Brake Pad report
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Brake Pad report
Base 2001 Coupe, A4. In mid June I put Friction Master ceramic pads all around. They are very good on the street with good stopping and VERY low dust.
Finally got to the track Saturday the 19th and found that these same pads fade somewhat when very hot. My conclusion is that they are unsuitable for the track.
Will look into Hawk HPS or HP Plus. Anyone have combined street/ track experience with either compound? I naturally would like great performance in both venues, but that may not be realistic.
Also, any experience with Porterfield pads for both street and track? If so, which pad compound?
Finally got to the track Saturday the 19th and found that these same pads fade somewhat when very hot. My conclusion is that they are unsuitable for the track.
Will look into Hawk HPS or HP Plus. Anyone have combined street/ track experience with either compound? I naturally would like great performance in both venues, but that may not be realistic.
Also, any experience with Porterfield pads for both street and track? If so, which pad compound?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
Not much of a report, but I'll take it, and be glad about it . I'm no complainer.
I would think the pads are so specialized that the dual use you envisioned would be an unacceptable compromise and would not sell. The speeds are so far apart, i don't think the stopping requirements would overlap much .
I would think the pads are so specialized that the dual use you envisioned would be an unacceptable compromise and would not sell. The speeds are so far apart, i don't think the stopping requirements would overlap much .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I haven't done any autocross or tracks with this car, so no impressions on track or fading, but I appreciate your information on that use.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
How many track days do you plan on doing? Another option is Carbotech performance Brakes. I will be happy to give you some suggestions on compounds that will do double duty Such as our XP10 and XP8 compounds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 242
From: Hillsboro OR
I started tracking my car last year with Hawk HPS. They worked good when I was new at track days. As I got better (re: faster) the Hawk pads would start to fade and wear out quickly. A friend of mine at the track suggested that I move to Carbotech XP-10's. These are awesome track pads. No fade at speed. 
As far as street use...
They squeal loudly and dust a lot. So after the track I replace them with the Carbotech 1521 pads.
They are a similar compound so no re-bedding needed.
Bottom line: If you have decent track skills there is no "ideal" brake pad for dual use.
As far as street use...
They squeal loudly and dust a lot. So after the track I replace them with the Carbotech 1521 pads. They are a similar compound so no re-bedding needed.
Bottom line: If you have decent track skills there is no "ideal" brake pad for dual use.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
I put the same pads on my '99 about 5k miles ago. I have the same impression that they have very good stopping and very low dust. Much better stopping and dust than the GM pads they replaced.
I haven't done any autocross or tracks with this car, so no impressions on track or fading, but I appreciate your information on that use.
I haven't done any autocross or tracks with this car, so no impressions on track or fading, but I appreciate your information on that use.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Perhaps I should have stated it differently that the pads are much better dusting and very good stopping.
Although I had driven the GM pads for over a year, when I replaced them and bedded the new ones in, it actually surprised me how hard they stopped. So they are very good stopping brakes. I do not have objective before and after data, but the subjective feel was that it was an improvement from stock in a street situation.
I expect that the GM pads may not fade as much with track use, and are probably better in that situation, and Jim993 confirms that these ceramic pads fade on the track.
Although I had driven the GM pads for over a year, when I replaced them and bedded the new ones in, it actually surprised me how hard they stopped. So they are very good stopping brakes. I do not have objective before and after data, but the subjective feel was that it was an improvement from stock in a street situation.
I expect that the GM pads may not fade as much with track use, and are probably better in that situation, and Jim993 confirms that these ceramic pads fade on the track.
Last edited by QCVette; Oct 23, 2013 at 04:31 PM.
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