So I hooked up with some friends in a BMW club and they told me about an upcoming event at Barber Motorsports in Leed, Alabama. The event is the weekend of Oct. 1 and I am trying to get everything in order before the event. I have a new set of Tein RE's w/ EDFC in route which should be installed before the event but my question is should I run a more aggressive brake pad while I'm at the track.

My brake setup currently is 100% stock and I just put new Honda pads all the way around. I was thinking about buying a set of Hawk pads for the weekend since they advertise as SCCA approved and I hear overall good things about them. I know it makes since that a more aggressive pad could cause extra wear on my stock rotors, but will it be that noticable? Any veteran SCCA drivers or driving intructors out their have any recommendations?

 

Personally, I'd recommend that you invest in some track only pads and higher temp fluid, but it's not a necessity. As to which, do a search. This topic gets covered A LOT.

- Scott

 

If i buy some hawk pads they will be track only pads. I wasn't sure which pad to go with for a first time track attendant. I checked their website and it looks like their are multiple choices as far as pad selection goes.

 

you might want to remove your heat shields from the front brakes while installing the suspension, that'll help you avoid cooking your brake fluid, which you should probably flush and replace with some high-temp fluid (mushy brakes suck when you're coming up to a turn at a good clip).
see this thread for a comparison of fluids: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1193702

if you're going to get track pads and plan to use them exclusively for the track, you might as well pick up some cheap rotors that can be track-only. if you're wondering which pads to choose, some established brands are carbotech, porterfield, cobalt friction (i have XP9s - they rock), and hawk. the people at cobalt and porterfield (only ones i have experience with so far) are very helpful, call 'em up and tell what you're going to do, they'll set you up with the right pad.

 

I don't have alot of experience, but I took my stock gsr up to Street of Willow back in June (damn hot), and used a set of Hawk HPS on the front and they held up fine. More than enough stopping power to trigger the ABS with rt-615 azenis. This was with a complete fluid flush first. Of course, more stopping power never hurts anything.

 

Yeah, a street/light track duty pad would work great for you. I too was at the Streets of Willow a couple weeks ago (110 degrees ambient, ~125 track surface) on Hankook Z212's, and I did fine on my Axxis Ultimates. I wasn't pussyfooting the braking zones either (okay, maybe a little). The pads held up great...with only a minor coating of dust.

 

I assume your taking the turboed car listed in your sig?

If so, I would definetely get some track pads. The car will be fast enough in a straight line that even a novice will be able to fry the stock pads.

As noted, a set of track-only rotors (to which the pads have been bedded before the track event) is nice. Especially on Hondas, where the front rotor is usually pertty easy to change.

Also be sure to flush old brake fluid and replace it with something that can take the high temperature of track use (see the link provided above).

 

Thanks to everyone that posted, lots of great information. Good lookin out on the links saved me a lot of searching. Looks like I will be changing my brake fluid its got to be needed. I would amagine I still have the original fluid that was in the car when it was bought.

Anyone know how much brake fluid gsr will need to be refilled? Looking at a liter of Castrol SRF. Damn that stuff is pricey but I see why now.


Modified by sp00led at 2:53 PM 8/4/2005

 

Hawk pad HP +

 

Motul Fluid (blinger) or SuperBlue (budget).... Run Carbotech XP9s... but i'm sure if you contacted Carbotech they would be able to tell what you really need. A b00sted GSR (power + weight)... i'd have to say XP9s... XP8s might be a little light for your car.

 

Can anyone think of any cons to using a high temp brake fluid? Just curious, about once I am off the track and back on oem braking equipment.

 

I survived a 2 day at Mid-Ohio with Axxis Ultimates and they lasted fine and a good 15000 miles afterward, but later I had XP8s at the same track and it was much more enjoyable. As a newb, you really don't want to have to concern yourself with potential brake issues, just like you don't want to have to worry about an overheating engine or other possible failure.

That said, I recommend against any performance street pad (Ultimate, HPS or HP+). They aren't track pads.

Edit: Good fluid has no cons except costing a lot of money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sp00led &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can anyone think of any cons to using a high temp brake fluid? Just curious, about once I am off the track and back on oem braking equipment.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Cost is the main thing. Use ATE SuperBlue(Typ 200 is the same thing, just gold instead of blue color) or Motul RBF600.

1 liter should be enough for several compelte flushes.

 

Things that are recommended for the track:

1.) Shade
2.) Water
3.) Gatoraide
4.) Food
5.) Sunscreen
6.) Chair
7.) Hat
7.) Track Rotors
8.) Track Pads
9.) Motul RBF600
10.) Jack and Jack stands (to change out your pads & rotors)
11.) Tools.
12.) A good sealable jar for bleeding brake fluid and proper disposal.

I always carried a set of track rotors ,pads, and tires and rims with me to the track. I would get there earlier and swap out the stock pads and rotors and and tires for my "go-fast" brakes and tires.

Believe it or not in the truck/backseat of my 97Ex I was able to fit 4 tires, eazy-up shade, 2 chairs, cooler, 2 overnight bags, 2 helmets, tool box, me and a passenger.

I also cannot emphasize the importance enough of the first 7 items on my list.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sp00led &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can anyone think of any cons to using a high temp brake fluid? Just curious, about once I am off the track and back on oem braking equipment.</TD></TR></TABLE>

none. and like others have said, ATE Superblue or Motul RBF600. The castrol stuff is way too expensive to be worth it, especially since the 2 fluids mentioned above have worked very well in most of the cars in these forums. I'm running RBF600 and i love the stuff.

as far as pads go, i'd look at the selections from carbotech and cobalt friction. i'd recommend something like a spec VR or a spec B--but the best thing to do is to call either/both places and ask for their recommendations.

The great thing about buying brake pads is that CF and Carbotech are really great to talk to on the phone. It's a pleasure doing business with either one of these companies, and they know their stuff so...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">99' Integra GS-R
XS Engineering 320HP Kit - Garett GT28RS

</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My brake setup currently is 100% stock </TD></TR></TABLE>

[Lost in Space]Danger, Danger Will Robinson......[/Lost In Space]

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

[Lost in Space]Danger, Danger Will Robinson......[/Lost In Space]

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was about to say the same thing.

Oh for the love of cheese cakes please don't over drive the car, this being your first DE event.

 

oh, I missed the whole GT28RS thing.

 

I spent to much money on this car to do anything stupid. I plan on doing a lot of listening to the instructor and I don't plan on pushing things to hard seeing how I would like to drive the car home. I'll admit my track expereince only consists of hours of playing Gran Turismo 4.

 

Good news is Barber is not very hard on breaks. In my race preped GSR there is only 1 place were I am on the breaks moderately hard. The track is all tricky off camber corners which will not let a novice driver in an understeering car on street tires get much exit speed.

The bad news is you have a turbo and the GSR brakes are just enough for the stock HP it has.

As other have suggested, flush your system with some new race fluid like Motul or ATE and get some track day pads from Cabrotech or Cobalt. Pair them with some $24 AutoZone rotors and you will be good to go.

Make sure there is fresh oil in the motor and bring some extra. Check the oil at the start of each day -- more often if it is using a good bit on track. Make sure your cooling system is performing well as turbos on track can melt motors. If you have oil and water temp gages, keep an eye on them.

have fun ....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SPiFF &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make sure your cooling system is performing well as turbos on track can melt motors. If you have oil and water temp gages, keep an eye on them.

have fun ....</TD></TR></TABLE>

while you're at it, check to make sure all the turbo manifold bolts are nice and tight... it would suck to have an engine fire...
:cough: https://honda-tech.com/zero...age=1 :cough:

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sp00led &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If i buy some hawk pads they will be track only pads. I wasn't sure which pad to go with for a first time track attendant. I checked their website and it looks like their are multiple choices as far as pad selection goes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're looking for a hybrid pad, I'd recommend Porterfield's R4-S pads, and upgrading to Motul (blah, blah, blah) DOT 4 fluid.

Though after more then half of a race school with stock pads (unbeknownst to me... came with the car... they were free... etc.) it taught me how to manage my brakes, choose where to use them the hardest and where to say, eh I don't need no stinkin' brakes here anyway...

 

I used axxis ultimates at my first few track days. They held up ok but the last session always got a little hairy as they started depositing unevenly onto the rotor as they overheated (mmm vibrations). I'm going carbotech next... I suggest you do something similar.

Another cheap high heat fluid is Ford brake fluid (it used to be called heavy duty, now I think it is just stock). It absorbs water very quickly though so you have to bleed more often.

 

Check out STOCK Ford brake fluid. Dry boiling point 550 degrees. At a decent price.