Brake Pads

[Gorio]

I'm in the market for some new brake pads (stock ones are shot).
Any brand suggestions? Mainly for street use.
How are the Carbotech Bobcats?

BTW, car's a '00 RS.

[sperry]

If there's one thing we like talking about on this site, it's brakes! Right Dean and Gary?

Overall I've been happy with the Axxis Ultimate pads. They're decent on the street, great for Auto-X and seem to hold up fairly well at track days, although I'm pretty gentle on the brakes at track days. The biggest drawback it that they dust A LOT, and it's sort of an evil, toxic, rusty dust that's carcinogenic to breath (according to the warning on the box).

Although I've contemplated try some other brands for reference sake, I'm planning on sticking with the Axxis Ultimates for this upcoming auto-x season. Also, StopTech seems to like 'em since they come with most their brake kits.

I know Dean's used the EBC Greens on the street and liked them. I've heard stories that they eat rotors though, but I've never used them, so I can't really speak about 'em with authority.

[MattR]

I talked to a few guys at the Buttonwillow track day, most notably "DirtyWRX" on this board. He swears by them, and has an outlet for good prices from back east somewhere

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

I talked to a few guys at the Buttonwillow track day, most notably "DirtyWRX" on this board. He swears by them, and has an outlet for good prices from back east somewhere

Swears by the Carbotechs?

[MattR]

Originally Posted by sperry

Swears by the Carbotechs?

Yes, too lazy to quote

[Gorio]

Thanks, guys for the input.

Matt,

Do you know which vendor "DirtyWRX" was talking about?

[Dean]

The EBC Greens have been very good, and I haven't worn out any rotors yet. I would however second the Axxis Ultimates vote from everything I have read on the WRX, 3S, and Miata sites... They are universally loved with few if any naysayers.

None of the performance pads have friendly dust no matter what the manufacturers say. I have tried just about every performance pad except Axxis including EBC, Porterfield, Hawk, Wilwood, etc. and they all are nasty, especially after a track day because the stuff is practically molten as it flies into your rims at about 100MPH...

The only way I know of to deal with dust is to clean your wheels, and take the time to put a couple coats of good wax on them. This way the wax is sacrificial instead of the wheel finish. But I'm to lazy to wax my car much less the wheels.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

The only way I know of to deal with dust is to clean your wheels, and take the time to put a couple coats of good wax on them. This way the wax is sacrificial instead of the wheel finish. But I'm to lazy to wax my car much less the wheels.

My trick is to clean the wheels when they're off the car... spray some un-diluted simple green on 'em, and wipe 'em with an old rag (that will need to be tossed out when you're done). Then I used my water sprayer thing to rinse 'em off. Finally I spray a coat of that "wax as you dry" stuff on the wheel and dry 'em with a clean towel.

I can do all 4 rims in under 30 minutes, getting them pretty damn clean with a fresh layer of wax on 'em. And with white race rims, I really need to do it after every event.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by Gorio

Thanks, guys for the input.

Matt,

Do you know which vendor "DirtyWRX" was talking about?

All I know is that it is in New Hampshire, you can PM him for the contact info.

Matt

[Pat R.]

From the Reno-Fernley track day thread:

Brakes - 50% pad depth or greater remaining (recommend 75% or greater), no cracks in rotors, recommend a spare set of front pads (since we don't know how hard the new track configuration will be on brakes), pedal must be firm and not move under constant pressure, brake lights must be operational

OK, I'm gonna have to get new pads since mine are ~4 years old and likely won't hold up to track use. Has anyone used the Cobalt GT sports? If so, are they $35 better than the Axxis Ultimates?

[tysonK]

did somebody say wax your wheels?

yeah! :wink: