Getting Better Brake Performance From Your Mazda RX-7 / RX-8
We here at Pettit Racing get lots of questions about brakes and upgrades. When you spend just five minutes online looking at all the options and various parts, it's easy to see why. There are so many brake kits and parts available it can be a real challenge to understand everything or make comparisons because of all the differences between products.
Over the years we have conducted a considerable amount of research, and endless hours of testing and racing with many different braking system configurations, so that you don't have to. Most recently our focus with Mazda RX-7’s and RX-8’s has been on street, autocross, and spirited driving use. In doing so, we've made a significant effort to hopefully eliminate some guesswork for not just rotary owners, but anyone driving all other makes and models as well so that you can make the most effective choices when it comes to your vehicle's stopping power. So without further ado, the following is what we found:
What is the best type of brake rotor?
There are many different types of brake rotors, whether they're drilled, slotted, or both drilled and slotted. They may have a few holes, a few slots, lots of holes, lots of slots, some dimples, various marks / shapes machined and / or cast on the rotor faces, or something else. Regardless of how these surfaces are decorated, all of these examples are simply efforts to expel the gas boundary layer from between the brake pad and brake rotor faces when friction-generated heat exceeds the pads' optimal temperature range and outgassing occurs as a result.
In the case of drilled rotors, which typically have many holes visible on the rotor surface, the sharp edges outlining each hole will often cause both accelerated and inconsistent pad and rotor wear as well as significant brake dust. And if this wasn't enough, drilled rotors also crack around the holes (just ask any racer)!
Then there are straight-slotted rotors. Compared to drilled rotors, these are a better choice because the slots wipe the whole pad surface consistently, so they result in more consistent pad and rotor wear and less brake dust. But even so, there are still more efficient and higher performance designs available.
A both drilled and slotted brake rotor
Next, there are the "swept radius slotted" rotors, or in layman's terms, curved slot rotors. Since the curved slot passes the pad at an angle, there is less wear and dust for both the pad and rotor. As to why there are so many rotors offered with various dimples, marks, and small shapes is usually just because manufacturers want unique parts to sell so that they can promote theirs as better, however, most of these nonetheless perform similarly to drilled hole rotors.
Curved slot brake rotors
The curved slot rotors are also very smooth and quiet. The picture below shows the rotors on one of our cars after 60,000 miles of heavy use and nearly four sets of pads. Even though the slots are almost worn away they are still smooth and stop as effectively as ever. Another reason we like these is because they are the longest that any set of brake rotors has ever lasted for us.
Curved slot brake rotor after 60,000 miles and 4 sets of brake pads
Even if they carry a slightly higher cost, since they not only last longer but also maximize your RX-7 or RX-8's stopping power, they always become a better value in the end.
Upgrade your Mazda RX-7 FD's brake rotors
Upgrade your Mazda RX-8's brake rotors
What are the best brake pads?
For brake pads, since there are once again so many choices and different types of compounds, it's almost a challenge just to keep up with the latest technology. From organic pads which, with just a few quick stops will overheat and allow smoke to come out of the wheels, to ceramic pads that perform comparatively better, to expensive Hawk performance street pads, which brake very well but can often be sensitive and additionally prone to cause excess wear on the rotor surface, to say nothing of the dust they also tend to produce during use.
After evaluating the results from years of testing as well as receiving a considerable amount of feedback from our wonderful customer base, the all-around best brake pads for street, autocross, and spirited driving use are Trak Pro Super Metallic Street Brake Pads.
Trak Pro Super Metallic Brake Pads for street use
They are known to occasionally make a small amount of noise and dust which is normal for most brake pads and solely dependent on how you drive, but display very good performance during autocrossing and solo events as well as daily driving.
But for the absolute best performance and longest lifespan, it is necessary to properly bed them in, after which they have excellent stopping power over a broad heat range, which we will discuss further at the end of the article.
Upgrade your Mazda RX-7 FD's brake pads
Upgrade your Mazda RX-8's brake pads
What are the best brake lines?
For flexible brake lines, Goodridge is the manufacturer that nearly everyone uses in professional racing. Their reputation for consistently delivering products of the highest quality is second to none. Goodridge brake lines have a DuPont Teflon core wrapped in stainless steel flex braid and are also DOT approved.
Goodridge stainless steel brake lines
But since any stainless steel-braided brake lines expand less than the common rubber-based brake lines, you get a firmer pedal feel and quicker response because the fluid is forced straight to the calipers instead of pushing outward on the brake line walls. These are the same lines we use on all of our race cars, and are a direct replacement for the stock rubber lines. Simply allow two hours installation time (including a fluid flush and bleed).
This should hopefully resolve any remaining confusion and help you make the right upgrading decision for your RX-7 or RX-8's brake system.
At Pettit Racing we strive to offer kits that provide good value, parts that we actually tested, and industry expertise proven to deliver a level of performance and longevity beyond expectation.
Upgrade your Mazda RX-7 FD's brake lines
Upgrade your Mazda RX-8's brake lines
Bedding-in new brake pads for optimal performance and longevity
After installing new brake pads, prepare to bed them in by making several stops from approximately 50 mph with moderate pressure to warm up the pads and rotors, which is done to avoid thermal shock during the bedding procedure. In cold weather, this can take a few more stops than usual.
Then, make an additional two to three hard stops from approximately 70 to 75 mph, but do not allow the vehicle to come to a complete stop. During this process, rest assured that it is normal to see a small amount of smoke spilling out of its wheel rims. Afterward, park the vehicle and allow the brake components to cool down.
Remember to always avoid using the parking brake on hot brake systems, because this can cause uneven cooling, as well as variations in material properties that can lead to future inconsistencies in brake pad and rotor wear.