I'm running the Cobalt combo during HPDE and time attack track events. I want to change the brake pedal feel. Currently, I depress the brake pedal and it seems that the pedal may travel about 2 inches before feeling drag, and with just a bit more pressure the brakes are grabbing very distinctly... a bit too much.
What I'd like to have is very little travel on the brake pedal before noticing the first engagement and then have more pressure relative to the brake bite. All said, I'd like to get a stiffer feel from the brakes.
What is happening now is that during heel-toe work before cornering, I'm bouncing the car as I'm heeling the accelerator. I'd like more pressure to the brakes so that the brakes aren't so sensitive to lighter pressures. Make sense?

1. Is there a less agressive pad combo out there that would help?
2. Are there adjustments that can be made to the Ss braking system that could help remove some of the sensitivity?

Thanks.

 

Do you have SS braided brake lines? That will reduce the overall travel of the pedal.

 

You want to back that up assumption with some measurements?

 

I've never measured the travel, but I can feel the difference. I thought it was a huge difference. Some people cant feel the difference. If you don't believe me, don't buy it.

 

My white car has OEM lines and the grey car has SS lines, and the white car's pedal definitely feels firmer to me (same pads, fluid, and wheels/tires). I guess this proves it's all psychological.

 

What ever.

 

HMMM....
Some drivers believe that the SS lines provide a stiffer feel.
However, I have one driver's testimony that his SS lines ruptured which he believes caused his brake failure and subsequent crash and near totaling of his track car.
So, some say that SS lines are the way to go, while others say that SS lines can be more brittle which could lead to an earlier than normal flexible brake line failure.
My goal is to be able to press on the brakes with my toe and feel some drag almost immediately. Then with further pressure from the brake pedal, be able to deliver adequite ammounts of braking to the wheels. Right now, it feels as if there is not enough a difference between initial grab and full on. I want to smothe out the in-between for better finnesse at high speed - especially during trail braking and heel-toe.
So, my thoughts right now are that SS lines can help the pressure feel, but what I'm really after is damned near eliminating the power assisted braking so as to be able to stomp on the brakes when I really want to stomp on them and have a bit of room for more finesse. Make sense?

 

Perhaps you need bleed the brake system? That will reduce the sponginess and slop. Go through every moving part on the brake pedal, perhaps replace bushings with stiffer ones (I have no idea what the brake system design looks like, so I am not exactly sure what you would have to do).

Then if you want to take it further, get a larger bore master cylinder, this will stiffen the pedal because for the same linear movement of your foot you are moving more fluid to move the pads. In addition, the larger master cylinder bore will give you less system pressure for the same force on the brake pedal; this means you'll need more force to get the same braking force at the tires. Some say that gives them more modulation ability.

 

This is all because I wiped out this past weekend engaging a high speed right turn under wet conditions. All it took was a tap and I upset the car and was sliding outside the turn into a mudhole. Me and my S are at the edge right now and it is all about being smooth.

 

and you think the brake pedal stiffness (or lack of) is what caused you to crash?

are you fvcking with me?