Well, I’m currently running Hawk HPS pads, SS lines, ATE Fluid and stock rotors. This set up was doing ok, but at the last track day I had brake fade in about 3 laps, So I was thinking it might be time to move up to some track pads. I would love to get a BBK, but that price is out of the question at the moment. Since I currently have Hawk pads, I have been looking at the Hawk HT-10 track pads. This is where my questions start. On RSD.com, they only list the fronts, is there a reason for that? Do most people on purchase front track pads, and leave their rear street ones in? And then... I have stock rotors, How long will those things last while running the HT-10's? I don't want to spend half the cost of a BBK on rotors and pads, I want this to be a cheaper upgrade. Any info at all would be greatly appreciated...

Step 1) Get off of Hawk Pads
Step 2) Get on Carbotech or Ferodo or some of type of ceramic pads around here
Step 3) Enjoy using your stock rotors for more then a track day

-Tom

I am on the exact same setup and was quite surprised to have this same problem at the last track day. The last time I was there with OEM WRX pads, it took a long time to get any fade...

Are Hawk HP+ pads ceramic?

Are Hawk HP+ pads ceramic?
Nope

-Tom

So your saying, All Hawk pads are junk? And your recoment the Carbotech XP8-10 over the Hawk ht10?

No, Hawk isn't "junk".

Hawk pads stop your car. But they don't care what they do to your car to make it stop. Therefore they will destroy your rotors, screw up your wheels, mess up your paint if the dust gets on it, etc etc.

Carbotech pads for example, as much more rotor friendly. You can go through 3 or 4 or 5 sets of XP pads on the same set of rotors. Hawks would pretty much be a set of rotors per set of pads. The XP-8 is a great track pad for street tires or lighter cars for race tires, the XP-9 is an aggressive track pad for sticky streets or race pad for lighter cars. XP-10 is a race pad and probably too much for street tires. XP-11 and 12 are full race pads. Matt at Carbotech has the "Hoppe is a pu s sy" discount which is 10% off everything :)

-Tom

Matt at Carbotech has the "Hoppe is a pu s sy" discount which is 10% off everything :)
:lol: :lol: :lol:

So what ceramic pads would you recommend Tom for dual street & autoX use??? (no track events)

For no track events on street tires, the Carbotech Bobcat is a WONDERFUL pad. If you will be on R-comps though and can put up with some dusting, the Carbotech Panther Plus will offer more bite then the Bobcat and quite a bit more fade resistance. I wouldn't recommend the Panther Plus for street tires though, as you will have to be very easy with the pedal to prevent lockup.

-Tom

I never had problems with my Hawk HP+'s but don't use the HPS for the track. They will get too hot.

would the xp-8 be good for street/light track use on a 450+hp STI? i dont mind having to warm them up.

I would think so. Call Matt at Carbotech and talk to them. He knows everything there is to know :)

-Tom

For no track events on street tires, the Carbotech Bobcat is a WONDERFUL pad. If you will be on R-comps though and can put up with some dusting, the Carbotech Panther Plus will offer more bite then the Bobcat and quite a bit more fade resistance. I wouldn't recommend the Panther Plus for street tires though, as you will have to be very easy with the pedal to prevent lockup.

-Tom
Thanks Tom! :)

would the xp-8 be good for street/light track use on a 450+hp STI? i dont mind having to warm them up.

XP8s are very flexible for track work. I use them for fairly heavy track work with no issues. You really have to push them to get them too hot. Very rotor friendly too. I'm on my second set (after panther pluses and half of the stock pads). My rotors are at end of life due to heat cycles more than surface wear. They don't dust excessively either. They can be noisy on the street though and although they stop pretty well cold, you want to keep it in the back of your mind.

Todd

thanks a lot for the input guys, and sorry for the mild thread jack. Noise is no problem, im running HP+s right now remember :lol:

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking XP9's might be the right choice but I am not sure, I will call or email Carbotech and see what they have to say.

You should consider EBC Yellowstuff R's, too. Ferodo can be hard to find. I have no experience with Carbotech, but seen the good reviews.

I just ran Yellow R's at CA Speedway and they ran very well, no fade, fine on the street but I am in CA and it is warmer than some climes. Plenty of pad left and rotors look great. Low dust, no noise on the street, also.

Subie Gal uses the R's and has had very good experience. She is really racing, so they should stand up to about anything.

My $.02.

George

Anyone know who sells Carbotech XP9's? Also should I run the same pad front and rear, or different compound for rear then front?

www.carbotecheng.com :)

-Tom

I found a supporting vender that has them, Now I'm just curious if I should run the same (xp9's) all around or get a different compound for rear.

Hey blurr, have you noticed the HPS's wearing your rotors a lot? I hope it's just the Hawk track pads that kill the rotors, rather than the streets... I have a set to put in, but Tom's comments got me concerned.

I can't comment on Hawk's street pads, only their race ones.

-Tom

I'm actually not sure on rotor wear, I'd take a look for you right now but my car is at the local shop recovering from a track day fire. I do know that the HPS last on track when you brake early, but when threshold braking, they fade really quick. I am also running a 270whp car, so it may be different for lower powered cars.

I can't comment on Hawk's street pads, only their race ones.

-Tom

Race ones meaning HP+ ? I will be using these on the stock Brembos for this year. Will see how they perform at track days - Calif Speedway, Big Willow Springs, etc.

i used to use hawk hp plus on my integra and didnt notice it messing up my paint or wheels??? anyone else have that problem from direct experience ?
They do have a lot of brake dust and squeal but i dont ever remember them messing up my rims.



You can get them to fade if you do a lot of threshold braking consistenly on courses with a lot of braking in it.

what are some other comparable brake pads to the hawk hp plus?
i can get them for 80 buck or so for front and about the same for rear.

Watch out for KVR pads. Not mentioned but after 15 000kms, 20 autox and a track day I was suprised to see tha pads at 60% still. I was also suprised to see the backing plate and pad seperated on all the front pads...

Step 1) Get off of Hawk Pads
Step 2) Get on Carbotech or Ferodo or some of type of ceramic pads around here
Step 3) Enjoy using your stock rotors for more then a track day

-Tom
which carbotech or ferodo's do you reccomend for track use?

I just did a track day at NHIS on Carbotech Panther+ all-around. They held up fine and allowed me to drive to/from the track without swapping pads. If you're really hardcore then you may want to use a more dedicated pad like the XP__.

For Ferodo, I've heard the DS(?)2500 is a good street/track pad. The DS3000 would be better for the more hardcore track driver.

HP+ are not race pads - been on my car for 10k hard miles and 2 events - same rotors. They did not fade but I only have RE-070's. HPS are street pads and like any street pad will fade on the track.

Hawk Blues do have the reputation for being aggressive on rotors - they are also the number one selling race pad in the world. But that's probably because of the good marketing. :rolleyes: The newer compounds such as HT-10's, 14's and DTC's have improved on this.

Excessive rotors wear occurs when the pad is operated outside it's intended heat range - either too cold or too hot.

Race pads are expensive - even with a BBK you will still be buying expensive pads for the track.

ive been running Project Mu Pro Max Level 900s on my stock rotors...and they totally at them up. I love the performance, but rotors arent always super easy to come by

I decided to go with Carbotech XP9's, I will find out how they do end of the month.