Track-friendly upgrades?

[Z4m40i]

The only decent option I had for the 374mm brakes were carbotech xp20’s. The calipers use the same piston sizes as the baby M lite brakes, so I always had terrible pad taper. The pad is just too tall for it to manage the pad well. The best thing I did was got off those brakes and moved into g80 brakes. Unfortunately getting an 18” to fit over those is almost impossible unlike the 374mm’s. I run g-loc r16’s with the m3 brakes (essentially carbotechs) and the pad taper is very minimal now.

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[Mdstx]

The only decent option I had for the 374mm brakes were carbotech xp20’s. The calipers use the same piston sizes as the baby M lite brakes, so I always had terrible pad taper. The pad is just too tall for it to manage the pad well. The best thing I did was got off those brakes and moved into g80 brakes. Unfortunately getting an 18” to fit over those is almost impossible unlike the 374mm’s. I run g-loc r16’s with the m3 brakes (essentially carbotechs) and the pad taper is very minimal now.

Informative. Thank you. Odd shaped front pads. My track experience has been Porsches and Miatas. I don’t recall ever seeing a front pad that shape.

 

[Mdstx]

Since you have the larger calipers, you have a VERY limited selection of track worthy pads to choose from. Tip to help your search: The FE shares the same front calipers as the M240i/M340i/M440i Cooling and Tire package (ZTK) The M550i / 750i / M850i / X3M / X5,7 M40i,M50i also share the same calipers.

Hawk does not have DTC60's for those calipers yet.

You also already have a bit more negative camber than non FE's as the FE use the - camber front hubs. You will need to be careful with 18" wheels as most won't fit over the FE larger brakes.
I would use Endless fluid over SRF

Oil I'm not going to touch as there are endless posts about this and I don't want to awaken the BoomerBlob.

Thank you for the info. The more you know… I wasn’t planning on upgrading brakes, but we’ll see…

 

[noogie]

https://www.cspracing.com/products/...D592YuW_HvEv9tKYJMXfPXc3TizgOWr0aApoeEALw_wcB

I’m not sure if something like this opens the pad options. Of course also gaining better braking performance.

 

[TBK]

https://www.cspracing.com/products/...D592YuW_HvEv9tKYJMXfPXc3TizgOWr0aApoeEALw_wcB

I’m not sure if something like this opens the pad options. Of course also gaining better braking performance.

2 piece calipers...

 

[Mdstx]

The process has begun.

Sourced some TE37SL 19x9.5 / 19x10.5
Probably will try the Yoko AD09 in 265/35/19 and 285/35/19.
Not the fastest 200TW but good communication, decent wet traction, and reasonable longevity. I think it’s the better tire for an experienced driver learning this car.

 

[Mdstx]

I found EBC Blue pads in the size/shape for the FE calipers. Not a full track pad, but again, probably a good starting point and as a plus they can be left in for street use if I get lazy. I have no experience with EBC. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[razorlab]

I found EBC Blue pads in the size/shape for the FE calipers. Not a full track pad, but again, probably a good starting point and as a plus they can be left in for street use if I get lazy. I have no experience with EBC. Anyone have experience with them?

All the EBC pads with color in their name are pretty bad. You'll probably end up looking for another pad.

 

[razorlab]

The process has begun.

Sourced some TE37SL 19x9.5 / 19x10.5
Probably will try the Yoko AD09 in 265/35/19 and 285/35/19.
Not the fastest 200TW but good communication, decent wet traction, and reasonable longevity. I think it’s the better tire for an experienced driver learning this car.

Have you also looked at the Conti Forces?

 

[Mdstx]

Have you also looked at the Conti Forces?

Yes, unfortunately Conti ECF does not come in the sizes needed for the rears. Also considered the RE71RS. I think the Yoko is a better tire for where I am with this car and how I anticipate using it. My goal is to improve track enjoyment and avoid making the car unpleasant on the street. It’s a delicate balancing act.

 

[Z4m40i]

That pad for the 374mm rotor I showed for comparison to the g80 pad is an EBC blue. I would literally go through a front set in a full track day. Decent bite for the first 5 minutes of a 20 min session before falling off.

only plus was that I could source them at FCP Euro and replace them for free.

 

[Mdstx]

All the EBC pads with color in their name are pretty bad. You'll probably end up looking for another pad.

Unfortunately, as you noted previously, track pads for the FE calipers are relatively nonexistent.

 

[Mdstx]

That pad for the 374mm rotor I showed for comparison to the g80 pad is an EBC blue. I would literally go through a front set in a full track day. Decent bite for the first 5 minutes of a 20 min session before falling off.

only plus was that I could source them at FCP Euro and replace them for free.

That doesn’t look good! Which car were you driving? Which track? Any tc on?

 

[Z4m40i]

That doesn’t look good! Which car were you driving? Which track? Any tc on?

It was at Laguna Seca, TC 1 step off. I did a 1:38 there with EBC blues, and a 1:37 with the carbotech xp20’s with those old brakes.

 

[Mdstx]

It was at Laguna Seca, TC 1 step off. I did a 1:38 there with EBC blues, and a 1:37 with the carbotech xp20’s with those old brakes.

So, you’re also managing a bit more weight…

Just ordered some G-Loc track pads. They will make the size/shape I need.

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