Track stuff
 

I'm eager to get the car to the track. I'll have to get some wheels and tires so any info on what works with these cars will be welcomed. Tires? Pads? I don't have an owner's manual yet but expect it here soon. If I don't see anything to the contrary I'll put in Castrol LMA synthetic brake fluid. I used the regular LMA in my turbo Porsche race car for six years and then the synthetic in my Miata with never a fade problem, and it was a lot cheaper than the blue stuff.

Any track-related chit chat would be welcome.

you can find a lot of your track related answers in this section:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39

tires, pads, and fluid is a good start. a lot of people say to not use the stock pads at the track as they will ruin your rotors. but stock rotors with upgraded pads are fine

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25485

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38926

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23680

IMO sounds like you've got a fluid preference and all you need is a pad suggestion (no reason to change rotors, blanks>slotted from what I've seen and read), everything will be to taste, there is no singular solution. No reason to upgrade OEM wheels unless you want a different look/size/separate tires for street/track, OEM Michelins can take a few days of abuse, they're built to last but alignment will wear the outer edges. Have fun.

First time?

Longacre tire pressure gauge
Carbotech XP10 Pads
Torque RT700 brake fluid
OEM camber bolt
alignment

OEM tires will be fine if they are the Michelin Primacy.
If you have the crappy bridgestones I'd get something else. Then that will start you down the rabbit hole. lol

First time, just get pads, brake fluid and braided lines... once you know the car you can mess with better tires, and suspension

I use separate wheels with R-compound tires on the track, but I'm too lazy to swap pads every time so I need to find a dual purpose pad. Carbotech pads are the best, but should only be mounted with new rotors. I do hear that some guys have scrubbed the existing rotors with brake cleaner and have gotten away with it.

Spent all year swapping XP10's in and out for autox and track with my OEM rotors, always worked great with minimal prep but they are overkill for my skills, XP8's would likely have served me just as well. Rotors still have tons of life left at 43k miles, 5x track days and a season of monthly autocrossing.

That's good to know that you successfully swapped the Carbotechs in and out. I like Hawk pads in general, but Hawk tells me they don't have a pad now that will work on the street and still stand up to the demands in, say, 17 and 1 at Sebring.

I've only had the BRZ a few days and have been too busy to get in back and look for possible ways to mount the shoulder harnesses for five-point belts. Some of the things I like most about the BRZ are the seats. Great bolsters and support. No need to look for other seats.

If your only going to do a track even once. Go as is. Just make sure your cat is in perfect running condition.
If you plan to run more than 3 times a year, I highly recommend getting a second set of wheels with sticky tires, better brake pads, a good tire pressure gauge not those $2 stick ones) and some 2x4s just so you won't use the parking brake after a hot lap. (That's how lots of people warp or explode their pads.)
Other than that just go out have fun. But more stuff if you want to. I'll rather spend more for track entry fees

If your on stock tires, I like the Winmax W3. Run them in my otherwise stock car. Plenty of track days ( mild ) and plenty of life left. Well over 50% after 6 track days.. ( I don't drive hard enough )

If you're on stickier EHP tires or r-comps, maybe step up to a W4 or W5. The only other pads I would try are Project Mu 999's or Club Racers.

Given the bedding squeal on Carbotechs I would never run them if you're planning on a dual purpose pad.

Yea my XP10s sound like a freight train if I street drive them. I swap with 1521s for the street, they are silent.

If you are going to swap track pads you might as well have track wheels.

If not well I'm not sure. I don't think you can track regularly and not outgrow dual purpose pads. Unless you are just sunday driving at the track. Or use track pads on the street and deal with the noise and dust.

If you're switching to R-compund tires, you should get track pads... I used to fade my HC+800 on street tires... You can run hybrid pads in the rear and just switch the front pads... Switching all four tires and the front pads takes less than an hour using a jack and impact gun

I ran PMU club racers on the track this year and daily drive on stop tech pads, never replaced or cleaned my rotors when I swapped pads.

Fried my OEM pads and fluid on my second ever track day, would not recommend. Sounds like OP would do the same given his experience. Doing a few laps with hard braking zones, say enough to downshift, scrubbing 20mph+ off either using ABS or threshold braking very close to the limit and they're gone, and that was OEM everything.

Just to clarify a bit, guys. I've been racing or running track in cars and on motorcycles for a long, long time. Probably before most on this forum were born. I've been an instructor for much of that time as well, and chief steward of a large Porsche Club region. I always run track pads and different wheels with track tires, along with a few odds and ends thrown in, like 5-point belts. I was just curious if there are certain wheel, pad and tire brands that are popular for this car. I appreciate everyone's input. It's very helpful.

well... anything you have used should be available for the BRZ

Enkei RPF1
Hoosier slicks
Reybestos ST43 pads, I got my set in time for my last track event this weekend.

:thumbup:

Hi temp brake fluid 1st
Then better pads
Enkie RPF1 17x9 best bang for the buck.
Go with a 200 tread wear tire for street and track. 235/40/17, Stay away from 100's or full slicks. You'll learn driving the car better with a less aggressive tire.

Wow really? Could have been just your car. All my Toyota mr2s worked great on OEM pads on the track. Then again they where non abs.

Have you tracked your 86 yet? Even journalists noted brake fade if their test involved track time, here's motor trend's impression:

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2012-...ar-contenders/

@strat61caster is right, unless you are really slow, don't go with the OEM pads.

I did it one day last year and melted them.

Thanks for the mention of the Enkeis. I've used them on my non-turbo and turbo Miatas and have been happy with them, so that's probably how I'll go. I'll have dedicated track wheels and tires which will never be used on the street, but I will run track pads on the street. I don't care about the squeal. Fluids? Castrol Dot 4 LMA regular or synthetic has never faded on me, even in a very fast turbo Porsche at the Glen, Mid-Ohio, Pocono and the old Bridgehampton which all put a premium on braking.

Ditto for the Carbotec pads. I've used both Hawk blues and Carobotec (XP8, XP10) pads on my race car (Spec Miata). Found the Carbotec's to be much more rotor friendly and less prone to lockup under max braking.

Went to the track with a still street legal Miata once on some OEM pads. Swapped them out for a set of old Hawk blues I just happened to have after a few track sessions. :happyanim: ......yeah I'd definitely recommend a pad upgrade. An old set of Toyo RA1's would be nice too but those wouldn't fit the BRZ :lol: