[Roadsniper1]

Just did my first track day with the BRZ at AutoClub Speedway. My first impression is that the car is super fun, handles predictably, and is overall going to be a great platform for future events. The downside is that the stock brakes are not up to the task. 1st session on my 2nd lap on the straight heading into turn 12 I experienced brake fade that was quite unnerving.

2nd session about 3-4 laps in on the same straight the fade became more pronounced and the pedal didn't quite hit the floor but came really damn close. My day was done immediately after that as I didn't have any more confidence in the brakes.

With all that said, what do I need? Fluids, pads? Big Brake kit? This is going to be a really fun track car for me but I just need to address braking.

 

[vincentyang246]

Just did my first track day with the BRZ at AutoClub Speedway. My first impression is that the car is super fun, handles predictably, and is overall going to be a great platform for future events. The downside is that the stock brakes are not up to the task. 1st session on my 2nd lap on the straight heading into turn 12 I experienced brake fade that was quite unnerving.

2nd session about 3-4 laps in on the same straight the fade became more pronounced and the pedal didn't quite hit the floor but came really damn close. My day was done immediately after that as I didn't have any more confidence in the brakes.

With all that said, what do I need? Fluids, pads? Big Brake kit? This is going to be a really fun track car for me but I just need to address braking.

Subaru's BRZ has street pads that are only good for one time stopping, and they are running with dot3 fluid.

So usually when you are driving on the track, the factory brakes and the fluid are just not up for the specs.

Recommend you to get some dot4 fluid like Motul 600, or Castrol SRF. Then for the brakes, you could go as aggressive as the Hawk dtc70 brakes. Tires could play a vital roll on brake fade as well, if you have the factory skinny 215mm tires, it is easy to heat soak the tires temp into the brakes. So you could look into upgrade your tires into some 200tw 225 tires along with some brakes + fluid upgrade. If you still have problem with brake fade after tires + pads + fluid upgrade, then you could potentially look into some BBK.

Personally, I am going into the route of upgrade brake pads + tires then BBK. It is cheaper anyways.

And if you really want some BBKs, you can look into counterspacegarage to see which one fits the new gen. However, I have heard multiple people running into issue with fitment from the last gen's BBKs, because the different design on the new front knuckles.

 

[vincentyang246]

This should be a great BBK, which I think I will eventually upgrade the BRZ to. It's good for short sessions, haven't heard anything about its performance if you are doing all day track day, with open sessions.

https://www.counterspacegarage.com/products/brakes/big-brake-kits/essex-ap-racing-competition-sprint-bbk-big-brake-kit-sprint-kit-subaru-brz-scion-frs-toyota-gr86

 

[Roadsniper1]

Yea, the organizers of the event just turned me onto Counterspace Garage. Feel like I might just bypass the pad/fluid upgrade and just do a BBK for my own piece of mind. That AP set you linked is definitely on my radar. I'm on 18x9 Titan 7 wheels and 235 Conti ExtremeContacts. Tires held up great for the 2 sessions I had.

 

[vincentyang246]

Yea, the organizers of the event just turned me onto Counterspace Garage. Feel like I might just bypass the pad/fluid upgrade and just do a BBK for my own piece of mind. That AP set you linked is definitely on my radar. I'm on 18x9 Titan 7 wheels and 235 Conti ExtremeContacts. Tires held up great for the 2 sessions I had.

I would say if you want to go straight into the BBK, actually look into the endurance one. Overall it's better than the sprint one, when I did more research on it. Because the endurance BBK has a floating hat design, which is good for even brake pads wear, less likely to warp your rotor. But make sure to get on the dot4 fluid, you dont want your brake fluid to boil on track.

 

[GusChiggins]

The BBK is most likely a colossal waste of money for most people. Try the pads and fluid first, you will be amazed at the difference.

 

[Bergman]

pads and fluids seem to be track day 101 for this car.

 

[vincentyang246]

The BBK is most likely a colossal waste of money for most people. Try the pads and fluid first, you will be amazed at the difference.

I'd agree, however I did run into problem with brake fade on the powerstop track pads. So my next track day, im thinking to run bigger tires + some better track pads. However if that continues to be a problem, Im afraid BBK is the only go, if you are really hammering the brakes during corners.

But I do want to remain optimistic on pads to solve the problem.

 

[TRU-BOOST]

pads and fluids seem to be track day 101 for this car.

I agree thats all it really needs for most people. a hard core track dedicated car might want more but in such a lightweight low powered car the reality is it doesnt require monster brakes. In many cases the added weight isnt worth any benefit you might get. Pads and fluid will change your game.

 

[quikag]

If you can drive at more than 40% on a track, you need at least fluid and brake pads. I put in Castrol SRF and G-loc R12 pads for my first track day at COTA. Car did great, no brake issues the whole track day, but driving home, the pads made a lot of groaning noise and a bit of vibration. I thought I warped the rotors and trashed the pads in one track day. Rotors are a bit grooved (but normal-ish wear for a hard track day), pads still seemed to have more than 50% left. I put the stock pads back in for driving around town and braking was basically smooth again. So, need to swap pads every time I hit the track. Not that big of a deal, I suppose. Rotors may last another event or two. SRF is good enough to last at least a year based on my personal experience. Best brake fluid on the market IMHO.

Will eventually upgrade to a BBK and better wheels/tires, maybe coilovers, but I do like the around town relatively smooth ride.

 

[Roadsniper1]

Do any of you guys know of a reputable performance shop in San Diego that will do the pads/fluids or BBK install? I know there are a bunch in the LA area but trying to avoid the drive.

 

[Vertigyn]

If you want to give the OE calipers a chance - definitely fluid and pads. I did 1 day with CSG C2 pad and their endless fluid.

I have since gone AP BBK and run Motul RBF 600 just due to how easy it is to get ahold of.

When driving, also be very conscious of the car and what it’s doing. If you are triggering ABS a lot - then you’re possibly breaking too hard and/or too late. Try to adjust your braking zones and driving to stay out of the ABS.

Also, did you have any of the Nannie’s on? They can numb the feel of what the car is doing and also stress the tires and brakes. They can also save your ass…so if you use the Nannie’s, try to adjust your driving so they don’t get triggered.

 

[Roadsniper1]

I don't think I triggered ABS at all. In fact, I didn't feel like I was really pushing the car or myself. I had the car in track mode for each session.

 

[vincentyang246]

In many cases the added weight isnt worth any benefit you might get. Pads and fluid will change your game.

Actually, I found the ap racing BBK would shred a few lbs off in comparison to the hunk of metals of the stock calibers + rotors.

 

[Andres]

I did a track day on the stock pads and fluid (5x 20m sessions) and the brakes were definitely not up for the job. I sort of knew that would be the case, but it's nice to get a baseline and notice each modification.Will try some better pads and fluid next.

 

[BlyatRZ]

+1 for racing brake fluid (preferably RBF600) and good pads. I'm getting Brembos eventually but this will do for now.

 

[quikag]

Yep, pads and fluid are basically mandatory if you’re going to do more than parade laps. Beyond that, they actually work pretty good otherwise.

 

[bbubeck01]

Yep, pads and fluid are basically mandatory if you’re going to do more than parade laps. Beyond that, they actually work pretty good otherwise.

Agreed. I've done 6 track days so far all with Hawk HPS pads and Textar DOT4 fluid and haven't experienced any brake issues. Still running the stock Michelin Pilots.

 

[loungin]

Why not run gloc 12/10 on the street to avoid swapping pads? It seems to stop the car ok at least in California weather.

 

[Kulebrero]

Just did my first track day with the BRZ at AutoClub Speedway. My first impression is that the car is super fun, handles predictably, and is overall going to be a great platform for future events. The downside is that the stock brakes are not up to the task. 1st session on my 2nd lap on the straight heading into turn 12 I experienced brake fade that was quite unnerving.

2nd session about 3-4 laps in on the same straight the fade became more pronounced and the pedal didn't quite hit the floor but came really damn close. My day was done immediately after that as I didn't have any more confidence in the brakes.

With all that said, what do I need? Fluids, pads? Big Brake kit? This is going to be a really fun track car for me but I just need to address braking.

I had the same experience as you on my first track day with stock everything except RS4 tires. Brake fade would start around lap 2. Zero brake feel by lap three.

I “upgraded” to race fluid, SS brake lines, and Carbotech XP-10 pads front and rear. Went back to the same track, again all stock except RS4 tires. Brake fade would start around lap 5. I’d do a cool down lap and be able to go again for a lap or two.

Not a good experience. Seems others fare better than me, though. I used to do 10+ laps in a row in my Miata at that same track without brake issues at all with $75 StopTech brake pads and race fluid on the stock brakes. I had no idea what brake fade was.

I just upgraded to the AP Racing Sprint BBK with Fedoro DS1.11 pads. Going back to the track this weekend. Wish me luck!