Brake Pads: Stop Tech Street Performance vs. Ferodo DS2500 vs. Carbotech XP10?

[Smurfette]

@CSG_David, I would go to you, but I'm in San Francisco!

Thanks for the great advice. Sounds like the XP10 could be a good bet. I hear they eat the rotors though, but I can just replace them with Centrics when they do? Where is the best place to get the XP10?

I've done between a dozen and two dozen track days, done racing school, so advanced intermediate? It's been about 2 years since I last went to the track, and I am tempted to get the StopTechs because they are cheap, but I would be very if I got brake fade and had to end early.

Eventually may look at upgrading to ST43 and more aggressive tires. Maybe some SS brake lines, SSR 18" if I go BBK, etc.

How important is it that I upgrade to SS brake lines, and do you guys have any recommendations? Planning on running Motul RBF 600. It's what I have now, but I want to do a flush.

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by Smurfette

@CSG_David, I would go to you, but I'm in San Francisco!

Thanks for the great advice. Sounds like the XP10 could be a good bet. I hear they eat the rotors though, but I can just replace them with Centrics when they do? Where is the best place to get the XP10?

I've done between a dozen and two dozen track days, done racing school, so advanced intermediate? It's been about 2 years since I last went to the track, and I am tempted to get the StopTechs because they are cheap, but I would be very if I got brake fade and had to end early.

Eventually may look at upgrading to ST43 and more aggressive tires. Maybe some SS brake lines, SSR 18" if I go BBK, etc.

How important is it that I upgrade to SS brake lines, and do you guys have any recommendations? Planning on running Motul RBF 600. It's what I have now, but I want to do a flush.

I wouldn't get the SS brake lines unless I had to... especially on a newer car, I would, instead, periodically check the lines because when they fail they just fail, with OEM lines you would be able to tell they start going bad.. if you're getting a BBK you will have to replace them though since they come with the kit

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by glamcem

I really liked the XP12s for its "OEM-like" feedback and the noise levels but the problem was the pad life, I stilll destroyed them quickly though , that might also have to do with the power levels of the car and it (or even the XP10s) may last longer for an NA car

Has to do with heat. Raybestos are good pads too. The range of modulation is different of course.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by glamcem

I really liked the XP12s for its "OEM-like" feedback and the noise levels but the problem was the pad life, I stilll destroyed them quickly though , that might also have to do with the power levels of the car and it (or even the XP10s) may last longer for an NA car

You need a BBK.

[Locust]

Reading this thread I can't help but wonder if you're looking for the wrong thing out of your brake pads. Street pads aren't designed to hold up to a track day at full speed. Anything that's considered a street performance pad is a lot better for autocross than HPDE. You can get close with street pads if you drive around it but it's still the same problem of trying to fit a square peg through a round hole.

[strat61caster]

I'm in a similar boat but DD my car everyday.

I'm very happy with my XP10's and at this point would never bother with a hybrid pad, anything that claims to be streetable is not suitable for the track on this car for me driving. Or at least that's what I believe at this point.

Planning on picking up the TRD brake pads for the street when I wear through my stock pads and continuing to swap back and forth for DD or events. It's a 45 minute job for me to swap brake pads solo with just hand tools and a floor jack.

As for the rotors I've been on the XP10's for the past 3 weeks out of laziness and they've done great, 2x track days on them couple thousand DD miles ~40 AutoX runs and my rotors are within 1mm of factory fresh. There's a guy who's been competitively autocrossing his car for 2+ years still on factory rotors at 100k miles, the engine gave out first...

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16365

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...96&postcount=3

Whatever you decide, keep an eye on things, check up before and after events and nothing should take you by surprise, car is pretty communicative and will let you know if you are overdoing it. And the more I see the more I'm convinced to not waste time with hybrid pads, they will always compromise in favor of street and as you yourself have said the end goal is to enjoy your track session worry free.

Spending $200+ on track time and loosing out because you didn't spend the extra $100-$200 split up over 4+ events doesn't add up.

Edit: XP10's for me get very noisy on the street unless they get up to temperature regularly (and I'm not going to get aggressive in traffic so they will continue to be loud when DD'd for me) and there is a significant amount of dust, other than that cold bite is great and my rotors have tons of life left.

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

You need a BBK.

maybe I'll see how the ST47/ST45 will do and if it doesn't work I will probably get some Stoptechs down the road

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I'm very happy with my XP10's and at this point would never bother with a hybrid pad, anything that claims to be streetable is not suitable for the track on this car for me driving.

I still find the XP10s a bit weak but it might be just fine with a street tire, RS3s, Direzza ZIIs etc.. like I said before, there is no wrong tire/pad combo but rather there is mismatched tire/pad combo.. maybe if I tried the XP10s with something a little less aggressive than NT01s, I'd be just happy but it also depends on your driving style or your modulation (like @CSG David mentioned above), that is something that I've been working on for years

I have to say I didn't have a single issue with running ST43s on the street with this car, . , in fact I was too lazy and drove the car with ST43s everyday they're a little bit noisy and leave dust but didn't hurt my rotors so I just drove to the track with the same set still using them on the street and they keep going , I am not sure if it would make the ST43s hybrid pad though,I think it all depends on the car...with the Vette it was a total nightmare and even shameful at times when driving in plazas or downtown area , that look on people's faces ..it was that loud.

[strat61caster]

@glamcem
Definitely a style/skill thing keeping my XP10's from being exceeded (4x track days total experience), I believe some people can absolutely kill them, never meant to imply that they were foolproof.

[Smurfette]

Since I'm super cheap (and hopefully not penny wise, pound foolish ), I ordered the StopTechs. The previous owner used them at Laguna, which is more brake intensive than Thunderhill's 5 mile, and didn't experience any fade. I'll be learning the car, track, getting back into track shape so I don't anticipate killing the pads...at least I hope not!

I'll probably go with Ferodo the next time, work my way to CarboTech, and the BBK and dedicated track pads...along with upgrading tires, etc. Excited to get back out there!

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by Smurfette

Since I'm super cheap (and hopefully not penny wise, pound foolish ), I ordered the StopTechs. The previous owner used them at Laguna, which is more brake intensive than Thunderhill's 5 mile, and didn't experience any fade. I'll be learning the car, track, getting back into track shape so I don't anticipate killing the pads...at least I hope not!

I'll probably go with Ferodo the next time, work my way to CarboTech, and the BBK and dedicated track pads...along with upgrading tires, etc. Excited to get back out there!

don't get me wrong but it's a very bad idea IMO, don't ever go super cheap when it comes to brakes or tires since those are the two most critical things that help you save you and your car when you need them.. our cars are not that cheap you may at least consider getting XP10s to use with your PSS like @strat61caster mentioned ...with XP10s I don't think you would experience "ICE MODE"

you'd at least be able to use your brakes, fading brakes may be a lot dangerous than over heating your tires ..better safe than sorry

[Smurfette]

Originally Posted by glamcem

don't get me wrong but it's a very bad idea IMO, don't ever go super cheap when it comes to brakes or tires since those are the two most critical things that help you save you and your car when you need them.. our cars are not that cheap you may at least consider getting XP10s to use with your PSS like @strat61caster mentioned ...with XP10s I don't think you would experience "ICE MODE"

you'd at least be able to use your brakes, fading brakes may be a lot dangerous than over heating your tires ..better safe than sorry

You're giving me second thoughts! Yeah, brakes are definitely important. The StopTechs have already shipped, but I'll continuing thinking about it...literally going in circles!

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by Smurfette

You're giving me second thoughts! Yeah, brakes are definitely important. The StopTechs have already shipped, but I'll continuing thinking about it...literally going in circles!

Stoptechs are great street pads IMO, I will most likely get another set for street

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Smurfette

You're giving me second thoughts! Yeah, brakes are definitely important. The StopTechs have already shipped, but I'll continuing thinking about it...literally going in circles!

Yeah I think getting the Stoptechs was a mistake to be honest. It sounds like we've got roughly the same level of experience (15+ track days, intermediate/advanced HPDE) and for me, the Stoptechs faded after a few laps. I think you're probably going to have the same issue.

As long as you don't mind backing off every few laps, it's somewhat manageable, but I would highly recommend XP10 or even XP12-level pads.