Brake Surprise

[Lumpydogs]

I was surprised by the deep amber color of my brake fluid while changing to braided stainless brake lines.

The brake fluid was only a few months old. It was fully changed prior to the SCMC Gingerman Event in Michigan this past summer. My car only ran six 15 minute track sessions. I experienced no braking problems on track but did create some serious brake dust off the stock pads.

I put another 1,000 miles on the car after the Gingerman event. During that time the brakes seemed a little less aggressive, but had no problem stopping during normal driving.

This time I replaced the brake fluid with Valvoline Synpower Brake Fluid. It supposedly has a higher wet & dry boiling point. I'm assuming the amber color is because I boiled the brake fluid(?)

Is the amber color normal after just 1.5 hours of track time?

In the future, I'll bleed the brakes immediately after any road course event.

Just thought I'd share this.

[98banana]

Yes, I would say that a track like Gingerman can "use up" the brake fluid. A lot of people change brake fluid before every track event. It's a good idea.

No flame intended here, whatsoever, but I'm assuming you are talking about changing the front brake lines to steel braided. If not, ignore this... I strongly recommend changing to steel braided lines BEFORE taking the car to the track.

[Lumpydogs]

Yes, I refered to the front brake lines. It was suggested at the track by several of the other, more experienced, drivers to go with the braided lines in front. Gingerman. last year, was my first on track experience with my own vehicle. Thanks for the reply. :thumbsup:

[98banana]

No problem. Sounds like you got the fever! :thumbsup:

[spittincobra01]

I changed my fluid before, durring and after the september gingerman event. I was boiling my fluid every session. I am using the Ford HiPo DOT 3 fluid. I am installing cooling ducts this winter to reduce that problem. I will say that the stock pads wear awful fast on track, so now I am running the PFZ pads from Auto Zone with a lifetime warranty. yes you read that right, lifetime replacement and they even knew I was using them on track at gingerman when I bought them at the store right down the street.

BTW: Happy New Year Tom

[Lumpydogs]

Matt,

I have three questions for you.

Are you still running the stock brake rotors?
Will the lifetime pads from Auto Zone tear up your rotors?
Do the PFZ pads work well when they are cold?
I have heard that many of the harder compound racing pads
do not work very well until they get real hot, i.e. on track.

Asking the questions because I am interested. I will need to
replace brake pads soon.

p.s. pass along any good or bad info. on ducting your brakes.
I have put some thought into it but I am unsure of taking air
away from my radiator.

[98banana]

Originally posted by spittincobra01
BTW: Happy New Year Tom

Same to you and everybody else! It's gonna be a good'n.

Originally posted by LumpyDogs
p.s. pass along any good or bad info. on ducting your brakes.
I have put some thought into it but I am unsure of taking air
away from my radiator.

You don't have to take air from the radiator to have brake ducts. Doesn't the '01 Cobra have extra holes beside the fog lights? I forget what the bumper looks like. If not, then you can either replace the fog lights with duct inlets, or use inlets under/behind the bumper. The opening should be at least about 10 sq/ins. to allow good flow. Then use 3" ducting to duct air to the center of the caliper. Some people just tie wrap the duct in place while others buy specific brackets to duct the air.

Do a search on brake duct or brake cooling at Corral and Corner Carvers for pictures of what others have done.

[Big Daddy]

Originally posted by 98banana
Same to you and everybody else! It's gonna be a good'n.



You don't have to take air from the radiator to have brake ducts. Doesn't the '01 Cobra have extra holes beside the fog lights? I forget what the bumper looks like. If not, then you can either replace the fog lights with duct inlets, or use inlets under/behind the bumper. The opening should be at least about 10 sq/ins. to allow good flow. Then use 3" ducting to duct air to the center of the caliper. Some people just tie wrap the duct in place while others buy specific brackets to duct the air.

Do a search on brake duct or brake cooling at Corral and Corner Carvers for pictures of what others have done.

The '01 Cobra does have an extra set of holes next to the fog lights and it is very easy to use them for ducting the brakes. I've had mine done for a long while now and it works great. :thumbsup:

[2KWhiteSnake]

Originally posted by Big Daddy
The '01 Cobra does have an extra set of holes next to the fog lights and it is very easy to use them for ducting the brakes. I've had mine done for a long while now and it works great. :thumbsup:

I 2nd that. Took me about 15 minutes and $5 to put my ducts on. WORLD of difference with them on at the track.

Craig

[spittincobra01]

yes I still have my stock rotors, and I have not had the PFZ pads do any damage at all in 2500 miles, with about 75-100 of them being gingerman miles, and another 20 miles of autocross miles. I have no problem with the PFZ pads in daily driving duties, other than slight squealing from time to time. I would recommend them for a street driven car, with some track and/or autocross use.