I recently purchased and installed Rick's Pinnacle brake system, w/ the wave rotors all around. I'm happy w/ them, as you'll see below, but immediately following installation I heard a substantial clanking sound coming from the front end after running over even small road bumps.

Ultimately, I found the answer. The brake pads, themselves, were impacting against the calipers and making the noise. There is a substantial metal backing on the pads and they appear to have enough mass and momentum from hitting bumps (even at low speed) that they hit the calipers w/ force.

Bottom line is that I do not believe that the pad movement hurts anything, but the noise is very irritating. It sounds like the car is in danger of coming apart. There are a couple of easy remedies to the noise, neither of which is a big deal and I'll be taking care of the matter shortly. See below.

With respect to my overall reaction to the new system, I have not conducted any form of scientific test, but it at least seems that they stop the car better than the stock system. At worst, they are certainly the equal of the stock setup. The primary reason I bought the Pinnacle system was because of the loss of unsprung weight. The drop of 26 lbs., combined w/ the 26 lbs. I lost by getting the Regamaster Evo 16" wheels, gives me at least a 52 pound total reduction. I've no doubt whatever that the weight loss has translated into better acceleration. Acceleration is substantially improved. I ran a rather intense two days (all day long for both days) autocross school, making well over forty runs. I never had the slightest indication of brake fade or overheated rotors.

As to the reaction I get from the people seeing the system for the first time, invariably I get "what kind of rotors are those? I've never seen anything like that". Always it is a positive reaction. Of course, I bought the system for ME, not for someone else.

All in all, I'm quite happy w/ the system and I'm happy that I bought it. I'd have no hesitation in recommending the system to other S2k owners.

See below for Brad Wright's comments on the noises. He, as I understand it, is the designer of the system.

"The front pads float in the caliper . This movement is normal , by letting the pad float we reduce drag when the brakes are not being applied . This in turn reduces heat . As the pads wear to the rotors 600 to 1,000 miles the noise will happen less often . Changing direction ( forward , then backward ) you will here clicking as pad moves from the front of the caliper to the rear . There is an adjustment on the cross over bolt that holds the pads in the caliper , this should be just touching the pad ,then tighten. ( they should still move in and out freely , but not up off the shelf that supports them)

The other thing that some people have done is put a light spring over the cross over bolt pushing the pads apart . You just need a very light pressure , this will keep pads from biting the rotor any making them move when not using the brakes .

The Wave rotors do make a zipper sound when you apply the brakes this is from the holes . It is not a problem , you just have to get used to the different sound."

 

Any pic's for us to check out?

 

Yeah, afterall this IS the photo gallery Just busting ballllzzzzzzz

Chris

 

Moving to S2000 talk

 

I sure hope you never go to the race track.

 

That's not really fair, is it? I thought that it's been discussed that those failures were the result of the driver's not using the same rotors that came with the original system.

 

Well, if I ever went to a race track everybody else on it would be in danger. To say that I'm a novice performance driver is the year's greatest understatement.

I can't imagine tracking it anyway, since the mods I've made were done w/o reference to any class rules. I'd guess that I'd be right up there with the big boys, so even if I did know how to drive, I'd still not be competitive.

The above comments were made on the assumption that you were NOT talking about brake effectiveness or safety. If you were, then I don't understand your drift. How about educating me?

 

The calipers were the same. the rotors were different. But, the person with the failure you are referring to did have other failures with the original rotors.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Asura
[B]The calipers were the same. the rotors were different.

 

My assesment isn't about davepk's trouble with the brakes, but the fact that wave rotors in the front are going to be a serious liablity if you drive anywhere over maybe 5/10ths on the track.

while saving rotating mass at the wheels can be nice, its that same mass that allows you to dispate the heat generated by the brakes. You'l heat soak the rotors in no time (I bet I could do it in 2 hard corners) and get a good scare when you can't stop going into the next hair pin.

Like I said, I sure hope there isn't anyone or anything in front of him.

Front wave rotors should do ok on the street, but are a liabilty on the road course at any reasonable pace.