First track day...brake question

[Vettel-ish]

Good afternoon!

I have my first track event coming up. Want to run some questions by the pros (you all)

My car is stock.. I did upgrade to Z26 powerstop pads like 2k miles ago.

The car has 9600 miles on it now. I just ordered Amsoil dot4 brake fluid. Does this need to be changed before I hit the track or can I run my stock setup for this one and the next one in a month or so get the fluid swapped.

Plan on taking it easy on the first go here. Blackhawl farms in WI is the track we are running.

Michelin Super sports are the tires, 9600 miles on them.

Andy

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[shogun32]

T1 and T3A (tree) are pretty hard braking spots. change fluid now if for no other reason it's already 3 years old.

 

[honeybadger]

Stock fluid is fine for 1-2 events assuming you haven't over-heated it before. You can literally roll this car off a showroom and go straight to the track. Just keep an eye on the brakes. Given that you're running non-OEM pads and this is your day on track in this car, just be smart in the braking zones, try not to ride them, and you'll be in good shape.

Remember, smooth is fast!

 

[Vettel-ish]

Stock fluid is fine for 1-2 events assuming you haven't over-heated it before. You can literally roll this car off a showroom and go straight to the track. Just keep an eye on the brakes. Given that you're running non-OEM pads and this is your day on track in this car, just be smart in the braking zones, try not to ride them, and you'll be in good shape.

Remember, smooth is fast!

Thank you honeybadger, been following you for some time. Big fan.

 

[oldbmwfan]

The general advice is to replace fluid that is >6 months old before going on track. Factory fluid is totally fine, but yours is old (i.e., the age is the issue, not the compound). That said, you will be fine if you don't have time to flush it before the event. Just be aware and if you get any softness in the pedal AT ALL, coast a few straights to cool off.

 

[matthewr87]

Is there a good set of instructions on how to perform the fluid change on these cars? I've seen a couple of Youtube videos but I am not sure whether they are following the proper procedure.

 

[JAJ]

Good afternoon!

I have my first track event coming up. Want to run some questions by the pros (you all)

My car is stock.. I did upgrade to Z26 powerstop pads like 2k miles ago.

The car has 9600 miles on it now. I just ordered Amsoil dot4 brake fluid. Does this need to be changed before I hit the track or can I run my stock setup for this one and the next one in a month or so get the fluid swapped.

Plan on taking it easy on the first go here. Blackhawl farms in WI is the track we are running.

Michelin Super sports are the tires, 9600 miles on them.

Andy

The one thing I'd urge is to go back to the factory brake pads for the day. They're built for track use and have proven to be extremely reliable and effective. It's one less thing to think about.

Also, if the brake fluid hasn't been changed since 2017, then change it before you go. See here: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/brake-pad-replacement-questions.141183/page-3#post-2987450

 

[torque124]

There is a fluid measurement tool which can tell you how much water is in your brake fluid... I use that as a guide, but I do change mine every year if I track the car:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HVG4GQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


And I highly recommend this power bleeder, been using it on all my cars, makes fluid changes a one hour affair:

https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Produ...keywords=motive+bleeder&qid=1597095021&sr=8-2

 

[TopJimmyCooks]

Good afternoon!

I have my first track event coming up. Want to run some questions by the pros (you all)

My car is stock.. I did upgrade to Z26 powerstop pads like 2k miles ago.

The car has 9600 miles on it now. I just ordered Amsoil dot4 brake fluid. Does this need to be changed before I hit the track or can I run my stock setup for this one and the next one in a month or so get the fluid swapped.

Plan on taking it easy on the first go here. Blackhawl farms in WI is the track we are running.

Michelin Super sports are the tires, 9600 miles on them.

Andy

I flush with DOT4 before every event (HPDEs spaced about 3 months apart throughout the year). Might be overkill, but hey....what's $20 worth of brake fluid compared to discovering a soft pedal going into a sharp turn out of a 145MPH straight? I have an extra $20 and an afternoon. My mechanic says that in addition to time, temp and (more so) humidity can have an affect over time as well. You probably don't need to worry about humidity in WI, I'm guessing.

 

[Evil_E]

The one thing I'd urge is to go back to the factory brake pads for the day. They're built for track use and have proven to be extremely reliable and effective. It's one less thing to think about.

Also, if the brake fluid hasn't been changed since 2017, then change it before you go. See here: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/brake-pad-replacement-questions.141183/page-3#post-2987450

This is solid advice. Those Z26’s are great street pads but I wouldn’t trust them on the track under those conditions, no way.

 

[Flyhalf]

I back what kevin said.
If it is your first event just go there and have fun!
"Start to feel the car"
increase gradually speeds.
You will not set any records today
But
You will become addicted. Lol
We have warned you
If this addiction becomes serious.
I would suggest :
1. Dot 4 fluid ( motul 660 or SRF)
2. Better pads (we can discuss in a separate post )
3. Better tires
By the way remember to have your initial tire pressure slighlty lower than normal.
TRY TO HAVE hot pressure around 34 psi ( so after the first session u come in measure pressure.
SO IF I MAY. I WOULD BUY A PRESSURE GAUGE on amazon.
Also be sure to have the lugnuts properly torque.

The car is very capable. You will have a blast.
Be safe. Respect the rule. And watch some video of the track to learn the turns.
Alessandro.

 

[torque124]

The one thing I'd urge is to go back to the factory brake pads for the day. They're built for track use and have proven to be extremely reliable and effective. It's one less thing to think about.

Also, if the brake fluid hasn't been changed since 2017, then change it before you go. See here: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/brake-pad-replacement-questions.141183/page-3#post-2987450

I second this.. I tracked my previous track pack any my R with stock pads, and I never ever experienced any brake fade, no matter how hard I was on the brakes... and I was pretty hard at the beginning, when I overshot braking points as a newbie. No fade, ever.

 

[Arknsawchuck]

This is solid advice. Those Z26’s are great street pads but I wouldn’t trust them on the track under those conditions, no way.

I also have the z26 pads and while they are great for spirited street driving you will get some fad while braking hard on a track. Its manageable though, just be aware of it.

 

[key01]

I’m a fan of the stock pads on track, but that could be just me. I agree to change the fluid before. Back in the day when racing SCCA events at Blackhawk unfortunate racers who couldn’t stop ended up in the creek there. Don’t end up in the creek. Lol. It’s a very short and challenging little track.

 

[Vettel-ish]

I also have the z26 pads and while they are great for spirited street driving you will get some fad while braking hard on a track. Its manageable though, just be aware of it.

Well I tossed the stock pads. Should I buy some track pads for this and next month or just run the Z26 and be careful?

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