Jim,
Of the two brake fires I know of:
Tunachuckers: blown line probably due to dry rot
**** turns out fire was not brake related: see Jonny's post
Free Range: worn out pads.
Both were from negligence due to a lack of inspection.
I check my brakes before each race and usually each night on two day race weekends.
My brakes use more current yet stock parts from various Zs. My front pads, Porterfield R4s, have 4 races on them. They have probably got more than 50% of the pads left. I upgraded the rears to R4-1s after the first race to improve the bias. They have 3 races. All my rotors and pads look great.
I run Valvoline Synpower brake fluid. They have no noticeable fade. I do bleed them more than I probably need to but I haven't had to do anything else to them. I take that back, I replaced a pinched stainless flex line.
My friends 240Z with more or less stock hydraulics, good pads and good fluid, should have been adjusted Saturday night.
Stainless lines can more easily handle heat from repeated use of racing. Twenty year old rubber lines probably won't even pass inspection in some states like say Missouri. They shouldn't be on your Crap Can.
Regarding brake temperature, I just called Porterfield about this.
Brake temperature is a result of the use and frequency.
A pad needs to match the operating temperature of the brakes. Race pads are not the cause of the heat in your system, they are just designed to work at the temperature of the system.
Brake Pads and Max Operating Temps:
Street Pad good to about 600 degrees.
R4S good to about 900-1000 degrees
R4 good to about 1200-1300 degrees
Cars with rear drum brakes are likely to get out of adjustment during a race. Especially since most adjusters work by backing up or through the parking brake.
Econoboxs like Cavaliers have had a recorded history in Lemons of melting caliper seals.
I've smoked the best crap Wagner sells for my Maxima with two hard back to back stops.
FYI, Porterfield uses ceramic as a heat insulator.
I am sorry about my harshness. I am tired of the typical perceptions about our brakes demands and what we are doing. We are really racing and street pads are not made for it. Some will take it better than other.
Yes race pads cost more, in my case they seem to be holding up very well. In the long run I think they will last for more races which will make the less expensive.
Troy
#35 LRE
1973 Datsun 240Z