Brake Pads: Stop Tech Street Performance vs. Ferodo DS2500 vs. Carbotech XP10?

[Smurfette]

Originally Posted by AreteAuto

Do stock Porsche's, such as the Cayman S, require much upgrading to the brakes for track use? Or are they well-equipped? I'd assume pads at least..
I ask because I am considering one.

but I don't mind!

Depending on your skill level, the OEM Cayman S brakes and pads are great for track use. I did ~11 track days on my Cayman S and didn't have any issues - no brake fade or anything, but I did have to change the rotors/pads which is $$$$ vs. the BRZ. It ran me about $2,000 for OEM rotors/pads and labor at an independent shop, vs. $300 for Centric rotors and StopTech Street Performance pad DIY for the BRZ.

The thing to watch for in the Cayman S Gen 1 (2006-2007) is oil starvation and IMS bearing failure. The Cayman S is an AMAZING track car, but it's also WAY more expensive to maintain. I bought a BRZ because it's a lot cheaper to maintain for track use but having said that, I may go back to the Cayman S (Gen 2) or a new one at some point. Hope this helps!

[AreteAuto]

Originally Posted by Smurfette

but I don't mind!

Depending on your skill level, the OEM Cayman S brakes and pads are great for track use. I did ~11 track days on my Cayman S and didn't have any issues - no brake fade or anything, but I did have to change the rotors/pads which is $$$$ vs. the BRZ. It ran me about $2,000 for OEM rotors/pads and labor at an independent shop, vs. $300 for Centric rotors and StopTech Street Performance pad DIY for the BRZ.

The thing to watch for in the Cayman S Gen 1 (2006-2007) is oil starvation and IMS bearing failure. The Cayman S is an AMAZING track car, but it's also WAY more expensive to maintain. I bought a BRZ because it's a lot cheaper to maintain for track use but having said that, I may go back to the Cayman S (Gen 2) or a new one at some point. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yeah, I will probably go ahead and get the best I can, because I am "all-out or haul home" when it comes to tracking. The FRS brakes didn't last a full lap for me at RA without fade.
See, issues like those are exactly what I'm trying to avoid. I was told the Porsches were much more durable for track use. are there any preventative measures people take to avoid these problems?

[MaximeT]

On the gear ratios side. You need a 987 ll Cayman S PDK, which is very expensive I'm Europe (45k€). I guess it's the same in the US.

If it's too expensive. There's the Cayman S 987 phase 1 in manual with a short final drive. Which I guess will be 20k less.
But you'll need to pay for the part and labour for the short final drive.That gonna cost a lot.

The place for all Porsche gearbox things :

http://californiamotorsports.net/

If you only drive formula one size track. You might be OK with stock gears.

If you drive club tracks up to Laguna Secca size, you'll have a single speed car. (Like a single speed bicycle)(Using 3rd only)

That's the reason why I think you only can choose between 2 cars. 86 or s2000.

Most cars are single speed.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by MaximeT

On the gear ratios side. You need a 987 ll Cayman S PDK, which is very expensive I'm Europe (45k€). I guess it's the same in the US.

If it's too expensive. There's the Cayman S 987 phase 1 in manual with a short final drive. Which I guess will be 20k less.
But you'll need to pay for the part and labour for the short final drive.That gonna cost a lot.

The place for all Porsche gearbox things :

http://californiamotorsports.net/

If you only drive formula one size track. You might be OK with stock gears.

If you drive club tracks up to Laguna Secca size, you'll have a single speed car. (Like a single speed bicycle)(Using 3rd only)

That's the reason why I think you only can choose between 2 cars. 86 or s2000.

Most cars are single speed.

I use 2nd through 5th at Laguna Seca in my S2000.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I use 2nd through 5th at Laguna Seca in my S2000.

I mean, most cars that are not 86 or s2000

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by MaximeT

I mean, most cars that are not 86 or s2000

I used 2nd to 5th gear with the Mustang GT350 too...

With a 458 Challenge, I use 2-5 as well.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I used 2nd to 5th gear with the Mustang GT350 too...

With a 458 Challenge, I use 2-5 as well.

458 challenge is mostly a race car.
For the American cars, I guess you get vastly different final drives in the US versus what we get in Europe for the same cars.

Most European cars have stupid ratio because they are made for the NEDC homologation cycle, which is pretty bad for manual cars.

On the Porsche side. They give shit ratio to the fastest Cayman to slow it down.

You get way more track cars in the US.

[strat61caster]

@MaximeT

"If you drive club tracks up to Laguna Secca size, you'll have a single speed car. (Like a single speed bicycle)(Using 3rd only)"

Looking at this thread, and what I know and experienced at my three local tracks (<50 mph speeds at some corners on street tires, >100 mph straights, including Laguna) every Cayman and Boxster would be using at least 2-3-4 for optimum speeds even with a novice behind the wheel, with some models using 5th when driven well, same as an 86.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by MaximeT

458 challenge is mostly a race car.
For the American cars, I guess you get vastly different final drives in the US versus what we get in Europe for the same cars.

Most European cars have stupid ratio because they are made for the NEDC homologation cycle, which is pretty bad for manual cars.

On the Porsche side. They give shit ratio to the fastest Cayman to slow it down.

You get way more track cars in the US.

E9x M3 I use 2-4
991 GT3 I use 2-5
AMG GTS I use 2-5

[MaximeT]

Sadly, my data are on the computer at work.

I did a fast Google search and found that for 987 phase 1:

I - 43 mph (7200 rpm)
II - 72 mph (7200 rpm)
III -100 mph (7200 rpm)
IV - 125 mph (7200 rpm)
V - 145 mph (7200 rpm)
VI - 171 mph (7150 rpm)

To me it's not a very useful gearsets.

Looks like my Laguna Secca example was bad

I hope you get the idea.

At my local track, my modified Lotus is 2 to 5. A Cayman is 2 in one turn, then 3 only.

Looks like Laguna Secca may be just big enough to use many cars.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

E9x M3 I use 2-4
991 GT3 I use 2-5
AMG GTS I use 2-5

Just saw that I can't read.

991 gt3, amg and 458 are automatic.

That's why they can have proper ratios

[Smurfette]

If you are going all out, go GT4!!! Supposedly the car is AHHHH-MAAAAHHHH-ZINGGG!

I'm pretty sure with any car, you'll have to shift gears. I used to be a 6MT snob, but as I've gotten more and more into tracking, I've recognized the benefit of PDK/DCT, etc. Shifts a lot faster and allows you to focus on the other things going on track! I think I may get a PDK/DCT next...