I'm approaching my first track session of the year, in about three weeks. I'm looking to upgrade at least my pads and fluid. I might track two or three times this year AT most, but I will auto-x at least three or four more times as well. I would prefer them to be my street pads as well.

I'm leaning towards Nismo pads. But my questions are:

1) Should I upgrade both the front and rear pads? Logic tells me yes.
2) Should I replace the lines with stainless lines? Will they make any discernible difference?
3) Are there any guides for changing pads on your own (Brembo's)?

Anything else I should do?

 

Hm...

1. The Brembo's generate a lot of heat and for track days, I would definitely upgrade both front and rear pads for something better suited for the track. I would recommend having these brake pads as a separate set up for the track as opposed to the street. Most track pads are harsh on the rotors and the average life of track pads is probably around 4-5 events.

2. Stainless lines will put you in BSP in auto-x. Unless you don't care about this, go ahead and swap the lines. Overtime, I think my pedal felt a lot more linear in my BMW, but that could have just been my brain.

3. Changing pads on Brembo's is so easy! Although I haven't changed pads on a Brembo 350z, I have on a STi (same brakes) and assume they have the benefit of being able to be slide through the top of the caliper, whereas the stock brakes have to be unbolted from the caliper bracket. All you do is take off the wheel, remove the spring clip thingy, and slide the pads out. Ofcourse, that's a lot easier than it sounds, but it shouldn't take you more than a 30 minutes/axle.

 

The faster the car is traveling when you brake, the more pronounced the front weight transfer will be. In these conditions, you need front brake bias as the rear won’t do much work. Auto-X is relatively slow, so rear bias is more important. EBD will take care of most of that work. If you’re on a budget, change only the front. Otherwise, go head and change them all.

A spare set of pads is still the best thing to get. Jason H has a set of CarboTech pads for sale: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187852

SS lines can wait. I’d say, wait until you need to change your rotors, as it’s easier to do with the calipers off. I don’t have SS lines on my Track Z.

For changing the pads, check out this How-To that dothemath did: https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-suspension/182886-brembo-pad-replacement-pictorial.html

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm pretty sure I'll change both pads, but I guess I'll just figure out how I'm going to do it. Those Carbotechs seem like a great deal, thanks for the link. And I already installed a JWT Popcharger, so I'm forced to go BSP as it is.

BTW, when I change my pads, should I have to worry about cutting the rotors at all or can I just slap the new pads on?

 

cutting the rotors? what?

you should probably put them in the day or two before the event, drive around on them to bed them in properly, and you'll be set to go.

 

No need to turn your rotors for a simple pad change. You shouldn't have to turn them ever.