Brake wear results from a test day
So, is the main reason for not using carbon ceramic brakes, the cost?
I find this very interesting... I never found a need for this but I had no choice when ordering in the beginning...
Also, You will find that you cannot "flip" the pads on one side, nor can you flip them from side to side. Good idea but Acura made sure you cannot do this...
I think the issue with brakes wear on the NSX is that there is minimal cooling, and the rear pads have abnormal wear: too much taper for the use.
Here is empirical data from a one day testing at Thunderhill's standard 3miile, CCW course.
(Partial Notes from this test day, copied from another post elsewhere. Total track time: 3 sessions, 25laps, 75miles, & a full tank of gas,)
This car is great to drive, but probably has marginal brake cooling for track use. The rear pads seem too small for track use.
I don’t think it’s quite a track ready car.
It was a very cool day with great track condition & the track surface was excellent. Should have made great HP.
I don’t think one could drive this car for 45 minutes.
I believe it would be into brake temp problems after 20 minutes, and then run out of gas.
With more track time & a better rhythm, I might be easier on the brakes. But, I would also be going faster all the time, which would end up being harder on the brakes, at the limit all the time…
In conclusion, it is a remarkably wonderful handling car, and it’s so much fun to drive.
It was fun to get to run it up to its limits.
I would do this again at a different track, just for the experience.
And, it would be fun to do this again with a good set of performance tires, but I would run only 5-6 lap sessions due to lack of brake cooling.
Disappointment: Could not hear the car at speed, but multiple reports that it really sounds fantastic on the track at speed… Just like all the comments on its looks… Amazing Machine….
Maintenance – Post Test Day maintenance & inspection:
Monitor Brakes pads
Before Track Day
OEM FRONT Brake pad thickness before Track Day: measured at 1500 mi. street use
LEFT FRONT Backing plate +pad (outside insulator not included)
LOT 15.36mm* LIT 15.41mm No Right side data
LOB 15.49mm LIB 15.39mm
Taper= 0.1 mm Taper= 0 mm
Rotor rotation is Bottom to Top
AFTER Track Day
OEM Front Brake pad thickness AFTER Track Day: measured at 1500 mi. street plus 75mi track…
LEFT FRONT Backing plate +pad (outside insulator not included)
LOT 14.91mm LIT 14.95mm No Right side data
LOB 14.80mm LIB 14.70mm
Taper= 0.11mm Taper= 0.25mm
Rotor rotation is Bottom to Top
Before Track Day
OEM REAR Brake pad thickness before Track Day: measured at 1500 mi. street use
LEFT REAR Backing plate +pad (outside insulator not included)
LOT 14.97mm* LIT 14.99mm No Right side data
LOB 14.95 LIB 15.02mm No Right side data
Taper= 0 mm Taper= 0 mm
Rotor Rotation is Top to Bottom
After Track Day
OEM Brake pad thickness before AFTER Track Day: measured at 1500 mi. street plus 75mi track…
LEFT REAR Backing plate +pad RIGHT REAR Backing plate +pad
LOT 14.15mm LIT 13.85mm RIT 14.02mm ROT 14.15mm
LOB 14.88mm LIB 14.40mm RIB 14.85mm ROB 14.75mm
Taper= 0.73mm Taper= 0.75 mm Taper= 0.83mm Taper= 0.60 mm
Rotor Rotation is Top to Bottom Rotor Rotation is Top to Bottom
My Conclusions:
I think 3/4 mm taper from 75miles, or 1hour of track testing is excessive.
You could work around this if you could “flip” the left and right sets, but the left rear pad set has a sensor cable that is 1.5” shorter (and different PN) than the right side.
BTW: The left outer rear pad sensor is broken and detached from the pad backing plate!
(I have tried to epoxy it into place. It should be replaced.)
When you consider that I have an expensive (not) optional Carbon Metallic brake system, on a car that is reportedly “ready to track test”, it is disappointing. The ONLY disappointing issue with this car.
My conclusion For Track Testing:
I think the fronts could use a more camber.
I think all the brakes need lots more cooling.
(Try this in the 100degree summer days & you would have to park it in 4 laps.)
Or, you could just slow down ;-)
I think a performance tire would make a big improvement, and the brakes would get even warmer…
I would never go out with less than ½ tank of gas (about 10 laps, 30 mi range)
I would like to turn off whatever rear traction control is being used in track mode, or have it explained in detail how it should be used…
Don’t do this too often because it is addictive…
No dings, no dents, no agricultural racing… near perfect day… too much fun.
T. Duder
Jan 2, 2017
(credit to ChrisN as I was able to discuss his testing & brake issues before I went to the track.)