outnumbered

We just returned from a great event at VIR with the Mazda Group. First I will say that it was a very well run event. Good instructors, well organized and friendly.

After some hot laps with 02impactblue, at the end of the main straight the brakes faded to nothing!, while half way through the braking zone.

There was nothing! at all! I had to drive straight off the track. Once they cooled back down they were fine again.

Any advice on a better pad for the stock calipers would be appreciated.



Dan

Miaugi

I use Carbotech XP-16's in the front & XP-10's in the rear, along with Motul 600 fluid, never have had any fade with this set-up and I use the OEM rotors & calipers.

Gray Ghost GS

Carbotech XP/12 or the new 16 (Front) and XP 10 (Rear) or the Wilwood H pads I believe are among the Top Performers on the track. Both have outstanding grip - its a trade off between Carbotechs that seem to wear a little faster than the Wilwood H's, while the Wilwood H pads tend to create more heat (little harsher on the rotors and may want to bleed brakes more often) than the Carbotechs. Both are great options to try next.

outnumbered

Thanks guys.

Do you have any brake bias problems when running lesser aggressive pads on the back.

My buddy was experiencing some tail wagging from mixed pads on his Z51C6. When he matched the compounds, he said it felt more stable.

Dan

Gray Ghost GS

I followed the advice of more experienced road course drivers who are using the XP12/10 combo, and I found this combo made my car much more balanced and predictable while pushing it harder given the weight distribution and other handling characteristics of our cars. I was at VIR this past weekend too (also Thursday and Friday with TrackDaze) - great time! Mike

Ben Diss

I'm a neubie here.

Curious how you know the fade was the result of your pads and not your brake fluid.

Thanks.

outnumbered

Good question. When your brake fluid boils you will loose pedal pressure.

When the pads fade, you still have pedal pressure but no grab form the pads to the rotor.

fhturner

What's the scoop on these XP-16s? I hear (but haven't yet verified for myself) that the 12s wear out quickly. Are the 16s supposed to be any better in this department? How else do they compare to 12s or other previous Carbotechs?

AU N EGL

What brake fluid were you using? What ever it was, my guess is that is shot also, time to flush, not bleed but flush for street use.

Many guys swap brake pads back and forth and forget to flush the brake fluid that boiled over from the track weekend.

Miaugi

The first time I used the 16's they did seem to last an awful long time.

Second time I used them (brand new set bedded in properly) I did the NCM VIR event (2 days) and then another 3 day event at Mt.Tremblant which is near my home in Montreal, Tremblant can be very hard on brakes.

After these two events (5 days total with about 7.5 - 8 hours of track time) they were done! Not as good as my first time using them, but my braking was more aggressive on the second set.

I have now installed another set and I'm still happy with their performance. I do think they last longer then the 12's and have at least the same bite.

94ZR1#444

I tested the XP16's and they wear out just as fast as the XP12's = FAST. Do you like to change pads after each weekend? If not, try PFC01's.

JDIllon

I ran Hawk DTC70s front and DTC60s rear and had very good braking and they lasted for 2 days at CMP, 3 days at Roebling, 1 day at Sebring and still had almost 50% pad left. In fact I am going back to that set up. For Roebling Sept 29-30 Stopping power was great. JD

gkmccready

I get about 14 sessions on a set of front PFC 01s and then they're very very toast. Part of that is probably running PFC Zs on the rear where I should probably have PFC 97s or similar, though.

I hear the Wilwood H pad is the one to run if you don't want to change them all the time. But you may end up changing rotors more often?

gonzalezfj

I'm not a fan of mixing pad compounds. Most T1 racers don't mix compounds either.

You can't beat Hawk DTC-70 or PFC-01 pads, period. Both offer superb braking and reasonably long life with relatively low rotor wear. Carbotechs wear too fast for my taste and are finicky in terms of bedding.

outnumbered

Hey Tom. Thanks for the tip.

I am running Motul 600. I will do a complete flush. So far I have not had any fluid problems. After every event we flush the calipers and fill the reservoir with new fluid. This procedure has worked flawlessly.

Dan

Wicked Weasel

we can get you a good deal on Wilwood H and wilwood brake fluid.

Send me a PM and I will get you pricing.

DoingOK

I'm running Carbotech XP10/8 combination(mild setup)...........no problems at all out there with you guys this weekend. I'll probably step up to 12/10's when these wear out. Who's using brakes out there anyways?

speedneed

JD, how much total track time is that? I'm running the same pads and still on the first set. One weekend at Road Atlanta, 9 30 min sessions, and 2 30's at Sebring and another 6 20's at Sebring. My pads are still showing the slot on the pad, probably an 1/8 inch left before the slot will be gone. How thin do you let your front pads get before you replace them?

outnumbered

Pm sent.

Thanks.

C6400hp

Not sure why so many here recommend Carbotech they must not have tried any other pads. The PFC01 or Hawk DTC's blow them away in performance as well as lasting much longer.