the most critical components. For enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike seeking superior stopping power, enhanced durability, and a significant upgrade over standard factory parts, brands like TAROX stand out. You might be wondering, with such a reputable name, exactly how many TAROX brake kits are available, or what the full extent of their offering entails? While TAROX doesn't strictly define a numerical 'count' of kits, they provide a comprehensive suite of braking solutions designed to cater to a diverse range of vehicles and driving demands.
Rather than a fixed number of 'kits', TAROX offers a modular approach to performance braking, allowing drivers to upgrade their systems in stages or opt for a complete overhaul. This flexibility ensures that whether you're looking for a subtle enhancement for spirited road driving or a full-blown racing setup, TAROX has a solution. Their product range can broadly be categorised into several key areas, each designed to elevate your vehicle's braking performance.
Understanding TAROX's Braking Solutions
TAROX's philosophy revolves around delivering precision-engineered components that work synergistically to provide an unmatched braking experience. This means their 'kits' often refer to a combination of components tailored for specific applications. Let's explore the main categories of their offerings:
1. Complete Big Brake Kits (BBKs)
For those seeking the ultimate upgrade in stopping power, feel, and aesthetic appeal, TAROX Big Brake Kits are the pinnacle. These comprehensive packages are designed to replace your vehicle's entire front or rear braking assembly with high-performance components. A typical TAROX BBK includes:
- Multi-Piston Calipers: TAROX calipers are renowned for their strength, light weight, and efficient heat dissipation. Available in various piston configurations (e.g., 6-piston, 8-piston), they provide significantly increased clamping force and improved pedal feel compared to single-piston factory calipers. Their monobloc construction often contributes to superior rigidity and precision.
- High-Performance Discs/Rotors: The heart of any braking system, TAROX discs are available in a variety of designs to suit different needs. Options typically include drilled, grooved (like the F2000 or Sport Japan lines), or J-hook patterns. These designs are not just for show; they aid in pad deglazing, gas venting, and cooling, which are crucial for preventing fade during hard braking. Made from high-carbon cast iron, they offer excellent thermal stability.
- Performance Brake Pads: Each BBK is supplied with a set of TAROX performance brake pads, specifically chosen to complement the caliper and disc combination. These pads come in various compounds, from those suited for aggressive street driving to full-race compounds, offering different levels of friction, temperature resistance, and wear characteristics.
- Braided Brake Hoses: As highlighted in the provided information, TAROX includes high-quality braided stainless steel brake hoses in their BBKs. These hoses eliminate the spongy pedal feel associated with expanding rubber hoses under pressure, providing a firm, consistent pedal. Our hoses are manufactured by hand using the finest European materials, ensuring reliability and a direct feel.
- Mounting Hardware: All necessary brackets and hardware are included for a direct, bolt-on fit, ensuring a seamless installation process.
These complete kits are engineered for specific vehicle models, ensuring optimal fitment and performance integration.
2. Performance Discs/Rotors
For drivers who don't require a full caliper upgrade but still want to enhance their braking performance, TAROX offers a wide range of standalone performance discs. These are direct replacements for OEM rotors but feature advanced designs and materials for improved heat management and friction. Popular options include:
- TAROX F2000: Characterised by their unique curved grooves, these discs excel at degassing, cleaning the pad surface, and providing excellent initial bite. Ideal for fast road and light track use.
- TAROX Sport Japan: Featuring drilled holes and straight grooves, these discs offer superior cooling and a strong bite, making them suitable for demanding street driving and occasional track days.
- TAROX Zero: A plain faced disc, often chosen for specific racing applications where maximum pad contact and durability are prioritised, or for those who prefer a more understated look.
Upgrading to TAROX performance discs alone can significantly reduce brake fade and improve overall stopping power, especially when paired with compatible performance pads.
3. Performance Brake Pads
TAROX offers an extensive line of brake pads designed to work with both OEM and TAROX discs. These pads are available in various compounds, each formulated for specific driving conditions:
- Street Compounds: Designed for daily driving, offering improved bite, reduced dust, and less noise than standard pads, while still performing well in varied conditions.
- Fast Road/Trackday Compounds: A step up, providing higher friction coefficients, better fade resistance at elevated temperatures, and suitable for spirited driving or occasional track use.
- Race Compounds: Formulated for extreme track conditions, offering maximum friction and fade resistance at very high temperatures, though they may produce more noise and dust, and require heat to work optimally.
Choosing the right pad compound is crucial for optimising your braking system's feel and safety for your specific driving style.
4. Brake Fluid & Hoses
Often overlooked, brake fluid and hoses are vital components of any high-performance braking system. TAROX offers premium upgrades in this area:
- TAROX ‘Roadrace’ Fluid: As mentioned, this high-performance brake fluid is engineered for outstanding performance on road or track. It boasts a high boiling point, crucial for resisting fluid vaporisation during heavy braking, which can lead to a soft or non-existent pedal. Using TAROX ‘Roadrace’ fluid ensures consistent pedal feel and reliability under extreme conditions.
- Braided Brake Hoses: Hand-manufactured using the finest European materials, these hoses are a finishing touch that significantly impacts pedal feel. Unlike standard rubber hoses that can expand under pressure, braided lines provide a much firmer and more consistent pedal, transmitting braking force directly to the calipers without loss. This translates to better modulation and a more responsive braking system.
These fluid and hose upgrades, while not 'kits' in themselves, are integral parts of a complete TAROX braking solution and are essential for unlocking the full potential of any brake upgrade.
The TAROX Advantage: Why Upgrade?
Investing in TAROX braking components offers a multitude of benefits beyond just increased stopping power:
- Superior Fade Resistance: High-performance discs and pads, combined with high-boiling point fluid, drastically reduce brake fade, ensuring consistent stopping power even during prolonged, aggressive driving.
- Enhanced Pedal Feel and Modulation: Braided hoses and precisely engineered calipers provide a firmer, more responsive pedal, allowing for finer control over braking force.
- Improved Durability and Longevity: TAROX components are built to withstand the rigours of high-performance driving, offering a longer lifespan than standard OEM parts under similar conditions.
- Reduced Stopping Distances: The primary goal of any brake upgrade is to stop faster. TAROX systems achieve this through superior friction, heat management, and component synergy.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With their distinctive caliper designs and disc patterns, TAROX kits also add a high-performance visual appeal to your vehicle.
Choosing the Right TAROX Solution
With a range of products available, selecting the ideal TAROX solution depends on several factors:
- Your Driving Style: Are you a casual driver, a spirited road enthusiast, or a dedicated track day participant?
- Vehicle Application: TAROX designs specific kits for a vast array of vehicles, from compact hatchbacks to high-performance sports cars.
- Budget: Upgrades can range from a cost-effective fluid and hose swap to a significant investment in a full Big Brake Kit.
- Desired Performance Level: Do you need a slight improvement, or are you aiming for maximum performance for competitive use?
It's always recommended to consult with a reputable automotive specialist or TAROX dealer to ensure you select the most appropriate components for your specific needs and vehicle.
Comparative Look at Brake Upgrade Paths
To further illustrate the scope of TAROX's offerings, consider the following general comparison of typical upgrade paths:
| Upgrade Level | Components Involved | Key Benefits | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Enhancement | TAROX Performance Brake Pads, TAROX Roadrace Fluid, Braided Hoses | Improved initial bite, reduced fade, firmer pedal feel | Spirited road driving, daily drivers seeking better response |
| Mid-Level Upgrade | TAROX Performance Discs (e.g., F2000, Sport Japan), Performance Pads, Roadrace Fluid, Braided Hoses | Significantly better heat dissipation, consistent stopping, strong bite, reduced fade | Aggressive road driving, occasional track days, heavier vehicles |
| Full Big Brake Kit (BBK) | Multi-Piston Calipers, Large Performance Discs, Race/Performance Pads, Roadrace Fluid, Braided Hoses, Mounting Hardware | Ultimate stopping power, superior fade resistance, precise modulation, dramatic aesthetic improvement | Dedicated track cars, high-performance street cars, heavy-duty applications, enthusiasts demanding the absolute best |
Frequently Asked Questions About TAROX Brakes
Q1: Do I need to upgrade all my brake components at once?
A: Not necessarily. As outlined, TAROX offers modular upgrades. You can start with performance pads and fluid, then move to discs, and finally a full BBK. However, for optimal performance and safety, a balanced upgrade where components are designed to work together is always recommended. For serious performance gains, a complete system upgrade yields the best results.
Q2: What is brake fade, and how do TAROX brakes prevent it?
A: Brake fade is the reduction in braking power that occurs when the brake system overheats, typically during prolonged or aggressive use. It can manifest as a spongy pedal or a complete loss of braking effectiveness. TAROX brakes prevent fade through superior heat management (vented, grooved, or drilled discs), high-temperature resistant pad compounds, and high-boiling point brake fluid, all designed to maintain performance under extreme thermal loads.
Q3: How often should I change my TAROX brake fluid?
A: Even high-performance fluids like TAROX ‘Roadrace’ fluid absorb moisture over time, which lowers their boiling point. For optimal performance and safety, it's generally recommended to change brake fluid every 1-2 years for street use, or more frequently (e.g., every 6-12 months or after every few track days) for vehicles used in performance or racing applications. Always refer to your vehicle's or fluid manufacturer's specific recommendations.
Q4: Are performance brakes noisy?
A: Some level of noise (squeal, groan) can be more common with performance brake pads compared to standard OEM pads, especially with more aggressive compounds designed for track use. This is often due to the higher friction materials and operating temperatures. However, TAROX designs its street-oriented pads to minimise noise and dust while still offering significant performance improvements. Proper installation and bedding-in procedures can also help reduce noise.
Q5: Will TAROX brakes fit my specific car model?
A: TAROX designs its brake kits and components for a vast array of vehicle makes and models. Their kits are typically vehicle-specific, ensuring a direct bolt-on fit without modifications. It's crucial to specify your exact vehicle make, model, and year when inquiring about TAROX products to ensure compatibility and receive the correct components for your application.
In conclusion, while there isn't a single numerical answer to "how many TAROX brake kits are there?", the brand offers a comprehensive and modular range of braking solutions. From individual components like their meticulously hand-manufactured hoses and high-performance ‘Roadrace’ fluid to complete Big Brake Kits, TAROX provides enthusiasts with the means to significantly enhance their vehicle's stopping power, reliability, and overall driving experience. Their commitment to quality and performance ensures that every TAROX component is a worthy investment in your vehicle's safety and capabilities.
If you want to read more articles similar to Unpacking TAROX Brake Kits: Your Ultimate Guide, you can visit the Brakes category.