People who AutoX with the RX7 brake upgrade look here...

[JeremyE30autox]

For those of you who have the rx7 brake upgrade and autox what are the real pluses that you have found?

I am trying to justify this upgrade for myself and would like your input. I know that there is info out there on what they do. But not much info from the people who autox them and put them to the test.

Was the mod justifiable for the price compared to stock? And was it justifiable to have to run a spacer and the time put into the project etc...

Im thinking about the mod, but a friend of mine is trying to talk me out of it. So those of you who autox these please give me your opinion.

Thanks

[Jaxx_]

can you lock up your wheels now? do you have fade in a 1 min long autox course? Honestly I wouldn't waste my time unless you have fade on a full course. if you have fade on an autox course it's time to change pads. as well if you can't lock your brakes...

[JeremyE30autox]

My pads are new and so are the rotors. I dont feel as though I have great brakes and right now there could be a couple possibities for that. My master cylinder could be on its way out or my pads may just not be the best for autoxing. My brakes are not locking up when I smash the brakes, but then I have ABS so that may be the reason. I also dont think I really smash the brakes hard enough on an autox course to lock up the wheels. The e30 is a momentum car and we need to keep them rolling. Have you done autoxing Jaxx? Not trying to discredit you, just wondering.

I was looking into this because I have a person who has the majority of the kit except the brake line fitting and the bracket for SUPER cheap. I can make the bracket and got the brake line fittings already. So this kit would cost me around $125 not including good pads for autoxing.

Anyone else with input?

[craz azn]

Total waste of time to upgrade to RX7 brakes for AutoX IMO. There are a ton of pads available if you want more immediate bite... not as much selection with the RX7 calipers AFAIK. Plus, why lug around all the extra mass, it just makes your car a bit more numb, in the sense of how sharp it feels when steering, accelerating, etc.

Just fix your existing system, E30 ABS is decent too, so get in the habit of using it as well. Good pads, good fluid, and good tires... and you will be on your way.

[Stoner Sam23]

refresh FTW

[Jaxx_]

My pads are new and so are the rotors. I dont feel as though I have great brakes and right now there could be a couple possibities for that. My master cylinder could be on its way out or my pads may just not be the best for autoxing. My brakes are not locking up when I smash the brakes, but then I have ABS so that may be the reason. I also dont think I really smash the brakes hard enough on an autox course to lock up the wheels. The e30 is a momentum car and we need to keep them rolling. Have you done autoxing Jaxx? Not trying to discredit you, just wondering.

Yes, I run FSP with megasquirt and gutted M10. I don't have ABS though, and I've never had issues locking up my 225 street tires. I often will beat out miatas in STS, and the last autocross i was 1/10th behind a DSP 325is on coilovers and slicks. I drive my 318 hard. ;)

The thing is, the limit of braking is usually grip. On an autox course you're not going to see a substantial difference unless you have issues stopping the rotating assembly to begin with. You should be able to get consistent runs as long as you can adapt to the pad you're using. If you want better feel, you need to try different pads.

Let's not forget that bigger brakes means more unsprung weight... I'm not sure of the physical specification between the RX7 brakes but it's something to consider. Even if they're less weight but larger, they can have more angular inertia.


last autox: here's my fastest run on saturday. (I ran a 67.4 clean sunday) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2WzfOPEEic

[Smoove1]

I drove an E30 for a 12 hour chump car race. If you are concerned about fade then just get a more aggressive pad. The stock brakes held up fine in an endurance race with race pads, blank rotors, and regular brake lines with good fluid. If you are have brake issues with autocrossing I would suggest taking a technique class or running with the BMW CCA. The CCA usually provides plenty of instruction that can help you possibly use your brakes less.

My vert has the Ireland Engineering BBK on all 4 corners. The pedal feel is better but it's more bling then anything else. I've never autocrossed an E30 and had braking issues and I've autocrossed a lot of random E30s. The factory equipment works fine. Spend your money on more seat time.

-Geoff (BMW CCA LA chapter auto-x chief instructor)

[JeremyE30autox]

Yes, I run FSP with megasquirt and gutted M10. I don't have ABS though, and I've never had issues locking up my 225 street tires. I often will beat out miatas in STS, and the last autocross i was 1/10th behind a DSP 325is on coilovers and slicks. I drive my 318 hard. ;)

The thing is, the limit of braking is usually grip. On an autox course you're not going to see a substantial difference unless you have issues stopping the rotating assembly to begin with. You should be able to get consistent runs as long as you can adapt to the pad you're using. If you want better feel, you need to try different pads.

Let's not forget that bigger brakes means more unsprung weight... I'm not sure of the physical specification between the RX7 brakes but it's something to consider. Even if they're less weight but larger, they can have more angular inertia.


last autox: here's my fastest run on saturday. (I ran a 67.4 clean sunday) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2WzfOPEEic

Thanks Jaxx. On my way home last night I tested the lock up of the brakes and they will lock up so I wonder if Im just not 100% braking properly. I am planning on taking Evolution Performance Driving School sometime soon.

I will be co-driving a friends E30 M3 this weekend so I will see how his brakes feel compared to mine and go from there.

Thanks for the advice. I will be picking the brakes up and probably unloading them on another one of the local E30 guys.

[bmwguy325is]

I am an avid Autoxer. I run the stock brakes and they work great. I disabled the ABS however and went with the larger master cylinder. I like they way it feels. I run a nice agressive portfiled pad in the rear on some decent quality rotors and EBC green pads in the front. This set up allows me to threshold break very well. If you want to save the weight just spend the coin on the cross drilled rotors.

[F34R]

I rebuilt my stock calipers and put new pads and rotors on and it was amazing! Most people don't rebuilt calipers but it is very easy. I was going to get the Rx7 adapters because I found the correct Rx7 calipers for 30 bucks. So I put up a thread wondering about them like you. Few people that raced/DD with them said they were shit and not worth it.

So I just bought the UUC BBK setup for tracking my new build, it is double to triple the price of the Rx7 cut up shit. But MADE for the e30 and ten times better. Plus it fits really well =)

If I were you it would be rebuild with new pads and rotors=more money to put into other things. Suspension upgrades, power? seat time etc...