Stoptech and track use
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From: Wilmington, NC
Stoptech and track use
The Stoptech kit has been out for a while now. I was wondering how the people that take their FD to the track like them with the stock rear brakes. Also what pads are you using for the track?
I'm moving to a GT35R and I'm thinking I'll feel better with something more than the stock brakes w/ PF 90 front and Hawk Black rear pads at VIR...
Thanks for the replies,
Grant
I'm moving to a GT35R and I'm thinking I'll feel better with something more than the stock brakes w/ PF 90 front and Hawk Black rear pads at VIR...
Thanks for the replies,
Grant
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 111
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From: Northern Virginia
I used my stoptechs this spring at VIR and had some issues with basically stock rear brakes. My rear setup was powerslot replacement rotors and AXIS pads (same kind stoptech sends with the front brake kit) and stainless rear brake lines.
Under high speed braking at the end of the straights when I was really standing on the brakes the car got unsettled. It felt as if the rear of the car was trying to drive itself through the front of the car. It was not a shuddering which might result in improper brake pad bedding or something being out of balance. I also did not see any smoke from brake lock up or hear any screeching either. My guess is I am feeling too much front brake bias. It was not a very confidence inspiring sensation so I had to slow it down and brake earlier to avoid it. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced front brake bias with any kit to know if my guess is right or not.
I understand that stoptech engineers balanced brake kits but my car is nowhere near stock anymore (bigger/wider wheels, springs, struts, sway bars etc.) so all those changes I assume are affecting the bias. My solution is to put the 99 spec rear brakes on that have larger rotors to help throw some bias back to the rear. I have not yet tested that on the track though. I may experiment with different pad compounds as well.
Under high speed braking at the end of the straights when I was really standing on the brakes the car got unsettled. It felt as if the rear of the car was trying to drive itself through the front of the car. It was not a shuddering which might result in improper brake pad bedding or something being out of balance. I also did not see any smoke from brake lock up or hear any screeching either. My guess is I am feeling too much front brake bias. It was not a very confidence inspiring sensation so I had to slow it down and brake earlier to avoid it. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced front brake bias with any kit to know if my guess is right or not.
I understand that stoptech engineers balanced brake kits but my car is nowhere near stock anymore (bigger/wider wheels, springs, struts, sway bars etc.) so all those changes I assume are affecting the bias. My solution is to put the 99 spec rear brakes on that have larger rotors to help throw some bias back to the rear. I have not yet tested that on the track though. I may experiment with different pad compounds as well.
All:
I've got 5 days on the StopTechs, and so far, I really think they're great. As far as being ballanced with the stock rears, that's what i'm running.
95FD_VA: What front pads were you using in conjunction with the Axxis street rears?
I've run these with stock fronts and rears at Summit, on 18" street tires, and that didn't work well. Faded big time. Next outing I ran N-Tech lapping day front, PFC 90 rear, on streets at WGI. No fade, but I noticed that the rears never really got hot enough... the rotor wasn't really polished smooth as it should be. Next time out ran the same combo w/ new track wheels. Seemed to work fine, though the rears still never got hot enough. I swapped the rears out for street Axxis metalmaster pads when the PFC wore out, and reall didn't notice much difference.
I've heard of people requesting different piston sizes for the ST's to match '99 rears but it would seem that any imballance would be minor enough to correct with pad compound. Lots of people ran the PFC 93/90 compound on the OE brakes, and then again many run Hawk blue all around.
I'm still figuring out exactly what compound/combo I want to run, but so far, i really haven't seen where you NEED '99 rears to make the car comfortable. Next friday i'm going to try the lapping days with new axxis ultimate rears, on track tires at Summit... we'll see how that goes.
I've got 5 days on the StopTechs, and so far, I really think they're great. As far as being ballanced with the stock rears, that's what i'm running.
95FD_VA: What front pads were you using in conjunction with the Axxis street rears?
I've run these with stock fronts and rears at Summit, on 18" street tires, and that didn't work well. Faded big time. Next outing I ran N-Tech lapping day front, PFC 90 rear, on streets at WGI. No fade, but I noticed that the rears never really got hot enough... the rotor wasn't really polished smooth as it should be. Next time out ran the same combo w/ new track wheels. Seemed to work fine, though the rears still never got hot enough. I swapped the rears out for street Axxis metalmaster pads when the PFC wore out, and reall didn't notice much difference.
I've heard of people requesting different piston sizes for the ST's to match '99 rears but it would seem that any imballance would be minor enough to correct with pad compound. Lots of people ran the PFC 93/90 compound on the OE brakes, and then again many run Hawk blue all around.
I'm still figuring out exactly what compound/combo I want to run, but so far, i really haven't seen where you NEED '99 rears to make the car comfortable. Next friday i'm going to try the lapping days with new axxis ultimate rears, on track tires at Summit... we'll see how that goes.
Originally Posted by 95FD_VA
I used my stoptechs this spring at VIR and had some issues with basically stock rear brakes. My rear setup was powerslot replacement rotors and AXIS pads (same kind stoptech sends with the front brake kit) and stainless rear brake lines.
Under high speed braking at the end of the straights when I was really standing on the brakes the car got unsettled. It felt as if the rear of the car was trying to drive itself through the front of the car. It was not a shuddering which might result in improper brake pad bedding or something being out of balance. I also did not see any smoke from brake lock up or hear any screeching either. My guess is I am feeling too much front brake bias. It was not a very confidence inspiring sensation so I had to slow it down and brake earlier to avoid it. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced front brake bias with any kit to know if my guess is right or not.
I understand that stoptech engineers balanced brake kits but my car is nowhere near stock anymore (bigger/wider wheels, springs, struts, sway bars etc.) so all those changes I assume are affecting the bias. My solution is to put the 99 spec rear brakes on that have larger rotors to help throw some bias back to the rear. I have not yet tested that on the track though. I may experiment with different pad compounds as well.
Under high speed braking at the end of the straights when I was really standing on the brakes the car got unsettled. It felt as if the rear of the car was trying to drive itself through the front of the car. It was not a shuddering which might result in improper brake pad bedding or something being out of balance. I also did not see any smoke from brake lock up or hear any screeching either. My guess is I am feeling too much front brake bias. It was not a very confidence inspiring sensation so I had to slow it down and brake earlier to avoid it. I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced front brake bias with any kit to know if my guess is right or not.
I understand that stoptech engineers balanced brake kits but my car is nowhere near stock anymore (bigger/wider wheels, springs, struts, sway bars etc.) so all those changes I assume are affecting the bias. My solution is to put the 99 spec rear brakes on that have larger rotors to help throw some bias back to the rear. I have not yet tested that on the track though. I may experiment with different pad compounds as well.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
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From: San Lorenzo, California
Once my car is finally done here, I will be running custom Stoptech fronts (modified for 99-rears -- contact Zeckhausen racing) and the Mazda 99+ rear brakes. I was debating what track pad to use up front (will go with OEM rear pads for now), but I think Ptrhahn's experience (and others) has convinced me to try the Ntech pads.
I'll let you know how it goes if my car ever runs again, LOL.
I'll let you know how it goes if my car ever runs again, LOL.
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great thread. sort of off topic but related to stoptech...will any 17's fit stoptech's? or are 18's required? if you have it handy, can you give me backspacing and width?
how much does this kit sell for? where is good place to buy from?
how much does this kit sell for? where is good place to buy from?
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 10
From: San Lorenzo, California
Originally Posted by 2MCHPWR
great thread. sort of off topic but related to stoptech...will any 17's fit stoptech's? or are 18's required? if you have it handy, can you give me backspacing and width?
how much does this kit sell for? where is good place to buy from?
how much does this kit sell for? where is good place to buy from?
www.zeckhausenracing.com Dave will take care of you.
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