Brake Fade a risk for first time tracker?

bullitt5897

As a general rule:

If you track even just one time... Change to steel braided lines! and DOT4 fluids!

There is nothing like an OEM line that just pops off going down a straight into the last corner at 125mph and there is only 200ft of run off before you hit the tire wall! I have watched friends have this happen to them time and time again. Brakes are the items you need take the time to prepare them for the track... do not skimp on safety features!

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Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z *SOLD*, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054

brucelidat

this thread makes me realize i do also

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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

corner3garage

If you are looking to bleed your brakes, we recommend Motul RBF 600. For maximum performance we also carry Motul RF660, ATE Super Blue and RF-650 from endless.

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Corner3motorsports.com

SPOHN

I agree with. Cossie. Stock pads are good enough for most here even for spirted days. But if you are even slightly wanting to push it harder and worry about brake fade and all that you are going to have to suck it up and fork the cost for great more expensive pads. Also along with fluid and lines.

Alot of people here seem to have budgets and they want to spend there money on a wide arrange of items from styling and so on. But really concentrate on what you plan to do with your car and spend money there. You want to drive hard thenbrakes are going to be a big expense along with tires and alignments.

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cossie1600

everyone wants a dual purpose pads, but there is really no such thing. also the z makes 300+hp, it is really fast and you need a lot of brakes. the typical ricer internet special pads are not going to work well at the track for any competent driver. i have a pdf of an article about brakes, i will post it up when i find a site that can host pdfs

SPOHN

Dual purpose would be XP 8's in my book. But most cant afford to track and dd on them. I actully am getting two sets for Xmas gifts. Woot. My last track event which was a two day event I wore the the c
carbotechs to about half maybe a little less. But I should get one more day out of them. Going to bed my next set on and be ready to change them out there. Amazing how friendly they were on my rotors.

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cossie1600

do you have the base calipers?

SPOHN

No. I did the upgrade on my base

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cossie1600

50% on one track weekend seems to be a lot. i can go almost 6 days on my xp10

SPOHN

Depends on the track also. Two days at Road Atlanta with over 5 hours worth of driving. There was three occasions I ran back to back due to they keep moving my skill level up. Plus I brake hard and very late. So I'm pretty hard on them.

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martin82

any difference and recommendation on the braided ss lines and a decent pad for DD with only 4-5 track days a year?

Or am I better off swapping pads before and after?

vividracing

If you really want to the best possible performance from your brakes, you're better off swapping back n forth. If you don't want that hassle, you can always run the track pads on the street. Just expect more dust and possibly more noise, depending on the pad. As long as you don't go for a really agrrssive pad, it will still reach operating temps on the street.

As for lines, I recommend Agency Power. The price/performance ratio is great on most of their stuff. I'd do rotors before lines though if it were my car. The 370Z is new enough that your lines are still in good shape. Steel lines just give you better pedal feel and can make pedal modulation easier. The biggest improvements will be seen on older cars.

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SPOHN

I feel Z1 SS lines are just as great as the rest. If you get some tell them I sent you. But you are better swapping pads out. Depending on your braking habits you could get that many track days out of one set of pads. Defiantly worth it.

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brucelidat

I am going to change my brake fluid and try the AMS pads 370guy recommended. If I end up getting more into it and going more often, I will think about getting the xp8s as track pads and change them out when I go.

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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

SiRay6

A lot of good information was shared...I'm going to give my opinion based on my reflection of what I remember about my first hpde and BW specifically.

If you are doing your first event, you may not need better pads because you may not choose to push yourself or the car that hard. But you may have some natural talent and by the end of the day you may improve significantly and shave off an incredible amount of time.

So without knowing you and your "skill" level, it is hard to recommend whether you change pads now or not. I read about the AMS pads, but since they are pretty cheap, I wouldn't expect them to be much more than aggressive street pads. But I would suggest you bring your stock pads to the track in case you need a back up.

Regarding brake pads, here is my humble opinion/experience:

- EBC yellowstuff...some racer in the Subaru circle highly recommended this for people who track...I tried it and thought it was terrible...mushy pedal, not very good bite, and did not feel it was better than HP+
- Axxis/PBR ultimates...cheap and much like HP+ not sure if they make it for the Z. More like an aggressive street pad better for auto x
- HP+ is the minimum I would ever consider for track use...I have broke/cracked a few of these as they wore down below half way point. More an auto x pad or for light track duty
- I have used Hawk blues (9012)for track and I thought it was a pretty good pad, these can be harsh on rotors so I change these out at the track.
- my friend who tracks his s2000 frequently really loves his Cobalt for street and track...not sure what model though...I can find out if you are interested..

I think Carbotech recommendations above look pretty good...I'm thinking of trying the 8's or 10's...good to switch out at the track to preserve them, but okay for street from what I've read (the 8's).

I would recommend you keep VDC on. BW (are you doing 13 cw or different config?) is a larger track so you may not be able to remember the track layout. VDC will make it harder to loose the rear end and let you focus on the lines/driving (this is your first track event,not a time attack...yet). I have been at events where people loose the rear end, try and save it, and then crash at the wall (#13 cw) on the last turn before the straight.

If you feel more comfortable and feel the car is pushing more often than not...then turn it off anytime you feel like it. No harm in leaving VDC on and turning it off later...it only takes a simple press of a button.

I highly recommend flushing brake fluid to something like Motul RBF600 or equivalent. For brake pads I think HP+ would be sufficient if you are around 2:15 +. This track does not require heavy braking and is mostly about momentum. In between hard braking zones, there is time to cool the pads off. Mainly you'll probably brake hardest at Sunset/Sunrise, maybe before lost hill, and before sweeper...I can't think of any other section where you really need to jam on the brakes.

On a short tight track like Autoclub speedway's infield...I boiled/faded my stock 08 Sti brakes in 2-3 laps...was not a fun event because I didn't plan ahead like what you are doing now.

I'm not sure if SS brake lines are needed,...I believe a stock s2000's fastest time around BW (again #13 cw) is something like 2:04 (is it Charles Ng?). Sure, it is nice to have SS brake lines...but fluid, pads and tires will do if you don't plan to track often (aside from seat time).

If you are below 2:10...you should definitely run dedicated track pads because it'll be worth it.

Brakes are a very important thing and you are on the right track planning ahead. But I also recommend taking it easy and getting instruction to learn the lines and remember to always go at your own pace.

Have fun and update us after the event...tons of pictures would be nice too


-Ray