Best Brake Parts for Solo/Auto-x?

[JazzinV6]

Hey folks, just have a couple questions. I tried searching, but was not really able to get the answer I was looking for. I drive an 02 le v6. I already started doing some minor modifications, and the time/money is coming up for me to replace the brakes. Now, I plan on probably using this car in scca solo events locally, mostly as a hobby. I got interested when I was at a local grocery store and I saw a new Honda Fit that was covered in decals, sporting a number on the side and, surprisingly, a first place decal froma a solo event for the scca. I thought to myself, if a Fit can do it, I can do it. So like I said, I have started getting my car ready. Pretty soon I will be replacing the suspension, wheels, and tires. ANYWAYS, I realize I am ranting, so I'll stop.

Original question: Since I do drive this car almost every day, what would be good pads/rotors to use that would work well for daily driving and performance if I compete in an event? Oh, and someone told me ceramic pads are terrible and to never buy them, is that true?


Thanks guys.

[360glitch]

I'd recommend Hawk HPS+ pads. My bud runs his e30 in auto-x and he just put those pads on his car. Major improvement. Beware though, they are kinda loud. I use the street version HPS pads on my Camry and they work great. Not as strong but not as loud.

[JazzinV6]

Thanks, Glitch. I also have a couple of other questions for anyone willing to answer, and I don't want to be a jerk and make more threads.

1.) I had planned on going with the trd (eibach) springs. I know these lower the front 2.0 and the rear 1.2 for my model/drivetrain. People here say that they don't get any rubbing, but do you think these would work for auto-x, or would that be too low?

2.)Also, most of the engine stuff I can get done by this local performance shop. When I took the car in, they were offering to make all sorts of custom stuff for it, since there aren't many performance parts for the 5g. I already had them make a custom exhaust, but how much do you think custom headers should cost? They offered to make them, but since it's the only place I've been to, I'm not sure what a good price would be.

3.) I'm switching over to synthetic oil, what's a good weight to use? (I think my manual says 5w-30)

4.)Lastly, I'm probably going to be replacing the spark plugs durring the tune up coming up. What would be good ones to go with for performance/reliability?

[EvoFire]

First things first, read about the rules.

Right now you either want to be G stock or STS to be most competitive.

For G stock, that basically means stock car. You can add a front strut bar and OE size brake pads, stiffer shocks/struts(not springs), and R compound tires. You can get rims too, like going to a lighter rim, but you cannot change the rim size. Competition is not as tough and you'll probably be having more fun in this class than higher classes just starting out.
Breaking down.... to prep, new oil, new sparkplugs, new brake fluid, just maintenance items. And remove every unnecesaary item in the car.
You can, add better tires for grip. I swapped to an all summer performance tire when I autocrossed.


STS allows, from my memory, springs, struts/shocks, cat back exhaust, intake, and different wheel size. Limit of under 235 tire width, and no R compounds. There are lots of people who qualify under this section and competition is quite fierce.

[JazzinV6]

Thanks Evo. I think I'm past G stock, since I already have a custom exhaust. Haha, and my stock 15" wheels are just way too ugly to keep on! I just started reading up on the rules the other night. STS seemed like the most fitting category for my interests. Unfortunately though, the community is a little sparse out here in cincinnati. I think the closest actual track is halfway up ohio.

[EvoFire]

The rules I listed are for autocross, specifically, if I remember correctly, SCCA. Autocross doesn't have to be at a track. Most autocrosses are actually held in empty parking lots or airfields.

[JazzinV6]

Yeah, I actually did a little research today and saw that the Cincinnati chapter does solo events about 20 mins from where I live at some big parking lot. They also do road rally's a couple times a year. All it takes is membership to scca, which for me is only 45 bucks a year because I'm 22 . Any other advice folks? I really appreciate the help.

[Super Kaioken]

don't hit any cones

haha, hmmm yeah remember to take out all that extra stuff in your car.

[JazzinV6]

Haha yeah, I really hope I remember to take out my hidden spare tire! speaking of which, I got a kick out of when, after owning my car for about 4 months, I decided to look at. It was kuhmo rubber, which pissed me off, because the rest of my car is capitol, which I have never even heard of. best part of it all, it had a cobra's head valve stem cap. Bitchin.

[EvoFire]

Oh right, one more thing. When you autocross, and you hit cones, it will most likely leave rubber marks on your lower front bumper.

Get some new tires LOL!!

[JazzinV6]

Yeah, when I bought my car those capitols were brand spankin new. I barely put down my foot from a stop light and they spin. Also, I was going up an offramp at maybe 55-60mph and the rear wheels broke free. Tokyo Drifting EVERYWHERE! Haha, not by choice....

[EvoFire]

60 on a offramp is a bit too fast imo unless you know how the car reacts.

Those tires are probably great for ebrake drifts, those are fun, and useful in tight spots hahaha

[JustAnotherAsian]

Originally Posted by JazzinV6

Thanks Evo. I think I'm past G stock, since I already have a custom exhaust. Haha, and my stock 15" wheels are just way too ugly to keep on!

yeah. you're past g-stock with that exhaust modification (i actually thought the gen5 i4 camrys were in h-stock?). you'd might as well max out in sts with the mods you had in mind.

also, when choosing wheels, keep in mind that the maximum tire width is 235. so you probably wanna limit yourself to 7.5", or even 8" with a bit of stretching, as a wheel width.

as for spark plugs, toyota already implements the highest-performing type of plugs out of the factory- iridium tip plugs. so with that, you're also limited to the likes of denso iridium or ngk iridium plugs.

[JazzinV6]

Thanks. I had not planned on going wider that 8". most of the wheels I have been looking at have been 18x7.5.

Evo, previously you stated for STS that You can have a catback exhaust. Does this mean I cannot change the cat? If you know of any more of the sts rules or a good link to a basic version of them, that would be awesome.

If I suck at auto-x, I'm going for full underplating, a giant bar of foglights on the hood, and rallying this mofo!

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by JazzinV6

Thanks. I had not planned on going wider that 8". most of the wheels I have been looking at have been 18x7.5.

Evo, previously you stated for STS that You can have a catback exhaust. Does this mean I cannot change the cat? If you know of any more of the sts rules or a good link to a basic version of them, that would be awesome.

If I suck at auto-x, I'm going for full underplating, a giant bar of foglights on the hood, and rallying this mofo!

Also another thing with the wheels and tires combo, you cannot rub or stick out too much. Everything must be under the fenders.

And yes, you are not allowed to change the cats. Nothing after the intake and before the exhaust can be changed, it has to be either OE or OE replacements with no benefits to performance.

JustAnotherAsian: 4 cyl Camry's are in H stock, but all V6 Camry's Gen3 and newer are in G stock. Apparently some one has been autoXing a V6 Camry and has been kicking ass in H stock prompting SCCA to bump the V6 up a class (they set classes according to ability and real world data from official events). IMO, the newer Gen 5's with the 2AZ is actually quite fast and is up there compared to the Gen 3 V6.