Winmax USA Brake Pads - Street, Autocross, Track, Endurance!

[CSG David]

Just wanted to let you guys know there is another brake pad manufacturer on the block! We've been a huge proponent of testing product profusely to understand the pros/cons of each item. We wanted to let you guys know we've been testing brake pads from Winmax USA and were impressed with the modulation, feel, and brake potential of the brake compounds.

As some of you may know, Winmax has been producing OEM and racing brake pads since the 1960s. Recently, they have decided to bring their experiences and data from the OEM and racing markets and come out with brake pads for the tuning market.

There are 8 different compounds available for every type of driving application you can imagine:

W1 - Sports - OE Replacement
W2 - Sports - Performance / AutoX
W3 - Sports Circuit - AutoX
W4 - Circuit - AutoX / Novice Track
W5 - Race/Rally - HPDE/Track
W6 - Race/Rally - Advanced Track
WE1 - Endurance - Racecar

Winmax W1 & W2 compounds





Winmax W3 compound




Winmax W4 compound





Winmax W5, W6, and WE1 compound







Don't hesitate to contact us @CounterSpace Garage regarding these compound types and application for your specific setup!

[OrbitalEllipses]

W3 looks like a great street pad in the vain of Porterfield R4S, Ferodo DS2500, etc.

Any comments in a comparison against those pads, @CSG David?

[CSG David]

W3 is a direct competitor against PF R4S and Ferodo DS2500. The pads in that particular realm is like choosing lug nut colors. The pads all work well for their intended purpose, but have slight variations in terms of feel and how the pad ramps up. Operating temperatures are similar. The W3, like R4S and DS2500, is definitely good for autocross, but I wouldn't run them on track as they quickly diminish in performance when you're hitting the upper ends of the operating temperature.

[Calum]

Deleted master cylinder? For when there isn't sufficient vacuum to make it whether keeping guessing?

[jvincent]

How do the W4/W5 compare to the Project My HC+800 for mixed street and novice track usage?

[ATL BRZ]

I'll try the W6 or W7 after I burn through my next set of PMU Club Racers.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by Calum

Deleted master cylinder? For when there isn't sufficient vacuum to make it whether keeping guessing?

W7 is is meant for cars with brake proportioning valves.

Originally Posted by jvincent

How do the W4/W5 compare to the Project My HC+800 for mixed street and novice track usage?

W4 is more comparable to HC+800 than the W5. The W5 is closer to a XP10 or Club Racer.

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

I'll try the W6 or W7 after I burn through my next set of PMU Club Racers.

W5 or W6 would be a better setup. Run non-staggered.


To all, we got a group buy going on. US residents in the 48 continental states get free shipping. PM me if you're interested for out of country shipments.

[finch1750]

Opinions on the w4 vs. Hc+800? I though I had decided on a set but this is an optiion I wasnt aware of.

It will be autox/hpde and its my frist year. Im running Bridgestone Potenza s-04 on stock power if any of the makes a difference. @CSG Mike @CSG David

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Opinions on the w4 vs. Hc+800? I though I had decided on a set but this is an optiion I wasnt aware of.

It will be autox/hpde and its my frist year. Im running Bridgestone Potenza s-04 on stock power if any of the makes a difference. @CSG Mike @CSG David

HC+800 has a stronger initial bite. W4 has a more linear braking characteristic. Both are good at what they're meant for. Keep in mind, it's a hybrid pad and not a full track pad or a full street pad so there are pros/cons for their particular compound make up.

[Trojan_SC]

W1/W2 are great for street/daily usage. Minimal dust and no noise

Unless you are pushing your car as hard as the CSG guys are, you don't really need more than W4. I've been using the Japanese Winmax Arma AP2 which is a compound between W3/W4 and they've been working great. But again, I not tracking at the level the CSG guys are. Someday...

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

I'll try the W6 or W7 after I burn through my next set of PMU Club Racers.

W7's might be a tad too aggressive for your normal BRZ/FRS IMO. Back in the day I loved massive initial bite but it can make it harder to control/modulate properly in my experience. I actually prefer a pad that's consistent across the temp range. That's what I LOVE about the CL pads actually.

I am excited a little about the WE1s maybe in Integra fitment for the chumpcar. They appear very inconsistent until you consider the car does 2 hour stints in actual racing conditions so brakes temps don't vary as much..

For these I think the average BRZ/FRS track driver would be good with the W4-W6 range, the W5 look good except for the rotor wear part. I wish the W6 were a bit more consistent.

This is all based on graphs and stuff though.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Trojan_SC

W1/W2 are great for street/daily usage. Minimal dust and no noise

Unless you are pushing your car as hard as the CSG guys are, you don't really need more than W4. I've been using the Japanese Winmax Arma AP2 which is a compound between W3/W4 and they've been working great. But again, I not tracking at the level the CSG guys are. Someday...

CSG pushes their brakes? LOL!!!!

I still hold the record for destroying an AP rotor first haha

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

W7's might be a tad too aggressive for your normal BRZ/FRS IMO. Back in the day I loved massive initial bite but it can make it harder to control/modulate properly in my experience. I actually prefer a pad that's consistent across the temp range. That's what I LOVE about the CL pads actually.

I am excited a little about the WE1s maybe in Integra fitment for the chumpcar. They appear very inconsistent until you consider the car does 2 hour stints in actual racing conditions so brakes temps don't vary as much..

For these I think the average BRZ/FRS track driver would be good with the W4-W6 range, the W5 look good except for the rotor wear part. I wish the W6 were a bit more consistent.

This is all based on graphs and stuff though.

The W4 works fine for people looking to start tracking, but our W4 brakes were smoking when we pulled off track. The funny part was despite being massively over the operating temperature, they didn't really "die" or "fade" hardcore. They do, however, don't bite particularly hard so you need to really be mindful of your braking points.

The W5 and W6 work well for the EHP and R-comps.

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

CSG pushes their brakes? LOL!!!!

I still hold the record for destroying an AP rotor first haha

LMAO! And we hold the record for how many pieces a rotor can be blown into on a street car.

[RiskyTrousers]

How would you compare the W3 and W4 pads for autox duty on street tire? Price shipped to 91206?