Pads are Ferodo DS1.1

I've been happy with the compound as it wears slightly better than compounds like DTC-60s or similar all while being very easy on the rotors. Typically I can wear them right down to the backing plates if desired as well.

I wish you could get the same compound for the rear, but I was told it'd be a minimum of 10 sets for them to make a run. Anyone want in on that? haha.

 

Same issue with PFC. I run the 08s in front but they no longer make rears.

I'm really looking for a reasonable and streetable way to ditch the rears. They are heavy, need frequent rebuilds (I roll with an extra set at all times) a pain to pad swap, and the pads themselves are tiny.

 

I called PFC to inquire about rear pads and they said I'd need to order 20 sets for a custom run! I've been told that Porterfield will apply any pad compound to any backing plate as long as you know the details. They do PFC pad compounds and sell other brands with our rear pad shape, so you might try giving them a call if you want to get PFCs for the rear. I just haven't pushed that avenue as I'm not using their front pads at this point.

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment of the rear brakes. I'd love to see a company come out with an aftermarket e-brake that can use our stock cable and is separate from the caliper so we could be free to do whatever for rear brake calipers. I like the monster rear brake kit that Sakebomb came out with, but I use the e-brake when towing the car (out of gear) and I would really like to keep that functionality.

 

@Smokey The Talon , @ptrhahn , why don't you guys swap over to some Wilwood rear calipers like Max Cooper did back in the day?

 

Wilwood setup, same problem as the Sakebomb and StopTech rear kits... no ebrake. There are options, none of them ideal.

There's a K-Sport rear, that has an ebrake devise (basically a lever) built in... but I don't know about the quality of calipers, rebuild ease/service in U.S., pad shape availability, or piston sizes:
https://tgsexhausts.co.uk/product/k-...azda-rx7-fd3s/

There's PB brakes, which offers a line lock style addition. These guys used to make AtomicRex's BBKs... again, same question marks as K-Sport, though I did email them a while ago, and the rear 4-piston calipers are 28mm pistons, the line lock isn't sold seperately:
https://pbbrakes.com/brake-kits/mazd...brake-kit.html

Revolution Makes a brembo spot caliper based setup to go with their AP based rear kit, but its STUPID expensive, and is only built for their kit with a 314x20mm rotor:
https://www.rhdjapan.com/revolution-...-kit-fd3s.html

I'm surprised more brake manufacturers haven't gone the K-Sport route with street calipers with such an addition. I always heard line locks would eventually leak if parked for any time. The revolution option is what is done with other car kits, but its gotta be heavy and complicated.

 

Ah, gotcha.
I got rid of the e-brake on my race car and don't miss it.
It is useful for a street car.

I guess you guys still use the car on the street

 

There is another Front/Rear kit option that includes a replacement parking brake solution (line lock).

APG Performance - A Japanese brand founded in 2014
https://apgperformance.com/?page_id=228

Also, here is a link where you can see the kit on an RX7 and get a glimpse of the e-brake (click through the images)

 

Brakes are just one of those areas where I get real sketchy about straying from the AP/Brembo/Alcon/StopTech/Endless spectrum, or anything regularly used in pro racing.

 

Same.
Can't help looking around though because the e-brake problem is super annoying.

 

Brakes are for wimps

 

"If the brakes don't stop it, something will"

 

"Brakes just slow you down"

 

Peter nicely summed up the issues. Nobody that I trust has put out a solution with a parking brake. Honestly it's not that I use the parking brake that much, but if you're going to leave the car parked on any sort of incline you're wise to use the e-brake because it's not like the rotary has a ton of compression to stop it rolling over. I also use it as extra insurance when towing the car in case the straps come loose.

 

Well....life moves fast so no major projects completed for the car before the final event this year.

I did make a change to try out some Yokohama slicks instead of the Pirellis. They're also larger at 285/650/18 compared to the typical 265/645/18 I was running in the Pirelli. Thankfully they weren't really any taller of diameter which is important because that's where most of my fit issues come from.

Fit on the front was tight for sure. Rubbed all over the fender liners, and had a couple small rubs on the metal, but thankfully nothing that did damage. I'll probably go back to the Pirellis and maybe try the 285 Pirelli or stick with the tried and true 265.



Here's a view comparing them to the 275/35-18 NT-01s on a 10" wheel. The slicks are on 10.5"


I finally broke down and replaced the rear rotors. They weren't cracked and had good life left in them, but from the beginning seemed to be out of true and made a lot of noise. Win some lose some. I kept them as backups if needed.

 

Final event of the year was Sept at Mid Ohio which is always good. Weather cooperated for the most part except some overnight rains and rain on Sunday. Was able to get in a lot of track time though so no complaints.

Friday was going great until I parked the car for lunch and then went out in the afternoon and the boost response was suuuupppper slow and not making full boost until very high RPMs. The car was noticeably down on power....bummer. After letting the car cool and poking around for a while I was finally able to figure out the wastegate actuator arm on the turbos had popped off. I had lost the little circlip that holds it on. I had one back in my spare parts bin but that wasn't helping me. I was able to PAINFULLY remove the head shields (real pain in the *** with the downpipe still on) and get a loop of safety wire around it.

Went out to test and was pleasantly surprised to have it working as intended again! My reaction when driving the car afterward:

Here's a good run with my brother on Friday as well. He was only running Nittos this weekend and they were old as dirt but still working. I was on my slicks so I SHOULD have had a major advantage, but at least this weekend it seemed to make us much more even than I'd like to admit. Either way made for lots of fun. He had more motor and brakes and I had more grip.

We had lots of these back and forths all weekend which was great fun. I also had a great run with another friend in a 991 GT3, but unfortunately was testing out my son's action camera and the video is all washed out, so no video.

Hoping to again try to tackle some improvements/updates for next year, so we'll see how motivated I can get over the winter or not. Also have lots of kart prep to do over the winter for next season.

 

I've been running the APG brakes for a while in my car now; so far they're doing great. My home track is Autoclub Speedway Roval - I've had no problems stopping from 150 - 50 for turn 3 and 140 - 50 for turn 11. It's the only track I know of in CA that has challenged the brakes on my car. The ebrake solution is definitely nifty!