Track Brake Pad Discussion Thread

[mb_]

I tried to bed them in as much as I could in "Mexico", I can feel the modulation a lot better than before!

[kch]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Cobalt Friction
Caliper (F/R): stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): stock
Compound (F/R): XR2/XR2
Tires: MPSS 225/45/17

Feedback:
I upgraded to these from some Hawk HP+ pads that failed me on a technical track a couple months ago. I haven't used the CF XR2s on that same track yet, but I took them out to Texas World Speedway--it's a fast track with lots of high-speed sweepers and maybe 5 heavy braking zones.

I swapped pads at the track and didn't get to bed them in until morning warm-up. Even without bedding, pads were great. Seriously, they were delightful. Tight pedal-feel. Excellent initial bite. Predictable modulation. Dusting was way less than with my Hawk HP+. Pads were A+ for the entire 30m of each session. They stood up to the heat better than the OEM red paint on my calipers--see below. The pads also left my rotors a nice pretty blue color.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 6
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 5
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 8
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 7
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 4
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) ?
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) ?
Brake ducts: (Y/N) No



Edit: lol, Cabalt.

[stevo585]

Whats a good pad for a novice just into HDPE's? I plan on swapping to torque 700 brake fluid....overkill? Recommend a good fluid? Thanks.

[Pat]

Will you be getting track-specific pads or dual purpose?
If dual purpose, consider Ferodo DS 2500.
If track specific, Hawk DTC 60 or whatever Counterspace Garage recommends.

[langjai23]

does this fit the brz? supposedly carbotech pads. marking shows 1539 on the back of the pad.

[Cartman]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R):PMU (f), Ferodo (R)
Caliper (F/R):OEM
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): Stoptech slotted (f), Centric premium (r)
Compound (F/R): Club Racers (f), DS2500 (r)
Tires: Hankook R-S3

Feedback:
Used this setup for 6 track days, they had great modulation, but the pads started to crack after 2 events, could have be the lack of brake ducts though.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 2
Cold bite (1=low-10=high):6
Hot bite (1=low-10=high):7
Modulation (1=low-10=high):7
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): Didn't notice on track
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 4 for PMU, 8 for DS2500(estimate/actual)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N


Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R):Raybestos (f), Ferodo (R)
Caliper (F/R):OEM
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): Stoptech slotted (f), Centric premium (r)
Compound (F/R): ST43 (f), DS2500 (r)
Tires: Hankook R-S3

Feedback:
Used this setup for 5 track days so far and the Braking force on the ST43 is amazing, way better than the club racers. Still have 11mm left of pad material so they have amazing life on the track compared to the Club racers, although this could be due to the addition of GT3 brake ducts. They can overpower the R-S3 if you stop on the brakes, but they have decent modulation in my opinion and has been giving me consistent lap times at the track.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 2
Cold bite (1=low-10=high):7
Hot bite (1=low-10=high):9
Modulation (1=low-10=high):6
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 2
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 7 for Raybestos, 8 for DS2500(estimate/actual)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) Y


Neither pad showed Fade during my track events.

[ChrisSC300]

Quick Question. Having a bit of trouble of deciding between Winmax W3's or Carbotech ax6 for daily driving and every other month autoX. I'll have a set of XP10's for track days (2-4 times a year) but just dont want to deal with the dust and squeal of the XP10's on a daily basis. Thanks!

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by mb_

Ended up getting XP10s earlier this week. Like the bite a lot compared to the DS2500. All street driving though, will report back after the next track day

Originally Posted by Frost

Don't forget to bed them in! It helps a lot!

I thought XP10s are great on OEM brakes. Bed them they are great too.

In my experience thats about the end of it. If you drive them on the street in a not spirited manner they sound like a freight train. Even after a full track day. By the time I street drive them home, mostly highway miles, 300 miles, they have that freight train sound.

Anyway, I swap at track now and carbotech 1521 are silent on street.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I thought XP10s are great on OEM brakes. Bed them they are great too.

In my experience thats about the end of it. If you drive them on the street in a not spirited manner they sound like a freight train. Even after a full track day. By the time I street drive them home, mostly highway miles, 300 miles, they have that freight train sound.

Anyway, I swap at track now and carbotech 1521 are silent on street.

They are loud indeed but I love their track braking abilities and am just too damn lazy to swap at the track.

Already have a full set of 1521s for September when I go for a 3410+ mile road trip.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by stevo585

Whats a good pad for a novice just into HDPE's? I plan on swapping to torque 700 brake fluid....overkill? Recommend a good fluid? Thanks.

G-Loc R10, front and rear, and Project Mu G-Four. RT700 is backordered.

G-Loc R10 is the same as Carbotech XP10, but at a lower price.

counterspacegarage.com/g-loc-r10-gp929-brz-frs-gt86-front.html

counterspacegarage.com/g-loc-r10-gp1124-brz-frs-gt86-rear.html

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by ChrisSC300

Quick Question. Having a bit of trouble of deciding between Winmax W3's or Carbotech ax6 for daily driving and every other month autoX. I'll have a set of XP10's for track days (2-4 times a year) but just dont want to deal with the dust and squeal of the XP10's on a daily basis. Thanks!

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

I thought XP10s are great on OEM brakes. Bed them they are great too.

In my experience thats about the end of it. If you drive them on the street in a not spirited manner they sound like a freight train. Even after a full track day. By the time I street drive them home, mostly highway miles, 300 miles, they have that freight train sound.

Anyway, I swap at track now and carbotech 1521 are silent on street.

Heat em up, intentionally, until they just barely start smelling (fading). Then keep rolling for about 10-15 minutes without stopping.

Now they should be silent, permanently. You can maintain this on the street by braking slightly harder than you normally would.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Heat em up, intentionally, until they just barely start smelling (fading). Then keep rolling for about 10-15 minutes without stopping.

Now they should be silent, permanently. You can maintain this on the street by braking slightly harder than you normally would.

Seconded regarding the hard braking on the street. I only get noise when I ride the brakes gently to a slow stop. On the other hand, when I hit the brakes hard (but without lockup), the brakes are fine. Unfortunately, this doesn't make for great city bumper riding since I am always worried about some asshat rear ending me.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Frost

Seconded regarding the hard braking on the street. I only get noise when I ride the brakes gently to a slow stop. On the other hand, when I hit the brakes hard (but without lockup), the brakes are fine. Unfortunately, this doesn't make for great city bumper riding since I am always worried about some asshat rear ending me.

It'll teach you to coast more, and oddly enough, also get better MPG; it's one of the stable hypermiling techniques :p

[Frost]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

It'll teach you to coast more, and oddly enough, also get better MPG; it's one of the stable hypermiling techniques :p

Oh I already do that as you can see from my Fuelly stats :P

That stat includes my track days too and I still get great overall mileage.