Originally Posted by yakisoba

I go really, really thin. Generally, my pads taper enough that when the first corner hits the plate, they're done. Now, that's DE usage, not racing. For a race, I'd want a bit more of a heat mass than that, so I'd replace when down to 1/4 width or so.

Originally Posted by freefall

I love the rotor wear - but eating pads in 1.5 days kills me (XP12 and XP10).

Originally Posted by tmak26b

Anyway I use their XP10 setup all around, let's just say you have to be careful and not use street tires with it. Else you will end up locking like a mad man.

Originally Posted by Falcon

Doesn't your C6 have ABS?

Originally Posted by tmak26b

Yes, but two issues.

#1 Your fronts will lock up TOO fast, computer will flip and engage ice mode.

#2 Threshold braking can outbrake the car in ABS under most condition, also ice mode wont allow you to trail brake.

Originally Posted by Falcon

#1 The wheels lock up in ABS? Sounds to me like you have a warranty issue.

Although I've never experienced "Ice Mode" (that I'm aware of), I thought "Ice Mode" by definition wouldn't give much, if any, braking to the wheels, therefore not allowing "lockup" in that mode either.

#2 I thought the purpose of threshold braking was to get maximum braking just short of wheel lockup? Seems to me if the wheels are locking up while threshold braking then the ABS would be the better alternative since it won't allow lockup (except for a possible warranty issue).

Originally Posted by fire_n_ice

I'm having 10/8 combo installed on my C6 Z06 as we speak! Stock rotors/calipers. My first opportunity to test them will be June 18 at Mosport. Will let you know how it goes!!

Originally Posted by Miaugi

I'll be looking for you there!

Originally Posted by varkwso

Hey Danny my two sets of XP10 fronts arrived today (to replace the pads I borrowed when ZO6Cool was not looking)...

I find the XP10s are fine for track use in front (8s in back) and I even like the XP8s all around for track and street use.

Glad to see you are on the forum...

So do you make pads for a 1983 Supra?

jeff

Originally Posted by 95jersey

I do have a question. You state that the higher the number the greater the initial bite/torque/heat resistance, but also the faster the wear. Understanding that brake pads are one of the most expensive consumables for us, many want to try and get every bit of useability possible. I always thought that if you bought a pad that was underrated for your application (eg. street pad for the track) that it would wear faster under higher temp conditions, not necessarily the other way around?

So, if I have a 3300lb 500rwhp C6Z06 running coil-overs and Hoosier R compounds with stock calipers, what is an approiate pad? I have tried lesser pads and ate through them like candy, I used your XP12's last year (and this) and seem to get decent wear with excellent braking. Would I get potentially better wear with the XP10 with a small sacrafice in braking performance? Or with the aggressive nature of the car, will I just eat through the XP10?

I have personally stayed away from the highest friction compound pads simply because they are expensive, only provide that extra 10th, and eat through rotors at 5X the pace. Just trying to understand your statement on "wear rate"?

Originally Posted by davidfarmer

I think he means that driven at their ultimate performance level, they will wear quicker than a lower heat-range pad at it's ultimate level.

Originally Posted by gonzalezfj

I am very glad for you guys that have had a good experience with Carbotech.

My experience with XP12s has been a disaster. I purchased my first set because they had the only pads in town for C6Zs in 2006.

Installed them with new rotors and bedded them in as recommended in their instructions. Off to VIR, where the brakes shuddered so badly that I thought they would break something. The local denizens said they would get better with use, but the fact is I never got them to work right. Two days of HPDE, plus $500 in rotors and almost $600 worth of pads throwh in the trash.

Called Carbotech and was told I didn't bed the pads in right. So i got a second set and new rotors. Bedded them in absolutely and positively according to their instructions. Same thing. A little better in the afternoon sessions, but nothing like I expect from my brakes.

Called them back, and they said maybe something was wrong with the rotors. They were GM OEM. Another $1,100 shot to hell.

Tried a third set and it was no better.

Switched to Hawk DTC-70 pads and haven't had a problem in three years of HPDEs.

Like I said, I am happoy for those of you that have had good results. I haven't and I am not happy about it.

Fire away, asbestos suit is ON.

Frank Gonzalez

Originally Posted by NavyVet

I've used Carbotech pads for AX (started with the old PantherPlus and later the AX6) since around 2000 or early 2001. I've also used XP10/8 and XP12/10 combos for NASA and PASA track days and events on our Vettes. I've run Carbotechs on two p[repared C4s, two prepared C5s and a one slightly modified C6 Z06, all set up for HPDE and AX. Each of these Vettes achieved great results in brake performance and rotor wear. Carbotech pads are a great pad for those running stock GM calipers.

This year we switched to a Wilwood SL6/SL4 seup on our primary autocross/track car. We never considerd ordering track pads from Wilwood and immediately called Carbotech to order a set of AX pads for them. Note that I explained our use for this car very carefully when making the order and they said, "no problem it's a custom order and will take 2 weeks." Note that brake performance is very important since my wife and I both drive the same car at track events so we may put a bit more heat and wear on ours than some folks do because we usually make back-to-back runs all weekend. They made us a set of AX6 pads on the correct Wilwood backing plates. When we received them it was obvious that they had a smaller pad surface area completely across the outer edge and each inner corner of the pads. After several phone calls, and after I sent pictures with an overlayed tape measure showing the differences to prove my claims, they did take a return. Tehy also charged me for return postage and a 20% re-stocking fee. I wanted Carbotechs very much, but giving up 3/16" the entire length of each pad plus approximately 3/4 square inch total from the two inner corners of each pad would have actually cost us a significant amount of surface clamping area. My opinion obviously, but I believe a total surface loss of approximately 1.75 square inches on each of 8 pads would make a difference during a late corner entry and hard braking. Afterall, improved braking and repeatably consistant performance under high stress conditions was why we changed to the SL6/SL4 Wilwoods in the first place.

I was told by Carbotech's technicians that their pad compound was so good that losing the surface area did not matter and that I would be better off with the Carbotechs over any of the Wilwood compounds regardless that Carbotech's pads were smaller. So, in attempt to get a straight answer, I asked the Carbotech technician if 2 sets of their own pads, one set with 1.75 square inches less surface area per pad and one with full-size pads would brake equally and was told that they could not reply because they would not make a set full-sized (i.e., the same size that Wilwood uses on their pads) set to compare against.

We no longer run CarboTechs on either of our Vettes although I've suggested them to our racing friends for years. We will no longer promote them. I just gave away four sets of new ones from our track spares box too. We are now running Wilwood race pads with very good results.

I wish those running stock calipers the best using the Carbotech pads, but I wish Carbotech would have made us pads with the maximum possible surface area. We went back to stock padlets on the 2007 Z06 for now and gave away those Carbotechs too.