First Trackday Prep

[imput1234]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I read that the stoptechs were a step up from the stocks as far as stopping power and durability under track conditions is concerned. Which pads do you recommend?

U need track pads, only for the track, check out carbotechs

[akuhei]

I went out my first time on stock pads and didnt have any problems. However, by the end of the second day, I could smell them as I came off the track. And it depends on the course you are going to.

EDIT: It was also a very cool couple of days. Neither day did the normal temp get above 60F and it was overcast both days. So..that could also play a factor.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I read that the stoptechs were a step up from the stocks as far as stopping power and durability under track conditions is concerned. Which pads do you recommend?

Without any hard data, lets say the Stoptechs are a step up from the stock pads. Entry level race pads would be something like 6 steps up, while the extreme pads would be 10 steps up.

I haven't seen any published data, but I would guess that the OEM pads maximum operating temperature is 600F or 700F. MAYBE 800F at the most. The entry level race pad we stock, Carbotech XP8 (which is totally streetable by the way), has a MOT of 1350F. The XP12 which we currently use on our car has a MOT of 2000F. The mixed duty Project Mu HC+800 is rated for 800C, which is roughly 1500F; their "1 step up" OEM replacement, the NS400, is rated for 400C (~750F).

The stoptech pads don't have a published figure, as do most street pads.

[track_warrior]

I miss tracking

[EAGLE5]

Plenty of people go to the track with stock brake fluid. Sure, if it's 100 degrees, it's a fast track, and you love the brakes, put in new fluid. For most people, stock fluid is probably fine as long as it's fresh. Race fluid won't do any good after a few months because it will have absorbed enough water that it will be worse than new stock fluid. It's really about the water.

Pads, however, should be replaced methinks. Carbotech, PFC, Hawk, and many others are going to do just fine. I don't know who makes them for the FRS. Get a track pad, though, not a street one.

[CSG Mike]

Stock fluid and race pads... not a good combination.

You're willing to spend hundreds on pads, but not $20 on a bottle of brake fluid? To me, that's like putting 87 octane in the car to save a few extra bucks.

[Mark Slide Squad]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Stock fluid and race pads... not a good combination.

You're willing to spend hundreds on pads, but not $20 on a bottle of brake fluid? To me, that's like putting 87 octane in the car to save a few extra bucks.

^
This. Mike couldn't have said it better. Putting in track pads with stock fluid that boils very easily is pretty much pointless. You can take advice from anyone you want, but it'd be wise to listen to the people that have real world track experience, not just "I think it should be OK". There is a reason why we are recommending race pads AND DOT4 race brake fluid. It's cheap insurance in terms of safety, and your car will stop harder, and the brakes shouldn't fade on you on the track. When I drove Buttonwillow in my bone stock FR-S last year, after 4 laps the stock pads faded, and brake fluid was boiled over. Not having any brakes on the track is a very uneasy feeling. Spending an extra $20 on a bottle of race brake fluid is a no-brainer. I know some here say that the stock fluid is fine on the track, and perhaps those drivers were driving the car at 60% and not many laps. If you are pushing your car hard, you will quickly learn that the brakes are the first thing that need attention

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Stock fluid and race pads... not a good combination.

You're willing to spend hundreds on pads, but not $20 on a bottle of brake fluid? To me, that's like putting 87 octane in the car to save a few extra bucks.

+1, no point in NOT doing the fluid

Yeah flushing the brakes is a pain but you will give up so much of the MOT benefit of uprated pads without doing the fluid too

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by Mark Slide Squad

^
This. Mike couldn't have said it better. Putting in track pads with stock fluid that boils very easily is pretty much pointless. You can take advice from anyone you want, but it'd be wise to listen to the people that have real world track experience, not just "I think it should be OK". There is a reason why we are recommending race pads AND DOT4 race brake fluid. It's cheap insurance in terms of safety, and your car will stop harder, and the brakes shouldn't fade on you on the track. When I drove Buttonwillow in my bone stock FR-S last year, after 4 laps the stock pads faded, and brake fluid was boiled over. Not having any brakes on the track is a very uneasy feeling. Spending an extra $20 on a bottle of race brake fluid is a no-brainer. I know some here say that the stock fluid is fine on the track, and perhaps those drivers were driving the car at 60% and not many laps. If you are pushing your car hard, you will quickly learn that the brakes are the first thing that need attention

Yeah, stock fluid is generally only ok for track novices their first time out. I instructed a gentleman in a lightly modded (intake/exhaust/springs) FRS this weekend and we weren't going fast enough to need uprated pads/fluid. Restricted passing group for first timers only.

If you're anywhere close to setting fast lap times, it's not even a question whether you need pads and fluid if you want to drive for more than a lap or two at a time without running a cooldown. just not enough heat capacity.

[D1cker]

With a completely stock car (tires) and being a novice driver, the pads and fluids you bought will be totally fine for the first event. The MOT on the stoptech 309 (street performance) is 1,200 degrees

As soon as you upgrade tires those pads will be fairly worthless though as they're not quite enough to keep up with the increased braking that better tires will bring you.

Once that happens you'll want to switch to an actual race pad with an MOT of 1500 or more like what @CSG Mike was talking about

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by D1cker

With a completely stock car (tires) and being a novice driver, the pads and fluids you bought will be totally fine for the first event. The MOT on the stoptech 309 (street performance) is 1,200 degrees

As soon as you upgrade tires those pads will be fairly worthless though as they're not quite enough to keep up with the increased braking that better tires will bring you.

Once that happens you'll want to switch to an actual race pad with an MOT of 1500 or more like what @CSG Mike was talking about

On that note, I think with ducting, we'd be able to get away with using XP8 on the AP Racing Sprint kits... at least at most tracks.

[D1cker]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

On that note, I think with ducting, we'd be able to get away with using XP8 on the AP Racing Sprint kits... at least at most tracks.

I think you're right, I was peeking at the underside of the Berk Technology car earlier this week and the APR ducts seem to be pretty legit. DSUNO (1400 MOT) + Ducts may be enough for me

[was385]

Originally Posted by pcasso87

I miss tracking

Just think, you could be living up north where there's still snow on the ground and you couldn't track it anyways.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

On that note, I think with ducting, we'd be able to get away with using XP8 on the AP Racing Sprint kits... at least at most tracks.

So what kind of deals you have on the carbotechs, Mike? What about rotors and braided lines? Do you guys offer combos with pads, rotors, lines?