Miata Mailing List: June 1993, Message #115
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   From: Al Jenab 
Subject: Brakes
   Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1993 11:02:10 -0400


Fellow Miataphiles,
I have two very important questions for the Miata racers in the group.  I
was at the track again yesterday (isn't flex-time wonderful).  As I get
more experience, I become faster, and put a corresponding increase in the
level of stress on the car.  I went through yet another set of front brake
pads (two weeks old, no track time on them) in four half-hour sessions.
The pads were (ahem) premium semi-metallic Wagners.  The previous set
were Mintex (Also burned out in one day of track time).  I had to leave
early and miss three sessions because I had no brakes left.  Also, I
destroyed what was left of my A008RS tires, but they were phoning Dr.
Kevorkian anyway.  I should say that it was hot (90+) and humid and the
car was running extremely well (ate some 944 turbos).


Important Question # 1:  The left front set of pads were noticeably more
worn (almost down to metal) than the right front.  The left front outside
pad was more worn than the left front inside pad.  Is this the result of a
sticky caliper or other brake system problem, or can this be expected to
happen when there are some hard right hand turns requiring major
braking to enter?  In other words, should I worry about this?  The car
does not pull to one side or the other under light or heavy braking, nor do
the wheels spin at different rates when I jack the car off the ground and
rotate them by hand.  I do tend to trail-brake into turns to get a little
rotation around the outside front tire.  I also thought maybe that since the
car is so light, a 200-lb. guy like me on the driver's side might make the
left side brakes have to work a little overtime anyway, especially going
into right-handers.  Summit Point has a very tight right turn at the end of
the main straight requiring very heavy braking (from 110+ down to about
30 mph).


Important Question # 2:  Assuming the other components of the brake
system are OK, the stock type pads I'm using are obviously not going to
cut it anymore.  What do you racers (and other Miata floggers) recommend
as far as a good compromise pad that will give me more track
performance and durability but still remain streetable?  I've heard
Ferodos are good, Carbon Metallics, Hawk, etc.  What are your opinions?
Which compounds?  I've also read that certain pad compounds require
racing brake fluid which may not be suitable for street use.  What other
mods to the brake system would be necessary/wise in order to upgrade to
pads that don't disappear after a few hot laps?

This is of obvious concern to me.  I'm going out at the Point again this
weekend (Car Guys school).  I would greatly appreciate any giudance on
this matter.  Thanks in advance for the info.  By the way, FINALLY another
Miata showed up at the track.  It was silver (just like mine) and it was so
cool to drift through corners in formation, terrorizing hapless Porsches
and having a blast.  (Ach de Weinerschnitzel!!  Squad uff Miatas comink out
uff ze sun at 10 o'clock!!)

-Al