Track Brake Pad Discussion Thread

[Keenercarguy]

Hello all, just read through almost the entire thread except for like two pages towards the end when my reading endurance was officially out. I AutoX once a month in my BRZ but I'm doing a VERY lengthy HPDE in the spring. The college sports car club that I am an officer in is renting out Carolina Motorsports Park (for those familiar) for a day and I will be getting a LOT of seat time. I know that I need to replace my stock fluid and Motul RBF600 is what I was thinking there. As far as pads go i was looking at AX6's or XP8's. I will also very likely be using these pads for daily driving if i can manage it, full disclosure and intent. I'd prefer to go with AX6's considering that they are a bit cheaper, and less aggressive... And because I mainly autocross anyway. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Edit: Oh yeah and I'm also currently running Pilot Super Sports on stock wheels and will have RCE Yellow springs. I may also be running slicks for the event (and all future autocrosses) if that changes anyone's opinions!

[Frost]

Originally Posted by Keenercarguy

Hello all, just read through almost the entire thread except for like two pages towards the end when my reading endurance was officially out. I AutoX once a month in my BRZ but I'm doing a VERY lengthy HPDE in the spring. The college sports car club that I am an officer in is renting out Carolina Motorsports Park (for those familiar) for a day and I will be getting a LOT of seat time. I know that I need to replace my stock fluid and Motul RBF600 is what I was thinking there. As far as pads go i was looking at AX6's or XP8's. I will also very likely be using these pads for daily driving if i can manage it, full disclosure and intent. I'd prefer to go with AX6's considering that they are a bit cheaper, and less aggressive... And because I mainly autocross anyway. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Edit: Oh yeah and I'm also currently running Pilot Super Sports on stock wheels and will have RCE Yellow springs. I may also be running slicks for the event (and all future autocrosses) if that changes anyone's opinions!

If you use Carbotechs, they do squeal in DD situations. I run the XP10s on my S2k and they're making me consider swapping pads at the track. If you seriously don't care, then they're great pads for me so far.

[EAGLE5]

I'd put endurance pads on for the big day. If you're running really long sessions, I bet you'll eat right through the xp8.

[Keenercarguy]

What if I only did front pads? Honestly i know that's not the best idea but I want to save all I can on entry fees for HPDE's because in the end the best mod by far is the driver... And I just want some brakes that will last me the day haha
Also I know that AX6's might not be the BEST option but they will survive the track day much better than the stock pads, right?

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by Keenercarguy

What if I only did front pads? Honestly i know that's not the best idea but I want to save all I can on entry fees for HPDE's because in the end the best mod by far is the driver... And I just want some brakes that will last me the day haha
Also I know that AX6's might not be the BEST option but they will survive the track day much better than the stock pads, right?

AX6 are made to bite cold. They'll probably wear like crazy on a track day, especially with long sessions. Brake pads are not a good place to skimp. You'll wear through and then either get in trouble or have to stop driving.

Also, on track, you want to have all your braking. You should be even front to back or a little biased to the front.

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by Keenercarguy

What if I only did front pads? Honestly i know that's not the best idea but I want to save all I can on entry fees for HPDE's because in the end the best mod by far is the driver... And I just want some brakes that will last me the day haha
Also I know that AX6's might not be the BEST option but they will survive the track day much better than the stock pads, right?

I agree that driving is the best mod, but you want uniformity too. I was in the same predicament a couple of months ago. I was tight on money, but ultimately decided to buy front and rear pads, and I'm glad that I did. I know had I not, it would have been in the back of my mind all day.

Consider the wear rate, front to back bias, etc. should you decide to only upgrade the front.

[Keenercarguy]

Okay so then how are XP8's for autocross? (because that's what I do the most of) And what if I had cooling breaks slipped into the long sessions, would that raise the viability of AX6's?

[Frost]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

I'd put endurance pads on for the big day. If you're running really long sessions, I bet you'll eat right through the xp8.

Good point - I did have some pad fade (ie: pressure on the pedal feels the same but braking effectiveness is reduced) on the XP10s though the course I am on is quite hard on brakes (Mosport Driver Development Track). There's pretty much a moderate to heavy braking zone every 6-8 seconds.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Keenercarguy

Okay so then how are XP8's for autocross? (because that's what I do the most of) And what if I had cooling breaks slipped into the long sessions, would that raise the viability of AX6's?

I autocrossed the XP10's a lot and they worked great, good bite first time, every time, but I couldn't handle the noise on the street so I got different pads for autocross/DD the XP10's will be track only pads for me. XP8's might strike a better balance between street/autocross/hpde but from what I can tell you may outgrow them for track use before you use them up. YMMV

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Frost

Good point - I did have some pad fade (ie: pressure on the pedal feels the same but braking effectiveness is reduced) on the XP10s though the course I am on is quite hard on brakes (Mosport Driver Development Track). There's pretty much a moderate to heavy braking zone every 6-8 seconds.

The DDT is murder on brakes. Every other track in Ontario is WAY friendly on brakes. You can run the GP track on stock pads since you're not using them much at all, you really only use them at 3, 5 and 9.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by wparsons

The DDT is murder on brakes. Every other track in Ontario is WAY friendly on brakes. You can run the GP track on stock pads since you're not using them much at all, you really only use them at 3, 5 and 9.

What can I say? I like murdering brake pads.

When I tell people the DDT is bad for pads, they think I am exaggerating... until they see my video with telemetry.

[EAGLE5]

Then high temp endurance pads would be an especially good choice, along with cooling and a bbk. I'm sure csg would love to sell you a set.

[Frost]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Then high temp endurance pads would be an especially good choice, along with cooling and a bbk. I'm sure csg would love to sell you a set.

I bought my XP10s from @CSG Mike

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I autocrossed the XP10's a lot and they worked great, good bite first time, every time, but I couldn't handle the noise on the street so I got different pads for autocross/DD the XP10's will be track only pads for me. XP8's might strike a better balance between street/autocross/hpde but from what I can tell you may outgrow them for track use before you use them up. YMMV

Have me bed them in for you next time I'm up in NorCal, and you'll never worry about noise on the street again.

I'm up somewhat regularly since I'm at MRLS for Skip Barber from time to time.