I already searched but I still am unsure about which to get.
I need new brake pads for the coming up driving school/time trials, I'm not getting new pads just for the school/time trials, i'm changing cuz they are worn. Anyways, I am looking for a good set for autox and future track events this coming up year. I don't mind dust, but they have to be some what rotor friendly. And most important, I don't want to spend alot of $$.. I don't mind paying more than stock pads, just not triple the price for the front and rears. Any suggestions on which pads and where to get them?BTW i will be using them for the street. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

tjtruong~who can't wait for the buttonwillow event

Thomas

 

Man...I wish I could go there...

Anyways do a search on "brake" on the ITR and competition forums. Lots of threads and info!

 

If you don't mind noise, get Carbotech Panther Plus pads, they're loud, and dust a lot, but they are GREAT for stopping power, very rotor friendly.

 

Axxis Ultimates, Porterfield R4S, Hawk HP+, Carbotech's i think Panther Plus.

 

endless, brembo

 

Porterfield R4S is a good pad. I think Yoshi is running ART pads still, you might want to ask him how those are.

 

Porterfield R4S are good. They don't dust too bad. Don't squeal at all, and if your just starting to drive HPDEs, they will be adaquate on the track. I've heard they will fade when you get quicker, but by then the fronts will be toast anyway and you could replace them with R4. They are a little expensive though.

 

Hawk HPS (HP+ dust and don't stop better just have 100 degree temp threshhold).

We used some Carbotech Panthers on a Prelude at a track event the other day and they cracked and faded much worse than we expected. THe Hawk HP+'s did much better.

 

One thing to factor into your equation for pads is that it only takes about 15min-1/2hour to change front pads, so you can get away with buying a racing pad just for track days and switch back to a regular pad for the street. But, the main disadvantage to this method is that pads wear rotors differently, so by switching back and forth may compromise braking efficiency.

I currently use Porterfield's R-4S and love them. I have a front pair on my ITR and all four corners on my Miata.

 

Strange, this was sent to my email as a reply to this thread but I don't see it to reply to . . .

We tried them a little over a week ago at Little Talladega which frankly isn't a hard track on brakes. Nothing like CMP or Road Atlanta.

Please remember this is a discussion forum and some of us might not always agree . . .

 

Trey,

What I meant was, are you using the regular Panther, or the Panther PLUS? There is a big difference between these products.

I would agree that the HP+ bites better than the regular Panther, but not as well as the Panther Plus.

On your comment on "this is a discussion forum...we have a right to disagree, etc..." - I would never challenge this statement, and agree completely. I was just asking a question, not trying to put you on the defensive.

-A


[Modified by CarbotechAndie, 9:43 AM 3/20/2002]

 

I will step back and apologize for the over reaction. I will check which compound we were using for sure before I make a false statement. We were NOT dissappointed with the "bite" of the pad, we were hoping for a little better wear as these were almosty gone when we finished.

Granted it was a 3+ hour of seat time event but the track is only 1.35 miles and top speed is only about 95mph.

The only pad on the list I would say I won't touch is axxiss as I would rather strap bricks to the rotors.

As for Carbotechs they stop for sure. Just need to decide what you are using them for and communicate this.

 

Let me give a big to the Panther Plus. I just got a set of these pads for the front of my ITR and the bite is very, very impressive. They work pretty well even when cold, and seem VERY streetable for race pads.

 

Trey...sounds like the regular Panther, due to the wear rate you experienced...but certainly let me know for sure.

I've averaged 3 events per set of pads on my car...Homestead and Sebring, along with 5k street miles on a set of Panther Plus pads...and we do know from testing that the regular Panther tends to wear rather quickly.

In any case, I look to hear from you.

-Andie

 

Just verified and they were indeed regular panthers.

For those of you doing track events take this as a suggestion to go with Panther Plus's or the new XP's if you are going with Carbotech.


ALso like to throw in that I have driven Portfield and they are nice as well. I still use Hawks but Porterfield, Hawk and Carbotech (Plus) are all good. Just don't pay for the big names like endless all you do is send your extra money up in dust.

Just stay away from the bricks . . .

 

I'm using Porterfield R-4 pads for both the street and the track. These pads stop great. I've never had to worry about overworking these pads. And, they are rotor-friendly, too. I've had them on for about two years and can't see too much wear on the rotor.

As far as the downsides, these pads dust like crazy. Think about all those Audi A4's with black/gray front rims...that's the way your car will look. And if you don't clean your wheels frequently, the dust will bake on, and you won't be able to get it off (I found that out the hard way). Also, the pads squeal. It was a bit embarassing driving around at first, but I got used to it.

If you're looking for a performance brake pad, though, these are great!

 

Im using the Porterfield R4 pads for the track and they are great... Im pretty sure we will be bringing some Porterfield pads to the track to sell
-Porterfield R4(track pads)
-Porterfield R4S(street/track)

If you want a set we will have some in stock hopefully by the end of the week..drop me and email if you want more info?
robbie@area51fab.com

 

Other info to consider:
For track brake pads, be sure to bed them in properly and allow them to cure in order to to get the best wear.
If you don't go through this process properly (get them up to temp then let them cool completely), your pad wear will most likely be more than "normal"...
My .02

P.S. Panther Plus pads rock!

 

Endless NA-Y will fill in your needs. Very soft compound to increase initial breaking power (good for auto-x).

If you need something to use on track events then consider of the Endless CC-X the working temp is from 100-700 degree celcius.

 

I've got ccx's on my front right now, damn thouse fawkers stop on a dime. Squeal and dust like a *****, but who cares. I also just ordered a set of carbotech p+'s for expo. I'm going to try them both at expo and see which work better.

 

thanks guys.. i think i'm going for R4s or panther plus. BTW., is it true that whatever pad you purchase for the front, you would generally want a step down for the rear pads? I remember someone saying this. If this is true, for example, would i order panther plus for the fronts and panthers for the rears? Thanks for all the responses..

thomas

 

Depends on the car. I've tested the ITR with P+ in the front and rear, and it works fine. It will also work well with the regular Panther in the rear.

However, for the most cost effective setup, I have been putting ITR's in P+ front and Axxis Ultimate rear, because the Axxis Ultimate rear is about 1/2 the cost of the P+ rear.

HTH... -Andie