Jump to content

Water Cooled Brakes


dunk

Recommended Posts

I have a question about the legality of running water misters in the brake ducts of a race car. I can't find anything specific in the CCR about this.

 

Water would be misted into the head of the duct using a small nozzle (less than 2gph). It would be atomized and turned to steam well before hitting the inner hat of the rotor. A 1 gallon tank would provide over an hour of brake cooling. No water would ever hit the track surface.

 

SWC Cadillacs used a similar system and I've found some other race cars that have also implemented it with some success. I'm just not sure of the legality with NASA.

 

Here's a link to a good discussion on the process on NASIOC (subaru forum)

 

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1759126&highlight=take+brake+ducts

 

thanks,

 

Duncan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally prefer the "water-cooled" F1 brakes, where they basically dumped the water at the start to get a lighter car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the time trail rules. Don't ask me about the other series

 

25) Brake duct addition or modification, including electric fans (water sprayers are illegal).

Two holes may be cut or drilled out of the front fascia for brake air ducts. Any hole

providing improved intake air to the engine will be assessed one (1) point under Engine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

that'd be a great Greg question. It might be ok in ST, I don't see anything prohibiting it. If that is an oversight or not is a really good question...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • National Staff

It doesn't say that they are illegal. So, under the ST Rules (which allow all performance enhancing mods except those stated to be illegal) they would be legal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

What pressure would you expect to pump to?

What type of nozzles? Would they only pressure activate?

 

I have also thought about this technology for bigger cars that cant get adequate brake cooling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll be using a 75 - 100 psi demand based pump using a NC solenoid hooked to the brake switch for activation.

 

Nozzles will be misting type in the 20-40 micron range. I'll mount them at the front of the brake ducts to ensure compete atomization by the time it hits the center of the rotor.

 

These systems have been used with some success in TRANSAM and SWGT. You can source the parts from either MCMASTER or any of the companies that sell water injection parts.

 

-Duncan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Your brakes should'nt be getting that hot where you need to pump water on them to keep them cool. I would look elsewhere to keep the brake temps under control. That does'nt sound right at all and besides why complicate things with pumps and tanks, etc..?

 

Check your calipers for drag and try braking less..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think I may have an anomaly because I can't get my brakes hot enough sometimes..

 

I have not run brake ducts in my car forever and my rotors lasts forever. My fronts can go for over 3 years and pads 1.5 times per year. The rear rotors have been there for almost 9 years and never been replaced but rear pads about 2 times per year. This is on an AIX car with downforce and sticky tires on 18 X 11 wheels and NO brake ducts.

 

rotor1.jpg

 

rotor2-1.jpg

 

DSC00192.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What size rotors are you running, Ernesto? I was looking at the pics in GRM and I was guessing they were a 13" x 1 3/8" front rotor.

 

How many races do you run a year if you're getting 3 years out of front rotors?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What size rotors are you running, Ernesto? I was looking at the pics in GRM and I was guessing they were a 13" x 1 3/8" front rotor.

 

How many races do you run a year if you're getting 3 years out of front rotors?

 

The front rotors are 13" X 1.25"..

 

I run about 5-6 events per year including the Nationals..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I ran water cooled brakes on my lapping car a few years ago. It was a 94 AWD Talon that weighed... a lot.

 

I designed a front brake system for it with Porsche Boxter S 4 pot calipers and the 2000 Cobra 13" rotors.

 

I still got some brake fade and I added the water sprayers. I used an Aquamist nozzle and solenoid with a 100 psi shurflo pump and a 1 pint accumulator. It worked great. I could get the brakes to recover after fading by using the sprayer.

 

I left a tiny bit of heat shield on the hub and mounted the nozzle to that so that it sprayed into the cooling vanes. I tied the system into the rear brakes lights so that when I touched the brake, the solenoid opened.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with Ernesto. And the only times the SWC guys allows water cooled brakes is during street course only IIRC.

I know Dunk and I know the car. This guy is running the best of the best when it comes to brakes and uses his brakes only when needed. Before he was building for ST2 I think he ran a 2.04 at VIR Full....

 

If Dunk is doing it, he needs it....

 

--Doug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...