Here's why you need a big brake kit for road track use

[NOT A TA]

Those particular ones were Raybestos "heavy Duty" semi metallic. I've used 3 sets of those on the current rotors. Tried Ceramics before that which didn't even last a day at Road Atlanta.

This is a stock size setup with single piston front calipers and rear drums. Trying to haul down 4000 lbs over and over on a road track in 100 degree heat puts a tremendous amount of heat into the brakes. The rear shoes usually crack down the middle although switching to finned drums helped that a bit.

I'm going to try to finish up some brake ducting I've been working on and see if that helps. Thinking of trying Willwood and Hawk pads next (with new rotors for each) at the next couple tracks.

The simple answer is to put big 4 wheel discs on. However that would also require buying all new wheels because the brake change will push the wheels out and I'm already at the limit. So not only would I have to spend a couple grand on the brakes, then I'd also need new custom made wheels.

[legend]

do you guys get ferodo pads? ds3000 compound would be good for heavy cars with small brakes

[clill]

I'd say you got your money's worth out of those pads and didn't leave any to waste.

[brans72]

Why not a home made C5 set up till you can afford the Brembo's etc? I think I have $800 max in my setup with Hawk pads and slotted rotors not to mention new seals etc (friend owed me a iou and powdered coated them red). We all can't afford the best of the best but C5 would be a big step up in the playing field. Brandon

[NOT A TA]

Legend: I've never tried Ferodo pads. I was trying to avoid having to go to race only pads with a dedicated set of rotors for track days. Hard compound pads don't work well with no heat in them. Scared myself pretty good once at the end of my street going right out into the intersection like the car was on ice. But that may be the way I have to go for now.

Charlie: Ya I get my use out of them . To bad it's short lived. It takes longer to do the brake job and bed in the new pads than it does to wear the pads out! I'd love to try some brakes like your new ones.

Brandon: The C5 setup would indeed be a big step up. However I had my wheels custom made several years ago and they can't move in or out even 1/4" front or rear. If I do brakes I have to buy new wheels at the same time.

[Fluid Power]

Any reason you have not converted the rear drums to discs?

Darren

[NOT A TA]

Originally Posted by Fluid Power

Any reason you have not converted the rear drums to discs?

Darren

Wheels can't move in or out at all and I was told (perhaps incorrectly) that they would. The rear is a GM 8.5" 10 bolt with Ford style Moser tapered bearing housing ends welded on, running Moser axles. The GM upgrades won't work I've been told.

[tazzz2_ca]

Hi John how you doing bud..... You may want to check out Wildwood's kit for f-bodies as I believe they have a 13" six piston front and 12" 4 piston rear slim line aluminum caliper kit that would allow you to continue running your existing wheels.... I'm running the brake kit on my 72RS and have 17" TT 2's on the car with 275 (91/2" front rim) & 315 on 11" out back ...

I could stand to be corrected here, however, I believe they said you can run this kit with stock 15" rims as well given their profile...... Anyways just some food for thought and possible consideration.

Originally Posted by NOT A TA

Those particular ones were Raybestos "heavy Duty" semi metallic. I've used 3 sets of those on the current rotors. Tried Ceramics before that which didn't even last a day at Road Atlanta.

This is a stock size setup with single piston front calipers and rear drums. Trying to haul down 4000 lbs over and over on a road track in 100 degree heat puts a tremendous amount of heat into the brakes. The rear shoes usually crack down the middle although switching to finned drums helped that a bit.

I'm going to try to finish up some brake ducting I've been working on and see if that helps. Thinking of trying Willwood and Hawk pads next (with new rotors for each) at the next couple tracks.

The simple answer is to put big 4 wheel discs on. However that would also require buying all new wheels because the brake change will push the wheels out and I'm already at the limit. So not only would I have to spend a couple grand on the brakes, then I'd also need new custom made wheels.