Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad
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From: Sears Point, CA
Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad
I must say that I am VERY impressed with the brake pads.
Stats:
2001 Type-R
Stock calipers
SS lines
Motul 600
No brake cooling
Heatshields still in place
Falken Azenis 205-50/15
Pads:
Cobalt GT-R spec vr, front
R4S, rear(stole from Bob#455)
Rotors:
Cobalt replacement, front 4000 street miles
stock, rear
Tracks:
Buttonwillow CCW 100 miles
Highest speed was ~125mph from Riverside through Grapevine, ~105mph down the front straight, and ~110mph from Sunset into the Esses.
Big Willow CW ~140 miles
Highest speeds of ~125-130mph attained from turn 5-8, and from 9-1.
Review:
Day #1, Buttonwillow
I will start out saying that I was very abusive on these pads. I started each session off with a lap to slowly bring the pads and rotors up to temperature to keep the wear even. The pads would be up to temp after ~3/4 of a lap, but still had outstanding stopping power when still cold. The Cobalt pads were able to give me awesome stopping power throughout the day, stop after stop, I was able to do a back to back session with a 5 minute break with zero fading of the pads(25 minutes on track, 5 minutes off, 25 minutes back on track). It took me a while to finally trust the pads(coming from street pads), and after I was trusting of the pads I was able to brake later, and later going into each corner, allowing me to catch up to the damn Z06's that were pulling away from me in the straights. The pads had a very consistent pedal feel throughout the day, and throughout the pedal travel, the bite of the pads were very linear.
After day 1 I was too lazy to remove the pads, so I kept them on for the 120 mile drive to Big Willow, no issues on the street, pads worked fine, but beware if they did come up to temps, they really do stop quite well.
Day #2 Willow Springs
Learning a new track…I found that this track wasn’t too abusive on brakes, but had a few high speed braking areas. I did ~6-25 minute sessions with ~50 minutes of cool down between each session. The brakes worked flawlessly for the ~140 miles that I did on this track, no fade, consistent pedal feel throughout the day, very impressive bringing the car from 125mph-->70mph. I was able to brake much later than other people, and was gaining ground through all of the braking zones.
Overall Impressions
Pads worked flawlessly, no issues whatsoever, I will purchase these pads again. Andie at Cobalt was more than helpful with my pad selection and I put my life in his hands while using his pads, I am now a dedicated Cobalt customer. If you have a chance to try out his new race compounds you will be impressed. The pads did not eat the rotors, nor were they used up during my 2 day trip at the track. Andie told me that they should last for another 3-4 track days dependent upon how abusive I was with them, and if I added in some cooling. According to Andie they pads did not reach their upper temperature operating range, but looked to have remained well within the 400-1450*F range.
Pictures
Stats:
2001 Type-R
Stock calipers
SS lines
Motul 600
No brake cooling
Heatshields still in place
Falken Azenis 205-50/15
Pads:
Cobalt GT-R spec vr, front
R4S, rear(stole from Bob#455)
Rotors:
Cobalt replacement, front 4000 street miles
stock, rear
Tracks:
Buttonwillow CCW 100 miles
Highest speed was ~125mph from Riverside through Grapevine, ~105mph down the front straight, and ~110mph from Sunset into the Esses.
Big Willow CW ~140 miles
Highest speeds of ~125-130mph attained from turn 5-8, and from 9-1.
Review:
Day #1, Buttonwillow
I will start out saying that I was very abusive on these pads. I started each session off with a lap to slowly bring the pads and rotors up to temperature to keep the wear even. The pads would be up to temp after ~3/4 of a lap, but still had outstanding stopping power when still cold. The Cobalt pads were able to give me awesome stopping power throughout the day, stop after stop, I was able to do a back to back session with a 5 minute break with zero fading of the pads(25 minutes on track, 5 minutes off, 25 minutes back on track). It took me a while to finally trust the pads(coming from street pads), and after I was trusting of the pads I was able to brake later, and later going into each corner, allowing me to catch up to the damn Z06's that were pulling away from me in the straights. The pads had a very consistent pedal feel throughout the day, and throughout the pedal travel, the bite of the pads were very linear.
After day 1 I was too lazy to remove the pads, so I kept them on for the 120 mile drive to Big Willow, no issues on the street, pads worked fine, but beware if they did come up to temps, they really do stop quite well.
Day #2 Willow Springs
Learning a new track…I found that this track wasn’t too abusive on brakes, but had a few high speed braking areas. I did ~6-25 minute sessions with ~50 minutes of cool down between each session. The brakes worked flawlessly for the ~140 miles that I did on this track, no fade, consistent pedal feel throughout the day, very impressive bringing the car from 125mph-->70mph. I was able to brake much later than other people, and was gaining ground through all of the braking zones.
Overall Impressions
Pads worked flawlessly, no issues whatsoever, I will purchase these pads again. Andie at Cobalt was more than helpful with my pad selection and I put my life in his hands while using his pads, I am now a dedicated Cobalt customer. If you have a chance to try out his new race compounds you will be impressed. The pads did not eat the rotors, nor were they used up during my 2 day trip at the track. Andie told me that they should last for another 3-4 track days dependent upon how abusive I was with them, and if I added in some cooling. According to Andie they pads did not reach their upper temperature operating range, but looked to have remained well within the 400-1450*F range.
Pictures
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: imma young chinese boy
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Austin)
both pads and rotors look to have held up very well.
i've been meaning to give andie feedback on the ferodo ds3000's i purchased from him for 6 months now. one of these days.
i've been meaning to give andie feedback on the ferodo ds3000's i purchased from him for 6 months now. one of these days.
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Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (lanceh)
Awesome information!
I am going to use my Cobalt GT-R spec VR's at the expo for the first time. I'm really looking forward to using them, even moreso after reading such a positive review!
I am going to use my Cobalt GT-R spec VR's at the expo for the first time. I'm really looking forward to using them, even moreso after reading such a positive review!
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 98
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Austin)
Hey Austin, my buddy Ryan rode with you on one of your last sessions of the day (we were up there with Hubert if you remember- silver bb6). He was absolutley amazed with your brakes. He said it damn near hurt when you threw the anchor out. He gave you kudos for your speed, and was thoroughly impressed with your driving skill. He says thanks! I just wish I would have asked for a ride instead of allowing him to!
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Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,276
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From: Sears Point, CA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Prelusion98)
Hey Austin, my buddy Ryan rode with you on one of your last sessions of the day (we were up there with Hubert if you remember- silver bb6). He was absolutley amazed with your brakes. He said it damn near hurt when you threw the anchor out. He gave you kudos for your speed, and was thoroughly impressed with your driving skill. He says thanks! I just wish I would have asked for a ride instead of allowing him to!
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,276
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From: Sears Point, CA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Prelusion98)
Oh...you are correct my friend. 
You were the guy in the Black ITR then, correct?
You were the guy in the Black ITR then, correct?
Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,941
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From: hong kong
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Chris N)
Is this Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad is a track, if so, how is it different/ compare to DS3000? I'm using the DS3000 (from Cobalt, of course) last month in VIR and I'm very happy about its perfromance.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,276
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From: Sears Point, CA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (AW)
According to Andie the Cobalt GT-R spec VR were designed to outperform the Hawk Blue, and they are definately a level above the DS3000's...when you need to purchase a new set after the Ferodos are dead try these, they are at the same price point, but are much better.
Austin
Austin
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,339
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From: Land of Oz, KS
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Austin)
I meant to start one of these posts when I got back last weekend but I just couldn't find the time between school and work. Anyway, better late then never. 
Stats:
2001 Type R
Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) front pads
Cobalt GT-Sport rear pads
Stock calipers
Front/rear rotors replaced 1k miles ago
Removed most of front and all of rear heatshields
Motul RBF 600
Falken Azenis 205-50/15
Tracks:
Buttonwillow #14 CCW - 115 track miles, 20 highway/city (went to town for gas).
Review:
I will start out saying that I was very abusive on these pads - even more so than Austin. Car has 28k miles, and I'm on my third set of front rotors and fourth set of track pads because threshold braking tends to be hard on brake components. 
I started each session by doing a lap at ~7/10ths and then proceeded to drive 10/10ths until the checkered flag. I have to say that The GT-R.spec(VR) are the ABSOLUTE BEST pads that I have ever used. I've previously used Ferodo DS3000 and Porterfield R4, and neither one of these compounds can compare to Cobalt in terms of initial bite and fade resistance. If you are hard on the brakes like I am, you will be amazed at not only the initial bite of the pads, but their linear nature. The overall feel was similar to the DS3000 I used previously, except the intial bit was much harder. The pads have an excellent feel that remains very consistent and predictable throughout the day. This is the first time I have ever driven off the track after a session and not had the pedal go straight to the floor. Also worth mentioning is the fact that my braking performance has been limited by each of the compounds I've used previously - with the Cobalts my performance is limited by the tires more than anything else. I was also very impressed by the wear rates of the pads. They didn't appear to eat the rotors (not that I really care at $36 each), nor did they wear away quickly like the DS3000 which I only got 3 events out of. After one full day, the GT-R.spec(VR) appear to have 80-85% of the pad material left so I'm hoping to get a total of 4-5 events out of them. Also, the pad material was completely intact and did not appear to have overheated...both the DS3000 and R4 looked much much worse after similar usage. Overall I couldn't be happier with the performance of the pads. As always, Andie delivers customer service that is unparalleled. I had a slight issue after the first session because residue of the GT-Sport pads I was running on the street interfered with the GT-R.spec(VR), but I called Andie and he was able to diagnose and fix the problem during a 5 minute trackside phone call. 
I'd like to think of myself as a dedicated Cobalt customer before I used the GT-R.spec(VR), so now I'm more like an addict. After using Cobalt, I could never got back to anything else...as soon as these pads run low I'll be calling Andie to get another set.
Note: I went with GT-Sport in the rear because they are the most aggressive pad that Andie felt was suitable for street driving, and I need to have "street" pads in the rear because I don't always have the time and resources necessary to swap rear pads the day before an event. Andie recommends the IT-R.spec(C) for the rear, but these pads are similar to the GT-Sport in terms of both coefficient of friction and fade resistance. I had no issues with brake bias - the rears appeared to hold their own quite well and the car never pulled under braking (at least not very hard). Also, the GT-Sport outperformed the Axxis Ultimates I previously used (and partially cooked). If anyone else out there is in my situation and doesn't have time to swap rear brakes back and forth every event, I would recommend the GT-R.spec(VR) and GT-Sport combination without hesitation.
Stats:
2001 Type R
Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) front pads
Cobalt GT-Sport rear pads
Stock calipers
Front/rear rotors replaced 1k miles ago
Removed most of front and all of rear heatshields
Motul RBF 600
Falken Azenis 205-50/15
Tracks:
Buttonwillow #14 CCW - 115 track miles, 20 highway/city (went to town for gas).
Review:
I will start out saying that I was very abusive on these pads - even more so than Austin
. Car has 28k miles, and I'm on my third set of front rotors and fourth set of track pads because threshold braking tends to be hard on brake components. I started each session by doing a lap at ~7/10ths and then proceeded to drive 10/10ths until the checkered flag. I have to say that The GT-R.spec(VR) are the ABSOLUTE BEST pads that I have ever used. I've previously used Ferodo DS3000 and Porterfield R4, and neither one of these compounds can compare to Cobalt in terms of initial bite and fade resistance. If you are hard on the brakes like I am, you will be amazed at not only the initial bite of the pads, but their linear nature. The overall feel was similar to the DS3000 I used previously, except the intial bit was much harder. The pads have an excellent feel that remains very consistent and predictable throughout the day. This is the first time I have ever driven off the track after a session and not had the pedal go straight to the floor. Also worth mentioning is the fact that my braking performance has been limited by each of the compounds I've used previously - with the Cobalts my performance is limited by the tires more than anything else. I was also very impressed by the wear rates of the pads. They didn't appear to eat the rotors (not that I really care at $36 each), nor did they wear away quickly like the DS3000 which I only got 3 events out of. After one full day, the GT-R.spec(VR) appear to have 80-85% of the pad material left so I'm hoping to get a total of 4-5 events out of them. Also, the pad material was completely intact and did not appear to have overheated...both the DS3000 and R4 looked much much worse after similar usage. Overall I couldn't be happier with the performance of the pads. As always, Andie delivers customer service that is unparalleled. I had a slight issue after the first session because residue of the GT-Sport pads I was running on the street interfered with the GT-R.spec(VR), but I called Andie and he was able to diagnose and fix the problem during a 5 minute trackside phone call. I'd like to think of myself as a dedicated Cobalt customer before I used the GT-R.spec(VR), so now I'm more like an addict. After using Cobalt, I could never got back to anything else...as soon as these pads run low I'll be calling Andie to get another set. Note: I went with GT-Sport in the rear because they are the most aggressive pad that Andie felt was suitable for street driving, and I need to have "street" pads in the rear because I don't always have the time and resources necessary to swap rear pads the day before an event. Andie recommends the IT-R.spec(C) for the rear, but these pads are similar to the GT-Sport in terms of both coefficient of friction and fade resistance. I had no issues with brake bias - the rears appeared to hold their own quite well and the car never pulled under braking (at least not very hard
). Also, the GT-Sport outperformed the Axxis Ultimates I previously used (and partially cooked). If anyone else out there is in my situation and doesn't have time to swap rear brakes back and forth every event, I would recommend the GT-R.spec(VR) and GT-Sport combination without hesitation.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,339
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From: Land of Oz, KS
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Prelusion98)
Hey Austin, my buddy Ryan rode with you on one of your last sessions of the day (we were up there with Hubert if you remember- silver bb6). He was absolutley amazed with your brakes. He said it damn near hurt when you threw the anchor out. He gave you kudos for your speed, and was thoroughly impressed with your driving skill. He says thanks! I just wish I would have asked for a ride instead of allowing him to!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (Austin)
Thanks Austin, I may try them when I wear out my current pads which will be soon.
Do you know how they compare to the Ferodo DS3000+? I know someone using them on a RSX and has said they are working very well.
AW
Do you know how they compare to the Ferodo DS3000+? I know someone using them on a RSX and has said they are working very well.
AW
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,276
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From: Sears Point, CA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (AW)
Thanks Austin, I may try them when I wear out my current pads which will be soon.
Do you know how they compare to the Ferodo DS3000+? I know someone using them on a RSX and has said they are working very well.
AW
Do you know how they compare to the Ferodo DS3000+? I know someone using them on a RSX and has said they are working very well.
AW
Austin
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,339
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From: Land of Oz, KS
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (AW)
Do you know how they compare to the Ferodo DS3000+? I know someone using them on a RSX and has said they are working very well.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 633
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (AW)
The Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) compound was designed as a world-class road racing compound. Based on extensive testing and customer feedback, it appears that we have succeeded in creating a compound which exhibits unparalleled initial bite and braking torque consistency, exceptional fade resistance, excellent wear rates, and which is rotor friendly and has very reasonable dust levels. A few customers have driven to and from the track with the GT-R.spec(VR) with very good results: reasonable rotor wear and good cold performance. While street driving is _not_ in the design profile for the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR), since the cold performance is still quite good, weekend HPDE participants can change pads before leaving for the weekend, and not have to swap at the track, if they wish.
The Ferodo DS3000 is a very good road racing compound, and Cobalt continues to recommend and support this product, based on the requirements of the customer. The Ferodo DS3000 has a very strong initial bite, very good fade resistance, and is relatively rotor friendly. It is appropriate for those using max-performance street tires at the track, and for light vehicles on r-compound tires.
In general, for race vehicles under 2400lbs, the DS3000 will be a better choice, and for heavier and/or fast(er) race vehicles, the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) will be hard to beat, IMO. We have found better modulation characteristics with the DS3000 on lighter vehicles, as compared to the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR). For the ITR and GSR, the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) performs very well.
List prices for the ITR front fitment are:
COBALT GT-R.SPEC(VR) $149
HAWK BLUE $136.18
FERODO DS3000 $172.64 (COBALT LIST = $149)
HTH... -Andie
The Ferodo DS3000 is a very good road racing compound, and Cobalt continues to recommend and support this product, based on the requirements of the customer. The Ferodo DS3000 has a very strong initial bite, very good fade resistance, and is relatively rotor friendly. It is appropriate for those using max-performance street tires at the track, and for light vehicles on r-compound tires.
In general, for race vehicles under 2400lbs, the DS3000 will be a better choice, and for heavier and/or fast(er) race vehicles, the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) will be hard to beat, IMO. We have found better modulation characteristics with the DS3000 on lighter vehicles, as compared to the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR). For the ITR and GSR, the Cobalt GT-R.spec(VR) performs very well.
List prices for the ITR front fitment are:
COBALT GT-R.SPEC(VR) $149
HAWK BLUE $136.18
FERODO DS3000 $172.64 (COBALT LIST = $149)
HTH... -Andie
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 633
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Re: Review of the Cobalt GT-R spec VR brake pad (00MRSi)
The two compounds that I recommend for your "typical" road course on a Civic HB/B18C5 Hybrid are either the Cobalt IT-R.spec(B) or Ferodo DS3000 compounds. The GT-R.spec(VR) has tested to be a bit too "strong" in terms of initial bite and overall braking torque, especially with a rear drum configuration, for most drivers. We do have some racers who use the GT-R.spec(VR) compound with this chassis/engine setup, but only on very demanding road courses such as Sebring short course or CMP under dry conditions.
HTH... -Andie
HTH... -Andie