2nd Generation Specific 1986-1992 Discussion

brake upgrades

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-11-2008, 12:16 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
Black91n/a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 19
Default

If you're overheating your brakes on the street there's something SERIOUSLY wrong. Either you're a maniac and should be locked up, or the brakes aren't working properly and need to be fixed. Getting rid of the drilled rotors is the first step, THEY ARE NOT AN UPGRADE! They crack when used hard, which is what it sounds like you're doing. Plain <$25/each rotors from the parts store are more than sufficient for even the hardest track use, so they'll be fine for you. Maybe your caliper pistons are sticking, keeping the pads pressed up against the rotors, or maybe you're missing some hardware. The pads can also be oversized and stick in the calipers. Check that. Changing to some different pads should also help since it sounds like you've overheated and glazed the EBC's, giving them the approximate friction properties of a couple blocks of wood. Something like Hawk HP+'s might be better for you, they dust and they squeak, but they've got good stopping power and heat resistance without being a race pad (terrible on the street, I know).



For the track, another thing you can do is add ducting (AWR has the backing plates), this helps cool the brakes and will make a big difference. If the pedal's getting soft, replace your fluid with fresh, high temp stuff.



If the stock brakes (with ducting, good pads, good fluid) are good enough for FC race cars running 230+hp to the rear wheels using 10" wide slicks (E Production cars), they're good enough for you on the street.
Black91n/a is offline  
Old 12-11-2008, 01:14 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
1Revvin7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 10,906
Default

Originally Posted by Roen' post='884309' date='Oct 4 2007, 02:19 PM
I run on a road course with stock size power slot rotors, Hawk HPS pads (street pad) and stock 4-pot calipers and have Motul RBF600 brake fluid in my system. I don't fade or lose consistency, and this is a street/track setup. I've never ran out of brakes, ever. Unless you heavily drive your car more than what I do on a track, (think brake from 120 down to 60, speed back up, brake back down), you don't need a big brake kit, unless you want it for the looks.



In regards to BBK stopping longer than stock, you have to get an adjustable proportioning valve and adjust your new brakes to the proper brake bias.



Looks are not a bad reason, btw. Depends on what you want from the car.


This is my exact experience. I would just like to add rebuild your 20 yr old brakes and you will notice a a HUGE difference...
1Revvin7 is offline  
Old 12-11-2008, 04:27 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
Nateb123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 143
Default

Originally Posted by Roen' post='884309' date='Oct 4 2007, 11:19 AM
I run on a road course with stock size power slot rotors, Hawk HPS pads (street pad) and stock 4-pot calipers and have Motul RBF600 brake fluid in my system. I don't fade or lose consistency, and this is a street/track setup. I've never ran out of brakes, ever. Unless you heavily drive your car more than what I do on a track, (think brake from 120 down to 60, speed back up, brake back down), you don't need a big brake kit, unless you want it for the looks.



In regards to BBK stopping longer than stock, you have to get an adjustable proportioning valve and adjust your new brakes to the proper brake bias.


Longer stopping distance isn't always a bad thing either. More rear bias can give you more ability to rotate under braking. Unfortunately, that's for when you're on the track, so for the street, many big brakes aren't an upgrade. And if you want looks, powder coat your calipers, clean everything up and get fresh rotors. Voila.
Nateb123 is offline  
Old 12-14-2008, 03:37 PM
  #14  
Junior Member
 
Black91n/a's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 19
Default

Originally Posted by Nateb123' post='913191' date='Dec 11 2008, 02:27 PM
Longer stopping distance isn't always a bad thing either. More rear bias can give you more ability to rotate under braking. Unfortunately, that's for when you're on the track, so for the street, many big brakes aren't an upgrade. And if you want looks, powder coat your calipers, clean everything up and get fresh rotors. Voila.


The stock balance is already too far to the rear for road racing purposes, giving people problems with rear lockup, lengthening braking zones, making the car slower overall. This is not the right way to get the car to rotate, it'll slow you down. If you want it to rotate, tune the suspension to accomplish that, don't suffer through improper brake balance for it. It's better to have too much front balance, since at least that's stable. Too much rear can easily lead to a spin.
Black91n/a is offline  
Old 12-15-2008, 08:26 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
sleeperRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: KAOH
Posts: 597
Default

beware of cheap slotted/crossdrilled rotors. they will crack/split. bigger brakes are only as good as the tires that stick to the road. spend more money on tires and just rebuild the stock brakes like said before. you should be pretty happy with the results. i learned the hard way.
sleeperRX7 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nemesis
2nd Generation Specific
13
10-22-2003 04:59 PM
FCmaniac
2nd Generation Specific
0
09-02-2002 11:22 AM
RX7Aggie
2nd Generation Specific
9
04-30-2002 04:21 PM
phinsup
Front Desk
3
12-17-2001 10:05 AM
1Revvin7
2nd Generation Specific
9
12-07-2001 11:53 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: brake upgrades



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:01 PM.