Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 939 Series (159, Brera and Brera Spider) => Topic started by: Meng on June 06, 2011, 10:50:12 AM

Title: Brakepads
Post by: Meng on June 06, 2011, 10:50:12 AM
Hi guys,

Am getting 159 ready for track, had a chat with Bruno from Maranello regarding a change of brakepads over from the stock ones that it comes fitted with.  Seeing as I also use my car for everyday driving (and some cold braking in the morning), would EBC red or yellow be a better choice?  Want to get a better idea of what is the better option from you guys before I ask for a changeover.
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Neil Choi on June 06, 2011, 11:18:24 AM
Go Green for road, reds for light to medium track, yellow for full on race

Yellow on the road will kill you, you will end up in the back of a Toyota stopping short because there is a baby on board sign

Green or Red for your 159. 

I use green in my road car and had it on track for a couple of times, faded a bit after a longer session.  Reds in race car is good, a bit of fade after an even longer session but just take care of brakes.

Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Meng on June 06, 2011, 11:31:35 AM
Thanks Neil,

So you would recommend red for general road use and the periodic sprint?  Don't want to have to change brakes constantly or swap over for track days, so prefer a longer lasting pad if the green will be shread up in one day
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: wankski on June 06, 2011, 07:12:33 PM
You'll want the reds. Or federo2500s. Any kind of hard track driving is too much for greens. Red still good for road.
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Ray Pignataro on June 06, 2011, 07:46:17 PM
frank musco only uses greens he seems to go ok
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Frank Musco on June 06, 2011, 10:36:15 PM
Quote from: Ray Pignataro on June 06, 2011, 07:46:17 PM
frank musco only uses greens he seems to go ok

Yep, been using them for years. Have used many different brands when I began sprinting and always ended up back on the greens. Keep in mind my car only weighs 800kg, if it were heavier I'd probably be using the reds.

I also use the greens on my road car. They work very well, except the first stop, and when you haven't used the brake for a while like when getting off the freeway, but they still stop you easily.
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: wankski on June 06, 2011, 11:02:55 PM
yeah, the 2.2l jts 159 weighs around 1500kg... its not light... reds are still zero rated for road, so it's all good..
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Meng on June 07, 2011, 09:08:40 AM
Thanks guys, looks like it will be a set of red.  Was just worried that hitting the brakes on the freeway would be like trying to slow down a freight train.
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Brad M on June 09, 2011, 01:12:58 PM
You should have all been at club night last night, Les Smith from RDA-EBC was there and gave an enlightening talk on Brake Pads.

Without banging on about his products because he is a supporter of the club, he made a lot of sense.

A few things I took from it was;

I'd recommend actually checking out his website (http://www.rdabrakes.com.au/), or dropping them an enquiry (through their website).
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Meng on June 09, 2011, 01:22:26 PM
Yep I was there last night.  I brake progressively and carry speed through the corners, so transition is probably fairly smooth so I don't murder the brakes.  On the road I'm usually pretty ginger on cold mornings with braking in any case.
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Sheldon McIntosh on June 09, 2011, 04:57:28 PM
Quote from: Meng on June 09, 2011, 01:22:26 PM
I don't murder the brakes. 

Say that after you've run at Sandown in a 1500kg car.....
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Meng on June 09, 2011, 05:11:40 PM
Hoping that reds will be a little kinder
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: wankski on June 09, 2011, 08:51:10 PM
does that go for ferodo ds performance and 2500 too, or are we not allowed to talk about a non-EBC brand here now?


also, if we are to be drinking the EBC kool-aid from the sponsor, how come they say this about reds?

"Second they brake like an alligator right from cold (as good as Original pads or better) and just get better as they heat up....As EBC's flagship street brake pad material for prestige and faster cars above 200BHP the 09 version on EBC Redstuff sets new standards in brake performance..."

http://www.rdabrakes.com.au/index.php/pads.html#Rs
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: wankski on June 09, 2011, 09:01:04 PM
Quote from: Choderboy on June 09, 2011, 08:55:42 PM
And regarding your clip of text there, do you believe everything you read? Why would a company promote their products downsides?

Duh....
not entirely smart ass.... that is what EBC calls suitable for reds.... not a downside, but suitability.... they don't say that for yellows and blue, which they clearly say are not streetable, and supply a graph to show what is zero rated and what is not (blue and yellow)...

meaning work on a cold disc, and what EBC manufacture as their premium street pad....

i've used greens, the 'next one down' & that is NOT a track pad.... they tend to have a bad habit of disintegrating a lil' bit when ragged.
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: wankski on June 09, 2011, 09:17:09 PM
what? i must have a reading comprehension problem.... the OP asked if he should go red or yellows....

i, and another poster, supplied a graph from EBC showing that if you want to use them on predominantly on the road w/ some track work, maybe go reds over yellows...

greens, a predominantly road pad from EBC, were mentioned for track...you mentioned red is not for road...

i supplied a blurb from the manufacturer that said otherwise... i also gave my opinion of greens on the track, which are the next one down from red for road use.... not to mention the site says "EBC GREEN STUFF for Road sport upgrade on road cars, or race use on lighter cars up to 750 kg" - as i mentioned before 159 is NOT a light car.... being double what EBC recommend for any race use...

how is that OT?

maybe let the OP decide...
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Meng on June 09, 2011, 10:19:52 PM
Apologies gentlemen, didn't mean to start a flame war.  Whichever pad I end up getting, there'll be someone who disagrees with the brand/type/performance/colour/price/look/whatever, but I'm pretty sure we can all agree that the stock brakes on the 159 would self-destruct in 3 hard laps or (probably) less  :)

One thing's for sure, I won't be getting yellows!
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: Neil Choi on June 09, 2011, 10:24:31 PM
Meng,

Getting back on topic and you would have by now gathered some opinions and heard some experiences.  Talk to 10 people about brake pads and you will get 10 different opinions and advices.  Same for tyres, petrol brand, parts suppliers, favourite breakfast cereal and best diets.

But as mentioned above and at meeting, everyone's feel for braking, driving style, application and the type of car are different.

I have used EBC for years well before RDA-EBC got involved with the club, so I present no bias, I have also used QFM, Hawk, Racebrakes, Ferodo, Lucas pads, they are all good.  i use EBC because it saves me $$$.  I started out using Greens and progressed to Reds, especially in the race car, road car stay on greens (for the sake of cost and it works on road and track).  I haven't venture into Yellows (too much $$$)

Since your 159 is a road car, go Green, unless you are driving and braking hard but really no real need to drive that hard on public roads, saves brake pads, discs and $$$.  But do consider the 159 is heavy.  Go Red if you feel uncomfortable about using Green.

But perhaps, start out on Greens and see how you go.  It might be all that is needed.  Anyway, going quick around the track is about controlling corner speed and keep car at optimal speed.

Better spend the extra money on some really good brake fluid (fluid is expensive) and bleed regularly.  I actually spend more on fluid vs a set of pads.

Quite a number of club sprinters and racers use EBC and have been for many years, well before involvement with club.

Then many use other brands with success as well.

Anyway, drop by Sandown and see for yourself on what goes on.

Neil
Title: Re: Brakepads
Post by: wankski on June 15, 2011, 06:16:29 PM
no need mate - i don't take offence online...and generally... all good...


not needed, but appreciated all the same  ;)