Not model aviation but rather stunning just the same

[Robert Zambelli]

A friend of mine bought a new car and while I was doing the pre-race tech inspection, I noticed the size of the front brakes. 

The discs are carbon fiber/ceramic!

Bob Z.

[Ralph Wenzel (d)]

I presume the whole car is only a foot taller than the tires ? ? ?

[proparc]

The discs are carbon fiber/ceramic!
Bob Z.

Kick ass bellcrank material!!

[Shultzie]

Hummm?
Is that a Ferrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' label on that brake?
Is this on a Ferrari?

[Richard Grogan]

Pretty cool Bob.So,how is the disc attached to the spindle? And are the pads ceramic? I've heard of this type system before, but had never seen one. Thanks for sharing!

[Robert Zambelli]

Hello, Gents, thanks for the responses.
Other than materials, the system is pretty straightforward. The discs attach to the spindle flanges with a circular array of bolts, probably around 8 MM.
Just inside of that circle are the five wheel attachment studs.
Logically, this system saves a considerable amount of unsprung weight.
Yes, the pads are a special carbon compound that is tailored for compatibility with the discs.
The model line is called the 430. There is a standard everyday version and the one pictured, called the Scuderia. It is a "worked" version of the standard 430 featuring all sorts of performance enhancements, including the brakes and many carbon fiber parts to reduce weight. Austin has owned them both and he said that the difference in performance is unbelievable.
Besides a paddle type shifter (around ten milliseconds to shift), it features a microprocessor controlled exhaust system that controls back pressure to suit conditions.

Bob Z.

[Clancy Arnold]

Bob
You ARE going to borrow it to drive to Brodak's aren't you?
Clancy

[Robert Zambelli]

No need to do that -  I'll probably drive my own.

Bob Z.

[john e. holliday]

And where are you going to put the airplanes?  I always tell the wife and kids if I had the money that was paid for a vehicle like that I would get me a good four door pick up.  That is until I seen one on the show room floor.  Must have had every thing on it that you could get,  $40,000+.

[Dan McEntee]

   Several years ago, when Ford bought Jaguar and Jag made their return to big time road racing, my younger brother was working as a machinist in a race shop in Atlanta and made the first carbon fibre brake assemblies for Jaguar at that time. Time frame is foggy in my mind but must have been 15 years ago or so. They made the first set and after testing, ordered two more for spares (at about 30 grand a set) and then went to Daytona or Road Atlanta and kicked some serious butt. Definitely can't rush down to Auto Zone and pick up parts for these!
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Robert McHam]

I come from just slightly old school so I need someone to explain to me how the carbon/ ceramic sandwich is made and how or what is there to dissipate the heat? I just don't think the CF has much ability to do this.

Robert

[Robert Zambelli]

Hi, Robert - good question. Wish I could answer it but I cannot. Logic tells me it's some sort of ceramic with an ultra-high coefficient of thermal conductivity but there's probably more to it. Of course, they are vented.

It must work though. Austin was really running his car hard on the track all day and there was never a hint of fade.

I understand that the Formula 1 cars are using similar setups as are many aircraft.

Good topic for discussion. You might try this:

http://www.supercars.net/cars/3851.html

Bob Z.