"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
07/10/2019 at 15:03 • Filed to: None
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"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
07/10/2019 at 15:03 • Filed to: None | 8
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With funds running low this year, I’ve been pretty selective about what events to attend. Thus far I’d only done one HPDE back in April, but when I found out a bunch of friends were going to the July trackcross I couldn’t say no.
There was, however a problem. The last HPDE completely toasted my front brakes. Having run Porterfield’s street and autocross HP-R4S pads for almost a decade on other cars, that’s what I put on the Corolla as well. While they perform flawlessly on the street and even at trackcross events, the temperatures generated during HPDE are just too intense. The pads glazed and basically melted to the rotors, leaving deposits causing a vibration. Also the pad material had lost most of its friction, requiring much harder pedal pressure to slow the car.
With only a few days to spare, a new set of rotors (whopping $13 a piece!) were installed, along with a set of pads that should be able to handle the heat. These R4 pads are rated for track use and are supposedly not very street friendly.
Another issue that had popped up was air in the brake system. After installing the proportioning valve, I’d had trouble getting all the air out of the system by traditional two-person means. I’ve never been a huge fan of vacuum-based bleeders, so I picked up a pressure bleeder and proper master cylinder adapter off Amazon. After a.... somewhat messy learning phase, all the air was removed and a solid pedal returned.
With the work done just in time, trackcross was a great way to test out the new splitter and brake system.
With the heat index hovering close to 100*F, conditions were good for a heat stress test on every component (check out those blued rotors!), including the nut behind the wheel. I almost tapped out of the last run of the day due to the heat, but luckily I didn’t as it ended up being my fastest run!
Fortunately everything held together well and, with some adjustments, the new brake system performed flawlessly.
Next up: two-day HPDE weekend in September!
Miscellaneous non-Corolla stuff - I had to do the oil pan seal on my daily driver Matrix XRS and found something kinda interesting.
The Toyota 2ZZ-GE engine has exactly zero baffling in the oil pan. No wonder they have slosh/starvation issues. Apparently the lame 1ZZ even has a factory baffle. Why Toyota would omit that from the high performance version is completely.....baffling.
Supposedly a 1ZZ oil pan will fit with minor modification and only cost like $25 on RockAuto so next oil change I might swap pans. Seriously though, WTF Toyota? And since I don’t know how to finish this up, here’s a picture from the last Cars and Coffee of my MR2 with its Italian uncle.
And since I don’t know how to finish this up, here’s a picture from the last Cars and Coffee of my MR2 with its Italian uncle .
I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
> MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/10/2019 at 15:20 |
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I’ve only ever done the two person bleeder method with a bottle and some clear hose. Is the bottle method supposed to be a one person method?
nerd_racing
> MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/10/2019 at 15:20 |
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Awesome brake upgrade! I’ve heard so many horror stories about unusual wear from track days. Are those Miata Daisy wheels on the car?
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MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
> I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
07/10/2019 at 15:22 |
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Yep. You put brake fluid in the bottle and pump it up to 15psi (think like a chemical sprayer). You put the adapter on your master cylinder reservoir and it pressurizes the system from the top down. Then you just go to each caliper and bleed it till the bubbles stop and clean fluid comes through. Open the top of the canister to relieve pressure and you’re done. Note - release the pressure BEFORE you disconnect the hose. Ask me how I know.
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MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
> nerd_racing
07/10/2019 at 15:24 |
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They are. Those have old almost-dry-rotten all seasons just to get me to the track. Then some different wheels with Toyo RA1's go on :D
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nerd_racing
> MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/10/2019 at 15:32 |
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I have a similarly painted set with really awful rubber on them for reasons...
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/10/2019 at 16:13 |
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I find it funny that I have never really had any trouble using street pads on my Miata for track days. I did 4 events last year on one set and they seemed fine afterwards. Just did two events on a new set on another Miata recently and those are also fine. I did just purchase a proper set of track pads and new rotors though so maybe that will “show me the light”. Went with G-loc R8/R10 since that is what spec-miata runs. Since I already also run their Toyo-RR tires, I might as well keep following spec miata parts as I upgrade things.
MM54
> MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/10/2019 at 18:14 |
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Very cool! I like the idea of the pressure bleeders, some day I may pick one up. My results with vacuum bleeders has been hit or miss.