Brake heat shields

[Arizona Vipers]

Has anyone used these or a similar product?
http://hardbrakes.com/

[nrs1]

Like anything else, it sounds good in theory. A questionable statement by them: They state that it takes twice the thickness of 304 stainless to provide the same thermal protection as 6AL-4V Titanium, but if you look up the thermal conductivity of metals: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/t...als-d_858.html
You'll see that 304 stainless has a lower thermal conductivity than Titanium.

Also, if you're not having an issue of boiling your fluid or melting your caliper seals, how do you know that transferring the heat from your pads to the larger mass of metal of your calipers is a bad thing? You could just be causing the pads to overheat quicker and lose performance by holding the heat in the smaller thermal mass, longer.

Lots of anecdotal theories that are hard to prove either way. Could be a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and who knows what all the issues the race teams are facing that they use such devices, lots of variables.
my .02

[Arizona Vipers]

Like anything else, it sounds good in theory. A questionable statement by them: They state that it takes twice the thickness of 304 stainless to provide the same thermal protection as 6AL-4V Titanium, but if you look up the thermal conductivity of metals: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/t...als-d_858.html
You'll see that 304 stainless has a lower thermal conductivity than Titanium.

Also, if you're not having an issue of boiling your fluid or melting your caliper seals, how do you know that transferring the heat from your pads to the larger mass of metal of your calipers is a bad thing? You could just be causing the pads to overheat quicker and lose performance by holding the heat in the smaller thermal mass, longer.

Lots of anecdotal theories that are hard to prove either way. Could be a case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and who knows what all the issues the race teams are facing that they use such devices, lots of variables.
my .02

Yeah pretty much what I was thinking. I've only experience fade one time and it was at Buttonwillow (Maybe I imagined it?) and I had run 3 sessions on my SRF. I do not have my brake cooling ducts installed. I never installed them to save weight off the front of the car and never experienced fading on the CCB's in my 9 liter car.

[13COBRA]

My thoughts exactly. ^^^

Also, it adds weight!

[LifeIsGood]

Also, it adds weight!

Oh hell no!

[mjorgensen]

Companies make titanium caliper pistons for similar reasons, I actually kinda like the ventilated shields they show, but have never tried them and the fact that they add 2mm total thickness may make some pads hard to fit.

[Exhlr8n]

Here is a pic of the caliper pistons. Comp Coupe #3 has the titanium piston on it's big brakes. I like-em. Pic is before rebuilding the Calipers.

The Vented shields do look interesting!

IMG_20190113_112644258.jpgIMG_20190113_125509881.jpg

[Wing72]

Shields came on my X. Not sure of metal.

[Arizona Vipers]

Shields came on my X. Not sure of metal.

From the factory?

[Wing72]

Can't say as I am not original owner.

[XSnake]

My X has the titanium shims between the pads and the pistons. Never run without them.

[Arizona Vipers]

My X has the titanium shims between the pads and the pistons. Never run without them.

So if yours has them as well, they were probably factory installed?

[BlueAdder]

I have some on my Elise. Not sure if it makes any sort of difference...
The thing that does make a difference are the pistons: https://www.boefab.com/collections/e...aliper-pistons

The way they are build, only a small part touches the pads and therefore conduct less heat. They are made of stainless steel, as opposed to the OEM that are aluminum (like everything else on that car )
Kinda wish those pistons were available for the Brembo calipers.