NB8A (June 1998) Brake upgrades

[Darren]

All,

Bottom line up front: when buying parts for a 1998 MX-5 from the US is the US 1999 model the same?

background
I've only had the car for 12 months, and my brakes were not too much of a concern, however my recent club drive from Canberra to Melbourne for the fanfest, allowed me to identify that upgraded brakes are now first on my priority list to improve.

Rear brakes
I'm trying to work out my best options. I think my rear brake calipers are shot. They're not always releasing correctly, and the hand brake requires continual adjustment. It's been suggested that my calipers need reconditioning. I figure the option are to either recondition the existing ones or buy new. I've found a website in the US (link below) that sells OEM rears for $90USD ($120AUS), so this might be the easiest option from a time/labour point of view, and $240 for two new OEM calipers sounds pretty good me).

Front brakes
I'd like to get a front big brake kit, and would like to hear some suggestions as to the best options. Again, purchasing form the US does seem like a great option. Go Miata has the complete front Wilwood brake kit for $700USD ($915AUD). I know this excludes shipping, but I know a guy.

Any useful comments would be appreciated, particularly relating to my primary question about the 98 to 99 difference in the US market.

Thanks.

Parts Link:
https://www.oemautopartz.com/mazda/mazd ... me=caliper

[Magpie]

Personally I would (and have) install the NB8B brakes. Does not require a mod plate and with adequate ducting are more than enough for the MX5. My car which was at fan fest did not have any brake issues.

If you want to reduce unsprung mass then yes Willwoods could be considered or maybe Stoptech's product.
https://www.racingready.com.au/collections/stoptech/products/stoptech-mazda


If tracking the MX5 then you will need to increase the maintenance on the calipers. The sliding pins should be greased after every few track days and fluid changed, frequency will depend on how hot the fluid gets. Brake fluid is hydrosopic and attacks water, plus if it gets too hot will cease to work at optimum.

Rear brakes have an inbuilt parking brake mechanism and if track only then it can be deleted. If also road registered attention needs to be kept up and adjustments made as required. Temperature strips and or temp paint helps track any issues with the brakes and let's you make adjustments as required.

Pads, can of worms. Again my personal choice is Winmax pads, maybe not W6.5's if being used as a daily. W5's are a great track pad that can be used in a daily, albeit a bit dusty/noisey.

There is a great thread on Miata Turbo about brake decisions, well worth the read.

http://www.miataturbo.net/general-miata-chat-9/anyone-have-any-brake-questions-81577/

[rossint]

What brake issues are you having? How do you use your car?
Big brakes don't necessarily equal more stopping power but they do equal better heat managment. I'm running NA8 fronts and NA6 rears currently (did 1:30.6 at Fanfest) and heats my problem more than stopping power, I run a good pad but they don't last long. There are other benefits from aftermarket brake kits, you loose some unsprung weight and pads and rotors are generally a bit cheaper but you should identify what your current setup is lacking first.
Raed the thread Magpie linked to, all of it, a lot of great info.

[Darren]

Thanks of the reply already. I probably should have stated how the car is used.

It's my daily driver (100km per day to and from work Canberra to Bungendore and back). Track days (social, not competitive) and driver training perhaps no more than ten times a year.

On my drive back from Melbourne to Canberra, coming down of Mt Hotham and through the Tawonga Gap, lots of brake fade, mushy pedal and the smell of hot discs and pads.

At the moment, everything is factory (except for the horrible wheels the previous owner fitted), and I think it's currently fitted with common Bendix pads.

Darren.

[RS2000]

There are track only NB8A's with standard rotors & calipers.
But you want good pads, good fluid, & everything properly & frequently maintained.

[rossint]

Good pads and fluid will fix that, not saying you shouldn't get a big brake kit but you don't need it.
My setup is less than ideal for track work but I can go from 200km to 45km in about 200m without cooking pads or fluid, and do it all day. Ducts are next for me and a big brake kit is in my future somewhere.

[greenMachine]

Darren good advice above but no need to spend big on upgrades.

I have just completed a season of Supersprints on stock NB8A brakes with no brake issues at all. This is the second year I have tracked my road car and brought home a pot both times - the brakes are up to the job! Decent pads and fluid are the key but the whole system needs to be in good condition too.

I suggest you get someone to check out your calipers and replace the fluid before you spend money on upgrading anything.

[93_Clubman]

when buying parts for a 1998 MX-5 from the US is the US 1999 model the same?

Yes, what we refer to here as 1998 is referred to in the US as MY 1999.

[david_syd_au]

Also consider that bigger brakes may not have clearance from your current wheels, and so require you to also get news wheels.
I ran a track car with stock NB8A brakes for a few years, and to echo what others have said, suitable pads and regular maintenance (fluid, slides etc) is all that is needed.