Quick review: Carbotech 1521 Bobcat brake pads
04-04-2014, 10:19 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Quick review: Carbotech 1521 Bobcat brake pads
I thought I would post a very quick review of the Carbotech 1521 pads I recently put on the car now that I have had enough time to get a really good feel for them.
I wasn't planning on swapping out the OEM pads any time soon. However, I decided to go with a Carbotech XP10/XP8 combination for the track this summer and wanted to make my life as simple as easy as possible when swapping pads. Having done some research, I was advised by Carbotech that if I used the XP10/XP8 for the track, I would need to spend time cleaning the rotors before putting the OEM pads back on as their compounds are not "compatible." I believe this will be, to some extent, an issue with many track pad to OEM pad transitions. With the Carbotech 1521 street pad, it is a simple as swapping them for the track pads and back again... easy as pie.
Once my car was jacked up, swapping the pads was fast and easy (other than the front pads which had tape on them which made it a challenge to get them off).
My observations...
1. Very little brake dust. Much less than the Z51 OEM pads.
2. Very good initial bite and braking force. Initial bite is better than OEM pads IMO and the overall braking force is subjectively the same.
3. The pads are dead silent. I had a couple of squeals the very first evening but since then nothing. I suspect that may have been residual OEM pad material on the rotor or dirt. I did not apply any brake quiet paste. They are quieter, in my experience, than OEM.
For those who aren't tracking their car, these pads are as good or better than stock in braking with WAY less dusting and virtually silent in my experience. I don't think you could buy a better street pad... well, I haven't experienced one yet.
For those who are tracking their car, these pads allow you to swap in/out the Carbotech track pads with ease.
Thanks to Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com for the time he took to answer my questions, fast shipping, great follow up and overall great experience. I can't wait for the first day out at the track to test out the XP10/XP8... I'll post a review then too
I wasn't planning on swapping out the OEM pads any time soon. However, I decided to go with a Carbotech XP10/XP8 combination for the track this summer and wanted to make my life as simple as easy as possible when swapping pads. Having done some research, I was advised by Carbotech that if I used the XP10/XP8 for the track, I would need to spend time cleaning the rotors before putting the OEM pads back on as their compounds are not "compatible." I believe this will be, to some extent, an issue with many track pad to OEM pad transitions. With the Carbotech 1521 street pad, it is a simple as swapping them for the track pads and back again... easy as pie.
Once my car was jacked up, swapping the pads was fast and easy (other than the front pads which had tape on them which made it a challenge to get them off).
My observations...
1. Very little brake dust. Much less than the Z51 OEM pads.
2. Very good initial bite and braking force. Initial bite is better than OEM pads IMO and the overall braking force is subjectively the same.
3. The pads are dead silent. I had a couple of squeals the very first evening but since then nothing. I suspect that may have been residual OEM pad material on the rotor or dirt. I did not apply any brake quiet paste. They are quieter, in my experience, than OEM.
For those who aren't tracking their car, these pads are as good or better than stock in braking with WAY less dusting and virtually silent in my experience. I don't think you could buy a better street pad... well, I haven't experienced one yet.
For those who are tracking their car, these pads allow you to swap in/out the Carbotech track pads with ease.
Thanks to Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com for the time he took to answer my questions, fast shipping, great follow up and overall great experience. I can't wait for the first day out at the track to test out the XP10/XP8... I'll post a review then too
Last edited by gthal; 04-04-2014 at 10:22 PM.
The following 3 users liked this post by gthal:
04-04-2014, 10:48 PM
#2
But I am curious - did you try tracking with the Z51 OEM pads and found them to be fading or wearing too fast?
I know street pads will never be as good as race pads, but did you find the Z51 pads totally unacceptable for an HPDE tipe set up? Was the fade unmanageable?
04-05-2014, 12:44 AM
#3
Safety Car
Thread Starter
^^^^ I didn't run the OEM pads on the track. I have run track pads on my other cars for the last couple of years because OEM pads were a compromise... my research suggested the C7 pads were no different so I simply decided not to bother and just replace them for track days.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 12-01-2016 at 11:05 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
04-05-2014, 09:48 AM
#4
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St. Jude Donor '11,'13
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Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
04-05-2014, 09:54 AM
#5
Team Owner
I am waiting for your review. I'm planning on the same setup except I'm going to get DBA 2 piece rotors for front and rear. I'm especially interested as I've heard the C7 uses a lot of rear brake due to the e diff. I'm almost wondering if it would be better to run XP10 all corners.
04-05-2014, 09:59 AM
#6
Safety Car
Thread Starter
^^^^ I was thinking the same thing on the XP10 in the rear... I'm sure I will go through enough pads to try a variety of combinations
I also plan to put either AP Racing or Racing Brake rotors on the car but decided to drive this summer on the OEM rotors just to see. If I have issues or they crack, I'll just replace them.
I also plan to put either AP Racing or Racing Brake rotors on the car but decided to drive this summer on the OEM rotors just to see. If I have issues or they crack, I'll just replace them.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 12-01-2016 at 11:05 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
04-05-2014, 11:04 AM
#7
Team Owner
Are you going to run stock rubber ? I'm planning on either Toyo R888 or Hoosiers. I've got to get my harness bar first tho. I did buy a camber tool so I can change camber per OM instructions. This will be the first car I will run totally stock except brake pads, rotors, and tires.
04-05-2014, 11:25 AM
#8
Safety Car
Thread Starter
^^^ For the first couple of days to get a feel for the car I will likely run the stock rubber. I like to get my cars out first and then start tweaking them once I have a good feel for them. From all reports, the Z51 tire compound is pretty decent. I'll judge that and then decide next steps.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 12-01-2016 at 11:05 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
04-05-2014, 11:50 AM
#9
Team Owner
I just know I can get a new set of Hoosiers for $1200. Guarantee stock rubber isn't that cheap.lol. It's a fiscal reason I run race rubber.
12-01-2016, 10:54 PM
#14
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I thought I would post a very quick review of the Carbotech 1521 pads I recently put on the car now that I have had enough time to get a really good feel for them.
I wasn't planning on swapping out the OEM pads any time soon. However, I decided to go with a Carbotech XP10/XP8 combination for the track this summer and wanted to make my life as simple as easy as possible when swapping pads. Having done some research, I was advised by Carbotech that if I used the XP10/XP8 for the track, I would need to spend time cleaning the rotors before putting the OEM pads back on as their compounds are not "compatible." I believe this will be, to some extent, an issue with many track pad to OEM pad transitions. With the Carbotech 1521 street pad, it is a simple as swapping them for the track pads and back again... easy as pie.
Once my car was jacked up, swapping the pads was fast and easy (other than the front pads which had tape on them which made it a challenge to get them off).
My observations...
1. Very little brake dust. Much less than the Z51 OEM pads.
2. Very good initial bite and braking force. Initial bite is better than OEM pads IMO and the overall braking force is subjectively the same.
3. The pads are dead silent. I had a couple of squeals the very first evening but since then nothing. I suspect that may have been residual OEM pad material on the rotor or dirt. I did not apply any brake quiet paste. They are quieter, in my experience, than OEM.
For those who aren't tracking their car, these pads are as good or better than stock in braking with WAY less dusting and virtually silent in my experience. I don't think you could buy a better street pad... well, I haven't experienced one yet.
For those who are tracking their car, these pads allow you to swap in/out the Carbotech track pads with ease.
Thanks to Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com for the time he took to answer my questions, fast shipping, great follow up and overall great experience. I can't wait for the first day out at the track to test out the XP10/XP8... I'll post a review then too
I wasn't planning on swapping out the OEM pads any time soon. However, I decided to go with a Carbotech XP10/XP8 combination for the track this summer and wanted to make my life as simple as easy as possible when swapping pads. Having done some research, I was advised by Carbotech that if I used the XP10/XP8 for the track, I would need to spend time cleaning the rotors before putting the OEM pads back on as their compounds are not "compatible." I believe this will be, to some extent, an issue with many track pad to OEM pad transitions. With the Carbotech 1521 street pad, it is a simple as swapping them for the track pads and back again... easy as pie.
Once my car was jacked up, swapping the pads was fast and easy (other than the front pads which had tape on them which made it a challenge to get them off).
My observations...
1. Very little brake dust. Much less than the Z51 OEM pads.
2. Very good initial bite and braking force. Initial bite is better than OEM pads IMO and the overall braking force is subjectively the same.
3. The pads are dead silent. I had a couple of squeals the very first evening but since then nothing. I suspect that may have been residual OEM pad material on the rotor or dirt. I did not apply any brake quiet paste. They are quieter, in my experience, than OEM.
For those who aren't tracking their car, these pads are as good or better than stock in braking with WAY less dusting and virtually silent in my experience. I don't think you could buy a better street pad... well, I haven't experienced one yet.
For those who are tracking their car, these pads allow you to swap in/out the Carbotech track pads with ease.
Thanks to Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com for the time he took to answer my questions, fast shipping, great follow up and overall great experience. I can't wait for the first day out at the track to test out the XP10/XP8... I'll post a review then too
I now have a C7 Z51 and was thinking of the same Carbotech options for ultimately swapping between street and track. However my concern was how best to make the initial transition away from the OEM pads.
12-01-2016, 11:18 PM
#15
Racer
In changing from OEM to the 1521 pads did you need to prep or clean the rotors in any way? Or are issues with incompatible pad compounds not as much of an problem when switching from one street pad to another?
I now have a C7 Z51 and was thinking of the same Carbotech options for ultimately swapping between street and track. However my concern was how best to make the initial transition away from the OEM pads.
I now have a C7 Z51 and was thinking of the same Carbotech options for ultimately swapping between street and track. However my concern was how best to make the initial transition away from the OEM pads.
12-02-2016, 10:33 AM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '11,'13
In changing from OEM to the 1521 pads did you need to prep or clean the rotors in any way? Or are issues with incompatible pad compounds not as much of an problem when switching from one street pad to another?
I now have a C7 Z51 and was thinking of the same Carbotech options for ultimately swapping between street and track. However my concern was how best to make the initial transition away from the OEM pads.
I now have a C7 Z51 and was thinking of the same Carbotech options for ultimately swapping between street and track. However my concern was how best to make the initial transition away from the OEM pads.
12-06-2016, 05:20 PM
#19
Le Mans Master
I'm confused if you used the 1521 for the track or not, but definitely not a good idea.
12-06-2016, 09:18 PM
#20
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St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
Last edited by Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com; 12-07-2016 at 12:32 AM.