My Story:
Ok yesterday was my first track day in the Mini. I was on Buttonwillow, configuration #13 CW...not the worst track/config on brakes but it was still pretty hard. And well...I'm even harder on them as I'm quite a LATE braker.
Anyway, I have Motul RBF 600, and Carbotech XP10's up front XP8's on the back. I bought them for the track day, I did not put on new rotors nor did I turn my stock rotors, I know that it is recommended but I wasn't going to turn the already really thin stock rotors. I figured these pads would be enough for me, well it turns out that wasn't quite the case. I went through 50% or more of these pads in one track day! Talking to Jeff at TSW I hear that is normal, I also scored the rotor surface pretty bad, I'll have pictures up later. Long story short the stock brakes just can't hold up to the kind of work I demand of them on the track. Track pads or not.
As you can see I already have a few TSW things on my car and I really respect the guys over there, and I SURE Jeff knows my voice by now
. They really do test everything before the put it on the market to make sure that it works and holds up. I have not actually purchased anything from Detroit tuned yet, but the guys over there also seem very knowledgable and friendly. I have called both vendors and talked to them about there kits and I will point out what they mentioned later in this thread. I'd also like to thank them for spending their time and talking to me...I start this thread to get NAM's opinion as I have a few months before I buy. Feel free to chime in TSW and DT!
The Kits:
Both kits use the same Outlaw 2000 caliper, which both use the same 4" stock car pads. They both now have custom hats so only rotor surfaces would need replacing, they both have custom brackets which make everything fit painlessly, both come with stainless front lines and a set of pads, both cost about the same price. The only REAL differnce is the rotors. FYI I have R99's and plan to stay with a 17" wheel.
The Rotors:
The Detroit tuned comes with a 12.8" x 1.2" slotted zinc plated rotor. The TSW comes with a 11.75" x 1.25" lightweight Coleman rotor. Both are directionally vented. The Detroit tuned weighs in at 14.5 lbs for hat/rotor, TSW weighs in at 12.5 lbs hat/rotor. My only real concern is to get a kit that can and will hold up to extreme abuse...lets just say that I want this to be able to hold up to a 24 hr Le Mans race! I will only do ~ 3-4 track days a year and I would like to not change rotors at all within at least 2 yrs. Both vendors said that was very reasonable especially since I would be changing to proper pads for track use.
TSW:
Here was TSW's take, their kit out performs R-compounds, tires really are the limit of your braking ability. If the TSW kit provides more braking then the R-comps can handle and is nearly cool to touch when coming into the pits how much better can it get? In their opinion the extra inch of diameter is simply extra weight, and extra sprung/rotational mass at that so 2 lbs. per corner makes a difference. Also TSW made their kit with 15" wheels in mind, they went as big as they could to still fit the 15's.
DT:
Detroit tuned feels that the extra inch helps in braking torque. This is a simple law of physics a longer moment arm will provide a greater force. Thus the bigger rotor can provide more braking power even though they are both using the same caliper/pad. Also that the extra 2 lbs of mass or 4 lbs total difference is something that might be noticed but may provide more benifits then negatives. If you must have more mass anywhere the brakes is probably one of the better places to have it. More mass = more ability to hold heat more ability to pull heat from pads and rotor friction surface, thus keeping brakes cooler, and the greater surface area = more area for air to cool the brakes down. Thus theoretically keeping the brakes cooler.
What it boils down to:
But if the 11.75 already does the job perfectly is there really a reason to go bigger? What are peoples experiences? Has anybody had both? Comments from people that have tracked both...how do they hold up? Is there ANY fade? There shouldn't be. Rotor life, pad life, how hot do the brakes feel when you pit. Etc ANY negatives at all (besides the initial empty wallet
) Thanks for everybodies help, and thanks again to TSW and DT...this post is in no offense to either of you. You both provide great info, and both your kits really are great IMO lets get others opinions.
