Does my Mini need new brakes for the track?

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:39 pm

Jason Tower wrote:

absolutely, there are many factors involved. i'd just hate to have someone read this and think "well my car is pretty light so i don't need to flush my brake fluid very often", then go off in turn 1 when the pedal goes to the floor.

Yep, I totally agree with this. Great point.

Stacy King · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:09 pm

Jason Tower wrote:

absolutely, there are many factors involved. i'd just hate to have someone read this and think "well my car is pretty light so i don't need to flush my brake fluid very often", then go off in turn 1 when the pedal goes to the floor.

Which is why I included the "might" and "never sees the other side of 120"

Of course, things change greatly too when talking about vented and solid rotors, mechanical heat dissipation, and most importantly if you ask me: driving style.

so the moral of this exchange is?

Keep fresh fluid in the car whenever possible!

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

my nsx came with a big brake kit (rotors only, stock calipers) and hawk ht10 pads and it was awesome - rock hard pedal, excellent modulation, absolutely no fade, very consistent no matter how hard i used them. i did probably ten track weekends with nothing but one pad change, didn't touch the (motul 600) fluid. when it came time to sell the car i removed the bbk (sold it) and put stock rotors back on, then ran one more weekend at vir. by sun afternoon the pedal was noticeably softer and travel had increased, the smaller rotors couldn't dissipate heat as well as the larger ones and passed more of that energy to the fluid. fresh fluid restored it and the car was sold before i could track it again. weight, power, speed, tires, pads, driver - none of these changed, just the rotor size. and that was the difference between a car that need infrequent fluid changes and had excellent consistent brakes to one that barely got by and required fresh fluid after each event.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 5:50 pm

Jason Tower wrote:

my nsx came with a big brake kit (rotors only, stock calipers) and hawk ht10 pads and it was awesome - rock hard pedal, excellent modulation, absolutely no fade, very consistent no matter how hard i used them. i did probably ten track weekends with nothing but one pad change, didn't touch the (motul 600) fluid. when it came time to sell the car i removed the bbk (sold it) and put stock rotors back on, then ran one more weekend at vir. by sun afternoon the pedal was noticeably softer and travel had increased, the smaller rotors couldn't dissipate heat as well as the larger ones and passed more of that energy to the fluid. fresh fluid restored it and the car was sold before i could track it again. weight, power, speed, tires, pads, driver - none of these changed, just the rotor size. and that was the difference between a car that need infrequent fluid changes and had excellent consistent brakes to one that barely got by and required fresh fluid after each event.

After bending the backing plates into a U-shape on a set of brand new Panther Plus pads with my 2950lb 138whp car (VIR-S in two days) I decided a BBK was in order for my car as well. Going from stock single piston calipers with 9" x 0.81" thk front rotors to dual piston calipers with 13" x 1.0" thk rotors seems to have done the trick.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:27 pm

Just replaced the brake/clutch fluid on the Miata I just got and it looks like one of my shocks is leaking oil.

I'm going to get it replaced eventually (hopefully before the event) but I'm not sure if I can get the funds/parts together before tech. Should I worry about this? It looks like it's been leaking for a bit. I've driven it a few times and I didn't feel any difference from that corner.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:20 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

Just replaced the brake/clutch fluid on the Miata I just got and it looks like one of my shocks is leaking oil.

I'm going to get it replaced eventually (hopefully before the event) but I'm not sure if I can get the funds/parts together before tech. Should I worry about this? It looks like it's been leaking for a bit. I've driven it a few times and I didn't feel any difference from that corner.

naaaah, the tire walls really don't do that much damage when you hit them.

alright look James here's the thing. if you are a novice and you don't know what a shock looks like, then no you don't fix a leaking shock absorber.

but if you realized you have a leaking shock, you need to fix it before the event. there is a certain amount of owner responsibility THSCC expects from its members.

beyond that, if it leaks badly, it may not pass tech. especially since you posted it here.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:38 pm

steve remchak wrote:

alright look James here's the thing. if you are a novice and you don't know what a shock looks like, then no you don't fix a leaking shock absorber.

but if you realized you have a leaking shock, you need to fix it before the event. there is a certain amount of owner responsibility THSCC expects from its members.

beyond that, if it leaks badly, it may not pass tech. especially since you posted it here.

I typed that up while walking out the door and choose some bad words. I'm going to have it replaced before the next event.

I just picked up the car a few days ago and I'm triaging the work into before tech, tech->event or cosmetic buckets. I'm hoping I can get new shocks/springs on before tech but I might have issues with getting the parts shipped to me by then.

Sorry if i seem a bit needy. I promise I won't be this annoying in person.

clinehall · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:08 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

alright look James here's the thing. if you are a novice and you don't know what a shock looks like, then no you don't fix a leaking shock absorber.

but if you realized you have a leaking shock, you need to fix it before the event. there is a certain amount of owner responsibility THSCC expects from its members.

beyond that, if it leaks badly, it may not pass tech. especially since you posted it here.

I typed that up while walking out the door and choose some bad words. I'm going to have it replaced before the next event.

I just picked up the car a few days ago and I'm triaging the work into before tech, tech->event or cosmetic buckets. I'm hoping I can get new shocks/springs on before tech but I might have issues with getting the parts shipped to me by then.

Sorry if i seem a bit needy. I promise I won't be this annoying in person.

Don't worry, we all love to help, we're all just smart a****. I'll smack the crap out of Steve for you next time I see him.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:21 pm

damn Miataea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9AYKs6QjAQ

THSCC Forums

Does my Mini need new brakes for the track?

Who is online