Brakes, Tires, Spacers?
 

Looking to do my first round of upgrades on my 2015 FR-S. I try to make it to the track a few times a year and am looking to see some improvements. Note this is my everyday car so don't want anything too problematic for street. What do folks recommend?

-Brakes- Powerstop? Carbotech?

-Tires- Hankook RS4s? How wide can I get for stock wheels? Staggered?

-Spacers- Needed to maximize wider tires?

Brakes
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25485
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23680
Depends on where you're at and if you want to swap back and forth between events and DD, Carbotech/Gloc offer compounds that are livable on the street, XP10/R10 was my starting pad but I wasn't able to keep them bedded in and swapped back to street pads after the track days. Ferodo DS2500 gets love as a hybrid pad but will eventually fall short as you go faster, perfectly tolerable on the street in my experience but I won't ever put them on track they're my autox pads.

RS4 is a solid choice in OE size, maybe 225/40/17 can work but you'll lose feel, for the 17x7 I'd say stick with OE size, don't stagger

OE size or 225 are no issue, plenty of clearance with a 17x7 or 7.5 to everything. 17x8 with lots of camber gets close and you'll need spacers if you're going for more than -3°

Get camber bolts, max out your camber up front, -2° won't be bothersome on the street and will help tire wear and grip up front, big improvement for $20-$30 plus alignment
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103609

Brakes - Winmax W3 if doing double duty track/street

RS4 are a decent choice. If you are looking to improve your skills GT Radial SX2 would be a better one though. Last longer, communicate, not as much grip as a 200TW but still sufficient. Will help you improve as a driver faster then a RS4 or similar

No spacers. Camber bolts and max the front camber though. Do you have any other suspension mods?

I will try to be short an easy, plenty of information about your topics in the forum.

As strat61caster point out, those threats are mandatory to read if you go to track.


-Brakes- Powerstop? Carbotech?
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=374
At least: Brake Fluid / Front Pads.


Tires- Hankook RS4s? How wide can I get for stock wheels? Staggered?
Running Falken Azenis RT615+ 225/40/17. Happy with them. Decent result on wet.
Not Staggered.

-Spacers- Needed to maximize wider tires?
Personally I will not use any spacer in Track Conditions.

Spacers - never!!
Rather make another plan like more camber.

I understand where you are coming from, but spacers cost so much less than another set of wheels or coilovers. So for many of us on a budget, they work great on the street and track.

Hey, if you prepared to run with the cheapest budget tyres, then go for spacers.
If not, then don't...

If you on a budget, and all you can afford are spacers, then rather buy a case of beer :D
More fun, and beer won't kill you:thumbsup:

How much experience do you have with track days? Lots of things depend on that.

Compound selection depends many factors - your tires, track conditions, driving style, experience, preference. If you're a novice with so-so 200TW tires (not Bridgestone RE71R or BFG Rival S), you may be alright with "hybrid" pads that have a wide operating temperature that covers daily driving up to light track duty, like Ferodo DS2500 or Hawk Street/Race.

Square setup. Stock tire size is probably best fit for the stock wheel, or you can try 225/45R17.

But y tho

I have 6 track days under my belt. Looking to run 2-3 times a year.

So, if I'm on a budget I should buy beer instead of save for better parts? That makes no sense. Also, FYI, Beer can kill you; It has killed a few of my friends. Where as, I don't know anyone that has been killed by "Spacers".

I've been through a couple sets of PowerStop Trackday pads. They are great if you are just starting off an want an inexpensive pad you can use on both the street and track. They are well matched to street tire (like SX2 (TW260)):
POWER STOP PSA1124
POWER STOP PSA1539
(The PSA is better than the PST compound; higher friction and temperature capabilities. Available at rockauto.com)
For more info, read my review:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=369


If your stock tires still have at least 4/32in of thread, use those.

I would also advocate for a higher treadwear tire if you are starting off, as they provide more feedback and and slip angle (which is great for learning).
https://yousuckatracing.wordpress.co...aining-wheels/

I would also recommend fresh brake fluid, ATE Type 200 or Motul RBF600.

Work great for what?

As others have already said, you'd be much better off using the money from spacers for camber bolts and an alignment.

Well, on my car they add room between the tire/wheel and spring perch for more camber. Additionally, Lots of guys use them so their wheels fit after adding a BBK.

spacers are fine as long as they are used with extended studs and are hubcentric to prevent slippage. pair that with open ended lug nuts and I don't see what the issue would be, other than having to change out the studs.

if you're using bolt-on spacers, then you need to rethink your cost/benefit analysis.