Brake Pad Discussion Thread

[CSG David]

Track Brake Pad Discussions

We have a sticky in the track subforum discussing the different brake pad compounds that other users have been using on their cars for the track. Although not recommended due to potential misuse, track brake pads are definitely great street brake pads. Some brake pads may require you to do a 30-10mph slow down (like slowing down for a right hand turn) to bring them up to operating temperature, but that doesn't mean you get absolutely no braking in cold temperatures.

I've driven full blown track brake pads with an operating temperature between 200-800ºC in snow conditions. I got more than enough bite than I needed.

Don't hesitate to PM me or post up some inquiries about brakes. We love to test the limits of brake pads and practicalities for the track and for the street.

Originally Posted by kanundrum

I was looking for this thread and need to research what pads would be best for autocross. Dont care about rotor life or dust, I want results!

Project Mu B-Force or HC+800 or Carbotech AX6 or XP8 would be a good autocross brake pad. They bite well and warm up quickly for your autocross application.

[kanundrum]

Originally Posted by CSG David

Track Brake Pad Discussions

We have a sticky in the track subforum discussing the different brake pad compounds that other users have been using on their cars for the track. Although not recommended due to potential misuse, track brake pads are definitely great street brake pads. Some brake pads may require you to do a 30-10mph slow down (like slowing down for a right hand turn) to bring them up to operating temperature, but that doesn't mean you get absolutely no braking in cold temperatures.

I've driven full blown track brake pads with an operating temperature between 200-800ºC in snow conditions. I got more than enough bite than I needed.

Don't hesitate to PM me or post up some inquiries about brakes. We love to test the limits of brake pads and practicalities for the track and for the street.



Project Mu B-Force or HC+800 or Carbotech AX6 or XP8 would be a good autocross brake pad. They bite well and warm up quickly for your autocross application.

Mind shooting me a PM for pricequote on the XP8 w/ SS Lines?

[Huehuecoyotl]

Originally Posted by JRitt

I'd definitely try bedding them in. I think that's what's going on. The DS2500's generally have great feel/bite from cold to fairly toasty.

it take alot to bed them in! alot...

[nathank]

HEL Braided Lines
AP Racing 600 Fluid
Carbotech XP10 Front and Back

still on original rotors I had a set of DS 2500 on the car but
found they would go off after 10 - 15 minutes of track time.

will test the XP10's at Phillip Island Next Weekend.

[CSG David]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Winmax / Winmax
Caliper (F/R): Stock / Stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OEM / OEM
Compound (F/R): W1 / W1
Tires: Michelin Primacy HP 215/45/17 F/R & Hankook RS3 245/40/17 F/R

Feedback:
Good upgrade over OEM brake pads. Great for the street yielding little to no noise at all. No bedding required to get the pads to work well. Good for spirited canyon, but fade is experienced at high speed runs. Pads were tracked on to see the limitations of the compound. Fade was experienced, but the brake pads never gave up so it is capable of being tracked, but not optimal. Very low dust levels. The bite is significantly better than the OEM in cold and hot situations, but nothing compared to a full track pad in both situations. Modulation is consistent and predictable.

Winmax W2 may be necessary for a higher grip setups, high speed canyon runs, and some tracking.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 10
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 5 (OEM is about a 3)
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 4 (OEM is about a 3)
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 7 (OEM = 4)
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 10
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) 10 / (2 if you track it)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N

[CSG David]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Winmax / Winmax
Caliper (F/R): Stock / Stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OEM / OEM
Compound (F/R): W2 / W2
Tires: Michelin Primacy HP 215/45/17 F/R & Hankook RS3 245/40/17 F/R

Feedback:
This is a good brake pad for additional bite and heat capacity over the W1 and definitely a good upgrade compared to the OEM setup. Bed-in procedures weren't required to get the pads to work well straight out of the box. Noise is minimal to none, but sometimes shows up from time to time. Fade is experienced during high speed canyon runs and track settings, but the brake pads yield confidence during those experiences. Dust levels are still minimal, but still a little more than OEM (expected). Cold bite is stronger than OEM and modulation is very consistent and predictable.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 9
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 6 (OEM = 3)
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 5 (OEM = 3)
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 7 (OEM = 4)
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 9
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) 10 / (4 if you track it)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N

[CSG David]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Winmax / Winmax
Caliper (F/R): Stock / Stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OEM / OEM
Compound (F/R): W4 / W4
Tires: Michelin Primacy HP 215/45/17 F/R || Bridgestone RE11A 225/45/17 F/R || Hankook RS3 245/40/17 F/R

Feedback:
This is a good competitor to the HC+800 brake pad. Bite is not as strong as the HC+800, but the modulation is very linear and predictable. The friction coefficient from cold to hot is consistent with no surprises. Dust is much higher than the W1 and W2 due to a performance grade compound and noise is to be expected. Noise is still less than HC+800. Great entry level track pad that can handle the heat and an excellent way to learn how deep the car can go into braking zones. The compound is forgiving and a good way to keep yourself from fading your brake pads. Under long sessions and time attack situations, brake pads can possibly fade, but the pad never loses its composure.

Bite is still better than the W1 and W2 and much better than the OEM. Noise can be reduced with proper bed-in. It can either be completely silent, or sometimes a little squeaky after long track sessions.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 5
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 6 (OEM = 3)
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 6 (OEM = 3)
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 8
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 6
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) 10 / (5 if you track it)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N

[CSG David]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): OEM / OEM
Caliper (F/R): Stock / Stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OEM / OEM
Compound (F/R): OEM / OEM
Tires: Michelin Primacy HP 215/45/17 F/R || Hankook RS3 245/40/17 F/R

Feedback:
I wanted to revisit the OEM brake pads since we have the 2nd BRZ to play with. The OEM pads are good for what they are. Quiet, very low dust, and smooth operation. The pads lack bite after having a taste of performance brake pads. They are designed to be incredibly smooth so it is very easy on the driver and passengers (comfort as its foremost importance).

OEM brake pads during track situations has been scary. The pads faded in 3 corners on track with mushy pedal after 1/3 of a lap on Buttonwillow. This is not good for performance driving for us, but it's a great learning tool to learn the importance of getting the right equipment for the intended application. These will hold up with some fun canyon runs with minimal braking requirements, but don't expect these pads to help you stop on a dime when it's needed.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 10
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 3
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 3
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 6
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 10
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) 10 / (1 if you track it)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N

[CSG David]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Project Mu / Project Mu (PMU)
Caliper (F/R): Stock / Stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OEM / OEM
Compound (F/R): NS400 / NS400
Tires: Michelin Primacy HP 215/45/17 F/R || Hankook RS3 225/40/17 F/R

Feedback:
Before the W1 came into our lives, NS400 was the brake pad to go to for an upgrade to the OEM brake pads. PMU has its trademark friction qualities that entice the user with excellent bite and feel. Modulation with PMU has always been a pleasure to work with. The upper limits of the NS400 is its downside for obvious reasons. It is developed to be a full street pad with little to no dust and noise qualities.

The bite is strong enough for confident canyon runs that require some braking. Overall feel is better than the OEM equipment and very comparable to the Winmax W1. Fade is more noticeable with the NS400 over the W1 pad due to its formulation. Which is not a bad quality at all. NS400 is good at dictating the limitations. This allows the driver to understand how much the car can be pushed without

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 10
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 5 (OEM = 3)
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 5 (OEM = 3)
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 7
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 10
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) 10 / (2 if you track it)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N