Brake smell
 

OK so fo ********************s and giggles I pulled a 0-130-0 in my S the other day (on a private airstrip). What surprised me was the smell coming off the brakes after just one high speed stop. I thought they were going to start smoking. This does not seem normal for a high performance pad. I have no idea if the pads are stock, I personally have 18,000 miles of spirited street driving on them.

I've a set of cquence Rotors ready to install and I'm shopping pads at the moment. Do any of you find EBC red stuff to be sub-optimal on the street? I want great brakes, but I don't want to have to ensure they're hot in order to work.

Check to see how much life is left on your pads/rotors. Have you taken into consideration that it could be your clutch?

I've never done this, but my guess is they got hot, really hot. That would be the smell of fun (and money). Enjoy.

Brake smell is completely normal even after a single 130-to-zero stop. Its even more expected if you've never fully bedded in the pads. And its normal for them to smoke if you push them harder. When you get them REALLY hot, you'll melt the brake wear sensors (http://986forum.com/forums/performance-technical-chat/29933-melted-brake-sensors.html).

I have used EBC Redstuff and Cquence rotors for years. Redstuff are an excellent street pad and works great for a few track days too. Redstuff does not need any heat to work - they have excellent initial cold bite. I have Redstuff on all of my daily drivers; 996 Carrera, 944 Turbo, and both BMW 325i's.

Haa! Being that I know how to drive a stick, no I never thougt about the clutch! It was not the clutch, I promise you. A well used, but not abused 986S clutch should do a min of 50K. This one has 15K on it.

It was the brakes!

I agree with thstone that this is completely normal. I know at our region's DE events, one or two threshold braking exercises from 60-0, and you can smell the brakes. CERTAINLY a single run at or near threshold braking from 130 to 0 you'd be able to smell them - no question.

I haven't used the EBC Redstuff pads, but the EBC Yellowstuff I use for the track are definitely street useable, too, and I've been very happy with them.