Mk1 1.8 Mx5 Brake Upgrade
Discussion
Took the new Mx5 for a blast with the PH Ecosse crew this weekend.
Car handled brilliantly, absolute confidence inspiring. Kept up well through the corners with much meatier stuff and the straights will be dealt with in good time but i know the key to a quick car is 75% chassis.
So next mod i'm looking at is brakes. What are my options?
Any Mazda based upgrades i can look at (Coming from Toyotas we had an amazing "interchangeability" between different models) or will a better set of pads and discs be more than enough?
All standard items at the moment and from over a tonne i wasn't getting the grab i was used to on my Mr2's. I like to brake late and hard and carry as much speed as i can through the corner.
Definitely feels a little undersized/pistoned.
It didn't seem to get worse as the day went on, so cooling not an issue. I have 15" wheels all round.
So what would you suggest?
Cheers,
Olie
Car handled brilliantly, absolute confidence inspiring. Kept up well through the corners with much meatier stuff and the straights will be dealt with in good time but i know the key to a quick car is 75% chassis.
So next mod i'm looking at is brakes. What are my options?
Any Mazda based upgrades i can look at (Coming from Toyotas we had an amazing "interchangeability" between different models) or will a better set of pads and discs be more than enough?
All standard items at the moment and from over a tonne i wasn't getting the grab i was used to on my Mr2's. I like to brake late and hard and carry as much speed as i can through the corner.
Definitely feels a little undersized/pistoned.
It didn't seem to get worse as the day went on, so cooling not an issue. I have 15" wheels all round.
So what would you suggest?
Cheers,
Olie
I found my Mk1 1.8 easy to lock up the brakes with modest effort.
So based on that I would look at the condition of your calipers. Then after that look at the discs and pads.
I ran OEM discs with Yellowstuff pads.
I've read that Carbone Lorraine RC5+ off the next step up in performance, but at a price.
So based on that I would look at the condition of your calipers. Then after that look at the discs and pads.
I ran OEM discs with Yellowstuff pads.
I've read that Carbone Lorraine RC5+ off the next step up in performance, but at a price.
Standard Mazda pads are the best all rounder for everything up to track use and even then they can do a job.
MX5 brakes aren't over-servoed like most modern cars and Do need a bit of a shove to make them work.
Personally on a road car that would be my choice, all stock.
I reckon someone has fitted something rubbish like Halfords own brand or even worse, EBC Greenstuff!
MX5 brakes aren't over-servoed like most modern cars and Do need a bit of a shove to make them work.
Personally on a road car that would be my choice, all stock.
I reckon someone has fitted something rubbish like Halfords own brand or even worse, EBC Greenstuff!
I've never considered brakes to be an issue on the MX5 - whilst you may not get the 'bite' you got from a previous car, you can easily lock wheels on standard brakes - and if you weren't getting fade, I can't see any advantage of upgrading.
As for the power issue - unless you really, really, really want an MX5, then the best option for more power is to buy a more powerful car, not try to get more from something relatively low powered.
As for the power issue - unless you really, really, really want an MX5, then the best option for more power is to buy a more powerful car, not try to get more from something relatively low powered.
HeatonNorris said:
I've never considered brakes to be an issue on the MX5 - whilst you may not get the 'bite' you got from a previous car, you can easily lock wheels on standard brakes - and if you weren't getting fade, I can't see any advantage of upgrading.
As for the power issue - unless you really, really, really want an MX5, then the best option for more power is to buy a more powerful car, not try to get more from something relatively low powered.
Why not? There are a couple of Turbos/FI/BBR for sale at 2.5-4k and will be more fun and good for having fun with hot hatch types.As for the power issue - unless you really, really, really want an MX5, then the best option for more power is to buy a more powerful car, not try to get more from something relatively low powered.
As for better pads: trackdays/hard road driving. Better bite etc
Example: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3858928.htm
Edited by Tyrewrecker on Tuesday 1st May 18:43
Tyrewrecker said:
Why not? There are a couple of Turbos/FI/BBR for sale at 2.5-4k and will be more fun and good for having fun with hot hatch types.
As for better pads: trackdays/hard road driving. Better bite etc
Example: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3858928.htm
But it's still an MX5 - they're pretty decent little things for kicking around in for a grand. But I can't see why you'd want to spend nigh on £3k on a rot prone 20 year old tin bath.As for better pads: trackdays/hard road driving. Better bite etc
Example: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3858928.htm
Edited by Tyrewrecker on Tuesday 1st May 18:43
HeatonNorris said:
But it's still an MX5 - they're pretty decent little things for kicking around in for a grand. But I can't see why you'd want to spend nigh on £3k on a rot prone 20 year old tin bath.
Indeed, isn't it great we are all different. My friends budget was 2.5k so thats what he spent, on a mk1 15yr old MX5.I know others who have spent 5-6k albeit for the mx5 race series.
HeatonNorris said:
But it's still an MX5 - they're pretty decent little things for kicking around in for a grand. But I can't see why you'd want to spend nigh on £3k on a rot prone 20 year old tin bath.
To get the same reactions my 3.0L Mr2Roadster did on runs 
It's cheap motoring and i don't mind it being driven hard. It was great fun this weekend so i just want to up that enjoyment to keep playing with the lads spending 10 times plus as much on their toy.
If i end up with a lightweight 200 odd bhp convertible car i can rag silly pretty much any time then i'm happy.
And when the rust kills the body?
I have Yellowstuff on mine. They are good on track but I'd say they are no better than stock pads on the road.
Axxis ULT (what used to be Ultimate) are better as they have more bite when cold so feel a lot better for road driving and are just as good (I think better but it's close) on track. The Axxis also don't have that bloody annoying "break in" coating that the Yellowstuff pads have. I can't see the point of it as until it's worn off it just makes the pads really "grabby". If I ever use them again (I'm going back to ULT when the current set have gone) I'll rub that coating off with sandpaper before I fit them.
Axxis ULT (what used to be Ultimate) are better as they have more bite when cold so feel a lot better for road driving and are just as good (I think better but it's close) on track. The Axxis also don't have that bloody annoying "break in" coating that the Yellowstuff pads have. I can't see the point of it as until it's worn off it just makes the pads really "grabby". If I ever use them again (I'm going back to ULT when the current set have gone) I'll rub that coating off with sandpaper before I fit them.
MX-5 Lazza said:
I have Yellowstuff on mine. They are good on track but I'd say they are no better than stock pads on the road.
Axxis ULT (what used to be Ultimate) are better as they have more bite when cold so feel a lot better for road driving and are just as good (I think better but it's close) on track. The Axxis also don't have that bloody annoying "break in" coating that the Yellowstuff pads have. I can't see the point of it as until it's worn off it just makes the pads really "grabby". If I ever use them again (I'm going back to ULT when the current set have gone) I'll rub that coating off with sandpaper before I fit them.
+1Axxis ULT (what used to be Ultimate) are better as they have more bite when cold so feel a lot better for road driving and are just as good (I think better but it's close) on track. The Axxis also don't have that bloody annoying "break in" coating that the Yellowstuff pads have. I can't see the point of it as until it's worn off it just makes the pads really "grabby". If I ever use them again (I'm going back to ULT when the current set have gone) I'll rub that coating off with sandpaper before I fit them.
OlberJ said:
£60 for a set of Yellowstuffs delivered, that'll do nicely.
What brake fluid is in there?I've run a few lots over the years and some definitely have a different feel. In terms of feel the current "Super Blue" is a bit "squishy". It stays the same regardless of how dumb I am with the brakes. But is always a bit softer than the Motul DOT4 race stuff I had before it.
what's your budget?
axxis ULT / Mintex M1144 are similar price and performance and very good for fast road. probably around £60 for the fronts.
Carbotech XP8 are the next step up in performance but you'll pay for it. think they're around £100 from memory.
a bit of motul RBF won't hurt either, tho unless you're tracking it you won't really need it.
axxis ULT / Mintex M1144 are similar price and performance and very good for fast road. probably around £60 for the fronts.
Carbotech XP8 are the next step up in performance but you'll pay for it. think they're around £100 from memory.
a bit of motul RBF won't hurt either, tho unless you're tracking it you won't really need it.
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