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Old 05-03-2005, 03:23 PM   #1
quelegal
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Join Date: May 2004
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Question Brake pads for street/occasional track use

Hey.

I'd like to ask your opinion on what brake pads you would use on a WRX with stock rotors for street use and occasional track use. My pads are worn and I need to replace them. I heard good things about Porterfield R4-S pads. Anyone have any experience with these pads? Any other suggestions?

-Quelegal
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:17 PM   #2
2phless
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I like my Carbotechs. I run their baseline ones which I believe are called Panthers. Infinitely less fade that the stocks that come on the STi (brembo brand). Hard breaking from triple digets is no problem, even time after time.

The break in period on the rears is a bit brutal. They'll squeal for a while. I've run through one set of fronts already (wasn't nice to them so I could be nicer to the tranny) and they didn't wear to bad on the rotors. My rear carbotechs still look like they could run another 100k miles.
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:25 PM   #3
coolcougar
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Although most would say that optimally you should have a separate pad compound for the street and one for the track... and I agree with them. However after saying that in my experience Carbotech's Panther Plus pads are IMHO about the best compromise out there...

From Carbotech's Website:

Quote:
CARBOTECH PANTHER PLUS (1106): A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range (150F to 1250F). Advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial "bite", high coefficient of friction (0.54-0.56), and very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Panther Plus offers high fade resistance, rotor friendliness at all temperatures, and excellent cold stopping power. As a result, Panther Plus is an excellent choice for beginner-novice lapping day and high performance driver's schools on street driven cars using street or R-compound tires, eliminating the need to change brake pads at the track. Panther Plus has gained tremendous popularity with SCCA Prosolo/Solo2 competitors for its fantastic bite and modulation. In addition, Panther Plus has seen great success as a race-only pad on lighter improved touring and vintage race cars (ITC, etc). Not recommended as a daily-driving street pad due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise.

But be careful! With the stock sized rotors and on a track with several hard breaking zones you can over heat the pads and if not careful the rotors... This I know for a fact and I had the rear H-6 sized rotors, rear bobcat pads, high-temp fluid, and auxiliary brake ducts to help with cooling.

Edit: Oops, too slow... what 2phless said...
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Old 05-03-2005, 04:39 PM   #4
Axan
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+1 for the carbotechs, the panther + is the best compromise for street/track. They can be bit loud when new but eventually brake in.
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Old 05-03-2005, 07:01 PM   #5
Drakon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2phless
I like my Carbotechs. I run their baseline ones which I believe are called Panthers. Infinitely less fade that the stocks that come on the STi (brembo brand). Hard breaking from triple digets is no problem, even time after time.

The break in period on the rears is a bit brutal. They'll squeal for a while. I've run through one set of fronts already (wasn't nice to them so I could be nicer to the tranny) and they didn't wear to bad on the rotors. My rear carbotechs still look like they could run another 100k miles.
I ran with the panther+ pad on my BMW 330xi last summer from July thru Nov doing 4 track days at Watkins Glen and 2K-3K driving. I had exactly the same experience with the noise on break-in then and again with a new set of front pad this spring. I went back to the OE pad and rotors for the winter and when I took the panther+ out, the front pads were almost spent but the rear pads were like new. But very little wear to the rotors, maybe 2mm if that much. Stopping with them is amazing, as they will haul you down super quick and no fade at all. They work even better once you get them up to temp, but that’s also when they seem to sing out a bit when you use them lightly at a stop light. Might turn a few heads your way. And just be ready for a lot of dust on your rims. But the dust is more gray than black. I do love these pads for what they do, and that is gets you slowed down fast!!!! So much better than the stock pad BMW supplies. I can only guess the same for Subaru. Carbotech was great to deal with too. They were able to look up my order and info from last year whille on the phone and I had my pads 3 days later with no hassel.
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Old 05-03-2005, 07:39 PM   #6
LyveWRX
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You also might want to do some research on the Ferodo DS2500's. I like mine.
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Old 05-04-2005, 11:55 AM   #7
Chicote
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I run the Cobalt Friction Sport GT's. They are awesome! I put them on about a year ago anticipating a track day. 30K later this year I finally did a track day. I was going to replace them with Cobalt's Spec VR's but there was so much pad left that my instructor said these would be fine. And they were! I had plenty of brake left after the weekend. Give them a look.

Next I'm going to try those Spec VR's (although not good for the street since they are a dedicated track pad)

Ron
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