HPDE / Brake Pads

[milhouse]

I can see that this topic has in some ways been beat to death, but at the same time, the amount of information is a bit overwhelming and difficult to parse, so I am looking for a bit of guidance.

I am doing a BMW HPDE two day event (NJMP Thunderbolt) in early April with my BRZ. If I was doing a one day event I probably wouldn't bother, but I am driving 120 miles, then doing a two day event, then 120 miles back, so I have some questions about brakes.

I know stock brake pads will work on the track, but I don't know that they are "best" for this. I've seen lots of brake pads that are good for the track or good for the road, but I can't seem to find advice on any what's a good mix. Obviously I can swap out the brake pads, but I'd rather not go that route, unless that's clearly best. I'm looking at the Carbotech x8/x10s but those appear to be more track brake pads and are loud for street use. I'm also not sure whether I should do front and rear, or just front. This is a one time event but I'd like to do more down the road, but at this point I'm a beginner.

If it was a one-day event I wouldn't even bother yet, but I am worried about the long drives and two days on the track. I haven't gone FI, but do have a CAI and catback, so I'm making only a bit more power than stock, if any.

So any suggestions?

Thanks.

[SubiePig]

Being your first event, I wouldn't worry about doing anything more than good fluid and just driving but if you really want to do anything; Project Mu pads, and good fluid (motul, ATE, etc.). I liked the bias with stock rear and Project mu HC800 fronts. If you aren't going to do another track day for a few months and don't want to deal with the dust of a track pad just buy front pads, scuff the rotor with a scotch-brite pad and go bed them in. After the event do the same with the stock pads.

[milhouse]

Thanks - I have to/want to do the brake fluid flush and am planning on switching to Motul. I'd rather not do brake pads for now anyway, so if I can by with the stock pads, I'm happier and have a heavier wallet.

[yomny]

I did a couple of track days with the stock pads and while they did fade, it could be controlled. The fluid however was boiled after the first track day.

[CSG Mike]

If any of the following are true, you are NOT going to be happy with OEM pads on the track:

- You have ANY sort of experience with high performance driving
- You have an instructor that is even halfway decent
- You can follow instructions and/or can take coaching well


It's always better to have too much brake, than not enough. Get the pads.

[yomny]

Re-reading over your original post, you're going to be beating the pads for two days and a long drive two ways. I would say if you don't want to buy upgraded pads have some sort of replacement in case something doesn't go as planned.

[milhouse]

So maybe it is best to have dedicated track pads and run stocks on the street. I do plan, barring something completely unexpected, to do these kinds of events fairly often (2-3 / year). Installing and uninstalling brake pads seems pretty easy on the twins.

I guess I'll go take another look at the track pad threads, though suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by milhouse

So maybe it is best to have dedicated track pads and run stocks on the street. I do plan, barring something completely unexpected, to do these kinds of events fairly often (2-3 / year). Installing and uninstalling brake pads seems pretty easy on the twins.

I guess I'll go take another look at the track pad threads, though suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.

We have a WinmaX Group buy going right now... The W4 is probably a good candidate for you.

Otherwise, we stock all the other usual suspects.