1.6 Trackday Brake Set Up
Author
Discussion

Scho

Original Poster:

2,479 posts

226 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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!


Edited by Scho on Saturday 11th September 09:01

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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 wink

GravelBen

16,334 posts

253 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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

Scho

Original Poster:

2,479 posts

226 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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?

worldwidewebs

2,873 posts

273 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
The std 1.6 discs/pads on a relatively-standard powered car are absolutely fine - it's what the Ma5da racers use without any problems. I've just replaced a set of Yellowcrap for Carbotech and the difference is unbelieveable - see my thread on Nutz here


worldwidewebs

2,873 posts

273 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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?
I noticed a "slight" difference with braided hoses but nothing major. I probably wouldn't rush to do it again unless they needed doing tbh.

worldwidewebs

2,873 posts

273 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
Rick, I'll be at Oulton on Tuesday if you want to pop down and see what a decent 1.6 setup is like wink

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
The only reason the MaX5 & Ma5da racers don't upgrade to 1.8 brakes is because they aren't allowed to wink

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 smile

Scho

Original Poster:

2,479 posts

226 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
worldwidewebs said:
Rick, I'll be at Oulton on Tuesday if you want to pop down and see what a decent 1.6 setup is like wink
Now thats hard to refuse!

If i can squeeze a few hours off I'll be all over that!

GravelBen

16,334 posts

253 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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 smile
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

worldwidewebs

2,873 posts

273 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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 wink

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 smile
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 wink 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?

worldwidewebs

2,873 posts

273 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
Scho said:
worldwidewebs said:
Rick, I'll be at Oulton on Tuesday if you want to pop down and see what a decent 1.6 setup is like wink
Now thats hard to refuse!

If i can squeeze a few hours off I'll be all over that!
No probs - I'm in the Mariner Blue Mk1 with black wheels

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Saturday 11th September 2010
quotequote all
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.

dylan0451

1,040 posts

214 months

Sunday 12th September 2010
quotequote all
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?

GravelBen

16,334 posts

253 months

Sunday 12th September 2010
quotequote all
Only the fronts get upgraded - the 1.8 pads are different but fit the 1.6 caliper on the conversion bracket.

dylan0451

1,040 posts

214 months

Sunday 12th September 2010
quotequote all
oh ok, i was about to curse for just replacing the 1.6 pads and discs for new at a cost of about £220 but if all i need are new front discs £35 from mx5 parts? and pocket the brackets from a scrappers then i'm laughing

GravelBen

16,334 posts

253 months

Sunday 12th September 2010
quotequote all
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.

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 12th September 11:55

skinny

5,269 posts

258 months

Sunday 12th September 2010
quotequote all
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 1.8

MX-5 Lazza

7,954 posts

242 months

Sunday 12th September 2010
quotequote all
If you fit 1.8 brackets & discs you will also have to fit 1.8 pads. 1.6 pads will be too small wink

Scho

Original Poster:

2,479 posts

226 months

Wednesday 15th September 2010
quotequote all
Gah, This is stil doing my head in banghead

P5 are only selling limited products at the mo so no axxis unlitmates for scho.

I'm convinced yellowstuffs are gash after reading countless bad reviews.

Coarbotechs are a bit too rich for my blood at £150 per axle frown

Any other suggestions people?