S550 strengths and weaknesses?

[ice445]

It was a blast and I cannot stop thinking about it. Better brakes and seat is now desireable...

One of the most common novice mistakes is not using ALL the brakes that you have But if you have the standard brakes, yes the front rotors have a tendency to overheat quicker than they should.

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[TopJimmyCooks]

It was a blast and I cannot stop thinking about it. Better brakes and seat is now desireable...

That’s awesome! It really challenges your senses. Of course when you get back, the first thing your friends ask is “how fast did you go” and then say “cool” and move on. They won’t understand.
Since you are now officially hooked on the go-fast crack pipe...beware the slippery slope. I shared one of my experiences here: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/help-me-decide-if-this-is-safe.156148/post-3193934
Brakes, seat time, and seats are about the only advice you’ll get from most driving instructors.

 

[Shadow277]

One of the most common novice mistakes is not using ALL the brakes that you have But if you have the standard brakes, yes the front rotors have a tendency to overheat quicker than they should.

I have Brembos. I think I just abused them with too much late breaking. I need to learn to pace as for 1 lap I slowed down considerably. The brake pedal was pulsating a lot but I still had stopping power. Was I on the verge of fade?

 

[TopJimmyCooks]

I have Brembos. I think I just abused them with too much late breaking. I need to learn to pass as for 1 lap I slowed down considerably. The brake pedal was pulsating a lot but I still has stopping power. Was I on the verge of fade?

That sounds like the ABS kicking in.

 

[Shadow277]

That sounds like the ABS kicking in.

Even with ABS, should I still pulsate the brake pedal myself? I did smell brakes as well.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Pulsation happening only during extremely hard braking would probably be the ABS.

But if you were getting pulsation under light to moderate braking, you most likely overheated the pads and ended up with pad material being unevenly deposited on the rotors. This might also happen on the rear brakes only if you set the P-brake in paddock between sessions.


Norm

 

[Norm Peterson]

Even with ABS, should I still pulsate the brake pedal myself? I did smell brakes as well.

I wouldn't suggest trying to out-do ABS at its game. All you're likely to accomplish is using up more track under braking.

Threshhold braking is a different story, an advanced technique where you're carefully modulating brake pedal pressure to stay just below the point where the ABS gets interested.


Norm

 

[Shadow277]

Pulsation happening only during extremely hard braking would probably be the ABS.

But if you were getting pulsation under light to moderate braking, you most likely overheated the pads and ended up with pad material being unevenly deposited on the rotors. This might also happen on the rear brakes only if you set the P-brake in paddock between sessions.


Norm

It was the latter then as I forgot to not apply the parking brake in the paddock. Are my brakes screwed?

 

[Grintch]

Did you use fresh, good brake fluid?

With the Brembos I wouldn't expect a novice to have any brake problems.

Maybe the prior owner replaced the (good) stock pads with something cheap and/or low dusting?

It is a fairly common problem that people (not usually novices) try to brake too late. So they have to really hammer the brakes, and the car is unsettled and it takes longer to get back on the throttle.

 

[Brian@BMVK]

It is a fairly common problem that people (not usually novices) try to brake too late. So they have to really hammer the brakes, and the car is unsettled and it takes longer to get back on the throttle.

Yeah, this. It's good practice to squeeze the brake rather than hit the brake.

 

[Shadow277]

Did you use fresh, good brake fluid?

With the Brembos I wouldn't expect a novice to have any brake problems.

Maybe the prior owner replaced the (good) stock pads with something cheap and/or low dusting?

It is a fairly common problem that people (not usually novices) try to brake too late. So they have to really hammer the brakes, and the car is unsettled and it takes longer to get back on the throttle.

That explains why I could put the power down really well: early braking. So better fluid and pads ought to let me brake later?

 

[TeeLew]

Even with ABS, should I still pulsate the brake pedal myself? I did smell brakes as well.

Smelling the brakes is normal. If you're using street pads, they might smoke a bit too as you boil off the more volatile bits of the binding agent that holds the pad together.

Don't pulse the brakes. That's really just something that people did in older cars which had no anti-lock and rear drums prone to self-energized locking. It's never something to do on the track.

 

[TeeLew]

That explains why I could put the power down really well: early braking. So better fluid and pads ought to let me brake later?

Don't worry about braking 'later'. Work on braking 'better'. Ramp to peak pressure quickly, but not so quick as to upset the chassis. Maintain high mid-zone pressure to optimize slowing at something close to threshold. Release at the appropriate time and at the correct rate to present the car to corner with the front properly loaded. When you get all those pieces of the puzzle, and you feel like you're coasting to corner entry, *then* pick a brake marker that's a little deeper (about 1 car length) and start over.

Braking technique is a lifetime development project.

 

[TopJimmyCooks]

That explains why I could put the power down really well: early braking. So better fluid and pads ought to let me brake later?

I agree with TeeLaw. Work on modulation rather than a digital “on-off” brake use. Threshold braking comes with lots of seat time. I’d recommend getting this book, “Going Faster”: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/going-faster-carl-lopez/1114315599
And realize that we are all still working on getting it right...even our instructors!

 

[Grintch]

That explains why I could put the power down really well: early braking. So better fluid and pads ought to let me brake later?

Prevent fade.
Whether that helps you brake later, depends on if you are already trying to brake too late or not.

Spending 10% less time braking is worth a lot less time than spending 10% more time at full throttle. So being under control, hitting the apex, and getting back on throttle as soon as possible in the corner is what you should focus on.

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