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Author Topic: Brake Ducts  (Read 37317 times)

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #45 on: March 23, 2013, 06:08:02 pm »
well done !!  :happy2:

Just shut it on the backside with some piece of a trash can liner and a zip tie wasn't just good enough?

 :evilgrin:
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Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #46 on: March 23, 2013, 06:24:51 pm »
Thanks  :notworthy:

Well, it might work, but I find this solution better. This was the easiest way I could think of to have a cover over the inlet, that could be taken off in less then one minute (it takes about 15 seconds). It is also a permanent solution and I do not have to worry about rocks puncturing the cover...
I saw people covering the air ducts with duct tape. I guess that does the job, but I like my car to be both form and function.

Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #47 on: March 24, 2013, 07:21:40 pm »
Today I managed to "close the circuit"!  :pomppomp:

This is the front bumper seen from behind. You can see the 2 air inlets mounted:



And a close up with the left side (there is an additional hole for the Cold Air Intake, that has to be fitted but I ran out of air inlets):



And a close up with the right side:



Below are shots from the front.
The right side with the cover (the cover is black as the rest but because light from the flash bounces off it, it appears to be different)


And with the brake ducts "active":



Left side (again with the cover):



And the left side without the cover:



I also checked for clearance on both sides and this is the final setup with no rubbing no matter the steering angle (hope I did not speak too soon):
Right side:



Left side:



So, I am just about done, but I am very curious to see if (and what) effect this has on the track.
And to draw some conclusions:
1. it is very difficult to find a path for the brake vent (between the drive shaft, control arm, brake hoses, etc).
2. the air inlets attached to the dust shield and to the fog grille are pretty simple and, if you want a similar solution the photos above will be conclusive. If these are not enough I made some drawings of the parts and I will send them to you.
3. I hope all this work is not in vane and this actually works on the track!

And I also hope this topic helps anyone who wants a similar method to cool the brakes.
All the best!  :drinking:
« Last Edit: June 12, 2021, 09:03:11 pm by rex »

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #48 on: March 25, 2013, 12:53:30 am »
THX again for sharing all this.  :happy2:

Just another idea, my friend: It might help to reinforce the hose with some gaffa tape or even shrinking hose
where the zip ties hold them in place. Permanent vibration and rubbing may wear the hoses prematurely.
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Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #49 on: March 25, 2013, 07:20:16 am »
Top advice!  :notworthy:
I will try that!

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #50 on: April 03, 2013, 04:13:21 pm »
Another idea if anyone plans on doing a similar ventilation.

Octavia with S3 hubs:




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Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #51 on: April 07, 2013, 02:32:39 pm »
That is very interesting!

1. The mud/dust shield are still on
2. This solution seems to direct the air towards the side of the disc (not the hub/bell).
3. I am curious to see if the air hose has a hole in the bodywork....

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #52 on: April 07, 2013, 03:07:08 pm »
"You get what you pay for."

Offline thegreatricardo

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #53 on: April 14, 2013, 04:31:48 pm »
Excellent project :congrats:

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #54 on: April 15, 2013, 12:03:10 am »
Another well made solution for S3 swivels:





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Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #55 on: April 15, 2013, 07:13:07 am »
Very nice, but I doubt it still has maximum steering angle! Not important for a track day car but very important for a street car...
But the mounting point on the hub is much more elegant!

The way I see it, the brake ducts should tick the following (besides the brake cooling itself):
1. not affect the turning radius
2. turn on/off for winter or cold trackdays
3. not be visible from the front of the car
« Last Edit: April 15, 2013, 06:29:36 pm by rex »

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #56 on: April 15, 2013, 08:27:43 pm »
You're right. I'd suggest smaller hoses to solve this issue.

But the most significient point:

This guy did fit the rotors the wrong direction !!  :evilgrin:

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Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #57 on: April 15, 2013, 08:38:10 pm »
OMG! You are wright! I haven't noticed till now....
« Last Edit: April 15, 2013, 08:52:26 pm by rex »

Offline the bruce

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #58 on: April 15, 2013, 10:12:55 pm »
"You get what you pay for."

Offline rex

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Re: Brake Ducts
« Reply #59 on: May 28, 2013, 10:20:57 am »
Well guys, a few weeks ago I got to test the brake ducts at Hungaroring:
The weather was quite cold (14 degrees the highest) and, thus, it is very difficult to have an objective comment about the brake ducts efficiency, but I hope this comment is still better than no comment... I have had this weather before, but there we NO trackdays (till this on), where I did not overcook the brakes (of course, different stages of overcooking)...
BUT, this time I had no issues with the brakes. Because of the weather it was harder to get the brakes and tires to temperature but once they were up to temperature were performed flawlessly (my setup for the last 2 years was NQSBBK + Pagid 4-4 Orange + Custom J Hook Rotors and Dunlop Direzza 03G)!
Unlike any other TrackDay I have done, this time I even had 2 sessions in a row without any bake fade (6 hot laps + one cooling lap + 6 hot laps). Also, after the sessions, the rotors were not as red as they usually were and did not radiate so much heat...
So, I think this mod clearly has an effect and I am very happy that it worked so well!

 :drinking: