I've been reading the posts around here, and it seems there are several different pads to choose from. I've been using Porterfield R4S pads (track+street) for 3+ years now, since my 2nd track day, when I destroyed the stock pads on the first one!

The Porterfields have been good to me, but I see people talk about Hawk HPs and Carbotechs? I understand the Carbotech P+ are track only pads, so this may not be ideal at this time. I still drive the Type-R on the street occasionally, even though I have a 2nd car.

I also hear the Hawks are good, but cause too much rotor wear? Other than increased brake dust, the R4Ss have been good to me, I've only gone thru 3 sets of OEM Brembo blanks in 3 years, and pads seem to last 3-4 track days.

Maybe I shouldn't change anything, why fix it if it ain't broken? I guess I am wondering if there's something better out there.

 

I would contact Andie Lin/Cobalt Friction Technologies for all your brake pad needs.

I have Cobalt's GT-R spec VR front pads. Amazing. Great on the rotors so far, too.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=453940

I've never dealt with anyone more knowledgable AND helpful than Andie Lin. He even went out of his way to help get me back out on the track at the expo when I had some pad/rotor issues.

 

Thanks, it looks like the GTR-Spec Vrs would be perfect, they even perform OK on the street, so I don't have to swap them every time. That should be a good choice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fso_BamBam &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks, it looks like the GTR-Spec Vrs would be perfect, they even perform OK on the street, so I don't have to swap them every time. That should be a good choice.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

The VR's get me to/from the track. I left them on for a few days, and they did fine, but they were loud and squeaky. MUCH better when very very hot.

I have had them on for 4 track days this year: about 415 track miles or so. They look like they have a lot of life left.

 

The Endless CC-X pads are amazing for both track and street use. I am using them mostly for auto-x and street, but I know many others using them on the track with great success (hopefully they will say something).

 

Everyone has their favorite Pad.

Guess mine.

 

loves his panther +...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'll second that recommendation.

http://www.cobaltfriction.com

877-562-9237</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll third that!

Andie is an extremely helpful and knowledgeable guy.

I can tell you that Hawk Blues work very well at the track but, do not allow enough modulation IMHO, are extremely unkind to rotors and create loads of super sticky brake dust that is not easy to remove from wheels or flanks.


A.

 

I use Hawk HP+ on the street/track and love them. They're a little too noisy for my tastes, but you can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

Front: Carbotech XP 1108 or 1109
Rear: Carbotech Panther Plus

The best Race Proven/Street Friendly combo I have found yet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would contact Andie Lin/Cobalt Friction Technologies for all your brake pad needs.

I have Cobalt's GT-R spec VR front pads. Amazing. Great on the rotors so far, too.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=453940

I've never dealt with anyone more knowledgable AND helpful than Andie Lin. He even went out of his way to help get me back out on the track at the expo when I had some pad/rotor issues.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I fourth that.

I have around 550-600 track miles on my spec vr, rotors look fine and I have decent pad left.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would contact Andie Lin/Cobalt Friction Technologies for all your brake pad needs.

I have Cobalt's GT-R spec VR front pads. Amazing. Great on the rotors so far, too.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=453940


I've never dealt with anyone more knowledgable AND helpful than Andie Lin. He even went out of his way to help get me back out on the track at the expo when I had some pad/rotor issues.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Getting a fifth from me here!

I'd say Don't go to Hawks as I bet you won't feel any difference than with Portefields. I feel the Sameway about Hawks you do Porterfields. I got Cobalt GT Sports and they kick ***. I will stay with Cobalt even if I don't run their specific Brand. Andie will get you exactly what you need.



Modified by Asahi at 6:22 AM 7/8/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by XR4racer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Front: Carbotech XP 1108 or 1109
Rear: Carbotech Panther Plus

The best Race Proven/Street Friendly combo I have found yet. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I actually have Hawk HP+ pads and I'm looking for upgrading to your setup exactly. Could you tell me if the XP's are more noisy or dusty than the Hawk HP+ ?

oh, it's for agressive street / occasional track

thanks

 

ttt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would contact Andie Lin/Cobalt Friction Technologies for all your brake pad needs.

I have Cobalt's GT-R spec VR front pads. Amazing. Great on the rotors so far, too.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=453940

I've never dealt with anyone more knowledgable AND helpful than Andie Lin. He even went out of his way to help get me back out on the track at the expo when I had some pad/rotor issues.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I will sixth that

Andie has helped me out so many times. Really a great individual and truly an expert on brakes.

 

Is Cobalt the new rage or something? Every time I see something brake related, it's "Call Cobalt"

Not trying to put them down, but why all of a sudden are they the bet for everything.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

LOL... You haven't gathered yet that all you have to do is call Cobalt Friction or Carbotech and ask them what to buy?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I already called Carbotech and they recommended me the XP.

What I wanted to know , " if you haven't gathered yet ", is a comparison between the Hawk HP+ pads and the Panther XP's.

Thank you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EleanoR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I will sixth that

Andie has helped me out so many times. Really a great individual and truly an expert on brakes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll seventh it!! I used Cobalt GT-Sport on the street and GT-R.spec(VR) on the track - both are the best pads I've ever used for their respective purposes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by onyx00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is Cobalt the new rage or something? Every time I see something brake related, it's "Call Cobalt"

Not trying to put them down, but why all of a sudden are they the bet for everything.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They are the best because their products and their knowledge of brake systems are better than any other company out there. I know it's hard to believe things like this because of the bandwagon mentality on H-T, but trust me, Cobalt is the ****. Try their pads and you won't be disappointed, and if you ever have any issues with your purchase they will take care of you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That outta tell ya something.</TD></TR></TABLE>

No George, it doesn't. People hyped Mugen up for a long time and in my opinion their stuff isn't all that great.

I guess some of it is also that when I contacted them their prices on ATE brake fluid were not that great, yet everyone said to go to them.

I don't doubt the performance of their products, just wonder if all these people making recommendations have tried other stuff and are making a judgement based on that or just jumping on a bandwagon.

Like I said, not trying to belittle Andie or Carbotech, just questioning this whole Carbotech craze.

 

I've run Porterfield R4's on the street. They squeal like a train and dust like crazy, but stop the car on a dime.

 

I ordered some spec VRs and Motul from Cobalt this week. Very helpful over the phone and very knowledgable as well

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'll second that recommendation.

http://www.cobaltfriction.com

877-562-9237</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll third that. Andie is very good peoples and a FL boy

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Endless CC-X pads are amazing for both track and street use. I am using them mostly for auto-x and street, but I know many others using them on the track with great success (hopefully they will say something).</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've been using the CC-X (among others) on the track. Their performance was fine. However, my rotors seem to be more susceptible to brake shudder with the CC-X, so I've moved on to try other brands to confirm this. (I know that brake shudder is caused by uneven pad deposits and I've read the white paper on the Stoptech website; but I'm keeping track of which pads and rotors I'm using and how long they all last, and I'm working to confirm whether this pattern is true through controlled experiments, trial and error...)

Incidentally, I have had Porterfield R4S pads bend on the track. Bend as in, the brakes get hot, the backing plates of the pads heat up and get soft enough to fold around the piston. Very bad.

Currently trying Panther Plus on one car, RM Racing (I think they're Hawk HP+) on the other...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by onyx00 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

No George, it doesn't. People hyped Mugen up for a long time and in my opinion their stuff isn't all that great.

I guess some of it is also that when I contacted them their prices on ATE brake fluid were not that great, yet everyone said to go to them.

I don't doubt the performance of their products, just wonder if all these people making recommendations have tried other stuff and are making a judgement based on that or just jumping on a bandwagon.

Like I said, not trying to belittle Andie or Carbotech, just questioning this whole Carbotech craze.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your comments don't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Your opinion is that mugen products aren't that great. What products of theirs do you own? Regardless..

Call andie and talk to him about brakes. He has an amazing amount of knowledge for MANY applications. He supplies pads for race series and a wide variety of cars.

Most people buy products and don't have an expert to talk about what they WANT. Andie is that source for brake pads. He KNOWS and he is willing to spend an hour, 15 minutes, whatever, with WHOEVER wants to know! Like I said, i've spent about 30-45 mins on the phone with him and he even spend about 30 mins with me at the busy expo talking about material transfer and why i had this problem.

Anyways, your comments sounds like you are upset about something or just trying to be contrary.

If you have every spoke to Andie or used his products, you'd know what we are all talking about.

Everyone has different expectations and needs and just because there is perceived 'craze' on Honda-Tech really doesn't mean anything.

Cobalt and Andie Lin supported the expo, back their products and provide SUPERIOR customer service AND products.