Carbotech brake pads

[Nova_Dust]

Hi HADA friends, looking for opinions and help.

I need pads for this year, rotors will be new Brembo blanks, and do need to change fluids too, but not sure what brand.

I have browsed Carbotech many times and going through their products. Based on the description, I am thinking using the XP8 for daily (very short distance) and lapping days. And possibly using the AP Racing Dot 5.1 brake fluids also featured on their website.

I know Carl sells Motul stuff, and I am not ruling that product at all, same with his brake products. Looking for options and product reviews.

I have not upgraded to SS brake lines, setup is OEM 6th gen SiR front/back disc brakes, no ABS. Car weights approximately 2220lbs without driver.

Thanks!!

[AdamH]

I tried carbotech once...still like hawke better

flid ...only use motul rbf600

[LeeW]

For street + track duty on the same pad, i've used Grandsport GS3's...

For Street + Slalom duty, Hawk HP+'s. (aweseom bite, but dusty)

For Track-only, Hawk Blue compound on the front, Hawk HP+ on the rear.

Brembo blanks are the way to go.

Keep rotors and pads mated.. two sets of pads = two sets of rotors.

[TAO]

Tried Carbotechs (HP+ equivellent) and did NOT like them at all ...grooved the rotors ..did not work well etc.

Hawk has always been good to me ... Blues for the track, HP+ for the street

I have used Porterfields ... Very similar to Hawk
Portefield R4 is similar to Blue
Porterfield R4S is Similar to HP+

EBC's Pissed me off - will never use again

I tried the GrandSport (HP+ equivelent) and Liked them


Brake Fluid - I have allways used Pentosin that I get thru Carl at Trac



Moose

[Nova_Dust]

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen.

So front and back are the same pads? I assume Grandsport and Hawk produce non corrosive dust?

[TAO]

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen.

So front and back are the same pads? I assume Grandsport and Hawk produce non corrosive dust?

HP+ is non Corrosive - just dusty

Blue's will eat your paint if it gets wet and sits on your paint - so wash your car and wheels well after a track event to get rid of the dust ....

A REALLY good coat of quality wax on the rims and paint prior to the race season will also help protect the paint

For the street and autocross run HP+ F/R and then change the fronts out (only) to Blues (with matched rotors) for Solo-1 and lapping days

You often do not get enough heat into the rears to requier the more aggresive blues


Moose

[MilesM]

777 Project U's from Kensai are an awesome pad - more bite than the blue, less fade and easier to modulate.

Project U F1 pads are an awesome street and autoX pad. Dust though, but far more bite than HP+s.

They're expensive though 200+ for the F1s and 300+ for 777s

Best bang for buck is a GS3 for dual duty.

Best bang for a race and autox pad is the HP+ and GS2 for track. I like it better than the Blue and easier to modulate.

[Nova_Dust]

Looks like GS3 for now.

[Guillermo]

Lots of great advice above.
The Hawk HP+ and Hawk blues are legendary for their specific purporses.
But the Grandsport GS3 is a great dual duty track pad that works on the street and works on the track very well. Not as much bite as the Hawks but it's easier to modulate so that's a big plus specially in the rain.
I will keep using Grandsport GS3 pads on the front of our weekend only Civic. We replace these every year.
In the rears we use Hawk HP+ pads and they last several years back there.

I use ATE superblue brake fluid and it works fine, but when I run out of my reserves I will switch to even higher temp stuff.

I have to keep reminding myself to take it easy on the brakes on the warm up laps to prevent the rotors from getting thermo stress surface micro-cracks :(

[nrg3k]

I started using GS3s at the end of the season and am really satisfied. I have them on the front of my EG (rear drums) and use the car for only solo1 and solo2 (no daily). Its really nice to be able to drive to the track and go, rather than swapping parts before lapping/competing. Kinda noisy, but not a big deal;)

DJM:>

[AndyC]

Here is one more option - I used a set of Ferodo DS2500 pads front and rear for the last two years. A very good street/track set up with great modulation -some dust but it washes off easily. Ferodo calls them a light track pad.
They last for ever [same set for two years] and I recommend them as a combo pad, I also hated to change pads every time I went to the track.
I bought them from www.raceshopper.com

[1999_ITR]

For track duty I'm using GS2's and I love them. Very easy to modulate, no fade at all. I've used Hawk Blues and prefer the GS2s

[BBQMAN]

Lotsa of good info in this thread. However,the truth is , there is not one pad good for eveyone's needs. Specific pads for individual needs is the way to go. Figuring out your needs is what is critical. Maybe I can help...
Pretty much all of the above pads listed are good for their intended use.

FYI, Trac Racing will offer in 2008- Hawk, PBR and Gransport as usual. We are also thinking about Carbotech and Project Mu, based on certain inquiries we have had.
Ferodo and Perfomance Friction are also available, although not a key line for us.

I am putting together our annual brake GB for February, so please email me if you have any particualr needs.

[Nova_Dust]

Group buy, just what I need! I will watch out for that Carl.