|
|
|
02-25-2013, 03:15 PM | #1 |
Captain
80
Rep 655
Posts |
Brakes & seats are frustrating me....
So, just came back from an awesome day at Auto Club Speedway. That front straight & banked turn sure is a rush!
The track highlighted two frustrating shortcomings on my car: 1) Brakes. My stock brakes + Ferodo DS2500 pads + RBF 600 fluid performed very well. However, I had to consistently brake way earlier than many of the cars that were there (Porsche's + others). I really with I could do something to improve stopping power while keep the car streetable. Short of spending 5-6k, there doesn't seem to be much for our cars that makes a real difference.... 2) Seats. I spend half the lap re-arranging myself back into a "normal" driving position after sliding around on my stock (non-sport) seats in my stock belts. I would be willing to get some Recaro CS or similar seats (need them to be folding), but not at the expense of having my frontal airbags not work or warning lights in the dash. Why is there still no solution for aftermarket seats on our cars?! Mostly just ranting here, but many of you must have solved these problems already if you track/auto-x your car. What did you do? |
02-25-2013, 04:06 PM | #2 |
Colonel
140
Rep 2,234
Posts |
there are some incremental steps to improve your braking before dumping 5-6k on a bbk. first get yourself some race pads. next stop get the RB big 350mm rotors. after that getting some cold air to the rotors would be great. of course this is easier said than done because of our cars design but if there's a will there's a way. as far as seats are concerned, there's no substitute for good supportive seats but that'll set you back a minimum of $2k
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2013, 05:42 PM | #3 | ||
Captain
80
Rep 655
Posts |
Quote:
Haven't gotten glowing reviews from anybody yet... And the cold air thing will be made worse soon since I'm about to install dual oil-coolers... Quote:
Can't believe those issues haven't been solved yet.... |
||
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2013, 05:58 PM | #4 |
Colonel
37
Rep 2,084
Posts |
For stopping power, tires make the biggest difference, brake pads make a smaller difference. The Hawk DTC pads I use have about double the friction the Ferrodos have. Bigger rotors would have to be double the diameter to do that much. I've heard that suspension setup also makes a difference in stopping power, but I don't know anything about that.
For sliding around in the seats, I use a locking clip like this one. It locks the lap belt tight and is a big help. For this year, I bought a Schroth 4-point harness, but I haven't tried it yet. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2013, 07:39 PM | #5 |
Colonel
650
Rep 2,601
Posts
Drives: G81 M3 Touring, GR Supra GTS
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Perth
|
I use a CG lock and it helps a bit with sliding around in the seat. I also was a bit under whelmed by the brakes, even with better pads/fluid, hence stop techs going on.
I also have some brake ducting and backing plates I no longer need if you're interested. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-27-2013, 09:01 AM | #8 |
Colonel
105
Rep 2,696
Posts |
I think OP's biggest issue is he has the regular non-sport seats that have zero bolstering. I would recommend if OP wants some seats in there that won't have his lights on and still wants all the safety, try to find a some used sport seats to put in the car. Maybe out of a wrecked 135?
__________________
Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-01-2013, 01:07 AM | #9 | |
Supreme Allied Commander
3815
Rep 54,319
Posts
Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com
|
Quote:
Harold |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-02-2013, 09:11 PM | #10 |
First Lieutenant
56
Rep 348
Posts |
No cost mod to help with sliding in your seat. Use the belt lock. Start by moving the seat back a few inches, then snap the shoulder belt tight. It will engage the lock. Keep tension on the belt and move the seat forward to your desired driving position. The belt will remain tight as long as you don't introduce slack. You will need to experiment with how far to move the seat back to get the desired tension. I used this technique with my 135i and 1M. Better than just a CG lock because it adds one shoulder belt. It's like a 3-point harness.
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-02-2013, 09:17 PM | #11 | |
Supreme Allied Commander
3815
Rep 54,319
Posts
Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com
|
Quote:
CG lock is the next best thing to a proper 4 or 5 point harness. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-02-2013, 10:01 PM | #12 | |
Cone Cruncher
31
Rep 534
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-02-2013, 10:38 PM | #13 |
Brigadier General
459
Rep 4,531
Posts |
Upgrade the pads beyond OEM (they are not meant for the track) get some decent tires (Star Specs, RS3s...etc) and you'll be able to threshold brake deeper.
As well, screw the CG Lock...it only locks the lower part of the belt. Use the "snap-it" technique. Move your seat farther back than normal, and take your unbuckled seatbelt and snap it so it locks....It takes some practice but snap it to where you can barely buckle it in where you're sitting. Now take your seat (while maintaining pressure on the seatbelt does it doesn't unlock) and move it forward to your driving position. If you do it right, the seatbelt will be firm on you and you'll have your lap and check strap tight against you... It's been working for me for the past 3 years. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-03-2013, 11:33 AM | #14 |
First Lieutenant
56
Rep 348
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-03-2013, 11:53 AM | #15 |
Major General
4338
Rep 6,196
Posts |
Tires stop the car, the brakes stop the wheels. Tires make THE biggest difference to performance.
A good set of pads is the next most important selection. Unless you are running a full track pad, there is not much point in upgrading to bigger brakes. You need a pad meant to run in the temperature range you are using them at. Best pads I have used on many of my cars are Raybestos ST-43's, actually a NASCAR compound. Long life and great wear. But this is a track only compound, don't work very well at street speeds, and will chew up the rotors until they get warm. Track pads are for the track only, street pads for the street. Just change them out at the track, only takes a couple minutes. Although, many compounds are incompatible with each other. I know that Hawk pads are all compatible with each other, so you can use a street pad, then switch to a track pad without worrying about compound incompatibility. As for the seats, I always use the locking of the seat belt method when using stock belts, works like a charm. Also learning to keep yourself braced against the dead pedal helps. |
Appreciate
0
|
03-03-2013, 10:34 PM | #16 | |
Resident Tamed Racing Driver
298
Rep 4,697
Posts |
What tires are you running?
BBKs and such only help you stop more times, they don't reduce the distance. You should be good with proper track pads for the track and street pads for the street. Quote:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-37...g-harness.aspx
__________________
2005 E46 M3 Interlagos/Cinnamon with Sunroof Delete
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-06-2013, 04:14 PM | #17 |
First Lieutenant
47
Rep 327
Posts
Drives: 2012 BMW 135i
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NorCal
|
The P-cars, depending the model, are between 200 and 500 lbs. lighter than the 1er. Of course they can brake later.
BBKs and race pads will help to a small degree with stopping distance, but more with brake fade, so if that isn't the problem, as others have mentioned, better tires will help, and the lighter you can make the car the less inertia the brakes have to slow down. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-06-2013, 09:29 PM | #18 |
Colonel
1418
Rep 2,560
Posts
Drives: Rapidly from A to B
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chicago 'burbs or TN Smokies
|
Lots of good info here for the OP.
BBKs will only help with fade unless you have much more grip than standard tires. If you swap tires only to something much grippier, then stock pads will start to limit braking - upgrade pads first, bbk after. Upgrade fluid to RBF600 or ATE or equivalent regardless. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-06-2013, 11:07 PM | #19 | |
Brigadier General
154
Rep 3,143
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2013, 08:01 AM | #20 | |
Lieutenant
229
Rep 457
Posts |
Quote:
FWIW, my E36 M3 track car has stock brakes, DTC-60/HT-10 pads, and cooling ducts. In 2.5 years of being on track I have yet to boil fluid or have brake fade. Tires are still a limiting factor and will but until I feel like spending $$$ on R-comps. As for seats, the trick described above works really well and 10x better than a CG lock. And I'll say that fixed back seats and harnesses made a HUGE difference in my driving on track but that's a big step away from street comfort/utility/practicality. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2013, 07:53 PM | #21 |
Major
99
Rep 1,050
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2013, 08:05 PM | #22 |
Banned
1518
Rep 4,744
Posts
Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco
|
even my sport seats i slide around a ton. my legs are sore from bracing myself after track days.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|