Keepig tabs on brake caliper temps at track

[USSEnterprise]

Originally Posted by DRLane

https://nasatx.com/wp-content/upload...s_2020-Jan.pdf

haha, yeah that's the old layout - 2.55 miles, and those records date back to 2013/2014. The track was repaved in a new layout in Sep/Oct 2019 and is now 2.7 miles with a whole different back section. The 2:02-2:03 times from TT2/TT3 I quoted above are right for the new layout.

You had me going WTF for a second!

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

haha, yeah that's the old layout - 2.55 miles, and those records date back to 2013/2014. The track was repaved in a new layout in Sep/Oct 2019 and is now 2.7 miles. The 2:02-2:03 times from TT2/TT3 I quoted above are right for the new layout.

You had me going WTF for a second!

Gotcha! That's the local knowledge

[DRLane]

@xxaarraa Well, if it's not because you're 12 seconds off pace. Than those rotors must be effective! Sorry, hope I wasn't insulting.

[USSEnterprise]

Originally Posted by DRLane

@xxaarraa Well, if it's not because you're 12 seconds off pace. Than those rotors must be effective! Sorry, hope I wasn't insulting.

Not at all man, all good. That’s why objective data is always the best answer.

RSXDC5 , thanks for the info on girodisc rotors! I was contemplating switching to OEM rotors for the next set, but now I think I will stick with girodisc!

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

haha, yeah that's the old layout - 2.55 miles, and those records date back to 2013/2014. The track was repaved in a new layout in Sep/Oct 2019 and is now 2.7 miles with a whole different back section. The 2:02-2:03 times from TT2/TT3 I quoted above are right for the new layout.

You had me going WTF for a second!

quick correction, the NASA TT track records have been reset in 2020 with the new config. my buddy stephen reset the TTU record in NASA with a 1:55 in a vette.

his videos make our videos look like we're going in slow motion... or he's just in warp speed.

[USSEnterprise]

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

quick correction, the NASA TT track records have been reset in 2020 with the new config. my buddy stephen reset the TTU record in NASA with a 1:55 in a vette.

his videos make our videos look like we're going in slow motion... or he's just in warp speed.

That's pretty insane! I think his gauge must be moving in KPH because in some corners he's carrying twice the speed I carry lol

TT2 record is still 2:02s and that's where the F80 (3600 lbs, max of 467 hp) fits: https://form.jotform.com/drivenasa/s...ification-form

I think your E46 (3200 lbs) fits in TT3 and par for that class is 2:04s...

[NYG]

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

I can't speak to regular F80 calipers or rotors, I'm only sharing experience and data related to CCB calipers. Tires and brake pads I'm using are in my posts above. 370mm to 400mm is a huge difference in surface area regardless of the specific caliper in use.

I'm not the fastest driver out there by a large margin, however, those temps are from a car running within 5 seconds of GT3s on a 2+ minute lap so I'm not put-putting out there either and car sees a good workout.

I don't subscribe to the zero airflow hypothesis. Sure it has no ducting but there are functional vents at the edges of the bumper that direct air to the outside of the rotor/caliper. I don't imagine my CS front bumper is unique and even base/comp M3s have the same vents, but I could be mistaken?

Keep in mind my data is also from winter time track days with temps in the 40s. On a 90 degree Texas summer day, I'm sure the calipers will heat up more. And as they do, I will share in this thread. Please continue sharing your data as well including your specific setup as you did, helpful for folks to get more data.

It kind of depends on a few factors. Surface area is good but gray iron shares the same thermal conductivity of most metals. If there's good airflow then a larger surface area can be beneficial but if there's more volume (not always the case) and bad airflow then the rotor won't be able to cool down fast enough and you'll keep increasing the max temperature. Remember the heat will flow from the rotor/pad to the caliper (also conductive).

Btw, I wasn't IN ANY WAY trying to criticize your driving ability or say you're not driving hard enough. I don't make dick comments like that... I just struggled really badly with brake heat on my M4CS and I'm not a pro driver by any means. There's fast people on here who didn't have the problems I did and fast people who did. I was just more shocked that your front calipers didn't even register a temperature considering how bad the air flow is. It may not be zero but it's damn close.

Next time you're on track walk around and look at the brakes/air ducts/cooling some other sports cars of equal or less cost have. I think you're in a better position than I was with my original blue 4-piston calipers but it's a big time weak point on an incredible platform. The entire front end of the car is just a wall of radiators/coolers. Even custom ducting is a pain in the ass.

[EGbeater]

Related to brake caliper temps question: has anyone here used these temp-monitoring stickers, available on Amazon? 25 bucks for 16 one-time-use stickers (eight track sessions)

I figure it will only take a couple one-use applications to see if my caliper temps are outrageous or not, and then a couple more after taking ameliorative actions... then I can share the rest with friends or use them on my next track car:

https://www.amazon.com/Motorsport-Ca.../dp/B07D7H1M67

[Driver407]

Bought a set a few weeks ago. My first event since I got them is this weekend. Ill report back.

[m4forum]

I use them on from and rear. Initially I struggled with results as notices the first 2-3 blocks turned black them skipped the middle ones and last block turned black. I them realized the installation could the issue as put them initially on front face of the caliper. I decided to install them around the piston area. Unfortunately got the same results. With stock calipers my calipers front and rear DSC off are running around 380F what is above my expectation.
Would like to try AP stickers.

[m4forum]

xxaarraa where did you buy this temperature stickers?

[Driver407]

So i tried out the amazon temp stickers today. Only remembered to do it the last session of the day. Seemed to work fine. Front hit 360 and the rear hit 370.

[m4forum]

I used them also. My issue was that the initial boxes turned black but them skipped the middle one and black the last box. Temperatures are similar very hot ... high pad wear

[fanatic1]

Originally Posted by irokdayellup

So i tried out the amazon temp stickers today. Only remembered to do it the last session of the day. Seemed to work fine. Front hit 360 and the rear hit 370.

That beautiful blue caliper color, Interesting to see at what temperature the color changes on the caliper. My guess is you are getting close at 370°.

Also, with the rears running a little hotter than the front, are you using MDM or DSC?

[Driver407]

Originally Posted by fanatic1

That beautiful blue caliper color, Interesting to see at what temperature the color changes on the caliper. My guess is you are getting close at 370°.

Also, with the rears running a little hotter than the front, are you using MDM or DSC?

DSC off all day. This was my eighth track day. Just waiting for the olive green. I also thought the fronts should be hotter. Flushed Castrol SRF for the first time this event for what its worth.

Maybe the stickers have a +/-5 variance or something?

[elite53]

Curious if any of you guys with the stock brakes have tried removing the rotor splash shields for better cooling?

[USSEnterprise]

Originally Posted by elite53

Curious if any of you guys with the stock brakes have tried removing the rotor splash shields for better cooling?

Mixed opinions on whether this hurts more than helps, particularly as one of the functions of the splash shields is to keep heat away from ball joint.

[elite53]

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

Mixed opinions on whether this hurts more than helps, particularly as one of the functions of the splash shields is to keep heat away from ball joint.

Oh, that's a good point. It was something I had read on the AP Racing website about brake cooling but I hadn't really thought about it being a heat shield.

[HA55L3R]

Originally Posted by elite53

Curious if any of you guys with the stock brakes have tried removing the rotor splash shields for better cooling?

Take the shields off, it definitely helps with cooling. If your worried about the ball joints wrap them with a heat wrap, that's what i did and i haven't had any issues.

[elite53]

Originally Posted by HA55L3R

Take the shields off, it definitely helps with cooling. If your worried about the ball joints wrap them with a heat wrap, that's what i did and i haven't had any issues.

That's not a bad idea. Thanks.

[USSEnterprise]

Originally Posted by HA55L3R

Take the shields off, it definitely helps with cooling. If your worried about the ball joints wrap them with a heat wrap, that's what i did and i haven't had any issues.

I'm not taking any heat advice from a guy in Boston, Siberia, frozen Tundra, Alaska, etc! hahaha It gets to a balmy 80 degrees 3 months a year and the rest of the year its either raining or you guys are wearing 4 layers so you don't have to worry about hot brakes.

(ex-Boston guy here, couldn't resists yanking your chain)

[HA55L3R]

Originally Posted by xxaarraa

I'm not taking any heat advice from a guy in Boston, Siberia, frozen Tundra, Alaska, etc! hahaha It gets to a balmy 80 degrees 3 months a year and the rest of the year its either raining or you guys are wearing 4 layers so you don't have to worry about hot brakes.

(ex-Boston guy here, couldn't resists yanking your chain)

Hey it hit 95 here last summer lol most of the track days around here aren't that bad though.

Lower ambient temps helps to a degree but the problem with our brakes are that they do a poor job of dissipating heat, the faster you go the more you'll realize this. Removing the heat shields, adding brake ducts and titanium shims help but on faster tracks like the glen i still burn through a set of brake pads a day. I just picked up some girodisc rotors which should help, i think for the stock calipers that's best setup you can do