V1 Brake pads for track cars

[duthehustle93]

#05 is going to be a dedicated track car. I'm piecing together parts for brakes right now, and I'm struggling to find any good track compounds for base model cobalt fronts, or solstice rears. Most of my track days are high speed tracks, target HP/TQ is 300, ambient 80-100F, stint times up to an hour so I'm not in love with the idea of running street pads.

Track cars only please, what are you currently running and how has it performed? What's your ambient temperatures typically at your track days?

My options as I see it are:
-run cobalt base model fronts w/11" rotor, solstice rear w/ rockauto street pads.
-run cobalt base model fronts w/ 11" rotor, solstice rear and get custom pads made through carbotech or porterfield.
-figure out how to install miata front (10" vented)+rear (10" solid) brakes. I have all the parts on hand, and (i'm not kidding) 40 sets of miata race pads... but I tried mocking it up today and it's not a very straight-forward install, and even with a good compound miata brakes are probably undersized.

 

[Robinjo]

@Justinreed7 was selling upgraded kits at one point.

 

[TravMac]

I've got EBC yellows on front and rear for the short track/autocross stuff, but they would probably handle long track duty with our lighter cars too. EBC has lots of compound choices, so I wouldn't be surprised if there was something to fit your need. I'd suggest giving them a look.

 

[Rttoys]

@Justinreed7 was selling upgraded kits at one point.

That was a 1 time deal I believe, but he could pm him just in case. Note on that, though: it’s not exactly ”plug and play” and you have to have the Df rear subframe too.

 

[duthehustle93]

Thanks, I seriously considered reaching out to Justin on his BBK but 11.75x.81 is a bit overkill for my particular build and usage... it totally makes sense for him at his power levels but I don't see a future that significantly exceeds 300HP/TQ. It's an amazing deal for what you get, but I really don't need it.

Good call, I forgot about them; I just checked EBC and the most aggressive pad they have are the yellows. I don't have any experience with them on a Goblin, but I properly bedded in a set of yellows on a 120HP miata once and they glazed over in about 15 minutes of track use. I'd be willing to give their more aggressive compounds a try, but unfortunately they don't have anything.

 

[Rauq]

If you're looking for his earlier setup:

V1 - Justin Reed Racing DF Goblin

this is the winning run

dfkitcar.com

 

[duthehustle93]

If you're looking for his earlier setup:

V1 - Justin Reed Racing DF Goblin

this is the winning run

dfkitcar.com

Thanks! That's good news, DTC-30's would work great for the rear for my uses. However, for my front, I don't think LSJ front brakes will fit in a 15" wheel right? I currently have the front 11" rotors+2.2 base pads/calipers that DF supplies, and it's already VERY tight within a 15" wheel.

 

[Gtstorey]

This might be a better link for what Justin Reed was offering.
Full Floating Race Brakes Group Buy | DF Kit Car Forum

 

[TravMac]

Thanks! That's good news, DTC-30's would work great for the rear for my uses. However, for my front, I don't think LSJ front brakes will fit in a 15" wheel right? I currently have the front 11" rotors+2.2 base pads/calipers that DF supplies, and it's already VERY tight within a 15" wheel.

Can confirm, the LSJ brakes fit with the right 15" wheel! Its close, but I've run it for a good while without issues.

TravMac's Extended Track Goblin (#253) - 2007 SS/SC Doner

Looking good! Those Steel-It frames always seem to come out looking great.

dfkitcar.com

 

[TravMac]

I also have some help looking at options on the side too. But this is a while from being a reality. Would need a slightly modified corner...

 

[duthehustle93]

Can confirm, the LSJ brakes fit with the right 15" wheel! Its close, but I've run it for a good while without issues.

TravMac's Extended Track Goblin (#253) - 2007 SS/SC Doner

Looking good! Those Steel-It frames always seem to come out looking great.

dfkitcar.com

Thanks for the confirmation! Just to double check: you only needed to buy calipers + rotors for a 06-07 Cobalt SS? No other parts were needed? Rockauto seems to show two different options under an 06 SS/SC... 4 lug and 5 lug (I didn't know they made a 4 lug SS/SC?)... but from what I'm seeing I should be good if I choose a set that specifies 5 lug.

I also have some help looking at options on the side too. But this is a while from being a reality. Would need a slightly modified corner...

View attachment 53233View attachment 53236View attachment 53235View attachment 53234View attachment 53232View attachment 53231View attachment 53230

That looks awesome! It really makes me wish that the PO of my kit didn't get rid of my donors brembo brakes..

 

[duthehustle93]

I went with LSJ fronts (confirmed that you just need calipers and rotors), and solstice rears. Brake pad selection is MUCH better.

I wanted to post up on 15" fitment so people in the future can help make decisions... it is VERY tight with 15" wheels... you may need to have your wheel weights strategically placed for clearance regardless of wheel you select. Overall I'm very happy with how these fit in a 15"... thanks again @TravMac for confirming.

LSJ brakes fit no problem with:
-Konig Hexaform 15x9 +35
-Advanti storm s1 15x9 +35

LSJ brakes "kinda" fit with:
-HRAI 15x9 +39: they rub enough to where I couldn't turn the wheel. But I'm almost positive that you can shave a hair off the caliper or add maybe a 5-10mm spacer and clear them.
-949 racing 6ul 15x8 +36: the wheel weights would need to be removed or relocated; where they are placed right behind the spokes, I was only able to install the wheel clocked to avoid the weights. In addition to relocating wheel weights, this rubbed a little at the edge of the caliper. You could clear this wheel with a 10mm spacer and/or shaving like 0.030" off the caliper.

Wheels I have, but haven't verified yet. These are new in boxes and located above my rafters so it wasn't worth the effort for me to verify since I'm 99% sure they'll work. I'll be retiring a couple older sets of wheels in the next year and will start using these. If I forget to followup here and you wanted to know, feel free to comment down the road or message me and I can certainly followup on if these wheels clear LSJ brakes:
-Konig Dekagram 15x9 +35 --Update: "kinda fits" see below
-Konig Freeform 15x9.5 +29 -- update: fits no problem - see below

 

[Indy Lonnie]

If I forget to followup here and you wanted to know, feel free to comment down the road or message me and I can certainly followup on if these wheels clear LSJ brakes:
-Konig Dekagram 15x9 +35

I’m looking to go down this route with my Dekagrams. Did you ever confirm fitment?
I also wanted to confirm the rotors you are using are the 296mm (11.65”) LSJ front rotors.

 

[duthehustle93]

Correct, 11.6” LSJ rotors.

I just checked this morning and this goes in the “yes, but…” category. You’ll need to grind down your caliper a bit.. you can get them on and rotate the wheel but it grinds a bit.

I installed the wheel, rotated it to create a witness mark, and I’ll be grinding the area missing paint shown in the picture.

 

[Indy Lonnie]

Correct, 11.6” LSJ rotors.

I just checked this morning and this goes in the “yes, but…” category. You’ll need to grind down your caliper a bit.. you can get them on and rotate the wheel but it grinds a bit.

I installed the wheel, rotated it to create a witness mark, and I’ll be grinding the area missing paint shown in the picture.

Thanks for the time and effort.

 

[duthehustle93]

Update: I tried out both sets of extra konig wheels:
-Konig Dekagram 15x9 +35 : kinda fits, I shaved off the witness mark area on the caliper in post #14 and now we're good
-Konig Freeform 15x9.5 +29: fits no problem, no modification or spacers necessary, have lots of clearance.