[Sprocket_mzzoom]

I just ordered the z23 brake pads for front and rear... will eventually do the CS BBK for the front and full z23 w/rotors for the rear. Started by upgrading from the stock 215/45/18 et45 on touring tires to a 235/40/18 UHP all season on 3lb lighter 18x8 et40 wheels, all for only $1200 total out the door with tire certificates, nearly identical to stock total diameter and sidewall.

I only had the stocks on for less than a week, the difference is night and day, Mazda really shouldn't have cut cost in the wheel/tire dept. so much! Less weird dead center steering feel, better handling with much better quick maneuvering response, more absorption of rear torsion shudder over bumps and yes... improved braking, as when you have better grip the tires won't let loose triggering ABS, it's really the first step in better braking!
[/QUOT

OK, but he would have to run 235/30/19's to keep the same overall diameter, all to eat up 1/2" (half the additional wheel size) and would be pretty spendy for just 1/2" less gap, but that's just me looking at the value quotient. I guess if you can afford a nice set of 19's and the more expensive tires and have separate winters that works too... Looking at tire size calculations could prob do 235/35/19's I guess... But my original comment was in regards to what you had been saying, it's the width that gives you additional contact patch/traction, regardless of wheel diameter or sidewall ratio.

Planning on increasing width and circumference slightly on the 19’s then matching circumference on the 18’s (increase sidewall profile). Speedometer will then be recalibrated once its all done. Not in a rush, waiting till these stocks are used up. A better contact patch with minimal weight loss/gain, in order to gain that dropped (wheel gap) look in the summer and more pothole friendly bump resilience + clearance in the winter. 🤞 😝

 

[SixPackABS]

Power Stop Z23 Ceramic break pads for front and rear. Power Stop Z23 Slotted Drilled rear rotors. SP Performance Diamond Slotted front rotors. Breaking with Confidence, lol

 

[PFederighi]

Thought I'd add to the discussion. I've seen some BBK options around but figured that was beyond my current needs so I recently ordered a couple front and rear sets of the 'club sports' brake pad from AutoEXE. Plan is to change to DOT4 fluid, braided lines and swap to LW wheels (18x7+40 with a 215/40, very limited wheel/tire options right now) for for track days.

I'll keep record of temps on track and share any impressions. AutoEXE in Japan was founded by Yojiro Terada (mazdaspeed/787b, etc)

en

en

 

[Mazdafan74]

Thought I'd add to the discussion. I've seen some BBK options around but figured that was beyond my current needs so I recently ordered a couple front and rear sets of the 'club sports' brake pad from AutoEXE. Plan is to change to DOT4 fluid, braided lines and swap to LW wheels (18x7+40 with a 215/40, very limited wheel/tire options right now) for for track days.

I'll keep record of temps on track and share any impressions. AutoEXE in Japan was founded by Yojiro Terada (mazdaspeed/787b, etc)

en

en

I’m curious do you know what tires you will run yet?
I’m running stock tire size because I feel like I will eventually run a bbk. I am running Michelin pilot sport 4, an all season ultra high performance tire, for my purpose it’s more than enough tire but if your aspirations is for the track you are looking for something much softer.

 

[PFederighi]

federal-595rs-pro

I was ideally searching for a nice set of 17" wheels but nothing is really available so I ended up with the 18x7 set for now. My hopes were to pick up the new Conti ExtremeForce or PS4S but are unavailable to my knowledge so I settled for the Federals linked above. Decent reviews for a budget tire imo.

I'm right near Laguna and hope to do some wet days this year as well. I also have 2 other mazda track cars

 

[Mazdafan74]

federal-595rs-pro

I was ideally searching for a nice set of 17" wheels but nothing is really available so I ended up with the 18x7 set for now. My hopes were to pick up the new Conti ExtremeForce or PS4S but are unavailable to my knowledge so I settled for the Federals linked above. Decent reviews for a budget tire imo.

I'm right near Laguna and hope to do some wet days this year as well. I also have 2 other mazda track cars

Cool rotary power, honestly a FD or a FB with renesis swap are on my list of all time favorites, right beside some special Porsches and some old American iron as a protour build.
This may be a dumb question but do you mean Laguna Seca? If so that’s really cool. The closest track to me is Barber Motorsports to which I don’t have a proper car or the time or capital to invest I’ve seen cars run on track days while visiting the museum. I know Indy Cars run a race out of the year there but have failed to go experience the event.
Seen a couple races at Talladega years ago but I’ve lost interest in NASCAR years ago.

 

[PFederighi]

Thanks MF74, it turns out I'm a lifelong mazda fan too and I've always had a soft spot for SA RX7's.

Yessir I was referring to Laguna Seca. Very fun track, even as a spectator. Lots of events come through and well worth the visit imo.

 

[SixPackABS]

The Ceramic Pads are working great. Wheels pretty clean, no issues with brake dust.

 

[Sprocket_mzzoom]

The Ceramic Pads are working great. Wheels pretty clean, no issues with brake dust.

Same here. Loving the new pads as well as rotors, so much less dust.

 

[Mailmansgotmail]

The Ceramic Pads are working great. Wheels pretty clean, no issues with brake dust.

Hey! Curious if you feel any additional vibrations on braking with drilled/slotted rotors? I had drilled and slotted rotors on my old 350z and had a slight vibration or hum when braking. Assuming it was the drilled rotors causing it.

Also, thinking about upgrading brakes as well, would you know if SP Performance offers your slotted diamond rotors for rears as well?

Thanks!

 

[SixPackABS]

if you had slight vibration then most probably the rotors were wrapped. I don't have that issue. brakes are quite and no vibration.

Yes you can ask Sp Performance to make both front and rear.

 

[Sprocket_mzzoom]

Hey! Curious if you feel any additional vibrations on braking with drilled/slotted rotors? I had drilled and slotted rotors on my old 350z and had a slight vibration or hum when braking. Assuming it was the drilled rotors causing it.

Also, thinking about upgrading brakes as well, would you know if SP Performance offers your slotted diamond rotors for rears as well?

Thanks!

100% agree with sixpack. No vibration, most likely you experienced warped rotor or rotors.

 

[louis110]

I was running Power Stops, which are a great pad over stock, but I want to go up to something more aggressive but still streetable.

I'll be ordering a set of EBC Yellowstuff pads. EBC has confirmed fitment for the fronts (available on the Vivid Racing website) but not the rears. However, I was also able to track down the specific part number for the rears by comparing pads for the CX-30.

ShieldSquare Captcha

ShieldSquare Captcha

Still searching for slotted rotor options. AutoExe has braided brake lines which may be a worthwhile investment too.

 

[PaulKim]

Yea, without a tire upgrade what you are experiencing is a change in pedal feel. modulation and bite. I agree these make the car much more enjoyable to drive when you get the right feeling but don’t necessarily improve actual braking performance.

my favorite setup (different car) was BBK, stainless lines, DOT 4 fluid, separate track/street pads and 200 tread wear tires. Felt great even with all seasons on the street 🤌

 

[Jimbo Splice]

Sittin' pretty! Is that vinyl wrap on the window chrome delete?

 

[Sprocket_mzzoom]

Sittin' pretty! Is that vinyl wrap on the window chrome delete?

Thanks, Yes vinyl chrome delete

 

[Jimbo Splice]

CorkSport just dropped stainless steel brake lines

Mazda 3 Performance Brake Lines

Mazda 3 performance brake lines improve braking performance with shorter stopping distance and firmer pedal feel.

corksport.com

 

[Sprocket_mzzoom]

CorkSport just dropped stainless steel brake lines

Mazda 3 Performance Brake Lines

Mazda 3 performance brake lines improve braking performance with shorter stopping distance and firmer pedal feel.

corksport.com

Perfect! Thanks for the link too.

 

[louis110]

CorkSport just dropped stainless steel brake lines

Mazda 3 Performance Brake Lines

Mazda 3 performance brake lines improve braking performance with shorter stopping distance and firmer pedal feel.

corksport.com

Don't get me wrong, I love CS for what they bring to the community and I have a bunch of their stuff, but we all know their stuff is made in a factory somewhere in China. Those lines look cheaply made, and I'm not willing to risk my safety in finding out.

 

[Sprocket_mzzoom]

Don't get me wrong, I love CS for what they bring to the community and I have a bunch of their stuff, but we all know their stuff is made in a factory somewhere in China. Those lines look cheaply made, and I'm not willing to risk my safety in finding out.

I’m glad they have theirs out now because that means competing mfgs will now hopefully be incentivized to produce their own for some healthy competition and quality improvements. Thats when I will most likely upgrade. Especially will wait for them to be tested for a while before Im the Guinea pig for new equipment. Just feel better waiting a bit.