Project NSX is back! (Again!) We return by installing arguably the most advanced brakes ever to be fitted on an NSX, in anticipation of more than doubling the stock output with a turbo. We decided to go with a race proven braking system from Performance Friction, who is no stranger to leading-edge, championship-winning designs. Their braking systems have been on many winning NSXs, including the FXMD Time Attack NSX that I set many lap records with over the years. Additionally, we are updating to the new 2000+ NSX ABS module to replace the poor performing archaic original pump.
Performance Friction (PFC) may not be a household name, but they are braking innovators who have won championships at an international level for decades. PFC is also the official brake supplier to IndyCar, and the first and only North American component supplier for Porsche Motorsport AG – you can find them on Porsche’s GT4 and GT3 race cars. If you want to learn more about PFC, check out the detailed article on Performance Friction, State of the Art Braking Systems.
I’ve personally won many races on Performance Friction pads, rotors, and calipers across many different platforms in professional racing. Their company philosophy is “No Compromises”, and that dedication and commitment has given me a competitive edge on the track. Their street products reflect that same level of motorsport-grade precision and technology.
Our NSX will be using the Performance Friction ZR31 caliper. This innovative monobloc, multi-pad caliper is a scaled down version of the original design used in the Champ Car World Series (successor to the CART and Indy Racing League).
PFC pioneered the monobloc, multi-pad caliper in the Panoz DP01 Champ Car and dominated the 2006-2007 seasons, setting multiple track records en route to winning multiple championships with this design. The caliper features 4 brake pads per caliper – one for every piston.
The major advantage of this design is improved brake response, feel, modulation, and wear. By creating twice as many biting edges, the brakes respond quicker to inputs. Modulation, control and feel are greatly improved over traditional calipers because the multi-pad design isolates each individual piston with its own brake pad, optimizing the stiffness and distribution of force through the pad. Smaller independent pads respond quicker and are easier to control than larger pads. Traditional long pads, especially those for 6-piston calipers, cannot match the modulation, release characteristics, or wear of the multi-pad design.
Unfortunately, the FIA banned this technology and mandated that only 2 pads per caliper could be used. This pretty much killed off the competitive advantage and future for multi-pad technology in motorsports. PFC brought this technology to the street in a series of multi-pad calipers for the aftermarket. It’s equally as unfortunate that the benefit was never fully understood nor caught on in the aftermarket industry, and this amazing technology was phased out in favor to more accepted traditional 4 and 6 piston designs.
PFC is no stranger to the NSX. They adapted the Champ Car multi-pad monobloc caliper design for use on the Epson NSX that won numerous races in the Super GT series.
10 comments
OK, that’s just lovely. Wish the multipad stuff was more commonplace but even the “budget” ZR34/ZR94 calipers look pretty nice.
The individual pads was clever. But I think the hat to rotor retention was even more clever!
Any idea if the NSX ABS module is similar to the S2k stuff? I am kicking around adding the S2k ABS system to my 240sx as it is a self contained standalone setup. Would be nice to go from no ABS to something more modern and workable.
It’s somewhat similar. The programming is different and there are some hardware differences. People have used it on the NSX but I do not how know it performs vs a system designed for the NSX, however for your application it may be a better option.
I had no idea individual pads were so rare in the automotive world. In the motorcycle industry, lots of even stock calipers use 4 individual pads.
Neat. A lot of new information in this thread. I am one of those people who thought PFC was left only for those in NASCAR circles etc. I have a 328mm Stoptech ST40 kit behind 18″ TE37s. I thought they were cool (just like Milhouse’s mom), but you said otherwise.
They’ve been in formula cars, prototypes, and sportscars for decades. I never said anything bad about StopTech. They are a great product at a great price point and put far more engineering and focus on brake bias for each application than their competitors.
13″ rotors behind 18″ is too small you said. small rotor envy 🙁
Thank you so much for this excellent, well written article. It saved me a lot of trouble with my NSX as I went about some upgrades.
Thank you for this excellent, well written article. It saved me a lot of trouble with some upgrades I’m doing with my NSX.