Brake cooling

[stevesnj]

Seems like these cool the brakes. Seems as simple as that.

[Tor]

@CSG Mike, reread the posts and just to clarify, your input is appreciated. It's sometimes difficult to convey the intended "tone" in the written medium. Just to make sure, I would be indeed be interested to hear your conclusions from the (not very scientific) data I provided.

Obviously, you are right that the stock braking system would do even better with even more cooling. And also that it would benefit to replace the rotors with some that dissipate the heat better. I wouldn't personally do that, as I think the price difference to a BBK becomes too small, especially if considering the running costs too.
The only thing I oppose to is your correlation between experience and required upgrades. And it's not because I feel insulted (I do not have track experience yet, and I am indeed a beginner). Rather I think the conclusion is plain wrong and bad advice.

You said:

The guides, IMO, are supplemental to other cooling mods, but alone, are most likely going to not be enough for the more experienced drivers.

Some may apply the logic in reverse. I.e "I'm not an experienced driver, these light/(or worse)no upgrades will do". Said inexperienced driver then does his very first track day at Spa Francorchamps (very brake heavy track), and his fluid starts to boil and he puts the car into a wall.

Another beginner just want to do some laps around the Nordschleife and will be just fine without any modifications at all. Even a pro can make the most of an almost stock car there.

Below a video of just such a pro driver, driving "Bridge to Gantry" in just 8:28 min, with only pads and tire upgrade. If you are not that familiar with the Nordschleife that is a VERY fast time for a GT86. Most experienced weekend-warriors with serious suspension upgrades, like KW Clubsport etc have a hard time breaking 8:30 min.

My assumption is that you got a little locked into a specific scenario (perhaps home track)?

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNLgKuz9V40"]Toyota GT86 - POV Nurburgring Nordschleife BTG - YouTube[/ame]

Back to the topic...

[Surj_brz]

Just ordered a pair of the GT3 brake ducts and will probably look to open up the backing plate a little on the lower end. Thanks for a great post here (minus the fluff) - really helpful. I hope to try it at MRLS on 9/26.

Love the Nordschleife - I miss not going there anymore!!

Thanks again - this is a great forum!

[conehead]

Has anyone tried these from Rooducts? It says new, but I don't know how new. This could work well for me since I would need to take them off for autox.

[churchx]

First time i've hear about them, but imho these might work well in combo with velox's kit. Hmm, i'm even thinking about such combo as to get, as i didn't want to give up fog lights/install smaller washing liquid tank to install full velox's kit.

[Gearhead1]

Originally Posted by conehead

Has anyone tried these from Rooducts? It says new, but I don't know how new. This could work well for me since I would need to take them off for autox.

Yes, I just tried them on a track day at High Plains Raceway in Colorado. For me they are perfect. Couldn't be simpler to install or remove, cheap and much cooler rotor temps.

[randyzimmer]

Originally Posted by conehead

Has anyone tried these from Rooducts? It says new, but I don't know how new. This could work well for me since I would need to take them off for autox.

They're REALLY New as "gearhead" has the only set made that's of the final design. It took a while to get them just right. rz

[conehead]

Originally Posted by Gearhead1

Yes, I just tried them on a track day at High Plains Raceway in Colorado. For me they are perfect. Couldn't be simpler to install or remove, cheap and much cooler rotor temps.

Nice! Did you get some data?

[Gearhead1]

Originally Posted by conehead

Nice! Did you get some data?

I've used RooDucts powered fans and now their LCA ducts. I like the LCA ducts for their simplicity and ease of installation and removal.

My brake system is stock except for the ducts, CarboTech XP10's, Motul RBF 600, and I removed the front backing plates. Engine is stock except for an intake system and reflash. I'm running Direzza ZII's. If it means anything to you, my best time at High Plains Raceway Colorado is high 2:12.

Without any brake cooling, I measured front rotor temps of 1100 F. With fans, around 700 F (same as the rear rotors!). With LCA ducts, right in the middle at 900 F. I have not experienced any fade or pedal sponginess with either of the RooDucts products. My longest non-stop lapping sessions at speed are about 40 minutes.

While everyone's results are different, I hope that gives you a good idea of my experience.

[Pat]

That's a very good time at High Plains Raceway for street tires. If you want to go out there and hang out in 2 or 3 weeks let me know. I would love to spend some time with you on track. Or even just a beer and talk car guy stuff

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by Gearhead1

I've used RooDucts powered fans and now their LCA ducts. I like the LCA ducts for their simplicity and ease of installation and removal.

My brake system is stock except for the ducts, CarboTech XP10's, Motul RBF 600, and I removed the front backing plates. Engine is stock except for an intake system and reflash. I'm running Direzza ZII's. If it means anything to you, my best time at High Plains Raceway Colorado is high 2:12.

Without any brake cooling, I measured front rotor temps of 1100 F. With fans, around 700 F (same as the rear rotors!). With LCA ducts, right in the middle at 900 F. I have not experienced any fade or pedal sponginess with either of the RooDucts products. My longest non-stop lapping sessions at speed are about 40 minutes.

While everyone's results are different, I hope that gives you a good idea of my experience.

Excellent write up! Do you think it is possibly to daily drive with these ducts (driveway etc) or do you really need to take them off each time?

And do you need to remove the wheel to install them?

[Gearhead1]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

Excellent write up! Do you think it is possibly to daily drive with these ducts (driveway etc) or do you really need to take them off each time?

And do you need to remove the wheel to install them?

I have no concerns about them making the 200 mile round trip to the track and back. I'm far more likely to scrape the front spoiler on the big angle break between my driveway and the road than I am the ducts (remember the ducts move up and down with the control arm). The only thing you have to worry about is running over something (rabbit, tire tread chunk, etc.)--that could take one out.

You can install them with the wheels in place if you jack the front of the car up a little (ramps would be fine). Although it doesn't even require tools, you really need two hands to hold the duct in place while you get each of the two thumbscrew-like devices started. You wouldn't need to jack it up to remove them--just unscrew the two fasteners and the duct falls off.

[churchx]

How these rooducts are actually guiding air? Used with some hose to backing plate to guide air in middle of rotor, or they are like porsche ducts, just blowing air from one side of rotor? Any pics with them mounted?

[Gearhead1]

Originally Posted by churchx

How these rooducts are actually guiding air? Used with some hose to backing plate to guide air in middle of rotor, or they are like porsche ducts, just blowing air from one side of rotor? Any pics with them mounted?

No hose or backing plate; similar to the Porsche ducts. The idea isn't just to cool the backside of the rotor, but to force air into the hat and then have the spinning rotor pull it out through the vents.
I remove the backing plates in order to get the most air possible into the hats (I do reinstall the backing plates for the winter to keep some of the Colorado winter crud out).