[Z06] Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: SF CA
Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience
I would appreciate the feedback of others who have experience with different brake pads for use on road courses. I use my Z06 almost exclusively on the track. I'm not inclined to invest the big money in a Brembo or other high end brake kit.
I've tried both Hawk High Perf pads and more recently Wilwood J pads. The Hawk pads had good feel, braking power and little fade, but their longevity was very poor (two track days). The Wilwood pads have been fabulous, gave me 5 days on brake intensive tracks, and have even have a bit more life in them as they sit today. The stock rotors, which I replaced when the Wilwood's went on, began showing cracks after Day 4 and are essentially toast after Day 5.
I have ordered GM's Durastop slotted and drilled rotors as replacement rotors (about $100/each vs. $50/each for the stock OEM). I'm going to see if these give me any additional performance or longevity.
I'm happy to go back to the Wilwood J pads, but wanted to know if anyone else has had any good or bad experience, especially combined with the Durastop rotors.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I've tried both Hawk High Perf pads and more recently Wilwood J pads. The Hawk pads had good feel, braking power and little fade, but their longevity was very poor (two track days). The Wilwood pads have been fabulous, gave me 5 days on brake intensive tracks, and have even have a bit more life in them as they sit today. The stock rotors, which I replaced when the Wilwood's went on, began showing cracks after Day 4 and are essentially toast after Day 5.
I have ordered GM's Durastop slotted and drilled rotors as replacement rotors (about $100/each vs. $50/each for the stock OEM). I'm going to see if these give me any additional performance or longevity.
I'm happy to go back to the Wilwood J pads, but wanted to know if anyone else has had any good or bad experience, especially combined with the Durastop rotors.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA USA wa
Re: Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience (rarlen)
You don't state if your car is modded or what horsepower you are at, I track my Z and have experienced great (for a street car) brake performance and have had my Hawk pads for over a year now. This is with a couple of intense track days and about 8,000 miles of spirited street driving. Have you been careful to bed the Hawk (or any performance pad) according to the manufacturer's spec, if not it is critical to the life of the pad that you do so.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: South
Re: Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience (rarlen)
The drilled rotors are not for the track, they will crack sooner that the stock will. You best bet is to just replace the stock when they are done.
I have used the carbotech panther + on the track and I like them alot. They are not bad on the rotors at all and no noise. I did use them on the street for a while but the dust drove me crazy for a daily driver. The panther XP are for the track and may be what you are looking for:
http://www.carbotecheng.com/prod-ct-compounds.htm
I have used the carbotech panther + on the track and I like them alot. They are not bad on the rotors at all and no noise. I did use them on the street for a while but the dust drove me crazy for a daily driver. The panther XP are for the track and may be what you are looking for:
http://www.carbotecheng.com/prod-ct-compounds.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,377
Likes: 79
Re: Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience (rarlen)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: KS
Re: Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience (CPT Z06)
Got to agree on the drilled rotors. In a track environment they will not last nearly as long as the stock rotors. I really like the PFC 01 pads. The have great power, reasonable wear. The only down side is lots of dust and noise, but on the track who cares about that.
:thumbs:
:thumbs:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Florence KY
Re: Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience (rarlen)
PFC 01 pads are the best that I have experienced and I have tried quite a few. The performance and wear characteristics are awesome.
BTW, keep running stock rotors. The drilled/slotted rotors will often crack on the first really hard day at the track.
BTW, keep running stock rotors. The drilled/slotted rotors will often crack on the first really hard day at the track.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 989
Likes: 13
From: Gloucester Point VA
Re: Please Help with Road Course Brake Pad Experience (rarlen)
I got about the same wear with Panther XP pads as you did with Hawks. I managed to use up the fronts in three track days but I'm a late braker and REALLY use my brakes. The course I ran (Summit Point, WV) is pretty hard on brakes and this is about the brake usage I use to get on my C4 at this track.
The XPs are great for the track, were easy on the rotors but not for the street (noise, dust, slow response when cold).
I'm second everyone else's commits on rotors. I had BIG Brembos on my C4 and the rotors cracked at the holes until they were not safe to use. I replace them with slotted only rotors and rotor life doubled. I'm currently using stock rotors and making sure I season them (along with the pads) before use.
The XPs are great for the track, were easy on the rotors but not for the street (noise, dust, slow response when cold).
I'm second everyone else's commits on rotors. I had BIG Brembos on my C4 and the rotors cracked at the holes until they were not safe to use. I replace them with slotted only rotors and rotor life doubled. I'm currently using stock rotors and making sure I season them (along with the pads) before use.
