So I was browsing through the latest GRM magazine, and ran into an ad by this company called Four Products . They make brake coolers. It basically is a heat sink that sits on the brake calipers, a lot like the heat sinks found computer CPU's. It appears that it is a good idea, and would work well for those of us that track our cars.

I may try their fitment test soon, but was wondering if anyone has heard or used these products before?

 

No, But I suspect they would have minimal effect, but WTF

 

They claim 20% reduction in temps, but you're right .. nothing dramatic. Then again, its one of those things where every little bit helps, and may be worth if priced right.

 

will that clear wheel spokes?

 

LOL, I considered that but assumed that was chked into.

20% would be dramatic, but I doubt thats really true

 

It is more effective to cool the rotors than the calipers. Buy a two piece vented rotor with a centerfugal deisgn to the fins, than plumb in some air to the center of the rotor. Your rotor is your heat sink so keeping the temperatures relatively low there will keep your calipers cool.

Speeking of heating up your calipers, if you are having severe problems with it their are usually a few culpriates:
- riding the brakes to long (The less time you are on the brakes, the more time there is to cool them down around the track)
- traction control will use the brakes (especially the rear brakes)

 

There has been one or two articles about the company and product in past issues of Sport Z Magazine (Nissan Sport now).

Based on the data they presented, it definitely lowered pad temperatures.

Not long ago, they were looking for a Z owner with Brembo brakes to start testing a version for the 350Z but I have not seen any more on it since.

 

These do help significantly on the car they were originally designed for: the 240Z. Since the 240Z runs a solid front rotor in OEM trim, the brake pads and fluid have to cope with a lot of heat (over 1,200F) when racing in SCCA IT or Vintage events. With a vented rotor, getting air to the hub/rotor center is the most critical part of brake cooling and these additional coolers are not as effective.

 

Good point. So does the Z/G with Brembo's employ vented rotors?

 

yes

 

Pretty much every passenger car these days does.

 

Unfortunatly, now days, many "Tech Articles" in the magazines are in fact advertisments in one shape or form paid for by the manufacturers.

It sucks, but u have to take a lot with a grain of salt and see them as they are with an open mind.

I judge things by touch and feel and use heresay as just that.

 

I know Joe Demers (the guy who came up with these things) and he is a s stand up guy. He did all the testing covered in the Sport Z Magazine article and I also know a couple 240Z racers who are using the product and back up the temp reductions. They actually allow a 240Z to run a 6 hour enduro without have to do a front pad swap.

 

If thats the case ----Cool. Too bad though that its gotten to the point a person has to even question the integrety of the written word in any publication, for fear it is biased and bought.

 

I would agree with your initial assertion if the publication was Car & Driver or Import Tuner. Knowing the background of Sport Z and it's publishers, editors and authors makes me feel a whole lot more confident in trusting their reviews.

 

Then I will pick up an issue and chk it out---Im used to the old HotRod and Car Craft Mags that had in depth articles on Cam Degreeing, Port and Polishing, Useful Equations, relief cutting,Rocker Arm Ratios,Stroking etc.

 

You are correct in that many magazines have their editorial content written by advertisers. Motor Trend is notorious for that. And the brake cooler article in Sport Z was written by Joe but he's pretty clear about being the inventory and the seller of the product in the article.

 

I have heard of those caliper sinks before. I think they won some sort of innovation award from GRM or maybe SCCA. At any rate, they are supposed to work pretty well. If they make an application for your car, buy a set and try them out. If the maker stands behind their product, I am sure they will take them back if they don't work. Especially if they are part of the peanut butter and jelly gang (this will only make sense if you read GRM).

 

The only problem with using your caliper as a heat sink, is that it houses your brake fluid. The hydraulic fluid is by far the weakest part of the the brake system when it comes to heat resistance. Good track pads can operate at up to 1,100 degrees, while rotors' heat capacity is often times much higher than that. But even the best brake hydraulic fluid will boil at ~600 degrees.

If you need to use the caliper to dissipate heat, you've got some serious problems. Another poster said earlier that the rotor is your best bet in dissipating heat. I tried various solutions (including using Motul 600 brake fluid and real track pads) to cure brake fade on the track, and the only solution to work was to upgrade to larger two piece rotors with vented vanes with heat treated rings.

 

Or the rules in the class you're racing require stock brake components (SCCA IT, SS, Touring, etc.).