Bedding Carbotech Pads
 

I am installing a BBK with Carbotech 1521's for street use. I plan to use their XP-10 pads for track use. All pads and rotors are new. Which pads should I use for the bedding process and when I change pads will I need to go through the process again? As I change back and forth, what will the correct process be?

I ran Carbotech XP10s for years on my S2000, 240Z, and LS3 FD. I never worried about bedding, I would swap them out with whatever street pad compound, sometimes before driving to/from the track, sometimes at the track. Never had any issues...

I run Carbotechs exclusively, street and track pads. Bed the track pads once then on the way to the track each time give it a few panic stops in a safe location from maybe 70-30mph and I’m good.

My favorite way to bed XP10's is to throw them in the trash :D

In my limited experience (DE 1-2), I've run XP-8's and have not yet had a problem with them. I have a set of XP-10's that I'll use when the 8's wear out. I would say that these are good entry level pads.


Carbotech recommended not switching pad compounds without sanding the rotors down to bright metal to remove transferred pad material. Does this make a real difference? I don't know.

They work okay but you will outpace them in short order. They are very "mushy" feeling at the edge of threshold braking so it is hard to be consistent with them. There are stouter options in the same price range. rice_classic turned me on to the Raybestos pads, he runs a stagger of the ST47/43 and they are about the same price as the carbotechs.

I never switched off of my XP10's on the street. I just rebedded them the night before a track day. They are noisy as heck though.

We produced a couple videos on this topic. Each pad compound is going to be slightly different, but the same principles and techniques apply to all pads and iron discs.




https://youtu.be/pdPX6rzuINc






https://youtu.be/ONpSpWcy0V0

I never had an issue doing the bedding in during the first session on my XP10's. Just did my laps kinda normal-ish at 8/10ths making sure to get full braking power and heat into the system, plus ~2 cool down laps. Did this 3x times.

They were capable enough for street use without having to do anything special, just keep your awareness up.

Yes.

With the 1521, you can just drive like normal.

When you swap to the XP10, just drive on track as normal, but be mindful of potentially reduced braking power for the first few laps.

So I’ve been running these pads on the street for a while now. They are incredibly noisy coming to a stop. I guess this is unusual for this pad? I started with new rotors as well. How can I quiet them down? I’ve thought about pulling everything down, cleaning everything and hoping for the best. Any thoughts?

Rebed them. They will be noisy in another day or two so bed them again. Repeat cycle till you get tired of bedding your brakes. Then throw carbotechs is trash and buy better pads.

If you have a Race caliper with no outer dust boots, or a cheaper setup without anti-noise provisions, then the noise is unavoidable.

You can reduce it with proper bedding and/or shims and anti-noise grease.

for my 1521's I switched freely between them and my XP-10's without issues. What BBK are you running? My 1521's are most squeak free unless they get really hot. XP-10 on the street squeal like a freight train. Don't do it