R34 Gt-t Brake Upgrade

[jmac]

Recently upgraded the brakes on my GT-T. Just thought I should mention especially the pads I'm using, which thus far perform well and came in significantly cheaper than some other options I was looking at (i.e. Endless).

They're made by QFM (Queensland Friction Materials), a company I'd never heard of but apparently those in the know reckon they're pretty damn good. I'm using the A.1.RM compound, which is not their most aggressive compound but perfect for street/trackday use. Temp range is apparently 0-700 and coefficient of friction is comparable to the Endless pads with a similar range (CCX, etc.).

The best part is they came in at less than $300 for a set, front and rear. Thus far they perform well, very good from cold with a better pedal feel than the previous Endless pads I've tried (EuroX and NA-R). Not noisy at all either. Can't really comment on dust 'cos my wheels are filthy at the moment... Looking forward to giving them a nice workout at QR in November (thanks MountainRunner).

Otherwise I've gone down the route many here probably have, which is DBA 4000 slotted rotors on the front (RDA don't make 310mm front rotors for the R34 GT-T), RDA slotteds on the rear, braided lines and Motul RBF 600 fluid. Feels pretty damn good so far.

Anyone else here have any experience with the QFM pads?

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Here's the company blurb:

Queensland Friction Materials P/L is an Australian owned and operated company, specialising in the manufacture of disc brake pads. Key product features include; exceptional performance and pedal feel, low dust, long life with virtually NO disc rotor wear, and excellent cold stopping performance. Non asbestos formulations for automotive and industrial applications, which surpass performance requirements of Australian design rule 31. QFM Disc brake pads are used and recommended by leading Australian brake specialists.

Address: 5/34 Lawrence Drive NERANG QLD 4211

Phone: 07 5596 1099

Facsimile: 07 5596 3347

Email: [email protected]

[nuffsaid]

Hi

Any news on the dustiness?

Thanks

[JCMarshall_Law]

As good as the endless hey? Interesting. Maybe I'll give them a shot at the next track day.

[satanic]

Cool - great info to know!

[jmac]

Just cleaned the car today (it was pouring rain so I just squirted some detergent on and went crazy with the sponge!) so I'll keep you guys posted on the dust.

These things pull up so well.... won't be able to comment on how they feel after 5 hot laps until November though.

Even if I only get 12 months out of them, at ~$250 for the set WHO CARES????

[nuffsaid]

keep us in the loop with the dust thanks jmac!

a picture of the dust after a few days/week would be handy.

[nuffsaid]

And do they have a great initial bite to them?

[jmac]

Initial bite VERY good. I have to re-adjust my reflex in traffic, sometimes getting more stoppage than I intended, though that could also be having the fluid bled properly. Pedal feel is excellent for street.

My previous pads were Bendix Heavy Dutys and the QFM's initial bite is better than these and WAY better than my old Endless EuroX pads. The Endless were awesome once they had some heat into them though, but the QFMs are comparable definitely - tried a couple of big stops on a quiet road last night.

I won't give a final word til I've put them through their paces at QR though.

I'll post pics of dust after a few days driving.

[jmac]

Update for everyone.

Been driving on these for a week now.

Dust is minimal. Better than my old Bendix Heavy Dutys, similar to old Endless EuroX. Pic attached is after 500km of city driving. The wheels were not sparkling clean to begin with - as you can see the dust is minimal.

Noise - mild "grinding" noise when cold at very low speeds and pedal pressures. Otherwise no taxi-like squeal. Sometimes a bit of "groaning" as you're coming to a stop down thru 60kmh but this may be due to the rotors.

Pedal feel is very good. Certainly the best I've experienced in my current car. Much easier to modulate the brakes and pedal effort is less, though it would be hard to say how much of this is due to the pads and how much is due to getting the fluid bled. My feeling is that I probably had a little air in the system before.

Performance is good from cold, MUCH better than my previous Endless which definitely had a need to get some heat into them (one hard stop was enough) to work well. I haven't given these a massive thrashing on the road because I don't drive like that on the road as a rule, but with heat they only improve. Certainly haven't got them to fade, which was very easy for me to do with the Bendix HDs.

I'm impressed so far, but I won't be that impressed if the pedal goes long after a lap at QR...

[nuffsaid]

Thanks for the update jmac, *phew* no high pitched blackboard scratching and squealing!

[mrgilly]

How long til you head to the track? I'd love to see how these go