Brakes Wheels 1st Gen Tires Alt Pad for Gen 1 JCW Brakes?

You're not overthinking this at all; brakes are too important to screw up. It's a valid consideration if you're hitting the track.

If the track is just going to be a fun excursion, you're not going to push it as hard as possible, and you're using street tires rather than R-Comps, any reasonably priced 2 piece rotor on the front--TSW, Wilwood etc, and the TSW rotors on the rear is a pretty darned good combo. The PF floating rotors are great, but probably overkill for an occasional track day. Slotted or not slotted, it's really a personal choice, IMHO it's not going to make a huge difference one way or the other.

If you're going to push it on R-comps, then a pricier rotor or brake kit may be an option (although the TSW two piece rotors really aren't that expensive, all things considered). I can't make a 0.81 x 11.75 rotor work for me on the track with R-comps. A large part of it may be my driving ability (or lack thereof), but I just kill that setup.

Get a decent rotor that doesn't break the bank, compliment it with a good set of pads (something dedicated for the track when you go there), and a high quality brake fluid, and you're set.


I'm in a similar dilemma myself, although for different reasons (namely availability of a particular caliper); I'm seriously thinking of going with a full on stoptech BBK with the aerorotors, but then I have to go from 15 to 17 inch rims...Or, if I can get the caliper FINALLY, maybe when I switch rotors next, see if I can find some PF or other brand of 1.25 x 11.75 rotors. Now THAT'S overthinking!:biggrin5:

 

So you're saying you are running two piece rotors with say the R56 caliper??? I didn't think anyone bought the two piece rotors without getting the full BBK including the fixed calipers. I had never even considered that option! LOL

I hardly think I'll ever get to the point where I'm installing R-Comps, or even getting to the point where I am running full on at the track. My work schedule is horrific and probably the reason why I haven't yet attended any HPDE in the past 6 years of owning the Mini!! Although I'd love to get that much into it, I can't imagine it happening.

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

Steve

 

You know, you're right--I'm not sure if there is a two piece rotor to fit the R53 JCW kit (which is the current R56 stock caliper). I had it on my car awhile back, and used a one piece rotor. That was back when I used street tires on the track.

The rotors held up well though--you should be ok with a decent one piece rotor for occasional track duty. I boiled the fluid BIG TIME though; I completely lost the brakes at Road America on turn five--which is why I changed kits. That was before I put air ducts on the car though, and I was using an aggressive street pad rather than a track pad. Bottom line is you'll be fine with good brake fluid, a decent one piece rotor, and switch to track pads when you're on the track. That was the main reason I replaced the JCW kit--frequent pad changes are a chore with that kit. An occasional pad change for the track though really wouldn't be a big deal; should work out fine for you.

 

Ok yeah that's basically my plan. Decent rotors and two sets of pads. I'm thinking carbotech because I remember reading somewhere that switching between their ceramics and track pads are fairly easy on the rotors. I think I've narrowed it down to stoptech/powerslot, dba and tsw for rotors and then carbotech pads. Then get some ss lines and motul600 fluid and I think I'll be fine for a while with that setup.

 

I'm slowly converting back to full edge cuts now from the former (and still some stocked) 'stop-start' format of slots. Many years ago I opted to keep them from the edge for fear of it being a stress point for cracks. Despite having NEVER seen it happen that way. Years later I'm rethinking it and opting once again to fully vent the slot.

 

Yep, Carbotech is very nice--Bobcats for the street, and one of the XP series (XP8's or 10's) for the track on the front, one set lower for the back (for example if you use XP 10's on the front, use xp8's on the back--you can leave those xp8's on the rears all year, they won't kill the rotor, but yeah, you'll need to put the Bobcat's back on the front when you're done on the track).

Since you're staying with a similar compound like you mentioned, bedding in the front track pads will be a breeze, no need to resurface or clean the rotor first, just a regular bed in and your set.

SS lines improve feel, but don't add performance. For the track though, still a good idea.

Glad you're picking Motul. I started with ATE, I've had issues with it, never with Motul though--IMHO it's worth the extra money.

 

Thanks everyone again for all the input. It has been a great help! So just one last question for you all. My car's an '05 with 61K. I've had it since new. When I do all this can I get away with leaving all the stock stuff in the rear? The pads have plenty of meat left on them and the rotors seem fine except for the rust on the edges. I know I see alot of you run sloted rotors and track pads on the rear and just leave them but is that really a necessity? The rears hardly get used as it is and being that I've never been to a track or autocross how much abuse could those rears actually have seen ya know? The initial investment is quite high when you add everything together and I'm trying my best to keep costs down because I need to get the ByteTronik software and get the engine squared away. Any more great input on the rears would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Steve

 

bump

Anybody have any thoughts on whether or not I should consider swapping out all the rear stuff? I'd really like to leave it alone and save me the $250-$350 price of doing all the rears new. Hope someone can help me out. You guys have been so helpful so far in helping me select all the components for the front. Looking forward to what you guys have to say.

Thanks,
Steve

 

Different pads front/rear will make a difference, but it's not necessary to do the rears if the pads and rotors still have some life on them. It makes sense to do everything at once - minimize time in the shop, ensure consistent brake bias - but if you're tight on cash it's not necessary.

 

Thanks, and I'm always tight on cash! Especially after the whole spending spree I went on a few weeks ago with the mechanic just to get this stupid car running right again!

Good to know because I'm definitely going to have to wait on the rears. I'm not even buying race pads right now because of how much money they are! WOW Carbotech pads are ALOT higher than any other company out there. NO one is even close in price to them....SHEESH!

Steve