I track my G sedan at track days. I upgraded my pads to metal matrix and fluid to Motul 600. Is there any danger there? I am a newbie at track sessions, but I do push my brakes pretty hard. My rotors are fine by a mic check, but will they last for future events? I don't track it often enough to warrant a BBK IMO, but this has me thinking.

 

How did you do the cooling, Jason? Is is part of the StopTech kit, or your own setup? Pix?

 

James, here is a link to a thread that should answer all your questions:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ght=brake+duct

I've had mine on for I think 4 events. A worthwhile mod IMO.


I've also added rear track brakes, along with THE 13.1" BBK.

I was set to install new pads yesterday, but the pads were only about 60% worn. I'm pretty sure the cooler temps are extending my pads life.

 

So, Jason and Enthuz, is this brake cooling system worth $280? It looks like a bunch of dryer hose and a couple of pieces of plastic. It doesn't look like it would be hard to make your own for a lot less than $280. Or am I missing something?

 

what times were you running at road ATL?

 

Are you saying that because using a dedicated track pad on the streets is a waste of money? Or is there some other reason. Btw, how exactly do you bleed break fluid, and what's the reason behind this. I know nothing about this stuff. :P

 

This should help you guys. You guys should paint them first. Gawd, why didn't I think of this idea.

 

You obviously reading right over the part "DEDICATED track pad". Track oriented pads don't bite well when cold (street temps) and can hinder your stopping distances. They also (depending on brand) will prematurely cause rotor wear. The wear is even worse when cold (street temps). Do the safest thing, get pads that perform the best on the street and pads that perform the best on the track. Street vs Track pads are designed to operate in two different temperature zones. At certain temps a pad may perform very well, but at that same temp on another pad it's friction coefficient may be nearly nill.

Bleeding BRAKE fluid can more than likely be found in a search or service manual.

 

I had significant brake fade with Brembo's on the Track Model at Watkins Glen after about 6 Laps per session.

I think the stock Brembo Pads were better than the Hawk HPS that I switched to based on the performance of the Stock Brembo's at Summit Point.

I am installing Stoptec Braided lines and switching to ATE Blue as well as putting Hawk Blues on for the next event at NHIS.

Brake Fade is interesting going into the Bus Stop at Watkins at 135-140. It certainly got my instructor's attention.

 

Yeah, I'm retarded lately. Thanks for the info.

 

Non-Track-model stock brakes are not adequate for track conditions. If you're going to track the car, buy the Track model! (need I say Duuhhh?)

I run at VIRginia International Raceway. My first track day (April, 2002) I was on stock pads at VIR South course. Stock Brembo pads are made by Ferodo, a respected track pad manufacturer. VIR South is notorious for being hard on brakes. There were 3 other 350Zs there, none of them Tracks. Here's the results:

#1 upgraded to Stainless Steel brake lines, Motul fluid and track pads (not sure what). He fried the rubber bushings in his calipers and was lucky enough to find a dealer that would replace the brakes under warranty without claiming abuse. This is an example of upgrading only some of the links in the chain. The other links failed miserably.

#2 Had two incidents where his brakes went to the floor and he went straight through a hairpin. The first incident was when he was behind me, trying to keep up with me, trying to brake at my braking point, which was considerably later than his braking point. We had to replace his pads before he could drive home.

#3 wasn't pushing his car as hard as the rest of us. He had paper-thin pads when he got home.

#4 Me in my Track. My pads performed extremely well all weekend; I was able to brake later and harder than the other 350Zs, giving me a definite edge. My brake pads were good for another 6 months of street driving after this.

I have since tracked again on stock and also on Carbotech Panther Plus pads with excellent results. The grab you get from those Carbotech pads is addicting, but they're a bit too squealy for daily driver use.

Bottom line: if you're going to track the car, all except Tracks need to upgrade the brakes. After that, it's all about the pad.

 

Here's my experience. See the pieces below, but quick review: aftermarket aggressive pads (not racing, but better than stock), standard touring brakes. I replaced my brake fluid with SuperBlue II, cut off the dust shields behind the rear brakes, and installed StopTech stainless steel braided lines.

I put the pads on immediately before a full track day. I ran them on the street with casual wear for a few months. Then I used them again on a full track day.

The touring brakes can handle it with good brake fluid and the extra cooling cutting off the rear dust shields provide. However...

I had to stop an hour early on the second track day because I literally had run out of pad. I used it ALL. In fact, I had to drive home with one of the pads gone to the metal. When I removed the others, the remaining material just crumbled off.

Lessons learned:
You need to upgrade some stuff
The stock brakes can take it if you do so
You will use more than half the pad on a single full track day, so don't try to use them for two

 

Hey, I have my black caliper 14" Stoptech front kit for sale at $1650 (check classifieds, comes w/ 4 sets of pads). I can tell you that after upgrading to a BBK and going with the front ducts (my post mentioned earlier) the brakes are fine on track. It is disappointing that I had to spend a lot of extra $ up front to make the car perform well on track, but it is a necessity if you plan on going often. I know a few other Z drivers that have had problems with their Brembos, so I would highly recommend upgrading no matter what trim level you have. I'm selling the car to get into a cheaper dedicated track car (E36M3) so everything must go.

 

I'm not sure the rear brakes are adequet even with brake upgrades. I warped my rear pads' backing plates (Carbotech XP-9's) running a Stop Tech Front BBK at Blackhawk. There just isn't enough heat capacity in the rotor to handle an agressive track pad (i.e. high coefficient of friction).

 

I would agree with that, but I had horrible problems w/ XP9s and would not recommend them anyways. Did you used r compounds?

 

I was actually running 245 width street tires. I'm swithing to R compounds for my next track day so I've been trying to figure out a reasonable solution to upgrading the rear brakes. I'm leaning towards adding brake ducts for the rear brakes. Anyone out there have any thoughts on this?

 

I think R compounds will help as they will allow you to compact your braking. With street tires you were braking a lot longer as you were probably out braking the tires. With r compounds even though you will be going faster and braking later, it should compact your braking zone and cause less heat. I had good success going from XP9s to cobalt VRs. I have never heard a bad word against PFC 01s. Hell, if my stoptech kit doesn't sell soon, I'll give you a set of my cobalt VRs. pm me and i'll send them to you.

 

I'm working on a set of rear ducts but it won't be ready for a while. Where is your next track day stumpmj?

 

Very interested in that zillinois, please post what you come up with.

 

What horrible problems?