First track day wiht NSX... brake Q

[NeSX]

I was up with Windy City at Gingerman Raceway this weekend and had a blast. I couldn't believe how fun the NSX is as compared to my E36 M3 (atleast on Saturday anyways).

For some background. I was running Motul 600 (flushed three weeks earlier) and Carbotech Bobcats (installed 2 days earlier).

All day Saturday the brakes worked like champs. Sunday was another story. Right from the getgo they felt like mush. During my first session I actually came in because the car wasn';t stopping nearly as well as it did on Saturday. Inspected the pads... plenty of meat on them. Bled all four corners (admittidly not very thorough). Not a real noticible difference. Ended up switching back to my OEM pads. Brakes felt much better then started to get a little mushy towards the end of the session.

I know everyone rags on the NSX's stock brake setup... is this a common occurance? Anything I should be looking into? I am already planning on doing another complete flush with Motul on this week seeing as I am heading back to Gingerman on Monday. Anything else I should check?

 

[nsxtasy]

I know everyone rags on the NSX's stock brake setup... is this a common occurance?

No. I have had no problems like that. However, I have never used Carbotech Bobcat pads. (Pads I have used, with no fading problems, include: stock, RM Racing, Porterfield R4S, Carbotech Panther Plus, Ferodo but I'm not sure which one, Endless CC-X, Motor Mail.)

I am already planning on doing another complete flush with Motul on this week seeing as I am heading back to Gingerman on Monday.

That should not be necessary, since that this was done recently. (If you are going to Acura of Brookfield for this, they can check the boiling point of your brake fluid to see if it has changed since your flush. I'm not sure but John V may be coming to the track with us on the 28th.)

 

[DangerMoney]

There are 3 kind of brake fade:
1. green fade - brand new pads that haven't been bedded in (outgassed). After about 10 hard brake applications the majority of stopping power goes away and the pads stink like crazy. Problem goes away after bedding in and letting the car sit overnight.

2. pad fade - rotor temps are too hot for pad (pedal is rock hard but pads don't generate as much friction). Use higher temp (racing) pads.

3. fluid fade - brake fluid was heated above it's boiling point and bubbles formed. Bleed brakes throughly. If your not using Motul 600 or the equivalent, replace your brake fluid with racing fluid.

From your description you experienced fluid fade.

Another thing to consider: On the second day when you switched pads, how thick were the carbotechs vs the OEM pads? The thicker pads will provide more insulation for the fluid inside the caliper from the hot rotors .

 

[NeSX]

Carbotechs only had one day of use on them (for all intents and purposes). The OEM pads have about 50% life left in them.

I wonder if it is possible that I was experiencing delayed green fade.

I am doing a full on bleed on Thursday and am going to put the carbotechs back on in prep for Monday's event. I'll just make sure to bring my OEMs with me.

Thanks for the input and ideas guys!

 

[nsxtasy]

I am doing a full on bleed on Thursday and am going to put the carbotechs back on in prep for Monday's event. I'll just make sure to bring my OEMs with me.

Please do... but it's also nice to know that, with 10 NSXs expected to participate, if you get stuck, someone else there is bound to have extra pads!