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stillen brakes

At Stillen, we’re not just about selling aftermarket performance parts; we’re about living the lifestyle. That’s why when the opportunity arose to be part of the Tundras to Sedona: Parker Edition event, we jumped on it with both hands on the wheel. This annual gathering of Tundra enthusiasts is a celebration of community, adventure, and of course, trucks.

STILLEN Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

Even though it was our first year sponsoring the event, it certainly won’t be our last. Being surrounded by fellow enthusiasts and getting to hit the trails together was an unforgettable experience. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.

STILLEN Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

But it wasn’t all about socializing and scenic drives. We took advantage of the rugged terrain to put some of our newest products to the test. Our 2018 Toyota Tundra served as the perfect canvas for showcasing our latest innovations.

STILLEN Cat-Back Exhaust for the Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

First up, our new cat-back exhaust system for the second-generation Tundra. Crafted with precision engineering and designed to deliver enhanced performance and that signature Stillen sound, it proved to be a hit both on and off the road. Even with towing a trailer and climbing hills, the exhaust never droned or got loud enough to disturb the cabin. However, it makes an awesome roar at cold start and lets the V8 be heard at wide-open throttle. Keep an eye out for a shorter version for our most hardcore off-road oriented customers.

STILLEN Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

Then there’s our Carbon Fiber hood, a stylish and functional addition that adds a touch of aggression to the Tundra’s already bold aesthetic. Paired with Stillen’s Slotted rotors, it’s a combination that’s as eye-catching as it is performance-driven.

STILLEN Front Bumper for the Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

Of course, no off-road adventure would be complete without the right gear. Our new prototype desert-style tube front bumper not only adds protection but also enhances the Tundra’s off-road capabilities, allowing it to conquer even the toughest trails with ease.

TruPower by STILLEN Cold Air Intake Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

And let’s not forget about the heart of the beast – our TruPower by STILLEN Cold Air intake. Designed to maximize airflow and improve engine performance, it’s the perfect complement to any Tundra build.

STILLEN Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

With over 1,000 miles of testing under our belt just on this trip alone, we can confidently say that our products are built to perform, whether you’re cruising down the highway or tackling rugged terrain. And to share the love with our fellow enthusiasts, we even raffled off a set of our drilled and slotted performance rotors and pads to one lucky winner.

STILLEN Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

As we pack up and head home from Parker, we’re filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible event. We’re already counting down the days until next year’s Tundra’s to Sedona, and we can’t wait to see where the road takes us next. Until then, keep on trucking, and remember – adventure awaits with Stillen by your side.


TUNDRAS TO SEDONA: PARKER EDITION 2024

STILLEN Toyota Tundra at Tundras to Sedona Parker Edition Event 2024

To see the Full STILLEN Recap at Tundra To Sedona, please visit our Facebook page.

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Introducing Cindy, the project dailydriver Miata.

At STILLEN, we’re mostly known for working with Nissan and Infiniti models, but did you know we offer brakes for virtually every make and model? Yep, whether you’ve got a 1985 Ford Escort or a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 with factory 4-wheel discs to a 2017 Nissan 370Z to even a first-year NA6 Mazda Miata. That last one’s our project-car-du-jour, the idea here being a basic, street-friendly daily driver Miata that can still perform, without diminishing its fantastic fuel economy or streetability. For as long as we’ve been around, we’ve been making high performance brakes – STILLEN Brake Pros might not be a household name, but those in the know are fans of the STILLEN Brake Pros range of brake parts. As with all STILLEN builds, the goal here is to improve the car without making it uncomfortable or impractical.

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STILLEN Metal Matrix Front Pads for NA6 / Rear Pads for NA6 + Blank STILLEN Front Rotors for NA6 / Blank STILLEN Rear Rotors for NA6

As with any older car, basic maintenance is a given. The OEM NA6 Miata brakes are a bit small, and the cheapie replacement rotors and pads that were on the car when it came to us leave a lot to be desired. While their performance is adequate, they certainly could have a better bite and feel. While we had the Miata out of commission for a Clutch Replacement (stay tuned for the post about that), we took the opportunity to replace the brakes while we were at it.

Since we’re not doing much powerwise for the Miata, we opted for a set of STILLEN Metal Matrix Brake Pads. STILLEN Metal Matrix pads offer a great compromise of stopping power and low dust output, for a reasonable price. As brakes go, they offer a great bang for the buck. We do want to note here that these are not race brakes, but more ‘OEM+’, an improvement over the original factory equipment – a more efficient way to use the OEM brake setup.

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As for the rotors, since this is a daily, and for the sake of subtlety, we went with blank rotors. These high-quality premium STILLEN Brake Pros Rotors have a higher carbon content and higher quality materials, so while it’s identical to the stock part, the actual composition means this rotor will dissipate heat more efficiently than stock. It’s worth saying that the main performance advantages to be had are in the machining process – be that slotting, cross-drilling or both – but the rotors composition also can improve performance.

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The OEM heat shields on the Miata’s brakes have a clever little divot to ensure that cool air is routed into the center of the rotors. Being designed as track-friendly, the brakes swapped on in minutes. Frankly, jacking up the car, securing it on stands and pulling off the wheels took more time than swapping the front brakes did. The rear brakes are non-vented, so the higher carbon content helps prevent brake fade. STILLEN offers the replacement rotors for the Miata and most vehicles as cross-drilled, slotted, or both, and as we said earlier, the machining does offer a significant performance benefit.

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The rear brakes were a bit more of a challenge, but the trick to these is knowing you have to remove the 10mm “concealment plug” adjacent to the park brake bracket bolt in order for the calipers to release the rear pads, and as with many rear brake systems, the rear caliper pistons must be ‘spun’ clockwise back into place, as opposed to compression like is used up front.

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While we’ve only had the brakes on the car long enough to bed them in and start ‘feeling them out’, even just commuting, stopping power is smoother and noticeably more aggressive than the previous set of pads. Braking performance is stronger, quieter and smoother – the STILLEN BrakePros parts delivered on what they promised to do. These are application specific, and as we said, STILLEN offers performance replacement brake components for pretty much anything.

Need brakes for your car? Odds are, we’ve got something for your vehicle, and your style – plain, drilled, slotted or both! Give us a call today at 1-888-250-5542, chat live with the TEAM STILLEN right on www.stillen.com or stop by the showroom anytime during regular business hours.

Best Brake System 101: Rotors Pads stillen_u_banner_v1

Want to know more about brake pads? Check out BRAKE PADS 101, part of the STILLEN U educational series.

Thanks for reading, see you next time!