I've got the aeroquip set from Batinc, I've had them for quite a while now, probably since 2005 maybe even 2004, and despite the fact that they don't LOOK pretty anymore, they still work. Great for adding a little more firmness in the pedal action, however, warning, I have seen that there have been cases of the increased pressure causing the rear drum cylinders to blow, making a mess of the rear hub assembly.
Well, back in 03 I think. Maybe 04. Iwas on my way to concord on 93 and traffic went from 60 to 0 and when I pressed the brake I got practly nothing (big time brake failure). Bobbed and weaved my way and other cleared the way so I could get to the side of the road and off the nearest exit (luckely there was an exit nearby). Sence then I have had that in the back of my head and have driven slightly differat most of the time sence then.
I've been meaning to do this for quite some time now.
I'd go with a name brand... brakes aren't something you really want to take a chance with.
If you really want to upgrade the brakes, go with SBC green stuff pads and slotted rotors. DO NOT get drilled rotors. Stress cracks can go unnoticed until the rotor decitigrates (sp?).
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
slotted equal useless fancy looking, and I should know I have them, a blank rotor is leaps better than a slotted. Cross drilled is only if you are doing tons of track days and actually changing the rotors frequently. For the Focus, some of the best pads around are the Hawk HP or the Mintex A/F. Hawk has more dust, but they stop better, Mintex stop fine, in my eyes, if you can lock up your brakes you have all the stop you need.
Slotted rotors do help cooling slightly. Not as much as drilled, but drilled brakes are a big no no for a street car. I've heard good things about the SBC pads, but haven't experienced them yet myself.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
slotted don't do squat for cooling, I've seen testing. It's a myth, and even if they provided any cooling, the reduced surface area from the slotting is much more of an issue than any heat generation. You simply wouldn't get enough heat in a street/autox situation to even make a difference anyways. The only time heat is an issue is when you are tracking the car, and again, if you are doing that, then cross drilled is the way to go because you are going to have to change rotors more quickly anyways.
I just ordered the new DOT approved braided brake line Bat Inc sells. It's real similar to the Aeroquip ones the still also sell.
also I have a set of barnd new Mintex pads and flat (EBC I think) rotors. The Pads and Rotors came from Bat Inc a few years ago and have been sitting on the shelf for when thay are needed. I'm still using the stock pads and rotors.
Joe. FYI. Amsoil now has a DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluid available. MSRP DOT3 = $6.05/12oz and DOT4 = $13.05/12oz.
fx3 wrote: I just ordered the new DOT approved braided brake line Bat Inc sells. It's real similar to the Aeroquip ones the still also sell.
also I have a set of barnd new Mintex pads and flat (EBC I think) rotors. The Pads and Rotors came from Bat Inc a few years ago and have been sitting on the shelf for when thay are needed. I'm still using the stock pads and rotors.
Joe. FYI. Amsoil now has a DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluid available. MSRP DOT3 = $6.05/12oz and DOT4 = $13.05/12oz.
I think you will be really happy with that setup Dan.
I'll have to look into the DOT4 fluid, I know I'm due for a flush.
Hey what are you guys worried about brakes for anyway?
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
I often wondered, if in an alternate universe, they have stopping competitions. Much like a drag race, but the exact opposite, where both cars get up to a set speed and try to stop as fast as possible.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
Autocross requires braking, especially in coming to a controlled stop in the stop box, or heck just braking in general. The stock rotors are prone to warping after some good use, so aftermarket blank rotors make alot of sense. Pads have to hold up to the increased heat to prevent fade, especially if like myself you left foot brake. Really, I don't think any of this helps you stop and quicker as the stock setup will lock up the wheels, and I think I said it earlier, if you can lock up the wheels than you have all the stopping power you need, then it's all about technique as in threshold braking. But having some built in durability never hurt anyone anyways.
Ya.
My brakes are fine and were fin in the 6 (I think) auto crosses I did last year and even got some nice smoke at the last event with temp in the 30's and newly sealed pavement. I slid right through the stop box and took out 4 cones at once. It was a really small stop box.
It just time for some maintenance on the car and figured while I'm flushing the brake fluid I might as well give myself a little extra without going with larger brakes.
I'm also doing some weight reduction. I just lost maybe about 3 to 5 lbs in the rear. Like the Focus needs any less in the rear
I've got Mintex pads, Aeroquip lines and rotors from Batinc. I put thhem on at about 12,000 miles, mostly because I couldn't stand the squealing & brake dust from the stockers. They have firmed up the pedal dramatically, and there's almost no dust (handy when you have white rims like me). They've performed flawlessly for 60,000 miles, and I still have lots of pad left on the fronts.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
A lighter rear makes for oversteer! YAY OVERSTEER!
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
Bah. Oversteer is your friend. If you set the Focus up right, you can get decent oversteer all the time.
____________________ Project FocusFast
'06 ZX3- Intake, exhaust, mount
'01 ZX3- Salvaged, SOLD
'01 ZX3- Repo'd several years ago
'80 RX7 SA- Where the f*** did THAT come from?
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