I have to leave this blog alone since I don't have time for all these different ones.

Now I use

http://myrx8.spaces.live.com

Thanks

Why AP Racing Caliper you may ask.

There are many calipers available in the aftermarket arena for the RX-8. GREX (Greddy/Trust) 6 Pot, Endless 6pot mini, Project Mu Racing 4 pot (4 pads - 4x4) or the Project Mu Racing 6 pot. Alcon and Brembo has one available too.

AP racing has good reputation and there are many after market pads that is available for the caliper that Ric Shaw chose. Yes I ordered this set via Ric Shaw and after following his car with him in the driving seat at Wakefield last October. I know that it is more than his right foot (or left?) on the brake pedal that did the trick. I wanted this caliper the moment I saw it.

The kit comes with Goodridge Brake line, SBS pro-touring pads and spacer for the stock RX-8 rims. The kit is from AP Racing with model number CP-6600 and it is the leading caliper (caliper in front of the axle). I sort of wonder but after looking at the stock caliper I know why. The brake line stud is upside down. The rotor using with this kit is stock size.

I also think that upsiding it will be benefitical. And why not when you spend $2.5K for the whole kit. But think of it. I have to stick with the rotor that the company supplies and the pad that they use. There is no company making pads for GREX caliper other than the company themselves! After that I decided not to go for Endless until they put their act together and get some all round fast street/ circuit pads together.

I think of project mu rotor since I like their pads a lot, but the downside of it is there is no information at hand that what sort of offset the caliper will give. That is, the clearance from the stock wheel and the spacer it requires. It will be disaster if I found out that the caliper is too fat for even my Enkei RP-03.

So I triple confirm with Ric and measure it up before I order the AP.

There are many pads for the AP to choose from.

From Europe - Ferodo, SBS, EBC, Pigid, etc.

From Japan - Project Mu, Endless and Seido-ya

I guess I decide to go for Project mu pads since they have the series from HC (0-800) and Racing 999 (200-900) to choose from.

Since I use the EBC and only lasted for 4 track days, cold pad force is a problem, and initial bite is not existance. I would want something that would allow initial bite. So EBC and most euro pads are out. I will track it too so the Endless pads are out.

So Project Mu it is! For your info.

Project Mu HC+ 0-800degrees , 0.32-0.60 brake co-eff
Project Mu NR 0-650, 0.33-0.43
Project Mu B-Spec 0-500, 0.32-0.45
Project Mu NS 0-400, 0.37-0.40




I ended choosing the Project Mu HC+ fronts and rears. And a spare Racing 999 for track use.
http://www.project-mu.co.jp/e/product/hc-plus.html

Just a quick note on compounds, 3 main compounds now-a-days are: non asbestos, semi-metallic, carbon composite and full metallic. The HC+ are a semi-metallic carbon compound.

I was worried about the optimum operating temps for the HC+ as they were rated 0-800! Heard from others people that the ‘sweet’ spot of the pads might not be very useable on street and there is questionable controability (or grading in terms of applying braking force).

My first impression:

STREET: 

Contary to prediction my breaks did not squeal at all. I had squeals on my MazdaSpeed and EBC but this time none! Once I bedded them in (multiple times of 45km/h stops). The initial bite was noticeably harder (and harder than anything else I have tried). The control is fine on the street and there is noticable grading of 1/10-5/10 (in many steps). I have not tried beyond 5/10 of this pads on the street and I don't need to for daily driving. This is perfect for street driving, there’s a little more bite than the EBC for sure and probably to the MazdaSpeed pads. But the bite could be related to a huge difference in the surface area of the AP caliper style pads to the stock caliper pad size.

The fun of this amazing power - Dust! Well….. let’s just say I’m going to have to clean my rims more often now…..  and it is a pain.

Track:

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I have a lot of hesitation really around the 7000 rpm and 8000 rpm. It was like 7000rpm wooo (slient) wooo (silent) and get up to 9000 rpm.

It is no denotation - there is just silent small gaps = according to my internet research, it is called missed fire :lol:

Well last time I only have this - I change my plugs and went away, but I only have the plug for 11000km. They are colder plugs - NGK9 leading NGK10 trailing. I was so scared they are fouled and I could not sleep.

I rushed to my mechanics tonight.

It is what it looks like when I taken out and put it side by side of my OEM old plugs

Wei, my machanics clean it very nicely

After the clean and reinstall - NO HESITATION. The lower rev is also smoother!

Oh I also clean the filter and check for DTC code; just to complete the whole lot.

Moral of the story is:

- The colder plugs are ok for track and street use.
- The OEM plugs take longer or carbon buildup and last longer to misfire.
- Misfire is most likely due to plug carbon/ash deposit, but also need to check tuning *(if done), and the air filter (to see if it is very dirty). DTC code should be checked too.
- When misfire occur and see the plug like this ----> clean them.
- If it has wear and tear shown. Do not waste time cleaning them, buy a new set.

More discussion here

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=87376

A PUNCTURE!!

It is such a rotten luck. It is going to be the best riding temp - 24 degree, sunny and no wind.

I puncture the front tyre right outside my home... stuff it. I washed 2 cars instead

It is wonderful that the Fast Fours magazine came out and took wonderful pics for us.

Buy the magazine and read it.

Discussion Thread in RX8club.com

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=78578

and RX-8club Australia

http://www.rx8club.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=748

Look at the time sheet too. Particularly the 4th fastest person  

Well I went to carcash today to have the first wash of the newly acquired Mazda 3.

I unavoidedly noticed that there is a sign in the machine saying, "No bucket or sponge please". What are they going to acheive with this sign? It is simply another word saying... please keep putting coins in!

I am a bit puzzle to what they are trying to do. Do they want my business. I do pay $5 for a wash, you know? I maybe paying a dollar or 2 less than the average people there but I don't think I am any slower than the one next door. What do you do when a person occpying the space and do a smoko, talking on his mobile phone or simply slow in between putting the money in?

I just don't get it. I know you may ask what is wrong with the brush.... OMG... what is wrong with that dirty brush. It prob scratch my wheels when I used to clean it this morning. I ain't putting my 3 thru this pain and it will be at least 10 feet away from my 8.

Some good car wash manager let me do what I like when there is no one using it - say 6am or midnight. I don't mind and as long as they have enough lighting so I would not trip over on the hose.

I ended up spending $29 for a garden hose and $20 for a wheel barrel. Then it is no $5 for you, Mr. Car Wash man! .

What is about web blog that is so attractive. I will use it as a bullshit dairy page.

Dear Webblog,

23 Dec 2005 (Fucking hot)

It is a bloody good day at work. A festive environment. I am in the office wearing a Xmas hat, drinking sparkling wine and munching on the BBQ. Looking forward to the festive season.

Gerry is coming to town next weekend and it is exciting . He has been the best mate and so eager to catch up with him. See Dek is at mum's today. She is a cheeky little one and I still don't believe she has grown so much. She is going to be a hotty LOL.

Tomorrow, I have to squeeze washing and polishing car with picking video from a friend and dropping thing off to Wayne... going to be flat out. I want to bring my "work bike" to Stephen too.

Hmmm