So I'm planning a challenge build on a '90 RX-7 base model (although I think they called the base a GXL then). It has the stock five-lug base model brakes. Challenge rules say that brakes can be replaced with stock brakes (calipers, rotors, and rubber lines) with no budget penalty.
On some of the '90 RX7s,(IIRC only the Turbo II and the GTUs) you could get sweet four-piston brakes up front and vented rear discs stock. The car I'm looking at doesn't have them, but they will bolt on. Rockauto prices show that new base model calipers and rotors all around will run ~$310, and that the four-piston setup will run ~$348 for calipers and rotors.
My question: What's the budget penalty for putting on the four-piston setup in place of the base-model setup? Will I take the hit on the whole $348, or just the difference between the two setups, or is it considered stock replacement?
yamaha
SuperDork
2/28/13 11:06 a.m.
psteav wrote:
So I'm planning a challenge build on a '90 RX-7 base model (although I think they called the base a GXL then). It has the stock five-lug base model brakes. Challenge rules say that brakes can be replaced with stock brakes (calipers, rotors, and rubber lines) with no budget penalty.
On some of the '90 RX7s,(IIRC only the Turbo II and the GTUs) you could get sweet four-piston brakes up front and vented rear discs stock. The car I'm looking at doesn't have them, but they will bolt on. Rockauto prices show that new base model calipers and rotors all around will run ~$310, and that the four-piston setup will run ~$348 for calipers and rotors.
My question: What's the budget penalty for putting on the four-piston setup in place of the base-model setup? Will I take the hit on the whole $348, or just the difference between the two setups, or is it considered stock replacement?
I'd view it as all or nothing, they're an upgade to your car, even if they're stock on the higher model.
since brakes are a safety item that no longer counts against the budget, i'd say that you could legitimately claim only the upcharge between the two.
yamaha
SuperDork
2/28/13 12:19 p.m.
In reply to AngryCorvair:
Put that way, I kinda agree.....but it seems to be another grey area
yamaha wrote:
In reply to AngryCorvair:
....but it seems to be another grey area
And that's why I'm asking. I would be inclined to agree that the difference between the two is what should be budgeted, but I wanted to see if it had ever come up in the past or if the mavens would make a ruling on it.
They also came on the GXL.
AngryCorvair wrote:
since brakes are a safety item that no longer counts against the budget, i'd say that you could legitimately claim only the upcharge between the two.
I agree. And for future reference, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. 
Angry is the brake expert, but I very seriously doubt you'd see that big of a difference between the two on a 2nd gear auto-x course.
poopshovel wrote:
AngryCorvair wrote:
since brakes are a safety item that no longer counts against the budget, i'd say that you could legitimately claim only the upcharge between the two.
I agree. And for future reference, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Angry is the brake expert, but I very seriously doubt you'd see that big of a difference between the two on a 2nd gear auto-x course.
yeah, for a challenge car i wouldn't spend the money to upgrade. i know the upgrade front calipers are aluminum fixed-mounts, so perhaps they're lighter than the base model calipers? but for braking performance, you almost certainly won't gain anything within the context of the GRM Challenge.
yamaha
SuperDork
2/28/13 2:50 p.m.
Which is why I'm not even thinking about adapting '10 camaro ss brembo calipers to the ti.....it stopped well enough before.
AngryCorvair wrote:
poopshovel wrote:
AngryCorvair wrote:
since brakes are a safety item that no longer counts against the budget, i'd say that you could legitimately claim only the upcharge between the two.
I agree. And for future reference, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Angry is the brake expert, but I very seriously doubt you'd see that big of a difference between the two on a 2nd gear auto-x course.
yeah, for a challenge car i wouldn't spend the money to upgrade. i know the upgrade front calipers are aluminum fixed-mounts, so perhaps they're lighter than the base model calipers? but for braking performance, you almost certainly won't gain anything within the context of the GRM Challenge.
NOW I'Z A BREAK EXPURT TOO!!! YEEEHAW!
Do insane things to make it light, make enough power to put it in the 13's, and put big ass motherberkeleying brand new kumhos on it, and you'll have a top 10 contender...I think. It's been a couple years. Apparently "real world" is what the concours is all about now, so I wouldn't even bother washing it. 
poopshovel wrote:
AngryCorvair wrote:
poopshovel wrote:
AngryCorvair wrote:
since brakes are a safety item that no longer counts against the budget, i'd say that you could legitimately claim only the upcharge between the two.
I agree. And for future reference, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Angry is the brake expert, but I very seriously doubt you'd see that big of a difference between the two on a 2nd gear auto-x course.
yeah, for a challenge car i wouldn't spend the money to upgrade. i know the upgrade front calipers are aluminum fixed-mounts, so perhaps they're lighter than the base model calipers? but for braking performance, you almost certainly won't gain anything within the context of the GRM Challenge.
NOW I'Z A BREAK EXPURT TOO!!! YEEEHAW!
Do insane things to make it light, make enough power to put it in the 13's, and put big ass motherberkeleying brand new kumhos on it, and you'll have a top 10 contender...I think. It's been a couple years. Apparently "real world" is what the concours is all about now, so I wouldn't even bother washing it.
Yeah, the brakes should be fine for autoX and drags, but I'm actually looking at making a track car out of it long-term....so if I can upgrade it before the challenge (and only get dinged $30 for the budget) I don't have to redo the brakes twice (which would get expensive in the real world).
DaveEstey wrote:
They also came on the GXL.
on the S4, yeah...but then Mazda decided to call the base model S5 the GXL. Makes sense, no?
poopshovel wrote:
AngryCorvair wrote:
poopshovel wrote:
AngryCorvair wrote:
since brakes are a safety item that no longer counts against the budget, i'd say that you could legitimately claim only the upcharge between the two.
I agree. And for future reference, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Angry is the brake expert, but I very seriously doubt you'd see that big of a difference between the two on a 2nd gear auto-x course.
yeah, for a challenge car i wouldn't spend the money to upgrade. i know the upgrade front calipers are aluminum fixed-mounts, so perhaps they're lighter than the base model calipers? but for braking performance, you almost certainly won't gain anything within the context of the GRM Challenge.
NOW I'Z A BREAK EXPURT TOO!!! YEEEHAW!
Do insane things to make it light, make enough power to put it in the 13's, and put big ass motherberkeleying brand new kumhos on it, and you'll have a top 10 contender...I think. It's been a couple years. Apparently "real world" is what the concours is all about now, so I wouldn't even bother washing it.
My concours score will tell you that "Real World" only garners good scores from one judge on the panel.
