Brake Fade a risk for first time tracker?

N8GTOL · 11-28-2011, 10:23 PM

I did my first track event earlier this month at Willow Springs (Big Willow Track). I was bone stock. My car came with the Nismo pads which are only a hair better than the standard sport pads. I had 2 bottles of Amsoil DOT4 on standby...I would have swapped the fluid before hand but ran out of time due to a minor shipping delay. Big Willow is a fast track but it isn't super brake intensive for a first timer despite getting up to 120mph a few times. Also, due to the lack of oil cooler I was pitting the car every 10-15 minutes to cool it down so I am sure this helped the brakes cool also. If I were to do it again I would swap the fluid and at the very least bring spare pads if not swapping out for better ones before hand. I made sure to turn VDC off the whole time too.

Have fun, and be safe! I saw a brand new SS camero go into a wall do to a fouled track so keep an eye out for anything abnormal conditions and flag workers and make sure to back off accordingly.

brucelidat · 11-28-2011, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the advice. I was originally planning to do a course at Buttonwillow, but my friends who track regularly may go to Big Willow instead so I might go to that track with them instead of Buttonwillow.

What difference do the brake lines make?

N8GTOL · 11-28-2011, 10:53 PM

I don't have SS lines yet but they really firm up the pedal feel from what I've read on here.

I should add to my earlier post that I was worried I would ice mode after reading several valid postings on here (these guys know what they're talking about). However, with the frequent oil cool down pit stops, I did not notice any fade or softening. The brakes felt sharp all day and everyone that rode with me commented on how well the car slowed down coming off the front straight into turn 1. For a bone stock car this thing tracked amazingly well!!! I was eating cars up in the corners once I got the lines down.

Also, make sure to let some air out of the tires before you do some hot laps. I put all 4 tires at 32psi (cold)...they went up to 41-42psi hot and felt perfect.

brucelidat · 11-28-2011, 11:49 PM

NM my comment earlier on brake line prices, I was looking at sets earlier on another site that included the fluid, but didn't realize the z1 lines were priced just for lines, not as a kit

seungklee · 11-29-2011, 02:19 PM

we should all set a track day to Streets of Willow or Big Willow and caravan together!

brucelidat · 11-29-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungklee

we should all set a track day to Streets of Willow or Big Willow and caravan together!

Sounds like a good idea.

seungklee · 11-29-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucelidat

Sounds like a good idea.

we'll plan a day sometime next year, I have to do some preparations first

TopElement · 11-29-2011, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungklee

we should all set a track day to Streets of Willow or Big Willow and caravan together!

I'd be in for Streets. Would bring my Maxima since it's quicker around the track than my Nismo!

brucelidat · 11-29-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topelement

i'd be in for streets. Would bring my maxima since it's quicker around the track than my nismo!

what!?

seungklee · 11-29-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucelidat

what!?

^^This

seungklee · 11-29-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopElement

I'd be in for Streets. Would bring my Maxima since it's quicker around the track than my Nismo!

bring ur nismo! u can have someone else drive ur maxima and bring it too if u like...

TopElement · 12-06-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seungklee

bring ur nismo! u can have someone else drive ur maxima and bring it too if u like...

Haha, the Maxima is actually the track car and i wouldn't let anyone else drive it! Roll cage, custom suspension, most body panels are carbon, AP Racing brakes, etc... Not the best platform to start with, but it's unique and runs 1:28's at Streets.

But back on the original topic, the stock pads and lack of cooling would likely be a problem even for most people new to track driving. Nismo pads are a good dd upgrade, but i'm waiting for better options to use at the track yet still streetable.
Ferodo ds2500 do well for double duty, ds3000 are even better at the track but not very good on the street unless heated up.
EBC Yellowstuff are also good for double duty.

cossie1600 · 12-06-2011, 08:48 PM

They are better than stock, but they all suck

Mike · 12-07-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopElement

Ferodo ds2500 do well for double duty, ds3000 are even better at the track but not very good on the street unless heated up.
EBC Yellowstuff are also good for double duty.

DS2500 wear about as fast as stock, at least they did when I was running the 6 piston front brembo with rear sport brakes. I wasn't impressed with them on the 370Z.

martin82 · 11-29-2011, 03:57 PM

I was going to waste the stock pads and get more aggressive pads. I don't see a need to keep the stock pads once I change. I don't mind some pad squeals.

11-28-2011, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 32	Thanks for the advice. I was originally planning to do a course at Buttonwillow, but my friends who track regularly may go to Big Willow instead so I might go to that track with them instead of Buttonwillow. What difference do the brake lines make? __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

11-28-2011, 11:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 32	NM my comment earlier on brake line prices, I was looking at sets earlier on another site that included the fluid, but didn't realize the z1 lines were priced just for lines, not as a kit __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

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11-28-2011, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
N8GTOL Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 228 Drives: and flies Rep Power: 23	I did my first track event earlier this month at Willow Springs (Big Willow Track). I was bone stock. My car came with the Nismo pads which are only a hair better than the standard sport pads. I had 2 bottles of Amsoil DOT4 on standby...I would have swapped the fluid before hand but ran out of time due to a minor shipping delay. Big Willow is a fast track but it isn't super brake intensive for a first timer despite getting up to 120mph a few times. Also, due to the lack of oil cooler I was pitting the car every 10-15 minutes to cool it down so I am sure this helped the brakes cool also. If I were to do it again I would swap the fluid and at the very least bring spare pads if not swapping out for better ones before hand. I made sure to turn VDC off the whole time too. Have fun, and be safe! I saw a brand new SS camero go into a wall do to a fouled track so keep an eye out for anything abnormal conditions and flag workers and make sure to back off accordingly.

11-28-2011, 10:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
N8GTOL Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 228 Drives: and flies Rep Power: 23	I don't have SS lines yet but they really firm up the pedal feel from what I've read on here. I should add to my earlier post that I was worried I would ice mode after reading several valid postings on here (these guys know what they're talking about). However, with the frequent oil cool down pit stops, I did not notice any fade or softening. The brakes felt sharp all day and everyone that rode with me commented on how well the car slowed down coming off the front straight into turn 1. For a bone stock car this thing tracked amazingly well!!! I was eating cars up in the corners once I got the lines down. Also, make sure to let some air out of the tires before you do some hot laps. I put all 4 tires at 32psi (cold)...they went up to 41-42psi hot and felt perfect.

11-29-2011, 02:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
seungklee Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 291 Drives: you around! Rep Power: 16	we should all set a track day to Streets of Willow or Big Willow and caravan together!

12-06-2011, 08:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	They are better than stock, but they all suck

11-29-2011, 03:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
martin82 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 2,636 Drives: 12 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 20	I was going to waste the stock pads and get more aggressive pads. I don't see a need to keep the stock pads once I change. I don't mind some pad squeals.