Good Afternoon Everyone,

Apologies for the long post, but I am a detail oriented guy. I bought my RC F with the current brake setup on it. The previous owner had a friend install new rotors and pads at all 4 wheels about 5k miles ago. The previous owner didn't know what was put on the car, but his friend that did the work said that the brake parts were from R1 Concepts and Brake Performance. However, after a lot of research I cannot not find the part numbers that match anything on either website, or on any brake product website at all.

• Front: the front rotors are slotted and dimpled. R1 concepts does not currently make dimpled rotors for the RC F, but maybe they did? As for the Brake Performance brand they do make a slotted/dimpled front rotor, but visually they don't look the same based on website photos (website shows 2 rows of dimples in between each slot).
  • For the pads I could not find any part numbers on any of the front pads. They do have shims attached, and they appear to have a minor chamfer on the pad edges, but I have not been able to identify brand/model.
• Rear: the rear rotors are slotted and cross-drilled (yes, drilled through and not dimpled). They visually appear to be the Brake Performance brand rear rotors based on the website.
  • For the rear pads I found a part number (see picture), but again looking it up on the web led no where. Have not been able to identify brand/model.

• Brake Performance site: https://brakeperformance.com/product...tted-brake-kit
• R1 Concepts site: https://www.r1concepts.com/c/brake-r...n-category&a=1

So I am left wondering what brake parts I have. It is also weird the front rotors are dimpled, but the rears are drilled. If I had to guess I would say it was Brake Performance rotor and pad kit, but again I can't verify any of that. It also doesn't make sense that the front and rear rotors are not the same style.

The reason I am asking is because I am not satisfied with the braking performance of the car now. The pads are not worn much at all, but they do not have a good bite and do not inspire confidence. That combined with teh fact I can't verify brands/models on anything leads me to replace them. I hate to replace newer parts, but I don't mess around with brakes; especially on a heavy performance car.


New Pads: Regardless of what I do with the rotors I am 100% changing the pads. After a lot of reading on here I bought a set of Project Mu NS-C pads. I feel these should perform comparable to factory pads for daily use and spirited driving through the canyon roads on nice weekends. No plans for track use, and if I did I would buy a set of track-specific pads. If anyone has any reasons the NS-C pads are not what I should use I am willing to listen.


What I am looking for advice on are the rotors. I am unsure how to proceed. I was initially leaning towards replacing all four with Brembo OE spec rotors (09C18121, 09C18121, 09C26621, 09C26611). My budget for rotors is in the $500-$800 range, but I need to understand what I get by spending $800 on a set versus $500 to justify the purchase. I am not willing to just buy more expensive for no reason.

1. Should I keep the ones I have on the car now? FWIW they measure at 34.8 mm and have no lips on them from wear.
2. If recommending replacement what brand/model do you recommend?

Pics of the current parts are below for reference.

Thank you for the help,
Pete



Left front rotor


Back of front rotor


Front pads example


Back of front pad (no part numbers)


Another view of front pad


Rear rotor example


Rear pads with part numbers


Rear pads

 

These are not the same, straight cut not curved.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=470
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...441354&pt=1896

Those pads bedded in poorly I would not use them again.

 

All of the brake pads are shot. Measure your disc runout with the dial indicator or micrometer, if it's still within specs ( max disc runout < .05mm), then slap in a set of average brake pads and use it in the meantime until you can replace it with a set of Brembo at the minimum.

What is your budget?

Check for my post HERE

 

Don't feel bad about replacing new, but bad, parts. Especially if they are unknown and performance is obviously impacted. Pick up some new OEM spec rotors (either Centric or Brembo) and get some good pads on there. That way at least you know what you're working with.

I called this a few years ago, brakes are consumables and quality parts for this platform are kinda expensive. So I can see owners using questionable parts just to save a buck. If you get one of these used and care about performance, just plan on replacing brakes and tires and flushing all fluids up front. Unless you get a full service history from the previous owner

 

I agree, and thanks for the photos. Seems to point even more towards the Brake Performance brand rotors, which is what I suspected I have. Understood on the pads, and not using them again.

 

Yes, fully agree. I am absolutely replacing the pads regardless. And yes, several have those cracks. I did not highlight it because I am replacing them all. Appreciate the link, but my budget is way less than RCCB.

 

Thanks for the reassurance. I am not brand new to performance cars and their maintenance costs, but have been out of the game for a bit until the RC F. Good to acknowledge that brakes are a bit expensive on this car, and I as I said I don't cheap out on brakes.

To your recommendation, if Brembo and Centric are basically the same cost (they are within about $10 each), do you recommend one over the other? And why?

Thanks again.

 

I put R1 Concept rotors paired with Akebono ProACT pads on everything great combo.

 

Either one will work, that's why I suggest both. Pad suggestions in this forum (and Facebook groups) are all over the place. Top pads that retain performance are Tom's, Endless, Project Mu, or OEM Lexus RCF pads. There's cheaper options, but come with compromises.

I've been running lightweight 2-piece rotors for a few years now and order Endless MX72 pads from Japan.