The Best Brake Pad Upgrade?

[JRitt]

Here's the package I generally recommend to those using their car in the manner that you are:

• Front Ferodo DS2500 in FT86 shape
• Rear Ferodo DS2500 in the FT86 shape
• Front Spiegler SS lines
• Rear Spiegler SS lines
• Three bottles of AP Racing Super 600 or DOT5.1 fluid. In your case, I'd lean towards the DOT 5.1. It's a bit cheaper and will still get it done for you.

Skip the OEM sized replacement discs. That won't give you an appreciable performance increase, and there's no sense tossing your OEM discs if they are severely cracked or run past their minimum thickness.

My recommended setup will give you:

1. Increased heat capacity in the pads to prevent pad fade (firm pedal but car doesn't slow down).
2. Increased heat capacity in the fluid to prevent fluid fade (mushy pedal due to air bubbles from fluid boiling).
3. Improved pedal feel and modulation (pads and SS lines)
4. Quicker response time (SS lines)
5. The DS2500 are easy on discs, last a solid length of time, and only make a very small amount of noise in most cases (typically they'll only give a squeak just as you roll up to a complete stop). They can be autoX'd, or even driven on some tracks, and they aren't terribly expensive given their performance.

I lived in LA for 5 years, so I know all about canyons. Topanga, Latigo, Mulholland..mmmmmm...dang I miss those.

[wparsons]

DS2500's are virtually silent unless you overheat them. I'm on my second summer with them and they barely ever made noise. They've been a tiny bit noisier since the last track day, but seem to be getting quieter after a couple weeks of street driving.

[Maximal]

I'm a huge fan of Carbotechs. The AX6's are perfect for what you're looking for. They're a bit dusty but they don't have the noise you get one some performance pads.

http://store.maximalperformance.com/.../i-241239.aspx

[dp1]

Originally Posted by Maximal

I'm a huge fan of Carbotechs. The AX6's are perfect for what you're looking for. They're a bit dusty but they don't have the noise you get one some performance pads.

http://store.maximalperformance.com/.../i-241239.aspx

Same here, I have Sprint AP BBK and use Carbotech bobcats (1521) for year round street (north east) and XP12 for track. No need to clean rotors when swapping pads and both are pretty gentle on rotors.

[Maximal]

Originally Posted by dp1

Same here, I have Sprint AP BBK and use Carbotech bobcats (1521) for year round street (north east) and XP12 for track. No need to clean rotors when swapping pads and both are pretty gentle on rotors.

On my car (granted it's a Stealth) I run AX6's for the street and XP8's at the track and they work great as you don't have the annoying noise on the street and don't need to swap pads.

I can see the 1521s working well for some spirited street driving and then you don't have as much dust as you get with the AX6s.

Carbotechs are a bit pricey but in my mind they're worth it. I actually ran them before I started carrying them and liked them so much I signed on to carry them. :p