Brakes

[johnymd]

Does anyone think I'm a bit hard on brakes?

I guess it's time to upgrade the AZ front brakes to better disks. People talk about the larger AZ kit being a bit overkill but I'm starting to think it would be a better option. For those of you out there building big hp cars, I would suggest you look at better brakes than the small AZ kit or go for better disks from the start.

 

[johnymd]

And another

 

[moggy240]

that does not look good............

 

[racer]

Glad you spotted that before Spa mate. Braking at 130mph after the ORouge straight would have been interesting!
Still you've still got vinal seats I suppose!

 

[Rob Gaskin]

John, my small Pug discs after years of trackdays were not that bad. What dia are they?

I would think you need some cold air ducting.

Your car is so quick (and relatively heavy) that you must generate a great deal of heat. I remember at Spa thinking how impressive the front brakes were.

It's just another stage to overcome in the evolution of your car.

 

[racer]

This could have been you!


Brake Failure on Track. Nissan nearly kills Porsche. - YouTube

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

They're a wilwood disc, you can buy off the shelf upgrades? what pads were you using? It could be that you're pads aren't working properly and the disc is overheating? Or that they've gone through a funny heat cycle when cold?

 

[Throttleton]

John there is nothing complicated about the diagnosis on your brakes from the pictures.
The discs are overheating to the point of destruction.
You can channel more air to the brakes, you can try different pads and make an improvement.
Your car needs Discs that can loose the associated heat build up due to heavy braking.
You need bigger brakes mate..........

 

[Ian]

**** - Wish I'd seen those before I ordered mine, don't want braking to be an area that will be a problem.

Can you get upgraded discs that fir that kit?




Only problem is I really didn't want to run more than 16" wheels.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ian, unless you are circuit driving at 10 10ths you will be ok.

John, you need cooling ducts but also I used to do the following:

Keep moving the car when in the pit lane after a hard session, just to alter the position of disc/caliper

Cool the brakes over a long way e.g. most of a lap of a UK circuit on the way into the pits

You are hard on brakes - in fact you are hard on everything. Your car is VERY quick, a lot of corners on UK circuits like Donington were ok for me if I changed down, dabbed the brakes and carried the speed through the corners. So lighten the car, don't carry a passenger all the time and be braver through the corners.

However after all that it's so good to see someone who uses all the mods to their full potential. They aren't just there to look quick!

 

[tel240z]

Service Guide: Brake Discs - Juratek


Think you have all 4 John

 

[johnymd]

These brakes were bought second hand some time ago now and have seen a lot of very hard use. I probably use my car to its full more than most so I don't expect things to last forever. I generally look at the disk after every track session and at the drag strip. It only recently that they have shown any sign of use and have gone downhill rapidly. I've ordered a new pair of disks and have a new set of willwood pads. Wilwood make 3 different types of disk in this size and fitment. The cheapest is a pretty standard straight vaned rotor. The a directional curved vane rotor, which the car is now fitted with. Then an updated heavy duty directional curved vane rotor, which I have just bought.

Ill fit then later this week and see how I get on.

 

[IbanezDan51]

Im suprised anyone runs Wilwood brakes tbh. Especially over here. For one there calipers dont have dust seal and the Wilwood disks are just plain **** for repeated hard use.

Do yourself a favour and buy some decent disks from the likes of AP. Unfortunately you will probably need new bells as the pcd is different.

 

[johnymd]

Does AP manufacture the bells and bracket for a Z?

 

[IbanezDan51]

As far as I'm aware any custom work that is needed to be done AP send or tell customers to go to B.G Developments.

They use AP discs and make the correct bells/adapters for you to use at a very reasonable price IMO.

They did mine for my front set up.

Dan

 

[Throttleton]

John that's what happens to the metal.
Rob has some good suggestions, if you bring the car back with the discs screaming hot and they sit there like that they wont like it. Drilled discs sound good for cooling but you would be worse off I think.
Franky mentioned a change of pads.... again it may help but not much.
The way you drive your car you need bigger brakes, you need a lot more heat dissipation, you need specific vent tubes which direct a direct air flow to the brakes.
Or go the slow in, fast out out approach to cornering!!!!

 

[johnymd]

Thanks for all the comments and advice. Ill fit the new disks and pads then look at connecting the spoiler ducts to the front brakes. I already have consideration towards the brakes after hard brakeing. And never come to a standstill with my foot hard on the brake pedal. Sometimes you need reminding of the things you know you should do so this info all helps.

 

[amocrace]

we used AP racing vented discs on a 'lightweight' Aston (1000kg) and used to have to change them every 2 seasons due to cracking. Most components when used this hard need to be lifed.

 

[johnymd]

Look at these babies!

 

[astroboy]

Hello John,

Quick question please,

Are you running discs or drums on the rear still? If you've got discs, what are they? Jut curious as to what people have.

Also, are your fronts an upgraded caliper?

Thanks in advance.