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Found the limit of my brake package

PunkST

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#1
Last autocross of the season it was decided to do things rapid fire style. Doing our runs almost back to back. Morning session was great. Brakes and car held up. Afternoon took its toll. By the third go around ( we got 4 runs in the afternoon because things were going smoothly) i was getting a mushy pedal. And on lap 4 it got really bad.

Im on stock brake fluid, stock lines. Ebc redstuff pads, and powerstop front rotors with advance auto parts heavy duty rears.

Theres gotta be more in the setup somewhere. Also going to smaller and wider wheels will help but that might not be in my budget till next year. Currently on 17x7 wheels with 215-40-17 falken azenis. Which i like the tire, just need less mass flinging around and wider rubber to help.
 


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#2
Guessing you're talking about Road America yesterday? You're one of the many Fiestas that destroyed my times yesterday :) I'll blame it on my OEM tires and not my driving abilities to make myself feel better.

I didn't have any issues yesterday on my bone stock brakes, but did at Shawano two weeks earlier during the same rapid fire setup. Had smoke pouring out of the brakes and did have some fade. I'm wondering if the issue is the fluid? I would guess if we used a Motul racing fluid it would help, but would love to hear from others with way more experience autocrossing.
 


OP
PunkST

PunkST

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Yeah. I was the MO one on 6 spoke 17" wheels. The h stock guys were 3 seconds quicker than my best of 60.20. And im in smf, got my butt handed to me by the del sols. My ability is average. And i habent races her in 2 years.
 


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#5
I came in last place of the group of H street guys but thankfully the STs dominated the entire class. They all seem to be very fast. Either that or I'm very slow.
 


OP
PunkST

PunkST

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I hope so. Il
Change out the original fluid for some good DOT4, and that will solve your mushy pedal problem.
Looking at refreshing the whole package and maybe picking up braided lines as well. Its got almost 100k on the rubber ones.
 


OP
PunkST

PunkST

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So should i just refresh the factory stuff ( its at 97k nkw) or is there one thats gonna hold up better at track use and daily chores. Its my only car so i have to make that compromise.
 


TyphoonFiST

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#9
Carbotech contact Oakos in the vendor section...they aren't cheap...but worth it. just tell them what your looking for and they will make suggestions.
 


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It’s the fluid. Brake lines aren’t “needle movers”. Fluid and pads. Then rotors.
This is excellent advice and I've found it to be very true. One of the first things I do when I purchase a vehicle is to change out the brake fluid. Almost no one does this and it can make a big difference, especially on a vehicle that you are taking to autox/track days.

I've been really happy with the XP8's I have on my MR2. For strickly autox I'd be curious how the AX6 pads perform, and I would also consider the Ferodo DS2500. Another pricey pad, but from reviews and word of mouth from some friends, like the Carbotech, they are supposed to be well worth it.
 


kivnul

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So should i just refresh the factory stuff ( its at 97k nkw) or is there one thats gonna hold up better at track use and daily chores. Its my only car so i have to make that compromise.
97k on original fluid? That is crazy. If you are autocrossing, I would flush the brake fluid once a year (unless you cook the brakes like you did, in which case right after that event.) If the car is just daily driven, you can probably get away with every other year. There is alot of good information out there about how brake fluid absorbs moisture over time. It is why your fluid has both a "dry" and "wet" boil temperature.
 


M-Sport fan

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#12
This is excellent advice and I've found it to be very true. One of the first things I do when I purchase a vehicle is to change out the brake fluid. Almost no one does this and it can make a big difference, especially on a vehicle that you are taking to autox/track days.



I've been really happy with the XP8's I have on my MR2. For strickly autox I'd be curious how the AX6 pads perform, and I would also consider the Ferodo DS2500. Another pricey pad, but from reviews and word of mouth from some friends, like the Carbotech, they are supposed to be well worth it.
Ferodo makes the DS2500s for our factory systems??
 


M-Sport fan

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97k on original fluid? That is crazy. If you are autocrossing, I would flush the brake fluid once a year (unless you cook the brakes like you did, in which case right after that event.) If the car is just daily driven, you can probably get away with every other year. There is alot of good information out there about how brake fluid absorbs moisture over time. It is why your fluid has both a "dry" and "wet" boil temperature.
I was thinking about the Ate Typ 200 for just a longer lasting (as it is one of the better WET boiling point street fluids out there) street use flush/change out, but not sure how not using a DOT 4 LV fluid would effect our ABS/other 'nannies'. [dunno]
 


OP
PunkST

PunkST

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97k on original fluid? That is crazy. If you are autocrossing, I would flush the brake fluid once a year (unless you cook the brakes like you did, in which case right after that event.) If the car is just daily driven, you can probably get away with every other year. There is alot of good information out there about how brake fluid absorbs moisture over time. It is why your fluid has both a "dry" and "wet" boil temperature.
She is more daily than track warrior as of late. And has been on hiatus from racing since i started having other issues with it in 2017. I put lots of miles on it doing road trips and such.
 


Plainrt

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#16
Start with changing fluid as that stuff is well over done I’m sure lol. I think for next year I’m gonna build my car into sth or smf as I’m over the crying I have heard all year about fist being a cheat car in hs. Come out to the Milwaukee event at ra on the 20th for another crack at it.
 


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Plainrt

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I came in last place of the group of H street guys but thankfully the STs dominated the entire class. They all seem to be very fast. Either that or I'm very slow.


I gotta see what my plans are going into this next event but I might be able to offer you to co drive with my car if interest you. It might help you some. I look back and wish I had that opportunity when I was starting so could learn faster. I still feel like have a lot to
Learn but been having a damn good year making people mad.
 


OP
PunkST

PunkST

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I could have used some ride along coaching from a similar car. But i was working while you were all running and vice versa. Lol. Unless youre planning for power or to put a diff in the car ( which i should so do anyways) smf might be too high a class. I got spanked pretty bad. Lol
 


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I gotta see what my plans are going into this next event but I might be able to offer you to co drive with my car if interest you. It might help you some. I look back and wish I had that opportunity when I was starting so could learn faster. I still feel like have a lot to
Learn but been having a damn good year making people mad.
Thanks for the offer, having a buddy in my car last four runs was super helpful. Don't leave the class, the competition is great in HS!
 


Plainrt

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I could have used some ride along coaching from a similar car. But i was working while you were all running and vice versa. Lol. Unless youre planning for power or to put a diff in the car ( which i should so do anyways) smf might be too high a class. I got spanked pretty bad. Lol

I’d be doing diff, tune and proper suspension setup and get on 225s.Lol my stock car was second faster than first place smf. Smf class local is not impressive.
 


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