'13 GT track pack brakes.....

[Vorshlag-Fair]

We used the stock pads for one event on our Brembo equipped 2011 GT. Pretty much killed them and they only worked for about 2 good laps at a time. Now we use Porterfield R4 brake pads for the track and R4S for street or autocross use. And for track events we have custom front brake ducting installed. That was a HUGE help.

I am not a fan of the $800/pair "lightweight" 2-piece rotors. These things are a whopping 1.5 pounds lighter, so they lighten the wallet much more than the car. We've found very affordable aftermarket Brembo replacements and I think in 2 years or tracking our 2011 GT hard we are on set number 3.

The non-Brembo brakes on the 2011+ GT (13.2") are complete crapola. I managed to take brand new pads on my 2013 GT to the backing plates in 3 track sessions on the stock bits. Drove right off the end of a straight doing 80 mph when they were ran out of material. If you don't have the GT500/Brembo front brakes on your S197, you should get them.

We did have a weird failure recently. A set of (cheap Chinese replacement) rear rotors "popped" after a hard session on track. Both rears happened at the same time. Never happened before and we won't use that brand of rotors ever again. The split opened up on track during my wife's warm-up lap and it wiped out the rear pads. Luckily she heard the noises and came in immediately. Moral of the story: stick with name brand rotors.

Good luck,

 

[19COBRA93]

If you don't have the GT500/Brembo front brakes on your S197, you should get them.

I can't express how much I agree with this. I've personally had the opportunity to push all the different available OEM brakes for the S197, and the Brembos really do make a world of difference. With the Brembos I could brake late and hard and had absolute trust in them. I can't say that with either of the others (stock GT, and track pack 13.2's).

Even if you only drive on the street. I had a guy pull out in front of me while I was running the Brembos, and they damn near put my through the windshield. They're a perfect combination with the factory ABS. I never have experienced that feeling with the stock brakes.

 

[4.6fan]

For a first timer Im sure they'd be fine but you'll defintely need a race pad

 

[OkieSnuffBox]

For a first timer Im sure they'd be fine but you'll defintely need a race pad

This is my other car.

 

[jymontoya]

I am not a fan of the $800/pair "lightweight" 2-piece rotors. These things are a whopping 1.5 pounds lighter, so they lighten the wallet much more than the car. We've found very affordable aftermarket Brembo replacements and I think in 2 years or tracking our 2011 GT hard we are on set number 3.


The non-Brembo brakes on the 2011+ GT (13.2") are complete crapola. I managed to take brand new pads on my 2013 GT to the backing plates in 3 track sessions on the stock bits. Drove right off the end of a straight doing 80 mph when they were ran out of material. If you don't have the GT500/Brembo front brakes on your S197, you should get them.


We did have a weird failure recently. A set of (cheap Chinese replacement) rear rotors "popped" after a hard session on track. Both rears happened at the same time. Never happened before and we won't use that brand of rotors ever again. The split opened up on track during my wife's warm-up lap and it wiped out the rear pads. Luckily she heard the noises and came in immediately. Moral of the story: stick with name brand rotors.

Good luck,

Couldn't agree more! Would you care to share your Brembo replacements? I have used the Raybestos Advanced technology as well as the 'true' Brembos. In the rear the Raybestos did great, and in the front they did as well, just to a lesser degree. The 'true' Brembos lasted the longest ... 4-5 weekends, and the Raybestos, 3... Might have been longer, never had one crack all the way through, as I replace when the hairline cracks get big enough to catch a fingernail on. Very Scientific! At less than $100 shipped for the front pair, I've found it to be the best compromise so far. I still keep a lookout for 'true' Brembo takeoff rotors though... Those things rock for solid discs!

 

[claudermilk]

We did have a weird failure recently. A set of (cheap Chinese replacement) rear rotors "popped" after a hard session on track. Both rears happened at the same time. Never happened before and we won't use that brand of rotors ever again. The split opened up on track during my wife's warm-up lap and it wiped out the rear pads. Luckily she heard the noises and came in immediately. Moral of the story: stick with name brand rotors.

Good luck,

Any possibility of letting us know which ones to avoid?

I am happy to hear how well the stock Brembos work--and now even happier I got them on my car. That will help settle my mind when I finally get this beast on track.

BTW, thanks for all the very informative posts, Terry. I'm learning a lot stalking you on this & a couple of other forums.

 

[sholzer]

I ran my car hard for about 3 hours on some tight twisty mountain roads on a cruise a couple weeks ago and the Track pack brakes held up great. All the other cars I was with (mini cooper s, WRX, miata, and some others) all had bad brake fade by the end of the drive and I was perfectly fine

 

[OkieSnuffBox]

I ran my car hard for about 3 hours on some tight twisty mountain roads

Street driving on street tires != track driving on R-comps

 

[19COBRA93]

I ran my car hard for about 3 hours on some tight twisty mountain roads on a cruise a couple weeks ago and the Track pack brakes held up great. All the other cars I was with (mini cooper s, WRX, miata, and some others) all had bad brake fade by the end of the drive and I was perfectly fine

Sounds fun, but it's not nearly the same thing...