Akebonos not up to heavy track use!

Ken in AZ · 11-04-2009, 04:20 PM

I have the full 370Z Akebono kit on my M45 and participated in a track day event on Firebird's West Track - and they did great with my 4000lb beast. Add me and the car is tipping over 4200lbs! It took me a couple sessions to get warmed up, but the final session I was killing it. I have the Stock 370Z pads, cross drilled and slotted rotors (that I said I would never track with), stainless lines, and they did fine. Coming off the main straight at darn near 95-100mph I would be on the brakes hard and abs would kick on but the feel of the stainless lines made it easy to modulate. I am using DOT4 ATE brake fluid.

The brakes were far exceeding the capabilities of the street tires and felt that with a more controlled suspension and correct tires I could have flogged the braking system more. I would think that the weekend racer could just add stainless lines and some decent fluid and be "ok" on the track. Add in racing tires and a tuned suspension and it could start showing it's weak points.

Oh, and to turn off the ABS can't you just unplug the plug that goes to the ABS actuator under the hood or disconnect one or more of the wheel speed sensors?

ChrisSlicks · 11-04-2009, 05:21 PM

Interesting. Maybe it was easier to exceed the limits of the brakes on the 370Z for some reason. The only difference significant change to my car from stock was wider tires. I never had this problem with the Infiniti, those brakes just worked better and better as they got hot, and that was with the basic single piston floating caliper.

I actually couldn't find the ABS actuator in this car, the engine bay is packed so tightly that it's hard to see anything. I did think about disconnecting an wheel speed sensor so that the ABS system would disable itself but they didn't put the plug anywhere convenient.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Out with the Old... PIC HEAVY	One_Quick_Z	Member's 370Z Gallery	31	09-06-2009 10:46 PM
Track and Track School Recommendations	sylenze	Southern California Region	4	07-13-2009 04:38 PM
H2R Track Video (ZCON09 Track Event)	zsport1	ZCON 2009	4	04-01-2009 06:28 PM
Heavy Hitters Magazine Shoot: VQ Motoring's Cars	MC	Other Vehicles	3	02-06-2009 11:59 AM
GM and FORD report heavy loss last quarter	AK370Z	The Lounge (Off Topic)	2	11-23-2008 08:06 PM

11-04-2009, 04:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ken in AZ Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Maricopa AZ Posts: 35 Drives: M45 2006 Rep Power: 265	I have the full 370Z Akebono kit on my M45 and participated in a track day event on Firebird's West Track - and they did great with my 4000lb beast. Add me and the car is tipping over 4200lbs! It took me a couple sessions to get warmed up, but the final session I was killing it. I have the Stock 370Z pads, cross drilled and slotted rotors (that I said I would never track with), stainless lines, and they did fine. Coming off the main straight at darn near 95-100mph I would be on the brakes hard and abs would kick on but the feel of the stainless lines made it easy to modulate. I am using DOT4 ATE brake fluid. The brakes were far exceeding the capabilities of the street tires and felt that with a more controlled suspension and correct tires I could have flogged the braking system more. I would think that the weekend racer could just add stainless lines and some decent fluid and be "ok" on the track. Add in racing tires and a tuned suspension and it could start showing it's weak points. Oh, and to turn off the ABS can't you just unplug the plug that goes to the ABS actuator under the hood or disconnect one or more of the wheel speed sensors?

11-04-2009, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 655	Interesting. Maybe it was easier to exceed the limits of the brakes on the 370Z for some reason. The only difference significant change to my car from stock was wider tires. I never had this problem with the Infiniti, those brakes just worked better and better as they got hot, and that was with the basic single piston floating caliper. I actually couldn't find the ABS actuator in this car, the engine bay is packed so tightly that it's hard to see anything. I did think about disconnecting an wheel speed sensor so that the ABS system would disable itself but they didn't put the plug anywhere convenient.