JCG Restoration & Customs 70 Challenger 2nd Test Car!

[Matt@BOS]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Trail brake with your LEFT foot...

That would require learning a new skill. I can barely barely stay on top of the skills I've learned and try to use.

[Track Junky]

Chris, Hawk makes several different brake compounds. Obviously in auto x your going to want a pad that works well initially and then you have the option of how strong you want the initial bite. IMO for road course you will want a pad that will operate at higher temps and obviously these pads will need a lap or two to get to optimum braking performance. I'm running a pad that most of you probably have never heard of and there are only 3 people Ive mentioned these pads to. At the same time I'm still running the Baer Track/Touring brake system which would be on the lower latter of the systems out there and have bad no complaints as long as they are bled before every event. Once again, all I'm trying to say is trying different pad compounds may sway you to stick with what you have but in addition I prefer power brakes

[57hemicuda]

I do think the pad compound, and master bore size are key. I had the best Baer had available at that time (15" 6 piston, really good stuff) and couldn't figure out why I had to stand on the brakes so hard to get the car to scrub speed. Wasn't sure that in a super panic stop I could push hard enough to get the car to stop the way I wanted.

After talking to the folks at Carbotech, they explained why that was, and what I could do to fix it. Power brakes was one of the options, the other was a lot easier. The normal compounds Baer, wildwood etc. use are kind of designed for power brakes. Once I got the masters sized right, the guys at Carbotech hooked me up with several different compounds. I settled on one which I call my Superman brakes. Different compound front to rear, but it was like putting on a cape, never thought about power brakes after that. I found if you go too aggressive on compound, you can't get enough heat for them to work right either, you end up back to needing a lot of pedal pressure to stop that way too.

They told me running the wrong pads can work with power brakes because the power assist will allow enough pedal pressure to achieve the desired brake feel, usually harder on the brakes though. I do think, what ever makes the driver more confident with pedal feel is what you need to do.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Opinions are like assholes. Manual brakes are great for threshold at high speed. For autocross or street, I'd prefer boosted. This after 3 different pad types and two master cylinders. I didn't have a choice so manual it was.

The difference is that we actually own cars.... and use them.

Originally Posted by 57hemicuda

I do think the pad compound, and master bore size are key. I had the best Baer had available at that time (15" 6 piston, really good stuff) and couldn't figure out why I had to stand on the brakes so hard to get the car to scrub speed. Wasn't sure that in a super panic stop I could push hard enough to get the car to stop the way I wanted.

After talking to the folks at Carbotech, they explained why that was, and what I could do to fix it. Power brakes was one of the options, the other was a lot easier. The normal compounds Baer, wildwood etc. use are kind of designed for power brakes. Once I got the masters sized right, the guys at Carbotech hooked me up with several different compounds. I settled on one which I call my Superman brakes. Different compound front to rear, but it was like putting on a cape, never thought about power brakes after that. I found if you go too aggressive on compound, you can't get enough heat for them to work right either, you end up back to needing a lot of pedal pressure to stop that way too.

They told me running the wrong pads can work with power brakes because the power assist will allow enough pedal pressure to achieve the desired brake feel, usually harder on the brakes though. I do think, what ever makes the driver more confident with pedal feel is what you need to do.

Thus my earlier post about all of us running the big boy full race stuff.... but there's problems with that because we run 10 or 20 LAPS --- or go out hot on an Auto X course... with ZERO chance for heat to begin to work.

Carbotech my suggest some girlie Ceramic pads for Karls "chicken legs"....


Or Cris can put a bandaid on his problem.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by 57hemicuda

I do think the pad compound, and master bore size are key.

IMO you nailed it right there Ron. Bore size and compound.

[Vegas69]

He also nailed it when he said, whatever makes you the most comfortable. Debating about the best brake set up is like arguing over your favorite beer or politics.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

He also nailed it when he said, whatever makes you the most comfortable. Debating about the best brake set up is like arguing over your favorite beer or politics.

It's not called arguing -- it's called a forum where people discuss various aspects of their cars (on this forum) and sometimes people even learn stuff just by reading or participating in these discussions.

People learn lots of stuff with an exchange of opinions... Nobody has said (that I've read anyway) "you're an idiot because you don't do "X" my way"....

[GregWeld]

I drove 12 hours today and am a bit "rummy".....



Just wanted folks to know the reason I chimed in on Cris's thread in the first place is because I think LOTS of people have spent a small fortune on the biggest baddest brakes that money can buy -- and are in a similar position of not really liking the performance... but are afraid to admit it or post it up. Thus a good discussion about the various possible fixes --- whether it's power or pad - or ratio or bore size --- I thought was a good topic.

[GregWeld]

Re-read this post and it sounds MEAN --- and that wasn't my intent. I'm too rummy to post a good thought.. :>)

Originally Posted by GregWeld

It's not called arguing -- it's called a forum where people discuss various aspects of their cars (on this forum) and sometimes people even learn stuff just by reading or participating in these discussions.

People learn lots of stuff with an exchange of opinions... Nobody has said (that I've read anyway) "you're an idiot because you don't do "X" my way"....

[Track Junky]

Go take a nap Weld