Track Brake Pad Discussion Thread

[canu_50]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I would recommend you run the same compound front/rear. You will be HEAVILY overworking the fronts with your setup; the rear doesn't have enough bite to ever really be doing any work.

This!! it was my concern!

Thanks, i will try this set up!! 60's front and rear instead!!

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by canu_50

just ordered a set of DTC-60 front and HP+ rear for the car, will be running street tire (either RS-3 or Rival)

One guy did a review on dtc70/60 but on hoosier and didn't talk much about the braking bias, anybody have an idea?

i know the 60's rear will have a lot more bite then HP+, but since i am running street tires, this should be plenty.

I do have a set of R6 in my locker that i might throw on the car, will see as the year pass!

I ran DTC-60's front and rear, great bite, a little rotation under trail braking with this setup.

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by RWD_only

Does anyone have experience with Cobalts on the twins?

Yep, I ran XR2/XR4 setup, too much bias up front, and am trying out the XR2/XR2 this weekend.

more consistent pad than the DTC-60's, and didn't ruin my wheels like the DTC-60's did. Similar bite with the XR2/XR4, so I'm hoping XR2 all around will have even more bite.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by smbstyle

Yep, I ran XR2/XR4 setup, too much bias up front, and am trying out the XR2/XR2 this weekend.

more consistent pad than the DTC-60's, and didn't ruin my wheels like the DTC-60's did. Similar bite with the XR2/XR4, so I'm hoping XR2 all around will have even more bite.

XR2's had corrosive dust in my experience a few years ago...

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

XR2's had corrosive dust in my experience a few years ago...

Haven't had any problems yet (knock on wood) but the DTC-60s absolutely ruined my stock wheels after the dust got wet on a rainy day on track.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by smbstyle

Haven't had any problems yet (knock on wood) but the DTC-60s absolutely ruined my stock wheels after the dust got wet on a rainy day on track.

Ah, if you heat the dust up on a wet day, you're effectively baking the dust on... always wipe off dust on wet days.

This goes for ANY pad.

[EAGLE5]

All sorts of recommendations going on here. I ran PFC 06 on my 550i and absolutely loved them at the track. What's an FR-S equivalent as they don't make FR-S pads?

Or is there something else you would recommend for Thunderhill and Laguna Seca while running stock tires? I will run them for that week then take them off.

[Luftmeister]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Ferodo
Caliper (F/R): OEM
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): OEM
Compound (F/R): DS2500 front and rear
Tires: 245/40-17 Direzza ZII

Feedback:
Ran these pads for 2 days at Road America for HPDE, and 6 autox events. I use them as a daily street use pad as well. I had these installed with Super Blue Racing fluid. I followed the bedding in instructions found online but they squeal quite a bit on the street, especially with light braking. (I find this typical and acceptable)

I find them to have very good bite and performance, especially for the price. Very little dusting, but I'm running them on black wheels. I may switch to Carbotech this season just for a comparison.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 9
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 6
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 7
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 8
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 7
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): (estimate/actual) 7/9
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? (Y/N) N
Brake ducts: (Y/N) N

[Thongpocket]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Project Mu Club Racer
Caliper (F/R): Factory
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): Factory size Stoptech Slotted Rotors
Compound (F/R): RC09
Tires: 235/40/17 Bridgestone RE11's wrapped on Enkei RPF1 17x8's

Feedback:
I bought these pads from @CSGMike when the Carbotech pads I wanted were out of stock in preparation for next weekends time attack. So far i'm very pleased with these pads as they did not fade at all while bedding them in and have a fantastic bite and modulation. I changed the rotors, wheels and pads all at once so I cant say the pads are 100% to blame for the VAST improvement in braking but I have a feeling these will do quite well at road Atlanta. Updates to come.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 5
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 7
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 8
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 8
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 8
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): TBD
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? N
Brake ducts: N

[Kido1986]

HP+ aren't great pads in my experience. They are loud, dusty and abrasive like a track pad without the real performance of a track pad. I try to convince people not to get these. Spend the few bucks more for DS2500s for better performance, similar-to-less dust and a LOT less noise.

[rice_classic]

I know some folks have been struggling to find a distributor for the "miracle" pads from Raybestos.

Call Tim at http://racebrakes.com/
949-548-4470

Excellent guy, can cut just about any compound in any backing plate. Spoke with Tim today. Gave him my feedback as well as getting some very good insights. I decided to buy another set of the Raybestos ST42 and try at set of the ST45s. I've also been having a backing plate sizing issue from other distributors I've ordered my pads from and he said he would alter the plate to suit my caliper needs.

Oh yea, the price I got from him was about $20less than anywhere else.

[Model Citizen]

Running cl rc5+ pads f/r, front brake kit is ap sprint, all bought from csgmike

5 track days, numerous autox and maybe approaching 10k dd miles so far. Pad depth looks to still be over half. I'm pretty terrible too, which supposedly isn't good for your brake longevity.

They dust like hell, squeal a bit.

But goddamnit they stop great all the time. When i put them on it was <40 degrees and rainy in april. They stopped great, even that first stop of the day. in 20 minute sessions they bring me down from 110+ just fine, each lap, every time.

really can't complain at all. they're a bit pricey, but seem to be wearing very well considering the use/abuse.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): .01
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 9
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 9
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 8
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 4
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 8
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? Probably, but hasn't yet, they are sintered.
Brake ducts: N

[kungfujerry]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): Ferodo
Caliper (F/R): OEM
Rotor Size (F/R): OEM
Compound (F/R): DS1.11
Tires: OEM Michelin Primacy HP

Feedback:
Tried to bed these in on the street when I installed them, but couldn't get enough heat into them. Squealed like a freight train street driving even after 3 track days of heavy brake use. They just quieted down after two hot track days at Road America. They take some getting used to on the street (high bite even at cold temps vs. stock), but on the track haven't even had a hint of fading. 25 min sessions a Road America with 90+ degree ambient temps, 115-40mph braking was no problem. Very progressive pad, very predictable from cold to hot temps. 5 total track days this year and the pads have a lot of material left.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): 3
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 8
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 8
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 9
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 1 (before bedded), 8 (after bedded)
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 9
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? Not sure
Brake ducts: Nope

[EAGLE5]

Brake Pad Manufacturer (F/R): PFC / Hawk
Caliper (F/R): Stock
Rotor Size (F/R - IE OEM or specify): Stock
Compound (F/R): PFC 08 / Hawk DT60
Tires: Stock Primacy

Feedback:
Too much bite in the rear, I think. It felt great until threshold braking, at which point it got squirrely. I wish I had the PFC 08 in the rear too. Definitely squeals on the street and even some on the track. I've heard worse, but it's embarrassing. The PFCs didn't bed as easily or cleanly as the Hawks, but with a bit more time on the track, they both coated their rotors nicely. In 109 degree weather, braking from any speed, they always did the job without any fade whatsoever. Even on Primacy tires, I noticed I braked later than most anybody in my noobish run group. Confidence in the pads helped a lot. When I get the pads off and see the wear, I'll know if they're winners or not.
13.5 20-minute track sessions.A bit of cooling laps, so call it 12.5 hot track sessions averaging 20 minutes each at Laguna Seca and Thunderhill. Also had a few days of street driving in there, but that's really nothing. The PFCs have ~1.5mm wear. Call it 2mm to be safe. 17mm of pad when new. So we're talking at least 10 track days (5 sessions per day) until these are half worn. 21 track days if you'll accept 1.5mm wear and are willing to go down to 25% pad.

Scores:
Dusting (1=high-10=low): F 3, R 3 Lots of dust all over the wheels.
Cold bite (1=low-10=high): 6 usable on the street
Hot bite (1=low-10=high): 7 for PFC, 9 for Hawk
Modulation (1=low-10=high): 6
Noise (1=extremely loud-10=quiet): 3 [the PFCs are the squealers, not the Hawks didn't squeal from what I could tell)
Pad Lifespan (1=short-10=long): 10/10 (see above)
Does the brake dust with this combination damage the wheels/paint if not cleaned immediately? Totally fine for both pads. Wipes off as a fine powder. Wheels look fine. Did not try in wet weather.
Brake ducts: Nope