I just signed up for NASA HPDE at Infineon in October. I'm excited to get on the track and learn. This will be my second HPDE (first in the s2000). So I am definately still a novice on the track. I have also been to a few AutoX events and had a lot of fun.

My car is a completely stock '04. I have 12,000 miles and recently replaced the rears with the same RE050 and got them aligned. I have read that the 04+ pads hold up better to heat. As a novice should I worry about upgrading to track pads/fluid with just street tires? Anything else I should do to prepare?

Look forward to maybe seeing a few of you there.

 

ok..i'm no expert but have asked this same question before so I'll attempt to help by summarizing the good advice I've received.

As a novice you probably won't boil your brake fluid. You might overheat your stock pads.

If you want to change brake fluid look at Motul, Ate Super blue/gold, or there's a cheap synthetic at auto parts that has a high boil point.

If you want to change brake pads...I've ordered Cobalt. There are plenty of brands. The race pads squeal but they're much better.

Stainless steel braded lines are also beneficial.

Other things....there are plenty of other things but I think most people would tell you our cars are already damn good without any mods. Look at brakes, tires, and making yourself better...like you've already begun. Also...you can never be too safe so get yourself a nice helmet and if you want to make a big step do one big project with seats, belts, and a cage.

I hope this helps and I hope I'm correct.

 

I also am relatively inexperienced, and posed the same question before my first HPDE one year ago.

I ended up getting the Cobalt GT Sport pads, and using ATE blue. This will be more than adequate for your first few HPDE's, and you can use these pads on the street. But...

They dust a LOT. Like, you'd better wash your car every week. And they squeal. I don't care about the squealing, so much, but I do get tired of the washing every week. I only use them during the summer, since I can't be sure that the weather will be nice enough to let me wash every week in the winter.

So, they're great if you need a pad that you can use while you drive to your event. They're also good if you want to leave them on and you don't mind washing regularly.

If, however, you can change your pads at the track, or trailer your car, or don't mind driving to the track on pads that will be eating your rotors, than dedicated track pads are a better option (once again, people seem to like the Cobalts), and you won't outgrow them.

Hope that helps.

 

WVtwisties, couple comments based on my experience. OEM lines are more than sufficient. I've tried steel braided 2-3 years ago and couldn't tell the difference in my previous '01. In my '03 that I've tracked the last many thousand track miles, only OEM lines and they are great. I recall as a rookie that I boiled fluid before toasting pads (though I could have misdaignosed back then), so I personally would change fluid first if I had to do only one (other's with more experience on OEM or more knowledge can correct me please). On my street/track car (in avatar; MOD class) I use Motul, Cobalt VR front, and usually Hawk blues rear though sometimes Cobalts.

Also, Motul and ATE are compatible with OEM fluid if mixed (e.g., if not flushed completely). I don't believe synthetic is compatible, but check to verify.

 

The difference between SS hoses and OEM hoses is so subtle that it may in fact have been nothing but my imagination.

In theory, the OEM hoses will be softer and the brakes will be a little spongier. But for the most part, in practice you won't notice any difference. Modern rubber brake lines are not nearly as compliant as those of years gone by.

 

This has been asked a billion times. Please look through the older topics or use the search function.

For God's sake not another one! 1 topic a month on this question is the limit.

 

give him a brake..get it..haha

Jesus Topdown...what's wrong with!?!?!??! getting excited about your first HPDE and wanting to make the right decisoins...how dare you ask a similar question as one some S2000 expert has seen before!!??!?!????

This site is not for entertainment....get lost!!!!!!

(Sarcasm)

 

Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction.

 

I suggest fluid and pads. They're both easy to change. I listened to the "... you won't need 'em for your first few HPDE advice." Losing brake's on the end of the front straight at Buttonwillow at my 2nd event was .