Brake pads for MR2

[thornz]

Hey I am after some new brake pads for the MR2 seeing as I have a track day coming up. What is a good brand to get? Do places like repco have them available off the shelf (performance type pads), or are they something I need to order in?

Also, what is the correct procedure for bedding them in?

[Lloyd]

There will be options at the likes of BNT/Repco for cheap, normal or performance pads. You'll have to check what they have in stock as each branch will be different

Bedding in will be different per make also. Generally its a bit of light braking with a few hundred meters or more between each brake to let them cool a bit, getting progressively harder on the brakes. I think the Bendix ADs will come with instructions to say how

[thornz]

Are the bendix pads a good option for a track day? Will have a ring round today and get some prices. At the same time would it be worth changing the brak fluid, or will the standard fluid be okay?

[Akane]

If you're rolling on gen 1 small brakes, upgrading to gen 2 bigger brakes will also see a lot of improvements.

[thornz]

Also, the track day is this comin saturday, would the brakes be properly bedded in in that time? Or would I be better running the pads in there at the moment and just look at changing the fluid for now?

[thornz]

If you're rolling on gen 1 small brakes, upgrading to gen 2 bigger brakes will also see a lot of improvements.

I know this is prob a dumb question, but is there a way to tell for sure if my car is a gen 1 or gen 2? I have had people tell me different, some saying its a gen 1, and others saying its a gen 2. Its a 91 turbo model.

[Lloyd]

Bedding in will take all of 10 mins driving if you want to do it quickly. They'll be more than right after a week.

The ADs are standard brake pads and not really what you're after.

Is the 0800 BRAKES place still around?

[fivebob]

If you're rolling on gen 1 small brakes, upgrading to gen 2 bigger brakes will also see a lot of improvements.

I know this is prob a dumb question, but is there a way to tell for sure if my car is a gen 1 or gen 2? I have had people tell me different, some saying its a gen 1, and others saying its a gen 2. Its a 91 turbo model.

by the chassis #
Series 1 < 59266
Series 2 59266 - 87385
Series 3 83876 - 106662
Series 4 106663-110780
Series 5 >110780

[Adamal]

Jesus Christ man, how do you retain all this information?

[Bling]

You've seen Scofield on prison break with all his blue print tattoos of the prison?

Well fivebob has similar tattoos regarding toyotas

[Twolitre]

If you're rolling on gen 1 small brakes, upgrading to gen 2 bigger brakes will also see a lot of improvements.

I know this is prob a dumb question, but is there a way to tell for sure if my car is a gen 1 or gen 2? I have had people tell me different, some saying its a gen 1, and others saying its a gen 2. Its a 91 turbo model.

It's a little irrelevant what generation your car is considering it could be a gen 1 with gen 2 brakes. What you're more interested in is if your front brakes are single pot or twin pot callipers. If they're single pots then you'll be wanting to upgrade to the twin pots.

[rollaholic]

Bedding in will take all of 10 mins driving if you want to do it quickly. They'll be more than right after a week.

The ADs are standard brake pads and not really what you're after.

Is the 0800 BRAKES place still around?

race brakes, yeah they are

GCs give them a call they will sort you out with no bullshit

[cat007]

+1 for racebrakes!

Mintex 1166's will set you right

Also get some good fluid! I'll say it again. GET SOME DECENT FLUID! None of this $15 crap from repco! Pads will fade slowly means you'll often get fade at the end of braking into the corner- which is more manageable. Fluid boiling means it'll be fine while you're under braking then as soon as you lift off the brakes, the fluid boils (pressurized fluid boils at a higher temp so when you lift off the pressure goes away and the fluid boils) and when you next go to touch the brakes, the pedal goes straight to the floor.....then ARMCO!

Correct me if I'm wrong? But yeah - talk to the guys at Racebrakes! They're VERY good! If you take your pads in, they can use your backing plates (works out cheaper for you) and "should" be able to do it before next weekend! So take your old pads into them tomorrow morning!

[Akane]

-1 for 0800 brakes.

IMO check if you have Gen 1 brakes first or not, if you don't have, just buy a set and retrofit them, paired with some japanese pads and any decent fluids you should be set.

[cat007]

-1 for 0800 brakes.

IMO check if you have Gen 1 brakes first or not, if you don't have, just buy a set and retrofit them, paired with some japanese pads and any decent fluids you should be set.

Skimp on a turbo and you'll end up blowing it, meaning you'll limp back into the pits

Skimp on brakes and you smash into a wall and end up limping for the rest of your life.....

What's your life worth?

[fivebob]

It's a little irrelevant what generation your car is considering it could be a gen 1 with gen 2 brakes. What you're more interested in is if your front brakes are single pot or twin pot callipers. If they're single pots then you'll be wanting to upgrade to the twin pots.

Since when did SW20s ever have single pot calipers???

The upgrade from Series 1 -> Series2 was bigger, thicker discs, different mounting brackets for the calipers. Pads are the same shape and will fit but they have different part #s so maybe the compound is different.

[Mr Revhead]

yes quite common for toyota to have pads the same shape with different compounds.

[Akane]

Skimp on brakes and you smash into a wall and end up limping for the rest of your life.....

What's your life worth?

And that's why you should upgrade to Gen 2 brakes if it doesn't already have, and some decent pads like project mu etc.

Myself I'm using TRD pads, but I don't cane it hard enough to notice any fade so I can't say if they're good or not. But those warped fake brembos that I got from 0800 brakes? No comment.

[iOnic]

Skimp on brakes and you smash into a wall and end up limping for the rest of your life.....

What's your life worth?

No one is suggesting that he skimps? it's common knowledge in SW circles that the Gen2 setup is a nice improvement over the Gen1 setup. I run Gen2 brakes with endless and top secret pads and it works very very well. I haven't tried mintex/racebrakes so can't comment on them. Project Mu are good too but $$$

[cat007]

Skimp on brakes and you smash into a wall and end up limping for the rest of your life.....

What's your life worth?

No one is suggesting that he skimps? it's common knowledge in SW circles that the Gen2 setup is a nice improvement over the Gen1 setup. I run Gen2 brakes with endless and top secret pads and it works very very well. I haven't tried mintex/racebrakes so can't comment on them. Project Mu are good too but $$$

I'm not saying that you're saying he skimp

Sure upgrade to gen 2 brakes, whatever - I don't know MR2 stuff. That's not my point - but if you're wanting to race it at all (for fun or other) - don't just stick factory pads/fluid in there - that's all I'm saying....