Brakes, braakes, braaaakes!

[Mknight702]

Having now done a full day on track, the car didn't break this year, I've come to the conclusion that the car didn't brake either. On the small sprint circuit I did 5 laps and on the last lap at the end of the straight I had practically no stopping power. When I came back into the "pits" there was a lovely smell and smoke from the front discs, once they had cooled down the brakes were back to how they were before.

FYI I run standard Midget calipers, drilled discs and Greenstuff pads. I had thought about changing the calipers for some nice shiny new alloy 4 pots but reading suggests that the Greenstuff pads are not so well thought of any more since they changed the formula. What brakes and pads are you all running and how do you find them?

The Greenstuff were OK on the road, if a little lacking in bite, but this is the first time that they have let me down and in such a spectacular fashion.

[adamwilkinson]

When we were running standard midget calipers on the front we used Mintex 1144 pads. We're now running Wilwood 4pots with the Wilwood Smart pad up front which work a treat with no brake fade even after 100mins racing at Spa. Saying that though, we never had an issue with brake fade before the upgrade either.

With respect to greenstuff pads, ran them on the back of our car (disc conversion with MX5 calipers) and our first set were brilliant. We changed them at the end of either the second or third season and the next set fell apart within half a seaon, replaced again with another set which did the same. Decided that as the backs dont get overly worked that we'd run standard pads, they've been perfect with no fade - easily survived the 100min race.

Greenstuff do have a good bite, and from what i've experienced, survive well with no fade BUT their quality control is rubbish and because of that i wont run them again - ever.

[erictharg]

I run the same set up as Adam used to. All stock except for Mintex pads. Started out on the 1144's and went to the 1155's for Spa. Honestly can't feel much difference. Get more dust and wear with the 1155's and I'd guess they're more fade resistant but I find myself driving around the limited brakes OK. Both are light years ahead of stock pads. A friend who drove my car around Rockingham did say he got them fading.
I tried the uprated shoes on the back but maybe I had a duff batch because they pretty much disintegrated. Many of the Midget racers run them. I'm back on the stock rear shoes now. For road and the occasional trackday I'd recommend just going to the 1144's. Shouldn't need anything else. Brake as little as you can and enjoy the sliding!

[Mknight702]

Set of 1144s ordered. Thanks guys.

[jonclancy]

How did the 1144 go, Matt?

I was recommended to try Hawk Blue pads today.

ATB

Jon

[xkfeng7]

Adam,
Have you been running brake cooling ducts or do you find they have enough air flow simply because they don't have splash guards on the back?

John

[adamwilkinson]

Hi John.

No we've never needed to run brake ducts on our 11, even when racing for 100mins in 30+ degree heat. I know one guy I used to race against ran ducts on his 11, possibly even vented discs too.

Our setup is 4 pot calipers with solid discs front and mx5 single pot calipers with solid discs rear.

[erictharg]

Ditto what Adam said. Even with splash guards I didn't get any noticeable fade when racing. Sure, they'd smell and never lock the wheels, but they kept doing what was needed, with little pad or disc wear.

[adamwilkinson]

Mmm the smell of hot brakes...

Just me then...?

[Mknight702]

Well, after another trackday in balmy October conditions I still have brake issues.

After 3 laps of the sprint circuit the pedal goes soft and the brake pedal becomes are more of a suggestion that I want to stop at some point rather than actually slowing the car.

Am I perhaps boiling the fluid, as once the car has had the chance to cool off the brakes are back for another 3 laps. Really scratching my head now.

The new pads are great appart from a little squeal, fine on the road with no problems, but on a track.....