Road Racing Road Course | Autocross

Carbotech ?'s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 9, 2009 | 06:47 PM
  #1  
transAm-98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: CA, Bay Area
Default Carbotech ?'s

I'm getting ready to pick up some Carbotechs for my T/A and just wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions. I know most people stagger them and right now I'm leaning towards XP10/XP8 Front/Rear, just wanted to see what other people are running.

The car is the Trans Am in my sig and it's no lightweight.probably between 3600-3700 lb's, 570 rwhp. It's not daily driven so noise/dust isn't much of a concern. It sees auto-x fairly regularly, some very long and aggressive back road driving, and will see some open track days this year.

I'm also flushing my brake lines too, any recomendations on fluid?

Thanks
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2009 | 10:32 AM
  #2  
mattf2's Avatar
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: gilbertsville, PA
Default

10 and 8 worked fine during novice sessions. ATE super blue has a high boiling point both dry and wet, and doesn't break the bank. I'm running 12's up front now and may move up to 16's, as I only got 2 weekends out of the 12's.

with 570 at the wheels, i'd be looking to upgrade the entire brake system. The KORE3 corvette kit is pretty nice and reasonably priced. There's also the Bob Bishop bracket set that you can get from the frrax.com site. you can put c6 calipers on it. they hold up better than the c5's.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2009 | 02:27 PM
  #3  
transAm-98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: CA, Bay Area
Default

Bigger brakes would be nice, but at this point I think I'd rather keep my eyes peeled for a cheap C5 roller and turn that into a track car. I've never been able to make up my mind on whether I wanted to set up my T/A for curves or for straight lines so right now it's just mediocre at both.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2009 | 05:15 PM
  #4  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Super blue, stainless lines if you don't already, and given your extra weight you may consider XP12s in front. BUT, if you really don't mash the pedal hard when you drive spirited the 10s will be plenty. Be aware, these are noisy pads even with anti-squeal, it helps a lot but isn't 100%. you may want to look into some sort of brake cooling, they like some heat to work well, but if not properly cooled will glaze (like all pads). I glaze my pads after every track session (i'm now a pro brake tech on my vette :o ), and last time i checked the pads on my street camaro they were glazed as well. Just something to think about
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2009 | 06:07 PM
  #5  
mitchntx's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 2
From: DFW, Texas
Default

Once you've had Castrol SRF, you'll never go back.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2009 | 11:24 PM
  #6  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

i agree!!

....but often its over-kill for most people, especially at $90/quart
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 12:00 AM
  #7  
transAm-98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
From: CA, Bay Area
Default

SS lines are going on when I flush the system. I've seen the Castrol SRF before but I don't think my needs will justify $90 brake fluid. I'm running Motul for my clutch right now since I was having a problem with my clutch fluid heating up so I might run that for my brakes too, but I'm going to look in to the Super Blue. I was also going to try to figure out some sort of brake ducting while i'm in there
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 12:04 AM
  #8  
tCTech's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Marshfield, WI
Default

Christ..... YOu guy'sare running Castrol SRF? WTF?

I've got Motul RBF 660, and my god I love it.

As far as brakes... well, I have a slow car so I have no need for anything more than stock calipers, solid rotors and a healthy supply of Hawks brake pads...
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-4

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-8

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 07:00 AM
  #9  
mitchntx's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 2
From: DFW, Texas
Default

Switching to SRF is a tough check to write. But I have found that its actually less expensive to use than Motul or SuperBlue.

During a weekend, I would have to bleed my brakes Saturday night when I was running Motul or SB fluid. I just cooked the fluid. It would come out green and slimey.

Louis Gigliotti talked me into using a bottle of SRF and it was night and day difference. The only fluid I bleed now is when I replace brake pads about twice a year. I open the bleeder screw when I push the pistons back into the calipers and then top off the MC.

That regiment began in 06. So, I've spent $180 in brake fluid in almost 4 years and I still have about 1/2 the 2nd bottle on the shelf.

And the REAL benefit is I don't have to fuss with bleeding brakes at all. It allows me to concentrate on more important stuff, like shade and gatorade.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 10:34 AM
  #10  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

i bleed after every session...also pull my pads after every session to get the glaze off

My rotor temps at the last race were 1432 degrees F. Apparently others have seen up to 1600. This winter we are finally getting old world challenge rules to play with (4 piston max front/rear) with 2 piece rotors with aluminum hats, so next year I'll get to save $ on pads and fluids with the new setups
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 10:35 AM
  #11  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Originally Posted by tCTech
Christ..... YOu guy'sare running Castrol SRF? WTF?

I've got Motul RBF 660, and my god I love it.

As far as brakes... well, I have a slow car so I have no need for anything more than stock calipers, solid rotors and a healthy supply of Hawks brake pads...
racing is different then street
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 02:32 PM
  #12  
00 Trans Ram's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
Default

Interesting. I use Wilwood 570. No boil, no fade, and outbrake everyone on track (well, except that damn GT3 Cup). I flush the system once per year, and check the MC level before every race (didn't crack the cap open in 8 races last year).
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2009 | 03:40 PM
  #13  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

Originally Posted by SIK02SS
i bleed after every session...also pull my pads after every session to get the glaze off

My rotor temps at the last race were 1432 degrees F. Apparently others have seen up to 1600. This winter we are finally getting old world challenge rules to play with (4 piston max front/rear) with 2 piece rotors with aluminum hats, so next year I'll get to save $ on pads and fluids with the new setups


I'll clarify so no one confuses anything...

I do not boil the SRF. Every time I bleed after my sessions the fluid is clear. I bleed so I get my stiff pedal back (if not just for the lap and a half it stays firm ). Literally between every session I have to clean up my pads due to insufficient cooling; heat which radiates through the rotors, into the calipers, and killing my pads (and pedal). But the coolant is good...just WAY overkill for a street car that does a little auto-x and a couple DEs.

Super Blue works great in my street camaro and is pretty cheap too
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2009 | 02:16 AM
  #14  
tCTech's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Marshfield, WI
Default

Originally Posted by SIK02SS
racing is different then street
High speed racing is different than Auto-X and Lapping Day's apparently..............

I've been trying to figure out if I want to get into that bag of nuts though. Since I'm getting into Rally...
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2009 | 03:19 PM
  #15  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

just a bit

nice, what kind of rally are you looking to do?
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #16  
tCTech's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Marshfield, WI
Default

I've been looking at RallyAmerica, but starting off with Rallycross events first, then moving into RallyAmerica and World Rally Sport.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2009 | 04:05 PM
  #17  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default

what car? and what level of prep? I love rally and would like to get into it, but I can only do so much and spend so much $


i have tossed around the idea of finding an older salvage title audi or wrx and go have fun in it
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 11:38 AM
  #18  
tCTech's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Marshfield, WI
Default

Well, at the moment I'm picking up a bone stock '98 Subaru Forester. I'll use that in the Rallycross events until I can pick up some sort of sponsorship for both Autocross and Rallycross. In which case I'll probably move into a more rally specific type car, for starters like a '87 Nissan 200sx that I'll have full rally prep. At least, stripped, caged, tube frame, 5 point harnes. Probably a decent winter or all terrain tire until I start getting better and get spend better money on good parts.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2009 | 02:27 PM
  #19  
SIK02SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2
From: Brunswick, GA
Default



good luck to you
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2009 | 08:09 AM
  #20  
tCTech's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Marshfield, WI
Default

To you as well. Thanks.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:17 PM.

story-0
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-4
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-5
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-6
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-9
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE