Cyclone09Z06

Hey guys, looking for a gauge on my brake pads, I have been working on trying to get my budget under control, while affordding more track days. with that being said, I am currntly running DBA 4000 rotors, Quantum Cooling kit and CarboTech pads xp-8/XP-8. I currently have about 12/30 min sessions, 4 at Sebring and 8 at daytona, I have been told my rotors appear to have about 1-2 days left and I am looking for your input on minimum thicknes on my front pads, I was hopping to get one more day out of them. I am going to XP12/XP10 when these are done.

AU N EGL

I change pads at 50% pad thickness, then keep for emergencies

50% pad thickness does NOT mean 50% pad life remaining, more like 20% pad life.

As to your rotor life, run them until the cracked to the edges.

John Shiels

you can run them down to 1/8" if they are race pads.

beerkat

If your rotors only have a couple of more days then run the pads that you have until you change the rotors. New rotors/new pads.

Question: Do you do your own brake work?

DarkMastyr

At this point...

rayk

Been there, done that. Back in 2006, first HPDE I went to burned up the stock pads on the mustang. Drove home with them looking looking like that too.

My introduction to buying pads, rotors, and fluid.

CHJ In Virginia

I usually run my pads down to 1/8 to 3/16" before trashing them. If they are close, I just replace them as I hate thrashing the brakes while hot at the track. Rotors, I run them till I get a heat check crack big enough to catch a fingernail in. If it hangs in the crack, they are replaced. Same thing, I hate changing hot rotors at the track between run sessions.

Cyclone09Z06

Yes, I do my own brakes, and general work, I used to build my own motors but those days are gone , Soooo I should be able to get through 4-5/30 min sessions on 1/8 left ? ,...I will be taking my spares (Rotors, pads) but don't really want to have to change them at the track. I drag raced in my younger days and have not raced for 15 years until I bought my z06 eight months ago and now have 8 track days. I will say this there is no comparison Tracking to Drag racing I am having a blast.

jlutherva

No, w/ 1/8 " left, I would just toss them and start off with a fresh pair. You would have to take a spare set with you anyway; it's really just a choice of when you want to do the work. Like CHJ, I don't like changing hot pads between runs. What tires are you running?

I understand your budget concerns; brakes are a major wear/expense item.

Jim

Cyclone09Z06

These are the pictures of my rotors, I sent these to Ken at KNS and to Steve at DBA they both said the same thing run until your finger nail catches. "as a general rule". I will say Ken is great always willing to talk and educate.

Cyclone09Z06

Thanks, I have XP12's coming, so I think I will take your advice and just change them out, I have Michelin PSS in stock size, I ran these at Daytona, and i have a set of NT05's 285/335 I have been using as my track tires, just now on my second set. Hind sight, wish I would have bought R6's.

Painrace

You got a lot bigger ***** than me!

Jim

jawfixer

It has been said before--continue with your present tires because they will give you feedback and are more forgiving. They will squeal before they break loose and give you some margin of error. The Hoosiers certainly have a different response and will improve times but they will not give you as much warning when they are going to lose traction and away you go. You can push them harder but there is a quick point of lost traction. IMO You may not be at that point yet on the sport tires.

VTME13

In my '03 Z, I generally run them down until the friction material is as thick as the backing plate, no special tools required or guessing. Not sure this applies to a c6 z, I also run Ti shims past 50% pad thickness to help insulate the caliper pistons a bit. Not sure anyone makes shims for the C6Z setup... Padlets or not.

beerkat

The reason I ask is that since rotors and pads are consumable items it saves a lot of money that can be put to better uses. With the cheap NAPA rotors I run them till they crack and then change them. I agree that working at the track can be a PITA but sometimes you just have to do it.

Painrace

For racers working at the track is a given!

Jim

Cyclone09Z06

Yea, I hear ya, in my drag racing days that’s all I did was work, work and work. I took my NT05's to Daytona and decided to run them on day two, they were vibrating around 140 so I came back in and took them off and had Hoosier balance, put em back on and again same thing. not sure if it was really a problem as much as the Michelins were smooth as glass, anyway back off they came and back on went the Michelins. as my wife was questioning why I was working so hard, the guy next to makes a commit did you come here to work or to have fun. Ha

Painrace

Yep! Winning is fun!

Jim

John Shiels

yea just don't touch the brake pedal!

Jason

Change your pads the session before you enter Turn1 at RdAtl with no brakes.