HPDE / Brake Pads
 

I can see that this topic has in some ways been beat to death, but at the same time, the amount of information is a bit overwhelming and difficult to parse, so I am looking for a bit of guidance.

I am doing a BMW HPDE two day event (NJMP Thunderbolt) in early April with my BRZ. If I was doing a one day event I probably wouldn't bother, but I am driving 120 miles, then doing a two day event, then 120 miles back, so I have some questions about brakes.

I know stock brake pads will work on the track, but I don't know that they are "best" for this. I've seen lots of brake pads that are good for the track or good for the road, but I can't seem to find advice on any what's a good mix. Obviously I can swap out the brake pads, but I'd rather not go that route, unless that's clearly best. I'm looking at the Carbotech x8/x10s but those appear to be more track brake pads and are loud for street use. I'm also not sure whether I should do front and rear, or just front. This is a one time event but I'd like to do more down the road, but at this point I'm a beginner.

If it was a one-day event I wouldn't even bother yet, but I am worried about the long drives and two days on the track. I haven't gone FI, but do have a CAI and catback, so I'm making only a bit more power than stock, if any.

So any suggestions?

Thanks.

Being your first event, I wouldn't worry about doing anything more than good fluid and just driving but if you really want to do anything; Project Mu pads, and good fluid (motul, ATE, etc.). I liked the bias with stock rear and Project mu HC800 fronts. If you aren't going to do another track day for a few months and don't want to deal with the dust of a track pad just buy front pads, scuff the rotor with a scotch-brite pad and go bed them in. After the event do the same with the stock pads.

Thanks - I have to/want to do the brake fluid flush and am planning on switching to Motul. I'd rather not do brake pads for now anyway, so if I can by with the stock pads, I'm happier and have a heavier wallet.

I did a couple of track days with the stock pads and while they did fade, it could be controlled. The fluid however was boiled after the first track day.

If any of the following are true, you are NOT going to be happy with OEM pads on the track:

- You have ANY sort of experience with high performance driving
- You have an instructor that is even halfway decent
- You can follow instructions and/or can take coaching well


It's always better to have too much brake, than not enough. Get the pads.

Re-reading over your original post, you're going to be beating the pads for two days and a long drive two ways. I would say if you don't want to buy upgraded pads have some sort of replacement in case something doesn't go as planned.

So maybe it is best to have dedicated track pads and run stocks on the street. I do plan, barring something completely unexpected, to do these kinds of events fairly often (2-3 / year). Installing and uninstalling brake pads seems pretty easy on the twins.

I guess I'll go take another look at the track pad threads, though suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.

We have a WinmaX Group buy going right now... The W4 is probably a good candidate for you.

Otherwise, we stock all the other usual suspects.