Nismo R-Tune Pads and Tanabe GF210 - Write Up with FULL TRACK DAY!
Nismo R-Tune Pads and Tanabe GF210 - Write Up with FULL TRACK DAY!
This will be brief but to the point.
Brake Pads
When I originally started looking for brake pads to replace the stock ones, I had a very specific criteria:
1- The pad absolutely HAD to have great initial bite. I don't want a pad that has to warm up before it works. This defeats the purpose of driving the car every day, if you can't stop.
2-The pad needed to resist fade fairly well.
3-No noise when driving around town.
4-Decent price.
The contenders:
1-Hawk HPS
2-Project Mu
3-Nismo R-Tune
To start off, I've read way too many things about the Hawk pads having bad initial bite. This imediately took them out. I read nothing but good things about the Nismo R-Tune pads. I also read great things about the Project Mu pads, but Performance Nissan was out of stock at the time. I researched for 2 weeks before I decided on the pads I wanted. Everything I buy for my car, I read and read and read thread after thread. This is something the noobs lack for some reason, the drive to search.
Springs
I've had the tanabe springs installed for over a year now. I won them in a contest here on my350z.com and I've loved them ever since they were put on. So not much to say here, but I would recommend them to anyone, especially now that I've seen what they can do on the track.
Track Day
There is a road course about 6 miles south of College Station where I am attending college. I've never been out there until this weekend. A buddy of mine has been working/driving there for a while now. He told me that if I come and work a corner for a day, I get to have a free track day. So I worked all day Saturday, and on Sunday, I drove.
This was my first track day, so I had an instructor in the car.
Ok now for the review on the track. We ran 5 seperate 20 minute sessions. The track is 2.9 miles long with 13 corners. Each session I logged between 6 and 7 laps.
The Brakes - The nismo r-tune pads worked FLAWLESSLY. Now, I wasn't beating the hell out of the brakes, but anytime I needed to stop, no matter what speed I was hauling down from, or how often, the brakes worked perfectly. I have absolutely no complaints. Now keep in mind, THIS IS ON THE STOCK SETUP!!! Stock calipers, stock rotors, stock lines, even stock fluid! These pads bite no matter how hot, or cold they are. I was absolutely shocked at the end of the day. I drove the car home like it was a normal drive to the store. The pads worked flawlessly from beginning to end. I experience no brake fad, juttering, or any thing except for flawless performance.
Just for comparison, there was another Z out there that day driven by a friend of mine who is in the car club here at school with me. He has completely stock suspension and brake setup, except with Hawk HPS pads. His setup and my braking setup are indentical, except he has the Hawk pads. In the middle of the 4th session, he pitted in. I finished out the session. Come to find out, he had major brake fade on the last 2 corners and had to pit. He also sat out the last session. If that's not proof of the quality of these pads, I don't know what is.
The Springs - Ever since I've had these springs on, I've loved them, but I never knew just how awesome they were. During the entire track day, the only thing that limited me from going faster, was my experience, confidence, and my street tires. I was improving by leaps and bounds each lap. By the 4th session my instructor wasn't saying a word. I asked if he had any comments, and the only thing he said, was he was amazed at my driving skills for being the first day on the track. He had no complaints. By the 5th session, I was turning in harder, braking harder, powering out harder, and turning harder/faster than I ever thought possible. The springs behaved beautifully on the track, with virtually no body roll. The instructor also commented on how amazed he was that my car was in full street setup. He said that the car's handling was very impressive.
I believe that I have put together what is the best mix of a track car, and daily driver possible for the amount of money I have spent. The headers also made driving around the track very enjoyable. The extra torque allowed me to power through many of the corners and come out faster than most of the people I was following. I guess in summary, I had the most amazing experience this last weekend. I've fallen in love with my car all over again, and plan on doing another track day very soon.
Here is my mods list for performance.
Strup headers
Popcharger
OBX 3" y-pipe with custom 3" single exit exhaust
Tanabe GF210 Springs
Nismo brake pads
BFG g-Force KDW-II's 255/40/18 on all 4 corners.
For the money, I don't feel like a better setup exists. I just wanted to share my experience so maybe it will help fellow Z owners make up there mind when it comes to mods.
I also recorded a few laps. Hopefully I will be able to get video up online soon. Feel free to ask questions or comment!
-Acree
Brake Pads
When I originally started looking for brake pads to replace the stock ones, I had a very specific criteria:
1- The pad absolutely HAD to have great initial bite. I don't want a pad that has to warm up before it works. This defeats the purpose of driving the car every day, if you can't stop.
2-The pad needed to resist fade fairly well.
3-No noise when driving around town.
4-Decent price.
The contenders:
1-Hawk HPS
2-Project Mu
3-Nismo R-Tune
To start off, I've read way too many things about the Hawk pads having bad initial bite. This imediately took them out. I read nothing but good things about the Nismo R-Tune pads. I also read great things about the Project Mu pads, but Performance Nissan was out of stock at the time. I researched for 2 weeks before I decided on the pads I wanted. Everything I buy for my car, I read and read and read thread after thread. This is something the noobs lack for some reason, the drive to search.
Springs
I've had the tanabe springs installed for over a year now. I won them in a contest here on my350z.com and I've loved them ever since they were put on. So not much to say here, but I would recommend them to anyone, especially now that I've seen what they can do on the track.
Track Day
There is a road course about 6 miles south of College Station where I am attending college. I've never been out there until this weekend. A buddy of mine has been working/driving there for a while now. He told me that if I come and work a corner for a day, I get to have a free track day. So I worked all day Saturday, and on Sunday, I drove.
This was my first track day, so I had an instructor in the car.Ok now for the review on the track. We ran 5 seperate 20 minute sessions. The track is 2.9 miles long with 13 corners. Each session I logged between 6 and 7 laps.
The Brakes - The nismo r-tune pads worked FLAWLESSLY. Now, I wasn't beating the hell out of the brakes, but anytime I needed to stop, no matter what speed I was hauling down from, or how often, the brakes worked perfectly. I have absolutely no complaints. Now keep in mind, THIS IS ON THE STOCK SETUP!!! Stock calipers, stock rotors, stock lines, even stock fluid! These pads bite no matter how hot, or cold they are. I was absolutely shocked at the end of the day. I drove the car home like it was a normal drive to the store. The pads worked flawlessly from beginning to end. I experience no brake fad, juttering, or any thing except for flawless performance.
Just for comparison, there was another Z out there that day driven by a friend of mine who is in the car club here at school with me. He has completely stock suspension and brake setup, except with Hawk HPS pads. His setup and my braking setup are indentical, except he has the Hawk pads. In the middle of the 4th session, he pitted in. I finished out the session. Come to find out, he had major brake fade on the last 2 corners and had to pit. He also sat out the last session. If that's not proof of the quality of these pads, I don't know what is.
The Springs - Ever since I've had these springs on, I've loved them, but I never knew just how awesome they were. During the entire track day, the only thing that limited me from going faster, was my experience, confidence, and my street tires. I was improving by leaps and bounds each lap. By the 4th session my instructor wasn't saying a word. I asked if he had any comments, and the only thing he said, was he was amazed at my driving skills for being the first day on the track. He had no complaints. By the 5th session, I was turning in harder, braking harder, powering out harder, and turning harder/faster than I ever thought possible. The springs behaved beautifully on the track, with virtually no body roll. The instructor also commented on how amazed he was that my car was in full street setup. He said that the car's handling was very impressive.
I believe that I have put together what is the best mix of a track car, and daily driver possible for the amount of money I have spent. The headers also made driving around the track very enjoyable. The extra torque allowed me to power through many of the corners and come out faster than most of the people I was following. I guess in summary, I had the most amazing experience this last weekend. I've fallen in love with my car all over again, and plan on doing another track day very soon.
Here is my mods list for performance.
Strup headers
Popcharger
OBX 3" y-pipe with custom 3" single exit exhaust
Tanabe GF210 Springs
Nismo brake pads
BFG g-Force KDW-II's 255/40/18 on all 4 corners.
For the money, I don't feel like a better setup exists. I just wanted to share my experience so maybe it will help fellow Z owners make up there mind when it comes to mods.
I also recorded a few laps. Hopefully I will be able to get video up online soon. Feel free to ask questions or comment!
-Acree
good to hear...i have gf 210s with tanabe sways front brace and gt spec braces
my only fear is that my stock pads wont hold up too well and ill have to pit early, but the 06 brakes are bigger than previous years so we'll see
also going to willow springs in dec...well see how it goes
my only fear is that my stock pads wont hold up too well and ill have to pit early, but the 06 brakes are bigger than previous years so we'll see
also going to willow springs in dec...well see how it goes
Sponsor
Performance Nissan
Performance Nissan
iTrader: (92)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,151
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena/Bay Area
Nice write up. I run the NISMO R Tune pads and Ive tracked on them as well and theyre awesome. The great thing about the R Tune pads are that they will give that same bite under cold or hot weather so it makes a great street and track pad. Didnt see any fade on the track with these pads.
Originally Posted by Andy@Performance
Nice write up. I run the NISMO R Tune pads and Ive tracked on them as well and theyre awesome. The great thing about the R Tune pads are that they will give that same bite under cold or hot weather so it makes a great street and track pad. Didnt see any fade on the track with these pads.
-Acree
I am looking to by new pads for my self, and I was going with Hawks but now reading this I want to find out which one is better as far as brake dust goes Nismo or Hawks. I am really sick the the brake dust with the oem ones.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by Andy@Performance
Nice write up. I run the NISMO R Tune pads and Ive tracked on them as well and theyre awesome. The great thing about the R Tune pads are that they will give that same bite under cold or hot weather so it makes a great street and track pad. Didnt see any fade on the track with these pads.
+1 im about the get a second set of the shortly. i recently switched to the axxis ultimates but there are on their last leg and im wanting to return to the nismos. the only small issue i had with them was they were a little hard on my stock rotors on the track. had some scarring but i have aftermarket rotors now and im sure it will be fine.
oh andy i pmed you about something
Trending Topics
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
Yes, The Nismo R tune's are the best dual purpouse pads I've found as well. However, You will find that they do not last long. I have 3 track days, 6 autocrosses and 3,000 street miles and am now approaching the wear indicator. The truth of the matter is you will eventually want "track" pads if you continue to do track days. It's more expensive up front but in the long run less expensive because they last longer and save your "street" pads.
Originally Posted by Ser-J
I am looking to by new pads for my self, and I was going with Hawks but now reading this I want to find out which one is better as far as brake dust goes Nismo or Hawks. I am really sick the the brake dust with the oem ones.
Originally Posted by Ser-J
I am looking to by new pads for my self, and I was going with Hawks but now reading this I want to find out which one is better as far as brake dust goes Nismo or Hawks. I am really sick the the brake dust with the oem ones.
Originally Posted by JP350Z2004
Yes, The Nismo R tune's are the best dual purpouse pads I've found as well. However, You will find that they do not last long. I have 3 track days, 6 autocrosses and 3,000 street miles and am now approaching the wear indicator. The truth of the matter is you will eventually want "track" pads if you continue to do track days. It's more expensive up front but in the long run less expensive because they last longer and save your "street" pads.
-Acree
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
As for brake dust, these have been my findings. I have used all of the following. Tracks tested Mid-Ohio and BeaveRun. Note: Non-Brembo with stainless lines and ATE super Blue.
OEM: Tons of dust, 50% gone in one track day but didn't fade that bad.
Hawk HPS: Lowest dust by far, On track will glaze and fade HORRIBLY!!!!
NISMO R-Tune: Less dust than OEM, more than HPS, Does well on track.
Will fade slightly as you become more aggressive.
Carbotech X8(race pads): OEM dust levels, One track day and only 1/10th
of pad used. ZERO fade. Bite is hard but can
modulate. Driven to and from track. Moderate
noise.
OEM: Tons of dust, 50% gone in one track day but didn't fade that bad.
Hawk HPS: Lowest dust by far, On track will glaze and fade HORRIBLY!!!!
NISMO R-Tune: Less dust than OEM, more than HPS, Does well on track.
Will fade slightly as you become more aggressive.
Carbotech X8(race pads): OEM dust levels, One track day and only 1/10th
of pad used. ZERO fade. Bite is hard but can
modulate. Driven to and from track. Moderate
noise.
Originally Posted by JP350Z2004
As for brake dust, these have been my findings. I have used all of the following. Tracks tested Mid-Ohio and BeaveRun. Note: Non-Brembo with stainless lines and ATE super Blue.
OEM: Tons of dust, 50% gone in one track day but didn't fade that bad.
Hawk HPS: Lowest dust by far, On track will glaze and fade HORRIBLY!!!!
NISMO R-Tune: Less dust than OEM, more than HPS, Does well on track.
Will fade slightly as you become more aggressive.
Carbotech X8(race pads): OEM dust levels, One track day and only 1/10th
of pad used. ZERO fade. Bite is hard but can
modulate. Driven to and from track. Moderate
noise.
OEM: Tons of dust, 50% gone in one track day but didn't fade that bad.
Hawk HPS: Lowest dust by far, On track will glaze and fade HORRIBLY!!!!
NISMO R-Tune: Less dust than OEM, more than HPS, Does well on track.
Will fade slightly as you become more aggressive.
Carbotech X8(race pads): OEM dust levels, One track day and only 1/10th
of pad used. ZERO fade. Bite is hard but can
modulate. Driven to and from track. Moderate
noise.
Wow-I properly bedd'd in Nismo pads and after a few high speed pulls and braking they were cooked and faded bad. Biggest POS pads Ive ever had on a car, they literally disentegrated under hard braking. Glad you liked them! LOL
Originally Posted by Alberto
Wow-I properly bedd'd in Nismo pads and after a few high speed pulls and braking they were cooked and faded bad. Biggest POS pads Ive ever had on a car, they literally disentegrated under hard braking. Glad you liked them! LOL
Sorry my high speed runs weren't above 120. 
-Acree
Originally Posted by warmmilk
OP, do u have brembo's or non-brembo's
also, how are these on the rotors? i heard that u basically need new rotors on a non brembo set up after one track day
also, how are these on the rotors? i heard that u basically need new rotors on a non brembo set up after one track day
-Acree
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: florida
+1000 on the Nismo Type-R over the Hawk HPS pads as well They did great at my Sebring track day a couple of months ago. I notice the slightest of fade a couple of times and just taking it easy a couple of corners or a slow pass through the pits and right back out was enough to cool them down enough. I am very happy with them as a dual purpose pad.
ke0ki2k... check out Chinmotorsports.com
They did great at my Sebring track day a couple of months ago. I notice the slightest of fade a couple of times and just taking it easy a couple of corners or a slow pass through the pits and right back out was enough to cool them down enough. I am very happy with them as a dual purpose pad.ke0ki2k... check out Chinmotorsports.com
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Colombo
Forced Induction
35
Nov 9, 2020 10:27 AM
