PFC direct drive rotors

[03///m3]

Anyone have any experience with these rotors with PFC 08's or RS19's on track? I'm thinking about getting them instead of a stoptech front bbk.

[VictorH]

I have those parts sitting in my basement thinking, like you, that it might be a reasonable alternative to a BBK. However, I'm really starting to doubt that there's really a solution to brake fade at the right track (Road Atlanta, CMP for me) with stock components (I have brake duct kit as well).

[03///m3]

Originally Posted by VictorH

I have those parts sitting in my basement thinking, like you, that it might be a reasonable alternative to a BBK. However, I'm really starting to doubt that there's really a solution to brake fade at the right track (Road Atlanta, CMP for me) with stock components (I have brake duct kit as well).

Do you plan on installing them soon? Or are you considering returning them or selling them to get a bbk?

Yeah I mean ideally I'd like to determine if this would be a viable alternative to a bbk before trying. The price difference is about 1k to 1.5k with race pads.

[VictorH]

I'm going to use them at the Peachtree BMWCCA event at Road Atlanta in early September. I get the most fade at this track than any other. Might not be soon enough for you. Brakes are something you need to have confidence in and if you're unsure it might be wise to go for the BBK rather than diddling around with stock components like I have done. Only reason I'm staying stock for now is I have 5 or six sets of stock sized track pads ( all RS-19s and one set endless).

[03///m3]

Originally Posted by VictorH

I'm going to use them at the Peachtree BMWCCA event at Road Atlanta in early September. I get the most fade at this track than any other. Might not be soon enough for you. Brakes are something you need to have confidence in and if you're unsure it might be wise to go for the BBK rather than diddling around with stock components like I have done. Only reason I'm staying stock for now is I have 5 or six sets of stock sized track pads ( all RS-19s and one set endless).

OK understood. Well good luck. I love Road Atlanta - one of my all time favorite tracks. I raced there a couple times in the Skip Barber race series.

[Richbot]

If these were equivalent in price to the already ridiculously expensive oem rotors instead of almost twice as much money I would have an easier time justifying them, would be nice to see some empirical data if you can get some temps for us

[dmw16]

If I hadn't found a front ST40 kit (for my E46) for $1700 I'd have gone for the PFC OE upgrade kit (rotors, pins, pads, etc). Many people faster than me have said the stock calipers are not bad as long as you have brake ducts.

Anything that PFC and Bimmerworld will stand behind is certain to be a great product, but at the end your brakes are the most important system on your car out on the track and you need to feel ok with them. So buy what will help you sleep at night.

Just my 2cents.

[SpiralOut]

I tried doing something similar in my 335i and it really didn't help nearly as much as it should have since the upgraded rotors were so expensive. After all the crap i tried I could have just bought a BBK and been done with it. I say either stay stock or just spend the extra $$ and go BBK. You can get killer deals on the stoptech's if you shop around for a while with the forum vendors. I found a great deal, but wifey and I are spending a lot on home projects right now so I don't have the extra $$ for them this year. Hoping to be able to get them for next year's track season.

[03///m3]

Originally Posted by SpiralOut

I tried doing something similar in my 335i and it really didn't help nearly as much as it should have since the upgraded rotors were so expensive. After all the crap i tried I could have just bought a BBK and been done with it. I say either stay stock or just spend the extra $$ and go BBK. You can get killer deals on the stoptech's if you shop around for a while with the forum vendors. I found a great deal, but wifey and I are spending a lot on home projects right now so I don't have the extra $$ for them this year. Hoping to be able to get them for next year's track season.

Yeah i have a newborn so expenses are adding up. I would get the ST40 kit if i didn't have to buy wheels and tires (which is a must) but it is all adding up quickly.

[Richbot]

The ST40 kit will fit under the stock 18" wheels without a spacer, are you saying wheels and tires are a must for the track? If so, I disagree with that too, you can get the Yok AD08's or Hankook RS3 in stock sizes and put them on the stock wheels and be just fine

[RickyBobby]

I'd recommend you do a quick search on the pfc rotors. I had balancing problems with mine and someone else cracked theirs. The oem rotors are pretty darn good so would find it hard to justify the pfc rotors. I do think they make the best pads in the business even though their pricing is getting out of control.

[03///m3]

Originally Posted by Richbot

The ST40 kit will fit under the stock 18" wheels without a spacer, are you saying wheels and tires are a must for the track? If so, I disagree with that too, you can get the Yok AD08's or Hankook RS3 in stock sizes and put them on the stock wheels and be just fine

It would be extremely inconvenient to replace tires before and after every track event on my stock wheels. I wouldn't consider that an option for me. Unless I used the rs3's on the street too. Not a bad idea now that I think about it. Hmm

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by 03///m3

It would be extremely inconvenient to replace tires before and after every track event on my stock wheels. I wouldn't consider that an option for me. Unless I used the rs3's on the street too. Not a bad idea now that I think about it. Hmm

Yeah, why would you switch tires? Pilot Super Sports, AD08's, or the RS3 would all work.

I'm also not so sure that a bunch of brake stuff is the best use of funds if you're on a budget. Just get fluid, pads, and ss lines and leave the rest stock to start.

[admranger]

I have the PFC direct drive rotors on the E46M3, though w/PFC 06's. They work great on the track. Little extra noise on the street (I use PFC Z-rated pads on the street).

I have the PFC 08's for the track. They also work great, though I haven't had the E90M3 at a track that is super tough on brakes like Laguna though.

[pbonsalb]

Have any of you track drivers experimented with a titanium shim between the piston and the pad? What about rotor backing plates with ducts and hose running to the ducts?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Have any of you track drivers experimented with a titanium shim between the piston and the pad? What about rotor backing plates with ducts and hose running to the ducts?

titanium will transfer heat slower between the brake pad and the caliper. Not sure how effective they are.

Ducts are uber effective. A must for race cars. If you put serious track miles on your M3, I'd recommend them for three reasons: Longer pad life, longer rotor life, and longer front wheel bearing life. I had them on my E36M3 race car and they worked great. Can't crank the wheels lock to lock though, so not really great on the street. If you have a dual purpose car, get a set with easily removable hoses so you can take them off for street duty.

[1MOREMOD]

at the price i would just step up a little further to a st40.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by dmw16

Yeah, why would you switch tires? Pilot Super Sports, AD08's, or the RS3 would all work.

I'm also not so sure that a bunch of brake stuff is the best use of funds if you're on a budget. Just get fluid, pads, and ss lines and leave the rest stock to start.

Pss will NOT work. They just melt.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Pss will NOT work. They just melt.

all 3 of those will at some point. have to manage them just like brakes.

[Richard@M-World]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

I'd recommend you do a quick search on the pfc rotors. I had balancing problems with mine and someone else cracked theirs. The oem rotors are pretty darn good so would find it hard to justify the pfc rotors. I do think they make the best pads in the business even though their pricing is getting out of control.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532815

[TXmtrhed]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Have any of you track drivers experimented with a titanium shim between the piston and the pad? What about rotor backing plates with ducts and hose running to the ducts?

I've been using both the shims and ducts with good results though my car is lighter. In my experience, the shims (which I installed first) made a huge difference in keeping the brake fluid temps down. They also work well at preventing the caliper boots from melting. I got them at Hardbrakes.com and install them front and rear.

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by pkim1079

Pss will NOT work. They just melt.

I think that depends on skill level. My first track weekend, my PSS tires held up fine. My second weekend, less so. And I suspect at this point they won't do so well. I wasn't sure the OP's experience level.