1.6 Trackday Brake Set Up
Discussion
Hi All,
Just come back from my second track day at Anglesey in the MX5, Top fun!

On both days the brakes have been fine, With regular rests, No drop in performance at all. The discs and pads both need changing now so i'm looking at replacement options.
I'd like something I can use allmost constantly without overheating, She's pretty much a track car now so road performance isn't that much of an issue but it will need to get me to and from curcuits!
-Whats the best comromise between cost and performance?
-Worth doing the 1.8 conversion?
-Are the ebay special discs made of cheese?
Thanks people!
Just come back from my second track day at Anglesey in the MX5, Top fun!

On both days the brakes have been fine, With regular rests, No drop in performance at all. The discs and pads both need changing now so i'm looking at replacement options.
I'd like something I can use allmost constantly without overheating, She's pretty much a track car now so road performance isn't that much of an issue but it will need to get me to and from curcuits!
-Whats the best comromise between cost and performance?
-Worth doing the 1.8 conversion?
-Are the ebay special discs made of cheese?
Thanks people!
Edited by Scho on Saturday 11th September 09:01
1.8 conversion is worth it. The bigger discs just allow you to modulate the braking better and the bigger pads mean less overheating.
Stick with the MX5 Parts plain discs. The eBay cheapos might be ok and I know nothing about them personally but I stick to what I know works.
As for pads - I currently have EBC Yellowstuff which are pretty good but Axxis Ultimates are better and I'll be going back to them when I wear out the EBCs
Stick with the MX5 Parts plain discs. The eBay cheapos might be ok and I know nothing about them personally but I stick to what I know works.
As for pads - I currently have EBC Yellowstuff which are pretty good but Axxis Ultimates are better and I'll be going back to them when I wear out the EBCs

I never had any complaints about standard 1.6 brakes on track - perfect pedal feel and stopped hard every time without a hint of fade - but if you're buying new discs and pads anyway you may as well upgrade to the 1.8 setup while you're at it to cover the option of sticky tyres and upping the power in future.
Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 11th September 11:51
GravelBen said:
I never had any complaints about standard 1.6 brakes on track - stopped hard every time without a hint of fade - but of you're buying new discs and pads anyway you may as well upgrade to the 1.8 setup while you're at it to cover the option of upping the power in future.
yeah, Mine have been fine, But since my discs and pads are worn out then i might as well upgrade. Am i right in thinking all that's required is a pair of 1.8 caliper brackets?
Braided hoses worth it?
Scho said:
GravelBen said:
I never had any complaints about standard 1.6 brakes on track - stopped hard every time without a hint of fade - but of you're buying new discs and pads anyway you may as well upgrade to the 1.8 setup while you're at it to cover the option of upping the power in future.
yeah, Mine have been fine, But since my discs and pads are worn out then i might as well upgrade. Am i right in thinking all that's required is a pair of 1.8 caliper brackets?
Braided hoses worth it?
The only reason the MaX5 & Ma5da racers don't upgrade to 1.8 brakes is because they aren't allowed to 
All you need is the calliper brackets, discs and pads. The weight is pretty much the same so you lose nothing and gain better brakes. I don't see a problem with that.
On our track car (a 1.6 Mk1) the standard 1.6 brakes were fine, braked hard and didn't fade. We upgraded to 1.8 brakes and there isn't a massive difference. What it has given more than anything is better brake feel giving more confidence to brake later and harder without locking up

All you need is the calliper brackets, discs and pads. The weight is pretty much the same so you lose nothing and gain better brakes. I don't see a problem with that.
On our track car (a 1.6 Mk1) the standard 1.6 brakes were fine, braked hard and didn't fade. We upgraded to 1.8 brakes and there isn't a massive difference. What it has given more than anything is better brake feel giving more confidence to brake later and harder without locking up

MX-5 Lazza said:
What it has given more than anything is better brake feel giving more confidence to brake later and harder without locking up 
Thats interesting, I thought my old 1.6 brakes felt better than the 1.8 Sport brakes on the new one (which I haven't had on track yet to fully compare) - firmer pedal from the old one mainly, I guess it could be down to pads as much as anything.
Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 11th September 13:09
MX-5 Lazza said:
The only reason the MaX5 & Ma5da racers don't upgrade to 1.8 brakes is because they aren't allowed to 
All you need is the calliper brackets, discs and pads. The weight is pretty much the same so you lose nothing and gain better brakes. I don't see a problem with that.
On our track car (a 1.6 Mk1) the standard 1.6 brakes were fine, braked hard and didn't fade. We upgraded to 1.8 brakes and there isn't a massive difference. What it has given more than anything is better brake feel giving more confidence to brake later and harder without locking up
Well, I've not heard anyone who uses Carbotech say they would swap for the 1.8s if they were allowed to, but I have heard them say they wouldn't 
All you need is the calliper brackets, discs and pads. The weight is pretty much the same so you lose nothing and gain better brakes. I don't see a problem with that.
On our track car (a 1.6 Mk1) the standard 1.6 brakes were fine, braked hard and didn't fade. We upgraded to 1.8 brakes and there isn't a massive difference. What it has given more than anything is better brake feel giving more confidence to brake later and harder without locking up

Saving unsprung weight is key when racing, so I don't really see the point of adding extra weight if the std setup works (which it does with the right pads)Just out of interest, what pads did you run on both the 1.6 and 1.8 setup?
GravelBen said:
I thought my old 1.6 brakes felt better than the 1.8 Sport brakes on the new one
I don't disagree. I have the Sport brakes on my car and I feel they are a little too powerful and probably over-assisted.worldwidewebs said:
Just out of interest, what pads did you run on both the 1.6 and 1.8 setup?
Unfortunately it was Yellowstuff on both setups. Not the best pads as has already been discussed but they were the same on both setups.Yep as shown here:
http://mx5mart.co.nz/db.cgi?db=mart&uid=defaul...
Mentions sometimes having larger rears as well but AFAIK most folk only upgrade the fronts.
http://mx5mart.co.nz/db.cgi?db=mart&uid=defaul...
Mentions sometimes having larger rears as well but AFAIK most folk only upgrade the fronts.
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 12th September 11:55
dylan0451 said:
i was under the impression the calipers were different? i'm sure there were 2 different pad options in the mintex catalogue?!
or is that just for the rears? do you only bother upgrading the fronts?
the 1.6 calipers can accomodate larger 1.8 pads but it requires the bigger carriers and discs from the 1.8or is that just for the rears? do you only bother upgrading the fronts?
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