Thread: Track brakes thread

I am looking for input from the seasoned track guys regarding brakes for my NX for the upcoming trackday at AMP,and future conventions to come.
Besides that,most other events throughout the year will be autocross,unless I have another opportunity for a real trackday(doubt it)
I am a novice driver,so I am not gonna be pushing the car like alot of guys here,so bear that in mind.Just want to get the most out of my car,and not be limited by equipment.
I have spent money on tuning,tires,suspension,and now the brakes need some love.

So I am looking for
1- opinions and suggestions for race pads as well as fluid.
I have stock ad22vf NX fronts and stock nx rears .Stainless lines all around.
Recently replaced fluid with Valvoline synthetic brake fluid.

2-what about bedding the pads on the street? Can I do this. I planned to run the tires for 100-200 miles before I run them on track...should I throw the pads on too for a bit so they are ready to take some abuse right away on track?

Did you get my PM reply yesterday? I don't see it in my "sent" box....hmmm

I'd go with Hawk HP Plus, if you're going to leave them on the car. Makes a good autox pad, as well. If you want something track dedicated, it's hard to beat Hawk Blues. If you want something more exotic, Porterfield makes some interesting compounds that fit the AD22. I'm on the fence about going with them or Hawk Blues. Keep in mind, track oriented pads are usually not wheel finish friendly.

Your Valvoline fluid is fine for noobie use.

As far as you suspension goes, I'd unhook the front sway and toss it around in a parking lot and see what you think. Set initial pressures to 38f and 32r. When you test it in the lot, you're striving to get it to be neutral with even throttle and oversteer on throttle lift. If you find the car understeers in both cases then start making changes. If you're gonna change camber, keep in mind there are trade offs. I wouldn't do anymore than -2 or -3 on a daily driven street car.

- Fluids: Motul 660F/600F for brake fluid for track days. You will not see an immense amount of heat in the auto-x format for your setup so MOST fluids will work for you (low HP, low tire grip, low mechanical grip)
- Pads: Use wide temp range pads. You won't need full race pads as of yet (Hawk HP + and Porterfield R4S would work just fine for heavy auto-x and some HPDE use)

2) "Race" pads can be bedded in on the street, but is not necessary and IMHO, dumb since quiet frankly track pads on the street is quiet dangerous. Also, if you get "true" race pads they
a) Have ZERO bit until a certain temp (a NO NO on the street)
b) Dust like a mother effer!

DO NOT USE FULL FLEDGE TRACK PADS ON THE STREET! However, most auto-x/HPDE compounds will work just fine

Thanks for making this thread Eggman, hope you don't mind if I ask a couple more questions.

For a noob track guy who will most-likely be driving easy around the track:

1) Should I bring an extra set of pads/rotors if I just take my car on the track for the first time with my current brakes?
2) Anything else I should bring, for the car? (besides helmet, clothing requirement)

1) What is your car setup and what track will you be running (yes I know your car is turbo, but what tires, what brakes, the important stuff)?? The higher the speeds, the more the corner speed and the heavier the vehicle the better the pads you will need.

Autox compound pads are barely good enough if I am @ 5 or 6-10ths. Anything above, and the pads will be done in 3 laps..............

2) Water, Helmet (MAKE SURE its up to current Snell certification), gloves, Water, snacks, extra brake fluid, pads, rotors, and ofcrouse, tools! If the car is reliable, even if you have a slight blunder and something goes wrong, most basic parts/needs should suffice.

Yes, I did say water twice.........I normally lug around 5-6 bottles with me per day (or just a cooler)

AMP, at the convention.

All of this has between 5-10k miles on them. Sumitomo HTRZ tires, decent tread left. SS lines, valvoline synthetic fluid, stock rear brakes, q45 calipers w/ carbotech bobcat fronts.

I'd only go around a few laps at a time anyways. More worried about overheating with a 1/2 sized radiator, so this is mainly just to get out on a track and have fun.

Those tires will be greasy in 1 lap LOL!

Key is, you won't be going very fast as a rookie, so other than brake fluid, you will be OK. Just make sure to bleed brakes and have atleast 90% pads. Turbo cars, if braking from over 100mph, will eat up pads and since you will have to brake from a ways out with the the htr-z, you are on the brakes longer, which could potentially mean you may eat up pads somewhat

Either way, 1/2 radiator is "errrrrr" at best, just keep the car moving and watch the water temp gauge. Other than that, you should be fine

Thanks, been thinking about upgrading tires, so I may do that before the convention. May swap brake fluid too.

Just make sure everything is in working order before you go out. I would worry more about potential failures more so than high threshold type issues. In other words, once on track, fading brakes can be managed. An old brake hose that decides to explode, cannot. Greasy tires can be managed, delaminating ones cannot.

Track pads are fun on the street... especially in the rain!

I'm still a huge fan of the Carbotech line.... I run XP10/8

IMO Jay should be looking at the AX6.