Brakes... I'm so confused...
 

Alrighty. I have a '90 GTU model with the good ol' single pot brakes. I'm looking at upgrading the brakes (at least in the front). I have a set of 4-pots that I got recently and am using them as cores for new (or remanufactured or whatever) 4-pots (Yay for $28.99 a caliper at O'Reilly's :)).

I want to also use new rotors and a higher performing brake pad. I'm looking into Hawk Performance for the brake pads because I have heard good things. Rotors, I'm not too sure about. I think I'm just gonna go with blanks.

What is confusing me is that when shopping for brake pads they wanna know if I have vented or solid rear disks. I thought FC's had the same rear calipers and different front calipers depending on the model.

So, I'm changing my front brake calipers to 4-pots. I have the hardlines and am waiting on the calipers, brake pads, and rotors (and maybe some braided lines). Is this everything I'm gonna need or am I missing something? From what I understand everything should be a quick swap over.

Which brake pads am I supposed to buy?

Search. Already have. I hear a lot of confusing opinions and really want to hear from someone who knows for sure or has done this swap before.

Thanks in advance,
Mason

if your 7 has 4 piston front calipers it will have vented rear rotors. solid rear rotors and vented rear rotors use different calipers, same with 4 piston / single piston front calipers. calipers made for vented rear rotors ARE A PAIN IN THE ASS TO FIND.

EBC pads are great, i use the green stuff and i get no brake dust what so ever. as for rotors it's up to you. i have a really nasty groaning noise from my rear brakes (you can tell just by pulling up the e-brake while coasting, or just coasting going slow). shop tells me the "rotors" are the cause (warped.. uh huh) and need to be replaced. i call BS as they are less than a year old. the are drilled slotted so many places will not machine them. i'm thinking about just getting the Corksport rear brake upgrade for the FC...

I have run a couple sets of Hawk HPS pads on my RX-7. I have no complaints about them.

It has been a long time since I did the swap on my car but IIRC the Rear brake PADS are the same no matter what model, however the calipers are different depending on if it is a solid or vented rear disc.

BTW, are the 28.99 calipers factory mazda or a cheap knock off. If they are not a factory part I would skip them and just buy a reseal kit for the existing calipers you have. The only way the caliper will go bad is if there is a lot of rust on the pistons or cylined walls that has caused pitting. If there is none of that then put some new rubber seals in the pistons and replace the dust covers and you are set.

Unless you are a SERIOUS racer then standard rotors are just fine. Drilled rotors are more for looks and as was mentiond will be hard if not impossible to find a shop that will turn them.

I have a friend that uses the Oreilly's brake rotors on his track RX and has not had to replace or resurface them after numerous track days at Hallet.

I'm not sure exactly what the calipers are but I know that mine have some rust on the inside and I would rather pick up some almost new one's for pretty cheap than have mine fail on me.

Regular rotors it is then...

I'm thinking Hawks. I found a place where I can get them for ~$40.

Alrighty... So when shopping for brake pads I am going to buy one's for the model of Rx-7 with the vented rear-rotor. That should give me the 4-pot brake pads.

Thanks!
Mason

where can you get them for ~$40, please share :) im looking for rear pads right now..

wait are you doing the 5 lug swap or are you just trying to put the 4 pot calipers and new rotor on to the 4 lug?