On track Brake Failure. Pics.
11-05-2011, 07:04 PM
#1
On track Brake Failure. Pics.
I've been doing a lot of track days recently on my '03 non-brembo calipers. Six days to be exact.
October 28th, I put on all new rotors (slotted fronts, blank rears) and pads after my previous HP+ pads had been used 5 sessions and I noticed small cracks in my rear cross drilled rotors. Of note the front left HP+ was worn unevenly in the middle.
The new pads were Stoptech Street Performance, the best I've had available short notice.
So about 2.5 sessions in on October 29th I had terrible brake fade and had to go straight off the back of the second straight to avoid a crash. That's no pad left after about 40 minutes of driving.
This was the front left pad, rotor, and caliper as well as the track layout, clockwise for reference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaNJxmie2vY
My theory is that the heat in that caliper caused it to seize a little, and the extra heat just destroyed the pad, which eventually started melting the rotor. The other pads are fine.
So what do I do? fix this? upgrade? Why exactly did this happen? will this happen again even if I get a bbk and keep racing on these tracks with fast right handers?
October 28th, I put on all new rotors (slotted fronts, blank rears) and pads after my previous HP+ pads had been used 5 sessions and I noticed small cracks in my rear cross drilled rotors. Of note the front left HP+ was worn unevenly in the middle.
The new pads were Stoptech Street Performance, the best I've had available short notice.
So about 2.5 sessions in on October 29th I had terrible brake fade and had to go straight off the back of the second straight to avoid a crash. That's no pad left after about 40 minutes of driving.
This was the front left pad, rotor, and caliper as well as the track layout, clockwise for reference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaNJxmie2vY
My theory is that the heat in that caliper caused it to seize a little, and the extra heat just destroyed the pad, which eventually started melting the rotor. The other pads are fine.
So what do I do? fix this? upgrade? Why exactly did this happen? will this happen again even if I get a bbk and keep racing on these tracks with fast right handers?
11-05-2011, 07:42 PM
#2
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Upgrade your brakes man your pushing your car pass what they can handle!
Not saying the combo you had can't handle it, but you did.
So look for some oem brembos! Should be enough! $800 max for a used set!
Not saying the combo you had can't handle it, but you did.
So look for some oem brembos! Should be enough! $800 max for a used set!
11-05-2011, 08:21 PM
#4
oh they do
http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...ng&prodid=1939
I put them back on the front left off the shelf just so I could drive the car. The pads that failed were the stoptech street performance though.
http://www.z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?m...ng&prodid=1939
I put them back on the front left off the shelf just so I could drive the car. The pads that failed were the stoptech street performance though.
11-05-2011, 10:45 PM
#6
I would also check into getting DBA 4000 slotted rotors. They have a pretty good reputation with the Australian V8 super car series, and are supposed to have a patented vein design to help dissipate heat faster. I'm currently running them with the HP+ pad and I've done a few track sessions plus drag strip runs and haven't had any problems. Maybe even look into running some brake ducts to get some fresh air on those front calipers. Good to see someone getting their Z out and putting it to its limits!
11-06-2011, 12:23 AM
#7
It drew a nice star shape on the rotors lol.
I'm glad you made it out of there safely! Good thing there's plenty of run-off area there.
Looks like you pushed the brakes beyond their limits. I guess it's time for an upgrade to fixed calipers. Maybe to OEM Brembos's just like the guys said.
I don't think this will happen to a BBK setup. As i've read somewhere, floating calipers are prone to this when it comes to high performance driving.
I'm glad you made it out of there safely! Good thing there's plenty of run-off area there.
Looks like you pushed the brakes beyond their limits. I guess it's time for an upgrade to fixed calipers. Maybe to OEM Brembos's just like the guys said.
I don't think this will happen to a BBK setup. As i've read somewhere, floating calipers are prone to this when it comes to high performance driving.
Last edited by 350Zdj; 11-06-2011 at 12:25 AM.
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11-06-2011, 03:34 AM
#8
Wow. Glad to see you made it out ok. Some of the local tracks here aren't so forgiving.
One thing is for sure, you won't doubt the fade the next time it occurs. Need to be off the throttle as soon as you feel it... cuz as you found out, the brakes won't be there next time.
I've never used those pads on the track, so can't speak to their performance or durability.
Not sure of the total distance on that track, but looks like you can get some decent high-speeds. I'd guess just wrong pad selection. You need race pads.. BBK may be a good idea too if you continue to track and progress.
One thing is for sure, you won't doubt the fade the next time it occurs. Need to be off the throttle as soon as you feel it... cuz as you found out, the brakes won't be there next time.
I've never used those pads on the track, so can't speak to their performance or durability.
Not sure of the total distance on that track, but looks like you can get some decent high-speeds. I'd guess just wrong pad selection. You need race pads.. BBK may be a good idea too if you continue to track and progress.
11-06-2011, 03:46 AM
#9
Wow. Glad to see you made it out ok. Some of the local tracks here aren't so forgiving.
One thing is for sure, you won't doubt the fade the next time it occurs. Need to be off the throttle as soon as you feel it... cuz as you found out, the brakes won't be there next time.
I've never used those pads on the track, so can't speak to their performance or durability.
Not sure of the total distance on that track, but looks like you can get some decent high-speeds. I'd guess just wrong pad selection. You need race pads.. BBK may be a good idea too if you continue to track and progress.
One thing is for sure, you won't doubt the fade the next time it occurs. Need to be off the throttle as soon as you feel it... cuz as you found out, the brakes won't be there next time.
I've never used those pads on the track, so can't speak to their performance or durability.
Not sure of the total distance on that track, but looks like you can get some decent high-speeds. I'd guess just wrong pad selection. You need race pads.. BBK may be a good idea too if you continue to track and progress.
11-06-2011, 08:31 PM
#10
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I wish Brembo's were being sold for 800!
I've been stalking the classifieds.
They go for ~1500
OP, good thing you didn't get into an accident.
Hope you find your alternative brake upgrade.
Brembos? Akebonos? Other BBK?
11-06-2011, 09:15 PM
#12
The new pads were Stoptech Street Performance, the best I've had available short notice.
So about 2.5 sessions in on October 29th I had terrible brake fade and had to go straight off the back of the second straight to avoid a crash. That's no pad left after about 40 minutes of driving.
My theory is that the heat in that caliper caused it to seize a little, and the extra heat just destroyed the pad, which eventually started melting the rotor. The other pads are fine.
So what do I do? fix this? upgrade? Why exactly did this happen? will this happen again even if I get a bbk and keep racing on these tracks with fast right handers?
So about 2.5 sessions in on October 29th I had terrible brake fade and had to go straight off the back of the second straight to avoid a crash. That's no pad left after about 40 minutes of driving.
My theory is that the heat in that caliper caused it to seize a little, and the extra heat just destroyed the pad, which eventually started melting the rotor. The other pads are fine.
So what do I do? fix this? upgrade? Why exactly did this happen? will this happen again even if I get a bbk and keep racing on these tracks with fast right handers?
11-07-2011, 10:06 AM
#14
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Wow, glad you're ok and that there was somewhere to safely run off the track. If your brakes got hot enough to melt a pad, you may want to consider flushing your fluid.
If you're looking to go that route. For pads, check this link.
If you're looking to go that route. For pads, check this link.
Last edited by Vivid Racing; 11-08-2011 at 03:13 PM.
11-07-2011, 10:32 AM
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Wow, glad you're ok and that there was somewhere to safely run off the track. If your brakes got hot enough to melt a pad, you may want to consider flushing your fluid.
We've got a couple BBKs from Stoptech in the $900 region, if you're looking to go that route. For pads, check this link.
We've got a couple BBKs from Stoptech in the $900 region, if you're looking to go that route. For pads, check this link.
Vivid Stoptech BBK in the $900 Area? LMK
11-07-2011, 10:46 AM
#16
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11-07-2011, 11:01 AM
#17
Yellow stuff pads will melt just like the OPs - I tried em.. I know. I got about 4 15min sessions out of them on a fairly small/lower speed track. Thankfully I called it a day after that, cuz there was about 1/32" remaining on them.
11-07-2011, 06:13 PM
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Just go carbotech XP10/XP8 and call it a day.
Been running those the past couple of years and no issues with brake fade on 05 non-brembo calipers, even at semi-high speed tracks like Mid-Ohio
Been running those the past couple of years and no issues with brake fade on 05 non-brembo calipers, even at semi-high speed tracks like Mid-Ohio
11-07-2011, 06:22 PM
#20
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ive put like 1 actual track day on my RS3s so hearing 5 and their still good looking makes me feel a lot better
I have gotten a bit of fade once though but im still a n00b at the track and ride the brakes a lot.
