So I was having problems with my brakes, under low speed braking, it would brake unevenly, meaning it would kind of jump forward, then backward... I suspected one of my rotors was warped. Plus there is a squeeking, almost grinding noise that happens when driving around. Even when I'm not on the brakes. I didn't know what to think of that noise, Wheel bearing maybe?

I took it in to get checked out, because I may be able to change the parts out, but I'm no good at diagnosing. I just took it to some "free brake inspection" place. They took a look at all the brakes, and told me that the fronts are warped but not scored, and the pads are on the squeekers, and the rear pads are down to 10%.

It's about time to change some things out. Now I've been looking at the Powerstop front rotors from the RX-7 store. I looked at some OE Brembo blanks, they were cheap, like $55ea, but the car should be seeing quite a bit of track time in the near future, and I like the look of cross drilled better.. At $115 each, the Powerstops ain't cheap, but I can hang. Then I was thinking Hawk HP+ pads on all 4 corners. Though for a similar price, I could go with the Bonez pads.

I just got a new knightsport body kit, and I've been thinking I'll probably convert a pair of the holes for lights into brake vents, and fabricate a backing plate on the car the same time I install the new rotors (similar to crooked willow's CF brake duct: http://www.crookedwillow.com/brakeduct.htm ). This would help to prevent any cracking or warping of the cross drilled.

any opinions? Suggestions? Ideas on where else to buy this stuff, for cheaper?

 

Cross-drilled rotors will crack under hard use at the track.

CWCs' ducts have not been track proven by enough FD owners to make a solid judgement on Duane's ducts. My guess is that they don't work well because of the lack of air movement inside the front fender wells. If you had an open wheel formula car, the CWC ducts would work as advertised.

Hawk HP Plusses are ok, but wear out rotors too quickly during normal street driving, and the Plusses dust much too heavily. On the flip side, they fade after 10 hard laps...just not a really good pad for either application.

IMO, go with the stock Mazda rotors (I haven't had one warp on me yet) from Mazda Comp and get EBC Greens all around. Unless you've got substanstial track experience, I wouldn't waste money on the Reds YET.

EBC pads are available from Autosportoutfitters.com. Call 289-7221 to order your set.

Manny Lozano
Motorsports Driving Club
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

I agree that drilled rotors (and slotted to a lesser extent) are not suitable for track use on the FD in the stock size. They crack. I've seen a forum member crack up a set of drilled rotors at Laguna Seca in one day.

I like the Brembo solid-face rotors because they are cheap and good. I had my last set cryo treated by http://www.cryoscience.com/ and they have lasted much longer than the previous two sets that I used. I had my pads cryo treated, too, and they lasted longer as well.

Hawk HP+ pads feel great on the street, but they still fade on the track and they dust like mad. However, when they fade on the track they don't go away as much as the HPS pads. I won't get HP+ again because of the dusting. EBC Green seem like good street pads, but I haven't tried them on the track. My guess is that you would still be able to fade them, but it is probably worth a try.

I gave up trying to find one pad that works for both street and track, and just swap the front pads at the track. It only takes an extra 15 minutes if you have the change the wheels anyway, but I am sick of swapping.

-Max