Track Brake Pad Discussion Thread

[Silver Supra]

Originally Posted by OND

Hi everyone,

I realized when driving back from the track today that my rear right brake pads (Carbotech XP10) were squeaking constantly while cruising on the highway. A tap on the brakes silenced them for a while, but it intermittently came and went. I am used to noise under braking, but this continuous squeaking issue is a first for me.

Do you think I should worry about pistons seizing up or do you think this is expected?

Thanks

My Xp10s squeak under light braking but not while cruising. I would check to see why they are dragging. Is it F, R, 1 or more?

[OND]

Originally Posted by Silver Supra

My Xp10s squeak under light braking but not while cruising. I would check to see why they are dragging. Is it F, R, 1 or more?

I think its just rear passenger side and its a minor squeak. Much less than the noise they make during light braking.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by OND

I think its just rear passenger side and its a minor squeak. Much less than the noise they make during light braking.

It's pretty standard with factory OEM calipers and track pads.

[OND]

Originally Posted by CSG David

It's pretty standard with factory OEM calipers and track pads.

Sweet, that's a relief

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by OND

Sweet, that's a relief

Side note, I haven't jumped into this thread in so long, but I'm really happy to see how far it has come. There are a lot of newbie drivers in here and that makes me happy to see those people really taking a little extra thought in buying some more application specific compounds for their cars, which is far better than using OEM pads for track use.

I'm also pretty happy to see some old/new CSG clients grow into skilled drivers as they really learn how to utilize their brakes more effectively.

[strat61caster]

Never done an 'official' review so here it goes.

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Carbotech
Caliper (F/R): OE
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OE
Compound (F/R): XP10
Tires: ZIISS 215-45-17

Feedback:
Great track pad to replace OE after I roasted them on my second track day. Driving home with soft squishy brake pedal with a pad that felt like it had the grip of a chalkboard eraser was sketchy so I jumped straight to XP10's and couldn't be happier. I did 3x track days on them (2x Laguna Seca, 1x Thill 5-mile) and I won't pretend to be a quick driver, at Laguna Seca I pounded out mid 1:5X times (quickest ~1:54, consistently 1:54-1:57 iirc) with clear track ahead of me with a mostly stock car (ZIISS were the biggest performance upgrade). Scores are below but I couldn't have asked for more on track, they did what I asked and let me focus on having good lines and carrying good speed.

I tried to DD them and as mentioned elsewhere they were too loud for me. They were fine after a track day and autocross, but I believe as the transfer layer wore off they got loud, and I wasn't willing to do a 2am bed-in procedure once or twice a month to avoid changing pads.

Cold bit is solid, they're perfectly fine to DD on except for the noise. I also autocrossed them and I felt like they performed flawlessly. Worth noting that the guys who made Carbotech started Gloc and offer a competitive offering that seems identical. I still have these at ~90% life and will keep them for whenever I take my car to the track and swap them in without hesitation.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 4
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 9
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 9
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 9
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 10 (bedded in, on track) 2 (transfer layer worn off)
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 10 (track newb, still look at 90% after 3x days)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? N
Brake ducts: N


-----------------------------------------

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Project Mu
Caliper (F/R): OE
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OE
Compound (F/R): NS400
Tires: MPSS 215/45/17, RE71R 245/40/17 Edit2: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's 215/45/17

Feedback:
I got these to replace the faded OE pads and use as an autocross pad. As an OE replacement they're a solid reliable DD-able pad that should take some light abuse without being shaken (like a casual backroads run), I wouldn't have any problem recommending them for that purpose.

However I have felt fade on them while autocrossing, on a very large fast course requiring a few hard stops they start to lose bite. We're talking a few 3-2 heel toe 70-30 downshifts during a run. Of course they cool down after the run and are ready for the next run no problem, but that fade going into a final hairpin or turnaround can be killer. To be clear, the pedal feels fine it's just there's not enough stopping power so you press harder and harder to get the slow to happen, definitely overheated pads in that scenario.

If the autocrosses are small (or you're just starting out, or you're on non-sticky tires) I wouldn't worry about beating on these pads, but you couldn't pay me to go on track with them, no way they'd last more than a session if you're pushing it. I'll likely be replacing them with Gloc R6's for a DD/autox pad and the XP10's are in a box waiting for the day I hit the track again. I'd probably try Stoptech pads if I wanted a DD-only pad.

Edit: my opinion of these has improved, I think I was driving like an idiot when I faded them and good modulation, perfectly good for all but the most extreme autox courses and last of the late brakers
Edit2: as they aged I grew to dislike them, they were spongy and I had one codriver commented that they were his least favorite part about my car, and that was on $86 Firestones, I liked the long pedal to play with brake pressure but you have to get into them pretty far to get good stopping power, I've switched to Ferodo DS2500 which are performing better.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 8
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 8 [Edit2: 5]
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 3
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 8
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 10
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 10
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? N
Brake ducts: N

[cab33]

Anyone know if they make Hawk DTC-70s for the AP racing BBK?

[Pat]

I would certainly think so. I have the DTC-60s for that kit.

[cab33]

Originally Posted by Pat

I would certainly think so. I have the DTC-60s for that kit.

Have you taken the DTC60s to the track to see if they faded?
How noisy are they around town?

I ask, because I just got my BRZ and the guy I bought it from has Ferodo DS1.11 and the car squeals like a trash track every time I touch the brakes.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by cab33

Have you taken the DTC60s to the track to see if they faded?
How noisy are they around town?

I ask, because I just got my BRZ and the guy I bought it from has Ferodo DS1.11 and the car squeals like a trash track every time I touch the brakes.

Yes, I have many days at the track with them. I don't drive them on the street, but I expect they'd be noisy. They have not faded on track with the AP kit.

[Cartman]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R):Raybestos (F/R)
Caliper (F/R):OEM
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): Centric premium (F/R)
Compound (F/R): ST43 (f), ST45 (r)
Tires: RE71R

Feedback:
The raybestos pads have been simply amazing, I currently have about 12 track days on the Raybestos and they still have about half the pad left. The braking force isn't as strong as when I had the RR-Racing BBK, but the pads with the OEM brakes has way better modulation than the RR-Racing kit with Ferodo DS1.11.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 3
Cold bite (1=low-10=high):6
Hot bite (1=low-10=high):9
Modulation (1=low-10=high):6
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 6 (They barely squeal compared to the RR-Racing kit on street pads)
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 11 (comparing them to my club racers which lasted 6 events IIRC, the raybestos seem to be eternal)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N/A (don't really care about the finish on my beat up track wheels)
Brake ducts: (Y/N) Y (GT3 ducts)

AIM data, Gray line is the above setup, red is RR racing kit with Ferodo DS1.11 (F) ST45 (R) and Hankook TD tires

[cab33]

Where do you get these, which Raybestos style are they?

[Cartman]

Originally Posted by cab33

Where do you get these, which Raybestos style are they?

I bought them from here https://www.porterfield-brakes.com/

I simply sent an email asking for a set of raybestos ST43 or ST45 pads for an frs.

[mb_]

^Thanks!

Only other place I could find ST43 for our cars is LPI Racing