NX GTi-R The Search For Traction – Part Two

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Paul doesn't usually sign his work, but I was so impressed with the transmission that I got him to sign it for me. Right now the NX is in storage with the transmission in the hatch, but it will be installed soon. Guaranteed it will be ready when the snow melts.

Earlier I mentioned that a quest is often a meandering route. That is certainly the case in my search for traction with the NX GTi-R. I realized that gaining more traction would, hopefully, increase the speed at which the car would enter corners at virtually all venues. There have been a few corners at the tracks that I frequent in which I sensed that my brakes were nearing capacity. Ages ago I upgraded the factory NX1600 brakes (front disk and rear drum) to NX2000 calipers and disks front and rear, with the NX2000 master cylinder. Stainless steel flex lines from GSpec Performance and Motul RB 600 brake fluid coupled with Carbotech XP12 front brake pads and Carbotech XP8 rear brake pads gave me complete faith in my brakes. But the last two years corners like Moss Corner at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park let me know that I was encroaching upon the limits of my system. Mike Kojima put me in touch with Brian at FastBrakes.com and Brian had a couple of Big Brake Kits for me to consider. Looking for a BBK, this is the place to call.

Traction while under acceleration isn't enough; I also wanted to be sure that I could stop when necessary. The NX 2000 brake upgrade had served me well for several years – now it was time for more stopping power in the form of a Big Brake Kit so I contacted Brian at FastBrakes.com to help hook me up. Brian has helped many Nissan B13 racers upgrade to a BBK.

Go Big or Go Home is not always my philosophy, but not wanting to revisit this again in the near future and with Brian’s suggestions in mind, I selected the kit containing 11.75” two piece rotors, Wilwood Superlite four piston calipers, and the associated hardware. I then called Carbotech and ordered XP12 brake pads for this new caliper and I already love this setup. Changing brake pads with the Wilwood caliper is a breeze. One bolt and then pop out the old and insert the new. Bleeder valves at all four corners of the caliper to remove any question of air in the system. Peace of mind in that I replaced the stainless flex lines. They are amazing technology but do not forget to inspect them regularly for frays and other indicators of potential damage. Your flex lines should be replaced if there is any indication of irregularities.

Carbotech CTW7420 XP12's will be paired with the Wilwood calipers. I'm already amazed at how easy pad replacement is with aftermarket BBKs. 

I flushed the system with SuperATE blue and next spring will replace it all with Castrol SRF, which has a wet boiling point of 270°C. This wet boiling point is significantly higher than many other products. I knew that my beautiful Enkei RPF1 15 x 7 wheels would not fit but had high hopes for my Enkei PF01 15×8 setup. Those hopes were dashed when I attempted a trial fitment. It was close, but simply not enough, even with a significant spacer. Putting them on the market the PF01s sold quickly and I am sure the RPF1s will follow soon. Fortunately, over the last couple of years Black Friday sales have reached into Canada and, working with my friend Will Au-Yeung at PZTuning, I took advantage of the discounts offered at that time and there is now a set of Volk TE37s waiting for some track rubber (possibly Hankook Z214s?) and, once the snow melts, some track time.

Wilwood Superlite 4 piston calipers. Two piece 11.75″ Wilwood rotors. Carbotech XP12 brake pads. I took the photo and then moved them off of the kitchen counter before my wife could see them.