brake pads

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 10:03 am

On my 99 Cobra, I run Carbotech XP10 front and XP8 rear with front brake ducts on a 3684lb car (with me and 1/2 tank). No fade.

I may try some of the BHP track pads after I go through the XP10s.

On the 01 convertible I was driving this weekend (around 3600lbs as well), I was running a set of Hawk Blacks on the front and high-end Bendix on the rear. I bought the Blacks off Randy at the track last month after I went through all my spare pads. I left them on for this event and they did fine with the street tires on the car. The pads could induce ABS at T1, T4 and T14 by simply overpowering the street tires. I recognized this (and expected it) in the first session and adapted.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

The answer is NOT new/bigger brakes. The answer is simply proper track pads.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Since Mike mentioned wear, I just wanted to add that I used the HP+ at VIR N last month & Christine and I both used the same pads for 9 sessions total at VIR F. Still well over half remaining. Rotors look awesome, too.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:01 pm

And still on the topic of pad wear - I had brand spankin new OEM Pagids on the M3 for this event, and the rears are GONE. Fronts have 75% of their meat left, but the rears are <1/8" remaining. Talk about rear bias!

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 9:09 pm

Dustin,

I had the same issue with the Mustang when I had it on track with the OEM pads. The rears were completely gone by the end of the second session on Sunday. The HP+ pads that I replaced them with were much better.

Todd

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:44 am

You guys that are going through rear pads, are you leaving the traction control on while on the track?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:10 am

Kevin Harvey wrote:

You guys that are going through rear pads, are you leaving the traction control on while on the track?

I did have the traction control on for my first session out, but after that, no, I turned it off even for the rain session. I figured it would make me pay more attention to my inputs and control the car. I did leave the ABS intact. I think for the e36 you can pull a fuse to dissable the ABS, but I'm simply not that good of a driver yet.

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:43 am

Kevin Harvey wrote:

You guys that are going through rear pads, are you leaving the traction control on while on the track?

Kevin, excellent point - given this was my first Green session, we did keep ASC enabled, and especially by the later sessions I was definitely engaging ASC in at least a couple areas. I'm sure this didn't help the issue.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:12 am

Kevin Harvey wrote:

You guys that are going through rear pads, are you leaving the traction control on while on the track?

Nope, turned off the traction control every time. Apparently the SN95 Mustangs are known for burning through rear pads.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Dustin Fredrickson wrote:

And still on the topic of pad wear - I had brand spankin new OEM Pagids on the M3 for this event, and the rears are GONE. Fronts have 75% of their meat left, but the rears are <1/8" remaining. Talk about rear bias!

Kevin has a good point about ASC. Also, in my experience -- once the front pads fade a little, I bet you (like me) just push on the brake pedal harder. That's what ends up killing the rear pads, which haven't heat soaked. Also causes the front pad taper -- higher force on the front pads means more flex.

I never thought I'd be recommending full race front and rear pads to a green student, but Dustin, you're special

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:54 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

... but Dustin, you're special

Why do I hear that comment so often?

MikeWhitney wrote:

I can't say enough good things about PFC01's in front and PFC97's in rear

How do you think this combo would work with street tires? Granted I'm running relatively sticky street tires, but I have to believe that at least at some point, I could definitely have too much bite for the rubber on the car.

Any general comments on balance of tire and brake also welcome.

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:34 pm

Dustin,

What are the wear ratings on your street tires?

Kevin

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:36 pm

Kevin Harvey wrote:

Dustin,

What are the wear ratings on your street tires?

Kevin

Bridgestone Potenza RE01R - I think they are a 200 rating - definitely a borderline "street" tire.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 10:01 pm

Dustin, i had similar concerns the first time i tracked my vette with carbotech pads. the common wisdom at the time reminded me that ABS would intercede way before i went shooting off the track due to over-braking my tires.

the PFC pads Mike is suggesting are certainly a good choice. i ran them for maybe three or four events on the front and i think i have two on the rears. they require finesse i believe, but reward you with predictable behavior. i went very deep into turn one at Roebling once and was very impressed.

personally i think i prefer HT-10s as i am more of a blunt object sort of driver.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Dustin Fredrickson wrote:

How do you think this combo would work with street tires? Granted I'm running relatively sticky street tires, but I have to believe that at least at some point, I could definitely have too much bite for the rubber on the car.

Any general comments on balance of tire and brake also welcome.

PFCs would be a great choice IMO with sticky street tires too -- they aren't especially grabby, nor do they have a "lot" of bite -- they are just uber-predictable and consistent in my experience, with plenty of torque to get ABS on-demand. Not cheap though. And for the record I haven't tried anything from BHP. But I have been through plenty of Hawk and Carbotech pads to be a PFC fan.

Just one person's experience!

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