Our Top Recommended Big Brake Upgrade Kits For Your Ultima
Cameron gets asked about the Ultima a few times a year, and the conversation always starts in the same place: what has the owner done to the car, and what wheels is it running? This is not a car with a factory brake specification to match. An Ultima GTR making 500bhp and running hard circuit sessions calls for different brakes from a Can-Am built for weekend road use. The chassis is the same family; the demands on the brakes are not.
HiSpec list nine kits for the Ultima, all front-axle conversions. There are three caliper families: the Billet 4 at 310mm as the entry road kit, the R132 at 335mm and 360mm as the race hardware-only option, and the Monster at 335mm and 360mm as the complete bundle. No Tarox coverage for the Ultima. The full Ultima range is on the site.
- Nine HiSpec kits across three caliper families; no Tarox, no Brembo on this car
- Billet 4 (310mm, road spec), R132 (race spec, hardware only), Monster (complete bundle with EBC Redstuff pads, hoses and fluid)
- Disc sizes: 310mm (16"), 335mm (17"), 360mm (18")
- The R132 is hardware only; the Monster includes EBC Redstuff pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid
- Fitment is confirmed against each individual Ultima build before ordering
What is on this page
The caliper families
Three caliper families cover the HiSpec Ultima range: the Billet 4, the R132 and the Monster. They split along two lines: race spec versus road spec, and what is in the box.
Billet 4
A four-piston billet aluminium caliper paired with a 310mm disc. Road spec, with EBC Standard Road pads and DOT 5.1 fluid included in the price; braided hoses are priced separately. Minimum 16 inch wheel clearance. This is the entry kit in the Ultima range: good brakes for a road-registered car or one used at occasional track days without being set up specifically for hard circuit work.
R132
The race derivative of the Monster caliper. An internal fluid crossover replaces the external tube of the Monster design, stiffening the hydraulic path under hard use. Available in 4-piston and 6-piston versions at 335mm (17") and 360mm (18"). Hardware only: calipers, discs, bells, brackets and hardware in the box; pads and hoses are chosen and priced at order. You specify the compound for the car's use.
Monster
Four or six pistons, with EBC Redstuff pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid included in every box. Available at 335mm (17") and 360mm (18"). The most complete kit in the range: nothing extra to buy before fitting. Redstuff is an uprated road and light track pad compound, suited to a car that sees regular use on circuit without being set up specifically for racing.
Disc size and wheel clearance
The disc size determines the minimum wheel the kit clears. 310mm needs at least 16 inch wheels. 335mm needs 17 inch. 360mm needs 18 inch. Most Ultima builds run 17 or 18 inch wheels, so the 335mm and 360mm range is where most conversations start. The entry 310mm Billet 4 is the right pick where 16 inch wheels are fitted or where a road spec rather than a track spec is the starting point.
Thermal capacity is the other disc-size question. A bigger disc has more mass to absorb and shed heat through a braking zone. On an Ultima making serious power and doing hard circuit use, the 360mm disc gives more headroom before pad and rotor temperatures become a limitation at the end of a long straight. For road use and occasional track days, the 335mm kit is rarely a constraint on a car of this type.
| Kit family | Disc diameter | Min wheel | Box contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billet 4 | 310mm | 16" | Pads + fluid (hoses extra) |
| R132-4 / R132-6 | 335mm | 17" | Hardware only |
| R132-4 / R132-6 | 360mm | 18" | Hardware only |
| Monster 4 / Monster 6 | 335mm | 17" | Pads + hoses + fluid |
| Monster 4 / Monster 6 | 360mm | 18" | Pads + hoses + fluid |
HiSpec 310mm Billet 4: the entry road kit
The entry kit in the Ultima range: a four-piston billet aluminium caliper, a 310mm disc, and a mostly complete bundle. EBC Standard Road pads and DOT 5.1 fluid are included at £1,130.00 inc VAT; braided hoses are priced separately at order. It clears 16 inch wheels, which most Ultima builds run with room to spare.
For a road-registered Ultima or a car that goes to a handful of track days a year without putting sustained heat through the brakes, this is the honest starting point. The Billet 4 is a purpose-built big brake caliper. Garreth’s note: the 16" clearance and the road pad spec makes this the right pick for a car where reliable road-going brakes take priority over track-day heat management. If the car is on 17s or 18s and doing regular circuit sessions, the R132 and Monster families below earn their price difference.
- £1,130.00 inc VAT
- 310mm disc, 4-piston Billet caliper
- EBC Standard Road pads and DOT 5.1 fluid included
- Braided hoses priced separately at order
- 16" minimum wheel clearance
- Confirm build spec before ordering
HiSpec 335mm R132: race caliper at 17 inches
The R132 is the race derivative of the Monster caliper. An internal fluid crossover replaces the external tube, stiffening the hydraulic path under hard braking and removing one external connection. Both the 4-piston (R132-4, £1,195.50 inc VAT) and 6-piston (R132-6, £1,349.50 inc VAT) versions are hardware only: calipers, rotors, bells, brackets and fitting hardware in the box. Pads and hoses are chosen and priced at order. For an Ultima doing a mix of road and circuit use, the compound choice matters: Ferodo DS2500, EBC Yellowstuff or a full race compound can be spec’d to the car’s temperature range.
One pricing note worth knowing before scrolling to the next section: the 335mm R132-6 and the 360mm R132-4 are both £1,349.50 inc VAT. Same money, different choice. More pistons on a slightly smaller disc, or four pistons on a disc 25mm larger. If the car runs 18" wheels, the 360mm kit is the natural move for most builds; the 335mm pair here is for builds on 17s.
- R132-4 335mm: £1,195.50 inc VAT (hardware only)
- R132-6 335mm: £1,349.50 inc VAT (hardware only)
- 17" minimum wheel clearance
- Internal fluid crossover (no external tube between caliper halves)
- Calipers, rotors, bells, brackets and hardware in the box
- Pads and hoses chosen and priced at order
HiSpec 360mm R132: race caliper at 18 inches
The 360mm R132 family: the same race caliper on a bigger disc, needing 18 inch wheels. The R132-4 is £1,349.50 inc VAT and the R132-6 is £1,499.50 inc VAT, both hardware only. As noted above, the R132-4 here costs exactly the same as the 335mm R132-6. The trade is straightforward: bigger disc and four pistons, or smaller disc and six pistons, both at £1,349.50. For a car doing hard track use, the extra swept area on the 360mm disc is worth more than the two extra pistons in most cases.
The 360mm R132-6 at £1,499.50 is the race spec pick for builds on 18" wheels. It costs £150 less in headline terms than the Monster 4 335mm all-in bundle at £1,650. Once pads and hoses are added to the R132-6, the gap closes to around £50. At that point the decision is compound choice versus convenience: the Monster comes with Redstuff already in the box; the R132-6 lets you specify whatever compound the car needs. For a circuit-focused build, that choice usually justifies the extra step.
- R132-4 360mm: £1,349.50 inc VAT (same price as R132-6 335mm)
- R132-6 360mm: £1,499.50 inc VAT (hardware only)
- 18" minimum wheel clearance
- Largest disc in the R132 family; most thermal capacity in the race range
- Add pads and hoses at order; specify the compound for the car's use
- R132-6 360mm is £150 less than Monster 4 335mm before consumables
HiSpec 335mm Monster: the complete bundle at 17 inches
The Monster caliper is the complete out-of-the-box option: EBC Redstuff pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid are all included in the price. The Monster 4 is £1,650.00 inc VAT; the Monster 6 is £1,773.00 inc VAT, £123 more for two extra pistons. Both need 17 inch wheels. Redstuff is an uprated road and light track compound, more aggressive than Standard Road pads and suited to a car that sees regular use on circuit without being set up specifically for race work.
The Monster 4 at £1,650 all-in is Cameron’s usual recommendation for a road-going Ultima on 17" wheels that goes to track days and wants a proper brake upgrade without the consumables decision. Bolt it on, bed it in, and the car has a meaningful step up from standard. The Monster 6 at £1,773 is the right pick if the car is harder on brakes and the driver prefers the feel of six pistons under a racing pedal position; the extra pistons spread the load more evenly across the pad face and can reduce uneven wear on a car pushed hard.
- Monster 4 335mm: £1,650.00 inc VAT
- Monster 6 335mm: £1,773.00 inc VAT
- 17" minimum wheel clearance
- EBC Redstuff pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid all in the box
- Nothing extra to buy before fitting
HiSpec 360mm Monster: the flagship bundle at 18 inches
The top of the Ultima HiSpec range: Monster calipers on 360mm discs with the full bundle in every box. The Monster 4 is £1,780.50 inc VAT and the Monster 6 is £1,863.00 inc VAT. Both need 18 inch wheels and both include EBC Redstuff pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid. More swept area than the 335mm Monster, same easy installation with everything included.
For a build making serious power and running 18" wheels, this is where the range ends. The Monster 6 at £1,863 is the largest, most thermally capable kit in this guide. Garreth’s view: the bigger disc earns its money on a genuinely fast car; the £213 step from the Monster 4 335mm at £1,650 buys both the disc size increase and the six-piston caliper. If the car is on 18s and does hard track use, there is no reason to go smaller. Confirm the wheel size and build spec with Cameron before ordering.
- Monster 4 360mm: £1,780.50 inc VAT
- Monster 6 360mm: £1,863.00 inc VAT
- 18" minimum wheel clearance
- Biggest disc in the Ultima HiSpec range; most thermal capacity
- EBC Redstuff pads, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid all in the box
- Confirm the wheel and hub spec before ordering
What is in each box
Three splits across nine kits. The Billet 4 includes pads and fluid but not hoses. The R132 family is hardware only: no pads and no hoses. The Monster family includes everything. For the finished build cost, add pads and hoses to any R132 kit before comparing against Monster prices.
All nine kits include the calipers, discs, mounting bells, vehicle-specific brackets and fitting hardware. The only items that differ are consumables.
| In the box | Billet 4 (600) | R132 (1377, 1441, 1498, 1557) | Monster (681, 746, 879, 940) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calipers | 4-piston Billet, billet aluminium | 4 or 6 piston R132, billet aluminium | 4 or 6 piston Monster, billet aluminium |
| Discs | 310mm solid | 335mm or 360mm solid | 335mm or 360mm solid |
| Mounting bells | Included | Included | Included |
| Vehicle-specific brackets and hardware | Included | Included | Included |
| Pads | EBC Standard Road included | Not in box; specify at order | EBC Redstuff included |
| Braided hoses | Not in box; priced at order | Not in box; priced at order | Included |
| DOT 5.1 fluid | Included | Not in box | Included |
| Caliper colour | Options available at order | Options available at order | Options available at order |
| Lead time | Up to 28 working days | Up to 28 working days | Up to 28 working days |
Every kit on this page compared
| Kit | Disc | Pistons | Min wheel | Pads and hoses | Price inc VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billet 4 310mm | 310mm | 4 | 16" | Pads + fluid; hoses extra | £1,130.00 |
| R132-4 335mm | 335mm | 4 | 17" | Hardware only | £1,195.50 |
| R132-6 335mm | 335mm | 6 | 17" | Hardware only | £1,349.50 |
| R132-4 360mm | 360mm | 4 | 18" | Hardware only | £1,349.50 |
| R132-6 360mm | 360mm | 6 | 18" | Hardware only | £1,499.50 |
| Monster 4 335mm | 335mm | 4 | 17" | Redstuff + hoses + fluid | £1,650.00 |
| Monster 6 335mm | 335mm | 6 | 17" | Redstuff + hoses + fluid | £1,773.00 |
| Monster 4 360mm | 360mm | 4 | 18" | Redstuff + hoses + fluid | £1,780.50 |
| Monster 6 360mm | 360mm | 6 | 18" | Redstuff + hoses + fluid | £1,863.00 |
Prices include VAT and were correct on 30 September 2026. R132-6 335mm and R132-4 360mm are both £1,349.50: same price, different trade-off between pistons and disc size. Add pads and hoses to any R132 kit before comparing finished build cost against Monster prices.
Common questions
Why does the R132 cost less than the Monster if it is the race version?
The R132 is hardware only. There are no pads or hoses in the box, so the headline price covers the mechanical parts: calipers, discs, bells, brackets and hardware. The Monster is the road version with consumables included; the R132 is the race derivative with an internal fluid crossover and a hardware-only price. Add EBC DS2500 or Yellowstuff pads and braided hoses to the R132 and the two families end up at a similar finished cost, with the R132 offering compound choice suited to the car’s specific use and temperature range.
My Ultima runs 17" wheels. Should I go R132 or Monster?
Both the R132 335mm and the Monster 335mm clear 17" wheels. The practical difference is what is in the box and how the car is used. The Monster comes with Redstuff pads and hoses ready to fit; bolt it on, bed it in and the car is done. The R132 is hardware only and you specify the compound at order, which matters if the car runs a mix of road and circuit use where Redstuff might be at the edge of its temperature range. Ring Cameron on 0115 9893488 with the wheel and use details and we will put the right kit in front of you.
What is the benefit of six pistons over four?
More pistons spread the clamping load across a wider pad area, which can give more even pad wear and a firmer, more progressive pedal under load. On a car like the Ultima where the driver is often in an aggressive pedal position under hard braking, six pistons can feel better in use. That said, the four-piston kits in this range are not underspecced for the car. For most Ultima builds the Monster 4 or R132-4 is the right answer; the six-piston options suit cars doing heavy track mileage or set up specifically for circuit racing.
Can I add a rear upgrade at the same time?
Tell Cameron when you enquire if the build needs front and rear together. He will spec the balance so the rear upgrade pairs correctly with the front for the car’s power level and use. Ordering front and rear separately without checking the balance first is not something we would recommend on a car with the performance of the Ultima.
How long is the lead time?
HiSpec make these to order in Dartford. Lead time is up to 28 working days. If the build is time-sensitive, tell Cameron at enquiry and he will confirm the current build slot before you commit.
How do I confirm bracket fitment for my specific build?
Send Cameron the wheel size, hub spec and any previous brake work, along with photographs of the hub and upright if there is any doubt about the configuration. Ultima builds vary across the GTR, Can-Am and Evolution variants and the range of engines and suspension setups owners choose. We would rather take the time to confirm before the kit goes to build than have a bracket that needs modification on arrival. Ring us on 0115 9893488 or drop us an email and we will start there.
What we would actually fit
For a road-registered Ultima on 17" wheels that goes to track days and wants a proper upgrade without the consumables decision, Cameron puts the Monster 4 335mm at £1,650 all-in in front of most customers. It has Redstuff pads, hoses and fluid in the box, it bolts on and it is done. The Monster 4 360mm at £1,780.50 is the same answer where the car runs 18s.
For a car built around track or circuit use, the R132 range is the right conversation. The 360mm R132-6 at £1,499.50 hardware-only is Garreth’s pick for builds on 18" wheels doing hard track use: the biggest disc in the race family, race caliper design, and once pads and hoses are added it ends up around the same money as the Monster 4 335mm but with a disc 25mm bigger and the compound choice that matters on circuit. If the car is on 17s, start with the 335mm R132-4 at £1,195.50 and spec the pads from there.
Whatever the build, ring us on 0115 9893488 with the wheel size, hub spec and what the car does at weekends. Garreth will point you to the right caliper family; Cameron confirms the bracket fitment against the specific build before it goes to order. Getting that right first saves the car sitting in the workshop waiting for a rework.