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This StopTech Big Brake Kit using the StopTech STR-43 caliper is designed for Time Attack. Not only is it lightweight, but it excels at dispersing heat. James uses G-LOC Brakes R16 pads on the front and R8 pads on the rear. He first used this setup at Road Atlanta, replacing his StopTech STR-40 Big Brake Kit.The StopTech Trophy Series STR-43 caliper weighs a light 6.1 pounds. The STR-43 is designed small with the intention of fitting smaller rotors and wheels. It can accommodate rotor with a maximum diameter of 332 mm with thicknesses up to 32 mm. The STR-43 is 1.1 pounds lighter than the STR-40 caliper – which is 20% lighter than the ST-40 caliper James had been using. The remaining weight savings is found in the rotor. The ST-40 uses a massive 355 mm rotor with thickness up to 35mm, so this new 300mm by 32mm rotor would be dwarfed in comparision. Removing 3.8 pounds of weight from both front corners of the car is absolutely impressive. StopTech helped James find the weight savings without compromising the incredible stopping power he – and you – requires.
James has been running G-LOC Brakes since the company opened for business in 2016. He runs R16 compound on the front which has a temperature range up to 2000°F. They not only handle the intense heat generated during record breaking time attack runs, but James has data showing braking forces up to 2.5 G's.James set the kit up with G-LOC Brakes R16 pads on the front and R8 pads on the rear. The testing was very successful as evidenced not only by his lap times but by data that showed 2.3 G's under braking. Data later in the season showed even higher braking G-Forces of 2.5 G's. The G-LOC Brakes R16 compound allows for superb modulation while still providing an aggressive initial bite. With a temperature range of 123°C to 1093°C (255°F to 2000°F), they are excellent for time attack, as they warm up quickly but are also ideal for road race requirements. The staggered setup is essential for this car (and in most race settings), as James is running the stock Acura brake system. Alert readers may recall that last year he ran R10 on the rear, the same as Chris Boersma is running on his K-Tuned Civic this year. James switched to R8's after a couple of early 2017 events, as he prefers the feel combined with his new front StopTech Trophy BBK. Since he does not have a brake bias system, to avoid the rear brakes locking up, he needs to adjust the pad bite.
At Road Atlanta, the braking G-Forces registered 2.3 G's on the RacePak IQ3. Braking is monitored by an Accel/Decel G-meter that is located inside the RacePak IQ3 itself. A later event revealed 2.5 G's – impressive.
The RacePak IQ3 also houses a lateral G-meter for sideways g-forces. You can see that massive -3.2 and 3.3 lateral g-forces. This data is also from Road Atlanta.
Leaving Road Atlanta and going back to Mid-Ohio, we can see the advantage of segmenting the track. The RacePak IQ3 allows for intensive analysis of track segments to allow the team to pour over the data and plan for the next session.
The theoretical best lap is always an interesting view. And when you see consistency in fast sessions across the board, it helps you realize why James and the K-Tuned Type R are consistently on the podium. This data also comes from Mid-Ohio.
