How does the stock FD brakes compare to other cars
 

I'm just now getting into autox/road racing and was wondering how the stock brake system (with either EBC greens or Project mu b-force pads) would compare with other cars basically stock brake systems.

just trying to see where I stand with the competition as far as braking is concerned.......


Thanks,
STEPHEN

The US spec FD stock brakes are very good. The only problem is they cannot sustain hard use without fading.

The '99 Type RS brakes address that problem.

Project - mu is my sponsor.
Then I can get them at reasonable price.
Are you interested in?

Yes I am, email me at SJWhite2000@aol.com with some pricing on the b-force pads.

Thanks,
STEPHEN

What exactly causes them to fad??? I'm new to the braking aspect of my car. Never worried about slowing down lol Is there anything I can do to the stock brake system to help with fade?

Everything that has to do with brakes on my car right down to the fluid is what came on the car when it left the factory in 95(I've got 40K miles). I've never even changed the pads. I'm fixing to do the pads and probably the rotors since they'll be right there but as you reccomended I'll just use Mazda rotors. Where is the cheapest place to get the rotors? (surely not Mazda)

What is the main difference between the 99 and US spec brake systems besides the size of the rotor? Or is that what makes most of the difference?

Thanks for all your help!!!!
STEPHEN

The US spec Mazda rotors are not large enough to sustain the heat sinking capacity needed to deal with the tremendous heat energy that is generated when converting kinetic energy of forward motion to heat energy during a sprint race, or 25-minute hot track lapping session.

The excess heat NOT sunk into the iron, gets transferred to the pads, then the calipers, then the fluid, and eventually your brake pedal goes away...classic brake fade.

The key to minimizing fade is to use high boiling point fluid such as Motul Racing Brake Fluid--wet boiling point is 485, and dry boiling point is nearly 600 F--and to use street/track pads that can deal with the extra heat that arises from track use (drivers eds and lapping events). EBC Green Stuffs, Hawk HP Plusses, Porterfield R4-S, Performance Friction PF90s, and apparently Project Mus are good examples.

Obviously larger thicker rotors will take care of most of the heat stress, as there's more iron to dissipate the heat. The more metal, the better. This is why I don't recommend slotting or cross-drilling brake rotors, as there's less metal to take away the heat stress. Warped brake rotors should NOT be turned. They should be replaced (if you're tracking the car). Of course, larger calipers will be needed to clamp down on larger rotors.

The '99 FD Type RS front brake rotors are 12.4 inches x 1.25 inches, vs US spec front brake rotors at 11.6 x 0.87 inches. The Type RS rears are 12.4 inches, but are the same thickness as the US spec rear rotors.

The RS calipers are larger fr/rr, with the fronts using a larger lower piston (leading edge piston), vs the US spec pistons which are equal sizes upper and lower.

Stock US spec Mazda brake rotors are available from Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development (formerly named, Mazda Competiton Parts).

Their website is below:

http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/weba...?storeId=10001

All the brake parts needed for the '99 FD Rx7 Type RS brakes retro-conversion are available through Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development. Talk to Brian or Tim, and they will get all the parts together for you.

Be forwarned, that the RS brake parts are frequently on back-order from Japan, as Japan-spec parts are not part of Mazdaspeed's regular inventory.