NB Brake Pads

[Demes]

I have a NB with standard pads and today at the MX5 club we done the targa Rossarden stage downhill and by the time I reached the bottom had huge brake fade... can someone give me some advice on the best pads to run something I can use on the road and track that will give me good braking on the road first application.


Dale
Blue NB8A

[Snowmotion]

I have been using QFM A1RM pads on a Weekend and Track car.
They are very good on the track and only lack a small amount of feel on the first application of brakes in the morning.

[Luke]

I like Carbotech AX6.
Work from cold as they are aimed at Autocross/Motorkhana use
They also work well on track. Could never fade them in the stock NC and it did not need any more bit with he stock suspension and "S-Spec" road tyres.
The only bad thing is they squeal under really light application of the brakes. You get the hang of it after a while so you can avoid the squealing or do it on purpose to wake the neighbours.
The dust is no corrosive and easy to clean off. They do make more dust than standard OEM pads but it is a brown colour, not black.
Just a pain to get purchase them.

I have also tried Hawk HPS.
Did not like them. They were much the same as the stock NC pads(which were really good for OEM pads, much better than NB pads) but made more dust.
In my SE I have them as pads for summer when the car is not being tracked. Wouldn't buy again.

[Magpie]

Try Winmax W5’s, will handle a lot of heat and work reasonably well from cold.

You may need to look at brake ducting as well as a regular fluid changes, in addition attention to the slider pins as they will need frequent greasing. Another option is to use a brake fluid like Motul 660.

[manga_blue]

I believe he's running in standard class in his first year of competition. If that's the case then mods like ducting will not be allowed and a good quality street/track compromise pad like Hawk HP+ or QFM HPX will get him through the first season without any more drama. Superdot 4 fluid would be easily good enough at that level as well.

Hawk HPS and Hawk HP+ are entirely different compounds. The less said about HPS the better.

[wasp47]

QFM A1RM

[Magpie]

A1RM are not a serious track pad, ok for light use but not heavy sustained track use.

The data on the AR1M say they can handle temps from 0-780°C, however I have my doubts on subjecting them to these temps without ducting and or other measures to manage heat. I have used A1RM's very early on in my track days, however I doubt that they would take the abuse I give my W6.5's.

If the rotors are shinny and have no pad material on them there is a good chance that the rotors have gotten too hot.

You need to know what the temps are down there so you can match the pads. This can be done with thermal paint and heat strips. Once you know this you can make informed choices. What works for some will not for others, it depends on driving style/skill and how hard you push.

I have attached an article I wrote for the MX5 Car Club QLD Magazine

MX5 Article Brakes Final.docx

. This may help.

In case the attachment is deleted
https://www.dropbox.com/s/srlheis44yzzlp2/MX5%20Article%20Brakes%20Final.docx?dl=0

[paul_bfree]

Hi, I have a set of NB HPS for my NB, Sport suspension and bigger brakes (SE) I beleive. I run HP+ as my daily drive and they work fine at the track. They are definitely more dusty and squeeal if you drive soft (soft braking) - I clean them with a good hard stop from time to time. Getting better with age. I'm on my fourth track day, so not a racer. You don't need mods, just better pads which will allow later braking (and more assurity on the street) and start practicing entry and exits. I also considered WINMAX but could not find anyone who uses them to get an opinion. I bought direct from USA - including shipping, were cheaper than buying here. Good luck.

[hks_kansei]

I have Bendix General CT.
They're sh*t.


My old $40 set of Axxis/Raysbestos ones were heaps better, and they were also sh*t.

[Magpie]

I also considered WINMAX but could not find anyone who uses them to get an opinion.

Happy to pass on my opinions of Winmax pads, and or names of others who use them in their MX5’s on the track!