Brake Pad Recommendations

[rherold9]

Okay. I've been told it is a good idea to get dedicated rotors/pads for the track but... I'm trying to keep this reasonable here with someone on a budget. I DD, auto-x, and track the car (only Hyperdrive's so far but plan on HPDE's). What are some pads people recommend?

I've been seeing some Carbotech pads are actually interchangeable on the same rotors from agressive street to full track pads can be used on the same rotors. I was also looking at Hawk HP+, EBC Yellow (heard of cracking issue under high heat but my car isn't something heavy), and StopTech perfomance. I plan to get SS lines and put some good brake fluid in along with pads once the stock pads are toast.

I know I should get dedicated things but I don't think that will be an option when the time comes.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Pfc z-rated for the street/pfc08 for track

[rherold9]

Pfc z-rated for the street/pfc08 for track

Doesn't look like any are made for my car

[ScottyB]

ferodo DS2500's were a great pad for me on my heavy A4. I've run HP+ and liked the performance, hated the dust and noise and the cold performance was crap....but they were fadeless with heat in them.

running stoptech street performance now with HPS on the back. drives totally normal day to day but held up to repeated braking from about 105 at turn 1, as hard as i could stand on the pedal, on VIR all weekend at my first HPDE. never faded. for the price and my HPDE1 skill level i love them and with a passenger my car was probably in the 3300 lb. range.

[rherold9]

Thanks Scott. I was thinking of just running the Stoptech's. I know the HP+ are good but the brake dust and noise along with corrosive dust make me not want them. I heard EBC yellow's crack but I'm guessing cause heavier car. I may just go Stoptech all 4 corners and see how they do. Once I get more money step up to Carbotech's.

Anyone else of have recommendations?

[D_Eclipse9916]

EBC sent me free front and rear set of the yellows. After one session I threw them in the spare pile.

[rherold9]

Alright, I'll knock yellows off the list.

[Jake]

The HPS is a decent all-rounder pad. HP+ will have you hating life on the street as they're very loud when cold.

[SlimKlim]

I have some version of Stoptechs and the only time I've ever experienced any fade was on Saturday morning and I think the fact that the car weighed 3700lbs probably had something to do with that.

I think I have the Street Performance ones, they are whisper quiet (much more so than my stock VW pads, which is irritating) on the street but bite hard as hell, and have taken quite a bit of abuse without complaining. They do dust like hell though.

[HAULN-SS]

I had read about the changed formula on the EBC Yellows, so I ordered EBC greens after doing some internet research. I will let you know how they perform after I get my conversion done on my SS.

[rherold9]

I have read Stoptech kills the HPS all around in performance.

Yeah, will be interesting to see the green's review

[ScottyB]

I have read Stoptech kills the HPS all around in performance.

yes. my old setup was HPS on all 4's. took the fronts out for the stoptechs. i don't want to know how sketchy my track experience would have been with all 4 corners worth of HPS pads in. HPS are a very reasonable spirited street pad but that's it...but then again that's all they're designed to be in the first place.

they were fine on the back brakes though...they had enough stick to chirp my back tires under ABS braking every session.

[rherold9]

That's good cause my stock brakes if I ease into hard braking I can't break the tires loose. I literally have to stomp on from the get go to just get a little close to somewhat chirping. I can't get my tires to slide or really chirp on braking. Probably will change the more these have less tread and I get the new brakes. I'm still looking at those Carbotechs though they look real nice...

[*insertusernamehere*]

If you have ABS aren't you supposed to NOT get a lot chirping or sliding?

[rherold9]

If you have ABS aren't you supposed to NOT get a lot chirping or sliding?

Yes. But, good and strong brakes (with ABS) should out brake the tires. I could easily slide on my stock tires and even my all seasons even with ABS just not these tires.

Squealing and chirping all depends on tire stickiness and power of le brakes.

[JustinG]

incase you don't already know.....the cheapest rotor blanks you can find should be fine, Rock Auto FTW.

[rherold9]

incase you don't already know.....the cheapest rotor blanks you can find should be fine, Rock Auto FTW.

Just going to use Centric Premium one's. OE replacements.

[Maengelito]

Rotors are relatively cheap, I highly recommend getting a set of dedicated track rotors for your track pads seperate from your street rotors and pads.

As for pad compound, carbotechs have worked really well on track. I have no idea why anyone ever thought EBCs were ever good. I suspect it was because they used to take out full page ads in sport compact car maybe? The previous owner of my blue Miata put some EBCs on the front and I could never even lock up the brakes on my all season street tires. They were horrible.

[rherold9]

I know I should have separate pads/rotors but I don't think I'm going to get serious into tracking with this. The car can do pretty decent for what it is but I think Im going to just pick up an s2k as my full bred track car and keep the mazda3 as a fun car. So I don't plan to throw too much more money into this thing.