New pads and rotors for my zanardi`

[NSX Z#2]

Time to replace the origional brakes on my zanardi. I want to stay with the factory calipers, yet I also want to improve the braking performance as I hope to track the car soon. I think I will go with the Carbotech Panther +, but I haven't decided on brake rotors. I would like to go to a slotted disk. Delphi/Lockheed HTSL heat treated disks from SoS look like a good choice, but they are very expensive, as are all the slotted disks that Dali sells. I'm having a hard time spending $800 just on disks which I think of as a wear maintenance item. Is there really any improvement using these expensive slotted rotors vs. the oem rotors, or using cheaper oem style aftermarket rotors? Thanks much

-Eric

 

[nsxtasy]

Is there really any improvement using these expensive slotted rotors vs. the oem rotors, or using cheaper oem style aftermarket rotors?

No. There is no reason to replace the rotors unless they have worn down thinner than the minimum spec (unlikely) or they have developed cracks big enough to feel with your fingernail (doesn't sound like yours have) or you are replacing your calipers as part of a big brake kit. Save your money and leave the rotors alone.

The Carbotech Panther Plus is a track pad. They give good stopping power and hold up well to the heat of track use (which is the main criterion for high-performance pads; no pad will stop the car shorter than your tires can). However, they will squeal and dust a lot, which many folks may find unacceptable for street use. If you're comfortable with that, go for it.

 

[NSX Z#2]

I forgot to mention

I forgot to mention when I drive the car hard and get the brakes up to temp, I feel a big brake vibration. Last summer I scuffed the rotors with an abrasive disk to remove any friction material that was fused on the rotors, to help elimate hot spots, but I still had the vibration. That is why I would like to replace the rotors too. Plus isn't it a bad idea to mix different pad compounds on the same rotors with out scuffing them first? I'm not worried about brake squeal or dust on my wheels, I just want to stop well and have minimal fade and no vibration when tracking the car or high speed mountain driving. Thanks

 

[nsxtasy]

I forgot to mention when I drive the car hard and get the brakes up to temp, I feel a big brake vibration. Last summer I scuffed the rotors with an abrasive disk to remove any friction material that was fused on the rotors, to help elimate hot spots, but I still had the vibration. That is why I would like to replace the rotors too.

Okay, that makes sense. Although it is likely that the vibration will go away if you only replace the front rotors, and leave the rear rotors alone.

isn't it a bad idea to mix different pad compounds on the same rotors with out scuffing them first?

I've heard people say that... but OTOH, I've changed pad compounds without doing so (although with the usual break-in procedures), without any problems.