descartesfool

One of the best brake pad comparison tests can be found in the Oct 2011 issue of GRM. Go and buy your copy! It's not often they have a test on real road racing track.

Pro driver: James Clay, drives for Bimmerworld team in Grand Am
Track: VIR 2.26 mile North Course
Car: 2002 track prepped BMW M3 (supplied James Clay)
Tires: New set of 275/35/18 Hoosier R6's fitted before each pad change
Rotors: New set of PFC direct drive rotors fitted for each pad set
Weather: Overcast all day, 72 to 76 degrees
Duration of test: 1 day, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, 11 laps per pad
Data logging: AIM Sports with Chad Brakens

Conditions for test could not have been better in my opinion.

Results: ( in order of fastest average laptime)

Cobalt CRB XR1: Average lap 1:38.56, Fast lap: 1:38.22
Performance Friction 01: Average lap 1:38.81, Fast lap: 1:37.90
Hawk DTC-70 front, HT-10 rear: Average lap 1:38.86, Fast lap: 1:38.32
Essex Carbon Lorraine RC6: Average lap 1:39.41, Fast lap: 1:38.91
Porterfield R4: Average lap 1:39.44, Fast lap: 1:38.98
EBC Bluestuff AF66: Average lap 1:40.20, Fast lap: 1:39.78

First notice how good James Clay is in terms of consistency over 11 laps for each car by comparing his best time on any pad to his average time on the same pad. Pro driver makes for steady and fast every lap.

Difference from best pad's average lap time to compare pads:

Cobalt CRB XR1: 0.00 reference
Performance Friction 01: 0.25 seconds
Hawk DTC-70 front, HT-10 rear: 0.30 seconds
Essex Carbon Lorraine RC6: 0.85 seconds
Porterfield R4: 0.88 seconds
EBC Bluestuff AF66: 1.64 seconds

So Cobalt is best, followed by two equal results about 1/4 second behind in Hawk and PFC pads, then Carbon Lorraine and Porterfield almost a second slower, and EBC pulling up the rear with over a 1.5 second deficit and a comment about James having to pump the pedal to get confidence and brake pressure going through the roof.

Article says Hawk results were compromised because they didn't send the same pad front and rear and James said balance was wrong and their data logging confirmed. Article concludes by saying that test results could have been different had Hawk sent the same pads front and rear. James Clay races on PFC pads and rotors, but test was done blind (although he guessed correctly when car was fitted with the PFC pads).

They must have spent quite a bit of money on this test, and they did it right. With more time and money, they could have tested more pads, but I'm impressed with what they did. I for one am going to keep on using my Hawk DTC pads.

Unfortunately no mention at all about longevity. 11 lap test on new pads would make it difficult to determine how long they last as pad wear would be quite minimal. Likely would have to do a few sessions on each pad to measure wear. Pad price in their test on the BMW was around $450-$470 for a front and rear set, except for Porterfield which was $390 and EBC at $300.

You have to read the article to see the comments about the pads' performance and feel though. Much more info than just the lap times I posted above. There are some data logging charts, but they are rather small and thus hard to read I found.

powerneedy

great test, But there needs to be more pads on that list as I am vary curious how others stack up

r_wannabe

I have performance friction 01 and love them.

The fastest time was with the pfc 1:37.90

92integraVTECgsr

I read the article. It is good. But where were the Carbotech's?

rice_classic

I love Cobalts but I've had great experience with the DTC's and since I can order the DTC's on Amazon.com and get them 6 weeks quicker than the Cobalts for $60 less a set I have no motivation to go back to Cobalt.

I've also found a couple places that still had a set of the PFC 83's still in stock (very very old compound) and it's like a miracle pad. I wish PFC didn't stop making this pad. I ordered my last set for $105!!!

exgr

Cobalts really got pricey over the years. When they first came out they were very resonable...

lwnslw

Again, pro driver in a prep car that weighs?, supension?, and look at the tires he is using. Nice article to fill couple of pages but can't really use that information on a civic with a so so driver on a weekend with kumhos and street setup.
Sorry don't pay much attention to those articles except for the pictures of nice cars.

descartesfool

I used to use Cobalts a long time ago when I spoke to Andy Lin. But since then Cobalt pads are hard to get and no longer cheap. Hawk DTC 60's and 70's work really well, and in the temperature range of pad I need, they are the best deal, and tons of people sell them. I just had a set drop shipped to me within two days of my order to the Seneca Lodge for a two day event at the Glen.

exgr

a pro driver, new rotors/tires after each pad change, overcast all day 72-76F, that's about as much controlled test as you can ask for!! wish more pads were tested though.

a great effort by GRM!!

azian21485

Wow...$$$$$$$$$