So I'm at the point in my HPDE... career? where Axxis Ultimates aren't enough. In fact, I can predictably cook them badly enough in one or two events that they just seem to fall off in terms of bite and fade resistence after a couple of heat cycles. So, I think it's time for better track pads.

Keep in mind I'm working with a nearly-3000 pound VW. Front rotors are upgraded from 11.3" vented to 12.3" vented, no ducting, stock single piston Ate calipers, steel lines, Motul RBF-600 or Pentosin race fluid. Very similar to the Audi TT brake setup in terms of rotor and caliper. Car is driven on Bridgestone S-03s, but may receive a set of Michelin PSCs or Toyo RA-1s when these wear out.

I'm considering the Pagid Orange, Carbotech Panther+, and perhaps even Hawk Blues. I'm not concerned with street behavior since I can easily swap pads between events. I want good fade resistence and good pedal feel. I can accept with accelerated wear.

Any thoughts?

-Adam

 

Carbotech XP8's.

 

search you noob!

 

Searching is so last week. Look, RJ didn't even lock the thread! And don't you have a new job to do?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Carbotech XP8's.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I went from Ultimates/AEM to XP8s/AEM (same tires). The difference was astounding. My Ultimates now feel awful in comparison when I'm scooting along on the street (since I still use them for street/AutoX).

Axxis Ultimate is a great street and autocross pad. Besides the dust, it does everything well. They survived a weekend at M-O without issue, and have been in use for 3+ years. You need the proper equipment though.

 

use less brake

 

he aint going fast enough to use brakes.

ok, ill stop now. i do have work to do now...

 

Now that was uncalled for.

 

Our cars have similar specs (near 3k lbs, fwd VW, 12.3" front rotors). I'm using Cobalt VRs for track, Axxis Ultimates for street. I can tell you that I'm definitely not liking the Axxis, even if it's just for 'spirited' street use. On the other hand, the VRs are just plain awesome. Great feel, linear braking, bites hard from the start and doesn't fade at all.

 

I have a friend who raves about Pagid's on his Porsche.

I say just pick one and try it out and see what you think. Most people on this board will recommend either a Cobalt or Carbotech pad though.

 

Here is a tidbit for you. I switched some PRC guys from the Pagid Orange over to Cobalt VR's. One of the drivers liked the pads better because they had better feel. On that recommendation, another driver tried them out. He happens to have data logging. He only needs to use "about half the effort to achieve the same deceleration numbers". The pads also had "better modulation".

Just food for thought.

 

IMO there is no better option for a street car that sees the track than to have a separate set of dedicated rotors and real track only pads. (I have spare front rotors and hawk blues that I use for any kind of track days.) This way you don't have to worry about ruining your track day by not having brakes, nor will you wear out your street brakes.

Since Axxis Ultimate are mentioned, I have been using them on my 3.1K lbs talon for some time and I absolutely love them. It made a huge difference compared to the oem pads. They produce a lot of brake dust, but are very good for street and autox and are cheap.