Bigger Brakes = What is the purpose?

mazdatenfive · Postby **mazdatenfive** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:29 am

There are many threads on this forum about bigger brakes.
Can anyone tell me why MX-5's need bigger brakes.
My MX has never let me down in that department.
PS My car is only used on public roads and only at the recommended signed speeds.
Maybe I do exceed the sign posted corner speeds but who doesn't.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:35 am

Our OEM brakes are designed for our cars as they come from the factory.

If you "amp up" your killer-wasps massively, your OEM brakes aren't going to cut it anymore when driving hard on a track, they weren't designed for it.

(The rear big brakes in the SE are OK and a lot of people simply upgrade the fronts since they are doing most of the work).

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:36 am

Mostly to reduce fade caused by heat.... which on normal roads at normal speeds, you should be fine.

Note that there are lots of ways to slow a car down (like using engine breaking) to reduce the use of the left pedal.

So bigger brakes tend to mainly be required on the track (and even then, not in every class or event).

G

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:53 am

If your local ill take you for a 20 minute lap in the hills and you can tell me.

At road speeds, your never coming close to the limit of the stock brakes.

Dann

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:03 pm

High powered MX-5s might benefit from bigger brakes on the track.

Apart from that ... bling! :roll:

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:55 pm

Guran wrote:High powered MX-5s might benefit from bigger brakes on the track.

I've only just started overheating my brakes at the track, prior to them I was fine with the NB8A discs/calipers.

timk · Postby **timk** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:09 pm

What kinda pads are you using?

I never had this issue in my supercharged NB with the standard NB8A brakes running Endless CC-X pads and I think our times are similar?

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:38 pm

Currently have Hawk HP+ pads. I was noticing fade towards my last few laps on the last corner onto the straight and turn 3 under hard brakes.

I was stomping on the anchors pretty hard.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:46 pm

jerrah wrote:Currently have Hawk HP+ pads.

you don't need bigger brakes - you need higher temp pads.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:45 pm

Davex3 wrote:
Locutus wrote:
jerrah wrote:Currently have Hawk HP+ pads.
you don't need bigger brakes - you need higher temp pads.

Yep for sure, they are apparently a great street pad but a shitty track pad.

Try EBC Yellowstuff pads on the track, that's what they're specifically designed for.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:35 pm

The race car has been through a few different brake set ups but back when it as running stock calipers and discs it was destroying a full set of pads in one race day and it was destroying a set of discs in 2 meetings!!!

These days it runs Impreza STI Brembo callipers and Skyline GTR discs. These were chosen for the price of the callipers and the availability of pads and because they would accept a 30mm thick disc. GTR discs are 30mm thick and the set that are on there now have been there for years and show no wear and can handle huge heat.

The discs have a couple of MM machined off the diameter and one hole drilled to match the MX5 PCD. The entire lot fits under a 15in rim.

Rear brakes are stock with good pads. Brake lines are stock and the master cylinder is the Wilwood 1 inch kit from 949Racing and there is a bias valve in the car.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:39 pm

Who made your caliper brackets?

Dann

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:42 pm

The last owner of the car...well his Dad did. Proper old school engineer and designer / builder of Haggis Sportscars back in the 70's.

I can try and get a picture if you want.