I posted this a while back in the Integra forum....but here goes again since I want to get in on the Groupbuy.....anyway's , here it is, thanks!

"Hi-

Just curious, I've been getting mixed answers. I'm about to get on the GB on the Porterfield R4-S brake pads and my car is a daily driver, and I plan to compete in hopefully 10 or so Auto-X events this year and I was contemplating whether I should run just the front pads or get both the front and the rear? The reason I ask is that everyone says you rarely use the rear pads. I believe the rear pad is around $50 or so and the front is $70.

Thanks!"

 

The fronts are all you really *need* but you can play with brake bias by using differences in brake pad compounds on the front/rear of the car on stock/sp/st autocross cars. Running a pad like a carbotech kelate metallic (very aggressive initial bite) in the front and rear can make the car very touchy under braking as the rears want to lock up quickly, and can actually help the car rotate under trail braking (slip angles come into play here). I would say buy 'em, go with it and see how you like them. The R4S is a good compound, but not the same aggressive initial bite as the kelate pads - they should be good for front/rear use - its all about how you use the brakes and the car's setup.

-Ryan

 

Wow!

That makes perfect sense. I was thinking of this....tell me what you think if you don't mind. I'll buy both Front/Rear R4-S's and then flush my system out with Motul 600 and then run just the front R4-S at an event or just on the street and then swap the rear in and see if the difference is worth the price. Worse case if I can't tell a difference I could always sell the rear pads? Or.....actually, probably too much trouble for $50. Hehe, now I'm just confusing myself...... Either way, I'm going to order both, thanks!!

 

For autoX only i would use a fluid such as valvoline synthetic dot 3/4 or ford high-perf brake fluid and flush a few times a year, as needed. both are cheap - while motul 600 and ATE will have a higher temp threshold, they will absorb moisture faster, which makes frequent bleeings necessary for competition/track use.

-Ryan

 

If you plan on ordering the R4S for street and auto-x, then go for it...it makes a good street/auto-x pad. I think the Axxis Ultimate is a more streetable pad (less dust, less noise, more rotor friendly, better cold stopping, etc.), but the R4S will work very well for you.

With Best Regards,

Andie Lin

p.s. We don't sell the Porterfield line...and your GB prices sound very good.

 

You've got some misinformation in your characterization of brake fluids. The Ford HD is very hydroscopic and needs changed much more frequently than a normal DOT 3/4 fluid or even ATE SuperBlue or Type 200 for that matter. The reason it's often recommended is because it's cheap and readily available.

It's definitely a track only fluid IMO and should be used on a daily driver. The ATE fluids however are much less hydroscopic and can be used as a daily driver fluid, despite being a high performance brake fluid.

 

Thanks for the head up - i didnt know this. I run ATE on the street, but i also bleed every few weeks (or after each autoX or day on the track).

-Ryan

 

Thanks you guys.......

I am in the process of ordering both the F/R R4-S's right now and I decided not to go with the bottles of Motul 600. So my question is, considering I don't know how to change the pads, which I hear isn't too hard, as well as flushing the fluid. I'm wondering if there is a good site (bseries.net has a step-by-step process) that will teach me to do so and then considering I run about 5 Auto-X's this upcoming season, what would be an appropriate fluid for me? Considering I don't want to have to bleed my brakes often.

Thanks Again!

 

If you're going to be bleeding somewhat frequently, get a set of these: http://www.speedbleeder.com/ they make bleeding the brakes much faster/easier and you're able to bleed them without help You might also think about getting an extra package of bleed screws and using one for your hydraulic clutch...

 

Most will say that stock rears are find, which is some what true. I recently bought the R4S rears off that GB and am very pleased other than the very high shipping cost for the 3 lbs box, but whatever, it was still cheap. When I first put them on to brake them in i was only so-so impressed about them. (Im running Performance Friction pads up front for street, and Panther + up front for track, BTW havent tried the P+ front/R4S combo yet, will in 2 weeks when I head to Roebling, yea!) Anyway, after I let the car sit over night I got in the next day and was very impressed but the way the R4S's really sat the *** down and felt a lot more stable with these pads. cant wait to see how they do on the track.

 

Wow, thanks for the reply. I'm excited because I'm so used to stock pads/fluid and everyone is saying the difference will be huge. Hopefully that's true. I was wondering what kind of fluid everyone recommends? Ryan (Saturn Driver who's name I forgot) recommended Valvoline DOT 3/4 which is probably what I will go with since he is obviously speaking from experience, but what would everyone else recommend, considering I will run about 5 Auto-X's the upcoming season as well as having the car be my daily driver. Keep in mind price is an issue. Oh yah, BTW, I just ordered both the front and rear R4-S's with no fluid.

 

Ive never tired anything but Ate Super Blue, which may be too much for the street. Its cheap, like $15 for a big tin. For the street I hear the Castrol LMA is good. Cheap as hell from auto zone...

 

I am using Motul 5.1 - which is not as extreme as a "racing" fluid like Motul 600, but still very good...

 

Flux, Motul 5.1 is what SpeedToy (I think that's the name...) offered me, but I remember the price beeing pretty steep, a little to steep for me considering I'll have to flush my fluid at least twice a year, or even twice during the Auto-X season. I guess I'll have to research some more, and then experiment with this and that fluid and see which yields the best for the money. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for helping me. (big cheesy smile)
I hope you guys will be back when it's time to flush my system and install the new pads, just in case I forget Ryan....