Brake Upgrade?
 

Hi, I live in the Uk and my car (1990 Turbo 2) is being used alot at the moment for Track days etc, i would like to upgrade to a larger more Track Brake set up.

I dont have a masive buget at the moment but i am prepaired to to spend the money to get a good Braking system, What do you recomend?

I have heard the Ballance is quite a big thing on race cars and to uprate the back to match the Front.

Thanks.

Grizzly,

What's leading you into the new brakes? I just don't see a need for larger brakes unless you're running some excellent race tires that have the grip to support the adding braking force. If you can consistantly lock your brakes up now, adding brake (via larger rotor/caliper combinations) isn't going to help you (except to GET to lockup faster, and maybe make it easier to modulate the brakes). Guys, if you think I'm wrong, please correct me.

IMHO, get a good set of track pads, a bias adjuster (pressure limiting type), and you should be just fine.

my .02$

PaulC

hi Grizzly,

For UK specific advise you could always try here

www.mazdarotaryclub.com

I agree with what silkworm is saying big brakes need big grip to work effectively, however if you experiencing brake fade you might want to try changing to some racing pads and racing fluid (make sure its compatable with the seals in the callipers etc. and remember it needs changing a lot more frequently)
another thing to try if brake fade is a problem is changing the fluid, its a hygroscopic liquid so as it gets older it absorbs water out of the air and after a while the water will build up to a point where it will boil and cause brake fade

Just a few ideas to think about :)

I know a guy hear who runs a Na 20b race car that has AP 13" ft brakes and all the goodies that go with it, he is very quick.

My Cross drilled and groved disks are up for changing this is why i an looking to uprate?

As for Tyre choice i run 245/35/18's on the ft of my 7 i also use Int tyres (a bit of a cheat)?

Yep i am a Member of Glen Buchers Club but its better for info on FD's

Maybe you know Pip Gardeners Race car? (WGT)

nope I'm not familiar with Pips car ... although I do know Pip (on the phone anyway :) )

I asked a guy who Prepares full blown Race cars, he seems to think its has nothing to do with the stoping power and is more about the feed back it gives you and the control over not locking up going into corners?

What is your opinion?

He's right, which is what we said up above (adding more brakes isn't going to help you stop faster, just make them easier to modulate). However, is that a problem for you? Are you having trouble modulating the brakes and getting the car at the edge of lockup but no further? Are you fading the brakes?

Or are you just looking for a reason to spend money? :D

PaulC

I guess i just want the best set up i can aford?

I am not a big Brake/Suspension man. I have built some powerful cars and am fed up with thrashing them down 1/4 of a Mile.

I have realy come to the Racing seen this year and am geting wasted but guys with less power and better suspension set ups. I hope to remidy this by geting some Coil overs fitted with all the Camber done,Uprate the Brakes, lots of lightening and yet a even more powerfull engine (20b).

You may be asking well its alright tuning the car but can I drive it? Well yes i have been Karting for a number of years and am not to bad on the track (can say i'm the best as i'm not but i'm competitive)

Thats why i'm going a bit over the top on my set up, its only like Sunday racer/Track days but i'm geting into the hole thing and would like to build a Car from a shell to the proper regs and enter some of the bigger events.

Well, ok, but here's the deal.

Spend the money if you want, but if it were me, I'd spend the money on bigger wheels and tires.

PaulC

Bigger wheels and Tyres? i am running 18"? there 9" on the Ft and 10 on the rear they are big wheels if there is anything i would say about the wheels they are not the lightest in the world (i bought them for looks, OOps)

You fit 9s up front without fender flares??

18s? 16x10 if you can fit them all around with some great race tires (don't know what you have in the UK, Hoosier RS303s here in the US is a good tire)

Yep 9" fit but i did mod the arches. I have'nt realy looked into tyres but i bought some semi slicks from a place near me called EARS Motorsport.

Change your master cylinder for one from a 4 lug car and you will find the pedel a bit softer but the tendency to lock will almost go away.

:)