Originally Posted by BB6Driver
Thanks, Monkey
I like the idea of auto-x'ing sometime down the road. Currently this is my only car, so I don't have a commuter-beater to fall back on in case it breaks or wrecks on the track. I'd also need to attend a racing school. Then there's my main expensive career/pro-hobby in film & video which takes up more than enough time and money already.
Regarding brakes, what is your opinion on Spoon's 4-pot calipers? They look like a good choice since you can fit them under 16" rims with the stock rotors and OEM-size pads. As I understand, they will *not* allow you to stop any faster or shorter but will eliminate brake fade and give a more linear feel in the pedal.
hehe you sure pick the expensive hobbies
. between my car and my extreme desire for a D-slr, i am torn into pieces monetarily.
on auto-x: i haven't heard of an a/x wreck in a while, at least not in my region. they're generally pretty rare since the SCCA goes to great lengths to ensure some measure of safety. if anything you're hitting cones which is pretty impactless. roadracing is something totally different and can have cataclysmic circumstances. anyway if you're interested in auto-x (solo 2) look up your region's website and maybe head out there for a day and have a look at what goes on.
on the spoon calipers: brake fade isn't a major issue until you're using the brakes enough to boil the fluid. that is usually happening during open lapping or roadracing, where the high speeds and heavy braking zones coupled with 20 minute run sessions can toast your OE system. I've never heard of significant brake fade on the street, given that the system isn't malfunctioning (seized calipers). Spoon 4pot calipers might be lighter than OE, which is a plus, but may also take more fluid to actuate the calipers. If it's a big enough discrepancy, you might have to change the master cylinder and booster, but even if you don't, saving 2lbs of unsprung weight on the corners, while nice, isn't worth the $2000 price tag.
After numerous sessions at the local road courses and countless auto-x's i have yet to boil my fluid or toast my pads. maybe i'm not braking hard or deep enough but it hasn't been a problem for me yet. I'm eventually planning on using Motul RBF600 brake fluid which has a 600 degree dry boil point to prevent any chance of fade, but the stuff i have in there right now is working well enough. the biggest improvement i've felt with the brakes is when i went with a different pad. stopping distances are only as good as your tires can allow, but different pads can drastically change pedal feel which is a good thing for some people. I'm on cobalt friction GT-Sport fronts and Carbotech rear pads. OE lines, calipers, honda dot 3 brake fluid, and falken azenis.