Race Brake Pads
 

Well, after cooking some StopTech Club Spec Race pads at RFR, I think I need to grab a set of full race pads before the next track day.

I'd like to pick one of the offerings from StopTech (for obvious reasons). StopTech currently carries these pads for their ST-40 calipers:

Hawk HT-10
Hawk HT-14
Pagid RS-14 Black
Performance Friction 01 Compound
Performance Friction 97 Compound
Ferodo DS3000

Does anyone have some experience with any of these pads? Anyone have a suggestion for what's best for what I'd guess is a "low to mid temp race application"? Basically, I need something that's a little higher temp than a "Club Spec" pad... I don't plan on driving on the street much w/ these, just to and from events, however, they probably *will* be used on the street. If that's not an option, perhaps I should just stick w/ the Club Spec pads or admit that I'm going to have to start swapping pads at the event the morning of.

Damn, I need a truck and a trailer. :(

Stoptech has a pad that's a step higher than the Club Spec. Grab a set of those (should be about the same price as club Spec) and some Axxis Ultimates or Metal Masters for between events. I think they also carry all of the pads you listed, so contacting Tim would be a good bet too Scott.

If they've got a full race pad, it's not on the website.

I know they carry all the pads listed, hence the reason I wrote "StopTech currently carries these pads for their ST-40 calipers."

I already emailed Tim earlier this morning... you think I would come here for brake advice 1st when I've got the email address of someone at StopTech? I'm just waiting on his response.

Today I ordered a set of porterfield race spec pads, based on advice I got from Nate this morning. Definately not streetable, so I will be swapping pads before and after each track event. I am not sure if they make anything for the stoptech calipers though.

http://www.porterfield-brakes.com

HT-10 & 14 are no-joke race pads; they will not grip well when cold. Pads that aggressive will also eat through the rotors if you use them at low temperatures. Expect to see accelerated rotor wear if you drive to and from events with those pads. I'd just plan on swapping pads at the events; with ST calipers it's really easy.

Yeah, swapping isn't a big deal... it's like a 5 minute job, unless everything's hot.

The HT pads do seem a little overkill for my application (300-1600F useful temp range). The danger w/ those pads is that I won't be able to keep the pads up to temperature, and I'll end up ruining my rotors just as fast as if I bake some street pads.

The Performance Friction pads seem a little bit better than the Hawks, the 93 Compound runs 250-1200F, and the 01 is said to work "from ambient". But those are the most expensive pads.

I'm reading good things about the Porterfiel R-4's... they handle the heat well, but still have useful cold bite... however I don't think I can get those for the StopTechs.

I haven't found anything on the Pagid pads yet, but I remember hearing good things in the past when I was researching Autocross pads... I dont' know if that carries over to their race pads though. And I haven't looked into the Ferodo RS3000's yet, but I know they're supposed to be good, and I think Eric just ordered a set for his brembos.

Aren't those the pads that Mikek and Mattr run?

No, we have the 2500 pads, ours are more street oriented, the 3000 pads are race pads

Ah. Okay.

It just makes things more exciting when you gotta change out 500* pads in between sessions.

That place carries brake duct parts and the right type hose duct Im calling them!! :cool:

So, I want some race pads now, but where are you guys ordering them from?

You know, my pads did really well...I didn't fade the brakes eitehr...hmm.

I didn't fade my brakes. I was using the old Hawk HPS Street Perfpormance pads, But I wasn't as hard on my brakes as you guys were.

So I liked my Hawks, if they make their race pads as good as thier street pads they might be an option Scott.

I think I am going for the Hawks also. So we shall see. Ducting to the brakes sounds like a great idea. Who's first?

What pads were you running Matt?

Ferodo 2500.

I have never had any brake fade issues, I tend to baby the brakes a lot. Must be a truck driver thing :lol:

I run the Hawk HP+, or Porterfield R4S.

I have a brand new set of R4-Ss ready to go in. R4 pads are race ready with the -Ss compromising a bit for the street.

Tyson has the right idea, and he is on even more streetable HPSs. Brake less you goobs.

In terms of competitive sources, try Geoff @ Speedtoys..

Geoff Mohler <gemohler@speedtoys.com>

He is one of my 3S/NASA buddies. He was one of our instructors at last year's SECCS track day.

Stoptech fronts, Stock rear R4-Ss were $185.96 shipped. MSRP is about $234.

I've already got ducts on my WRX. They really seem to make a *huge* difference... I could brake the piss out of my car at T-Hill w/o fading at all... but I over did it w/ Dean's similar setup at RFR... part of that may be my bigger kit, or the higher speed of RFR, but I think the ducts really helped.

That's why we're going to track school in two weeks!

R4 pads are the ones I will be trying at the Audi event. I will also have steel brake lines, and on Nate's advice I will be trying the Motul 600 fluid, hopefully the higher boiling point will make a difference. I probably won't have ducting set up within 2 weeks, but it is definately something I am going to do later this year.

On a related braking note, what is solo I like on brakes? Obviously a lot easier than RFR, but do we need to be bleeding brakes between the saturday and sunday?

on related brake note. Egan thread:

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95763

I would agree that Solo trials are easier on brakes that RFR, RFR is a tough brake track.... However, in solo2 you can get away with soft brakes, (even though you wont be as competitive, you can get through the course)...in Solo Trials, the speed you carry requires that the brake system is working to full capability, it won;t kill you brakes like the track, but you use them hard when you need them.

However... I would say that good brakes are the #1 thing that will lower lap times in Solo1. The ability to stretch the straights longer is a huge advantage, since that means more time at top speed.

That looks interesting, and it sounds like it made a noticable difference in the pedal feel, which is exactly what I want. I wonder if this is legal in street prepared.