[W126 Coupe] brake upgrade

[Divov]

When I first started racing the 500SEC Euro, the brakes were a total disaster and by lap 7 I had virtually total brake fade and almost no brakes left. The brakes were smoking and stinking, the pad surfaces cracked, metallic deposits on the rotor surfaces, spongy pedal etc.
I am no genius but did a few things which have really worked for me such that now after 10 laps my brakes are just as good as on lap 1 and moreover, I seem to be outbraking all my competitors notwithstanding weighing double their weight. After 3 races I still have 60% of the original pad thickness. No fancy Brembo callipers & rotors or fancy racing pads.
Clearly something is right so for what its worth, I share with you exactly what I did.
  1.. I fitted stock 560 rotors and callipers instead of the slightly smaller 500 offerings.
  2.. Discs (rotors to you) were drilled as per the photo with 6mm holes. These holes were then heavily countersunk both sides.
  3.. I changed to Ferodo Ceramic 'Platinum brake pads which are their highest spec available in South Africa. In the UK they sell a Premier (or is it Premium?) which is even higher spec than the Platinum. 
  4.. I removed the rotors 'tin' backing plates in order to get more cooling to the rotors.
  5.. I removed the fog lights in order to get more airflow to the disc region.
  6.. I changed the brake fluid to Ferodo FORMULA Racing brake fluid. (made in the UK) Boiling point in excess of 300C/572F
  7.. Rear brakes are stock 500 with Ferodo Ceramic Platinum brake pads.
That's all and what an amazing improvement.
Hopefully someone else may find this information useful.

Regards

Alec D.

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