Solutions For Brake Fade
A couple of weeks ago, at the Mid America track, I experienced some fairly significant brake fade. Lots of turn on the track, and I was putting in a pretty good time, as fast as 1:59. A couple of times, later in the session, the brakes got really spongie...enough to get my attention. I knew it was time for a change.
The Boxster brakes are Brembo, stock, but I need more stopping power. Luckily I have Brembo GTs on the way, but they aren't here yet. What does Bob Viau at Auto Edge recommend?
Well, to start with, high-temperatuer SRF brake fluid, to keep the brakes from boiling the fluid when they are hot. I'll also be switching to Pagid Orange pads, which are much more aggressive than my street pads. Everyone says they will squeak on the street, but I can easily slip them out and put street pads back in when I go back to the street. Even I can do that!
Will I still want to go to the Brembo GTs after that? Maybe, but remember I drive my Boxster all year round, and my winter tires are on the stock 17-inch rims. My track wheels from BBS are 18-inches...which fit over the larger Brembo rotar. The 17-inch rims will not clear the rotors, I'm told. If I go to the Brembo GTs, then, I will need another $1200 of tires, and another $2000 of wheels. Could change the tires onto the 18-inch wheels...the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires will be shot at the end of the season anyway.
It will be fun to see how it works out. I drive to Road America, in Wisconsin this Sunday for track time on Monday and Tuesday.
The Boxster brakes are Brembo, stock, but I need more stopping power. Luckily I have Brembo GTs on the way, but they aren't here yet. What does Bob Viau at Auto Edge recommend?
Well, to start with, high-temperatuer SRF brake fluid, to keep the brakes from boiling the fluid when they are hot. I'll also be switching to Pagid Orange pads, which are much more aggressive than my street pads. Everyone says they will squeak on the street, but I can easily slip them out and put street pads back in when I go back to the street. Even I can do that!
Will I still want to go to the Brembo GTs after that? Maybe, but remember I drive my Boxster all year round, and my winter tires are on the stock 17-inch rims. My track wheels from BBS are 18-inches...which fit over the larger Brembo rotar. The 17-inch rims will not clear the rotors, I'm told. If I go to the Brembo GTs, then, I will need another $1200 of tires, and another $2000 of wheels. Could change the tires onto the 18-inch wheels...the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires will be shot at the end of the season anyway.
It will be fun to see how it works out. I drive to Road America, in Wisconsin this Sunday for track time on Monday and Tuesday.
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