There many advantages to modern, advanced designed brake systems
Glen
There are many advantages to a modern, advance designed brake system. Note I didn't refer to any one component. It's always has been and will always be a series of brake components that will either enhance or take away from the braking event.
Note on this forum, all the different brake parts used on the hot end that are being used just in F2000-F1000 cars. Maybe 4 different caliper brands, 4 or 5 disc manufactures, and close to 11 brake pad companies,,,,,,,,,,It's enough to confuse anybody.
The reason for the all the choices is to find that 1 advantage and open competition, isn't it? But because of rules or something worst, tribal knowledge over 3 decades, we were stuck in the same sandbox limited by the architecture of the LD20 type calipers.
When I came to work at PFC, there where some really badly designed discs used in F2000. All that changed when we produced a disc of superior materials and geometries and for the most part has now become the fabric of what is used by the majority of VD racers in North America. We built a better part, people recognized it and made their buying choice easy after 14 years of producing the 255.01.0041.01/02 slotted discs.
Choices with pads, PFC loves having 11 different pad companies competing for the wins. Competition has always keeps PFC sharp and its far more gratifying to win now than ever before. BRING IT ON!!
So now after years of complaining about antique iron calipers who's time has come and gone, we have rules makers who have allowed a caliper replacement made from a commonly available alloys. Granted, I wish there was a little more forward thinking about the configuration BUT, its a new game now. Its an exciting game now because there will lively competition as to who will put it ALL the systems together as to a robust, kick ass brake SYSTEM for the hot end of the brakes.
So Glen, if you're looking for improvements over your LD20 brakes, YES there will be some exciting new approaches to your brake package. Competition and forums like ApexSpeed will weed through the good stuff vs. the not so good and your buying decision will be far easier and fun as you investigate the path to better brakes.
So if you're not sure, stay with what is known. But stay tuned as the best will be coming soon.
Darrick
Price points, open competition
Not sure where this $10,000.00 brake system that has been posted comes from but the PFC F3 and Atlantic brakes are no where near that and the new PFC F1000-F2000 brake system will be priced competitively. By the way, the PFC Atlantic brake system on the Swifts .008-.014A are designed for 15.0" or larger wheels while the PFC F3 package is better suited for 13.0" wheels.
I think what most racers don't consider is when they buy a new racecar from a small formula car constructor, the car constructor now a days has to build the cars around a certain price point in effort to be competitive in the market. Seldom is the ALL the components of the latest spec as that may deter the customer who is price shopping. Many times it's what's cheapest that gets on the initial build as opposed as what's "Going to make the car brand the car to beat on the race track."
Also, seldom is there an extensive "options" list for the car constructors so it's natural market pressures to upgrade to stay in the game.
This isn't always true, but we've been in many negotiations with car builders and I can say its bloodsport to get on the initial car builds.
Darrick
Lots of good opinions here.
I was surprised to hear that people have had pad taper wear with iron LD-20 calipers?
When I bought my 2003 Zetec New it came with PFC Rotors and Pads and I have used nothing else. They work Very well and I have never had a taper wear problem.
I look forward to seeing how this alloy caliper thing works out and would consider a change if there is a combination that fits my budget and shows a better time on the Data results.
I will have to let others do the experimenting on their dime but look forward to the results!
Many new calipers to chose from now
Had a chance to sit down with Darrick at the Indy show for a while to discuss the new brakes. The new PFC caliper is quiite nice, and is a welcome addition to the mix you will have available to choose from.
I will be introducing our new alu calipers (2-pot and 4-pot) shortly after the first of the year. We will continue to produce the CI caliper for many years to come for the classes that still mandate CI calipers (the bleeding issue was addressed last year, and the taper issue can be fixed if you really want, but that will be at the expense of responsivness).
I'll have pictures of the new calipers at the PRI show. Stop by if you are interested (Hyperco booth as usual).
Performance Friction's new Z55 calipers
November 21, 2009, Performance Friction Corp. Inc is proud to announce its newest addition to its winning line of racing brake calipers. The Z55 2-piece billet calipers are designed to enhance small open wheel formula cars performance and are the legal IRL U.S. F2000 Series aluminum brake caliper.
Extensive FEA studies have produced a stiff, responsive and unique solution to the 40+ year old cast iron LD20 calipers. The PFC Zr55 calipers will bring weight savings of -9.75lbs per carset with optimized piston area and location for proper force distribution. High temperature heat caps with rocket nozzle insulators are standard for a conservative bulk temperature reduction of over 150F (65c) in the caliper’s operating temperatures making the Zr55 calipers the choice for the most severe track conditions including street courses.
PFC has produced a new and unique 7832 pad shape for higher, smoother bite with lower drag, faster response and quicker release. The new PFC caliper/pad combination fits the PFC 255.10.0042.03/04 high temperature single plane discs that have been part of the fabric of F2000 since the 1990’s.
Shown installed on the latest 2010 Van Dieman and Citation radial mounting uprights, radial mounting adds superior installation stiffness. Radial mount brackets for other applications will be soon added for older uprights with lug mounting.
For more information, contact;
Darrick Dong
Director of Motorsports
Performance Friction Corporation, Inc
803-222-8128
Ddong@performancefriction.com;
Production Radon calipers
It sounds like there will be several choices for brake calipers for F2000 this year. And competition is good for the consumer. This will hopefully lead to SCCA making them legal for club racing in 2011.
Darrick says in his post that their new PFC calipers "are the legal IRL U.S. F2000 Series aluminum brake caliper." Not sure if that means that Dan Andersen's series will have spec calipers for 2010, maybe he can clarify?
Our calipers are available now. I'll have samples at PRI. If anyone would like to inspect them in person, just send me an email or PM.
Just to reiterate:
- Our calipers are a bolt-on replacement for the LD20. Optimal stiffness can be achieved in either lug mount or radial mount. A radial mount caliper with an adapter is the least stiff solution if you have lug mount uprights.
- Our calipers have four pistons and differential piston sizes. This is the stiffest and lightest design, improves brake feel, and eliminates pad taper wear. It does make the caliper more costly to produce.
- Our calipers are 100 mm (3.94") wide. They will fit any existing F2000 wheel. The new PFC calipers are 120 mm wide, 10 mm wider than the LD20 and 20 mm wider than our caliper, so you should check fit on your upright/wheel combination. For example, PFC calipers will interfere with the wheel on our uprights.
- Our calipers weigh 2.2 lbs each. They save 12.2 lbs per carset over LD20 calipers (assuming 5.25 lbs per LD20 caliper).
- Our calipers cost $300 each. We may raise that once the prices for our competitors' calipers are announced ;).
Nathan Ulrich
Radon Sport LLC
017N Swift F-Nippon, Z55 F2000 Brakes
I would love to post photos of the new PFC F2000 brakes but because of various press releases forthcoming at the PRI show, I'm not allowed to yet. As far as legal for FC, no not yet but I would think as more and more F2000 racers running in both US F2000 and F2000, the SCCA will soon face aluminum calipers as an "option" as do the F2000 series'.
The current Z55 is designed for 10.0mm thick disc so a 3/8" one will fit. The current Z55 caliper shoulders fit's 255.0mm (10.0") with enough shoulder area to support up to 323.0mm(12.7")
So the option is up to racers, use PFC or not. Its what competition should be. let the best raise to the top of the podium. And YES, the new F2000 Van Dieman was built by Elan in Georgia.
But I do have a have few photos of the new 017N Swift F-Nippon car.
- 1300-lbs with driver and fuel
- Full downforce tunnels
- 3.4L V8 IRL type engines with 640hp plus push to pass or an added 60hp.
- F1 Bridgestone tires
- 6-speed Ricardo paddle shift gearbox
- Made in the USA