Best Brake Pads?

[dmh]

Without the knowlegde of brake rotor temperature it is rather hard to chose the best pad...don't you think?

[lotusfan2]

Originally Posted by dmh

Without the knowlegde of brake rotor temperature it is rather hard to chose the best pad...don't you think?

I would hope that this is not true. I have no idea about my rotor temps. I just want a pad that a) is cheaper than OEM, b) can be used on the street and will therefore still brake well when it is cold and c) can occasionally be used on the track (few times a year).

There's so much (conflicting) information about brake pads out on this forum, it is staggering. I surely wish it was easier. I finally have it narrowed down to either the Pagin's blue (or dark blue) or the Ferodo 2500s.

[Rennstore]

Trying to be objective here

For you: Pagid RS4-2 Blues. Fine on the street, very, very good on track.
They just don't have the ultimate 'bite' of the RS14 black, but then what does?

They don't have the noise level of the RS14 Black on the street, either.

[kohete]

Originally Posted by Krl0

Just tested CARBONETIC "STREET&RACE" pads on eliseparts.com rotors ... it's awsome ... no noize after the break-in periode , easy to use, and phenomenal braking power

I've been running carbotech XP8s front and rear for a couple of weeks now.

They're a bit too thick to reuse the stock shims, so I used brake quiet - they were indeed quiet for the first few days after the bedding, but eventually starting squealing like stuck pigs under light braking. I figure I'll install the shims in a month or so, after I've worn them down a bit.

Stopping power is great when cold, never felt them lacking in the slightest. Haven't taken them to the track yet, so can't comment on full temp performance.

[dmh]

Originally Posted by kohete

Originally Posted by Krl0
Just tested CARBONETIC "STREET&RACE" pads on eliseparts.com rotors ... it's awsome ... no noize after the break-in periode , easy to use, and phenomenal braking power
________________________________

I've been running carbotech XP8s front and rear for a couple of weeks now.

They're a bit too thick to reuse the stock shims, so I used brake quiet - they were indeed quiet for the first few days after the bedding, but eventually starting squealing like stuck pigs under light braking. I figure I'll install the shims in a month or so, after I've worn them down a bit.

Stopping power is great when cold, never felt them lacking in the slightest. Haven't taken them to the track yet, so can't comment on full temp performance.

From Carbotech: Carbotech does NOT recommended XP8™ as a daily driven street pad due to elevated levels of dust and noise.

[lotusfan2]

Rennstore, thanks. Do the Pagid pads cover the rotors completely?

[dmh]

Originally Posted by Rennstore

Trying to be objective here

They just don't have the ultimate 'bite' of the RS14 black, but then what does?

Pagid RS-15
Ferodo 3000
Raybestos ST-43

[ZJChaser]

The raybestos have more initial bite than any other pad I've felt in these cars. Some people consider it too much.

[Rennstore]

"Rennstore, thanks. Do the Pagid pads cover the rotors completely?"

Sorry it took me a bit to respond -
The Pagid 1587 Blue front has a small scallop on the inner dia of the rotor where there isn't contact -

[CountTracula]

Originally Posted by ZJChaser

The raybestos have more initial bite than any other pad I've felt in these cars. Some people consider it too much.

It is too much for my taste. Craig Stanton also said it was an overkill for the Lotus stock braking system.

I ran Carbotech XP8 and although they felt awesome they may be a bit too much as well. Out of all the pads I ran on the car I like Pagids the best but they are also the priciest. I also like Ferodo 2500s as I do not get the weird "ice mode" with these pads.

[kohete]

Originally Posted by dmh

From Carbotech: Carbotech does NOT recommended XP8™ as a daily driven street pad due to elevated levels of dust and noise.

Funnily enough, I called to order AX6's (the next level down), and the Carbotech guys recommended XP8 instead, even if I was only going to track occasionally.

[Rennstore]

By the who, I received all sets of Pagids in - I now have F&R in the RS14 Black and F&R in RS42 Blue.

[sleepless]

Originally Posted by CountTracula

I also like Ferodo 2500s as I do not get the weird "ice mode" with these pads.

That's probably because you are slower with those pads

[Pestodude]

Recently installed a set of Pagid Blacks. Although I love the brakes so far (haven't had it on the track yet) but I do have one issue. At very low speeds (coming to a light, the last 10 feet at 10 to 0 mph) there is a very loud "howl". This is not the typical squeal or squeak, this sounds...well, it sounds just like Chubaka from Star Wars! Anybody else have this issue. Cures? There was post on another thread about home made shims to deal with this. Craig from Rennstore is a bit leary of the shims (had a bad experience in a Porsche a few years back). He feels that after a track day the issue may go away. He also suggested I seat the pads by taking the car up to 110 and brake hard to 65. Then a couple similar runs at lower speed.
Would love to get some input.

[Rennstore]

We just spoke on the telephone -

The pads have not been bedded in yet, thus we discused bedding them in - at the race track - per this procedure:

Mid-page:
www.RennStore.com -- The source for Pagid brake pads: PAGID brake pads....the best track pads for your PORSCHE....at the best prices!: Pagid information from Pagid USA

[Rennstore]

Pesto & others - somewhat informative and interesting post on this:

Brake Shims...replace or dispose? - The Cayman Club

[Keeper]

I mostly drive my car on the street. Occasional autocross. Probably 1 track day per year.

The Hawk HPS and Porterfield R4-S seem like the cheap, similar alternatives to the stock pads. I don't know if there's really much difference between the two? The Pagid RS42 seems like a great pad for street and occasional track use but is it really worth the difference in price for a car that's mostly on the street? And, does it eat rotors faster than the HPS, R4-S, and Stock pads?

I need to buy pads shortly and will pay for the RS42 if it makes sense to do so, but right now it seems like either the R4-S or HPS are equivalent to stock on the street and track for much less money.

Also, I need to pick up a micrometer to measure rotor thickness. Any preferences or things to consider?

[Rennstore]

Pardon the brevity and abruptness , but the R4S and HPS pads are NEVER to be used on the track. Ever.
They simply cannot handle any track use, and IMO are significantly less capable pads than the OEM pads -

I used to be a vendor (used to) of Porterfield R4S pads - the invoice specifically says "NOT TO BE USED FOR TRACK/RACING".

RS42 are absolutely perfect for spirited street/autocross use; heck, they can handle a hard track day too -

It's all about "The Right Tools For The Job"
~~~~~~~~
The Pagid Blues are a bazillion leagues above the Porterfields and Hawks in every way.

[Rennstore]

The ideal person for the Pagid RS14 Blacks:

Doesn't mind *some* additional rotor wear, additional street squeaks and the darker dust, loves a big initial bite & HIGH friction and wants the top tier A-number-1 pad for Lotus track work.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Pestodude

Recently installed a set of Pagid Blacks. Although I love the brakes so far (haven't had it on the track yet) but I do have one issue. At very low speeds (coming to a light, the last 10 feet at 10 to 0 mph) there is a very loud "howl". This is not the typical squeal or squeak, this sounds...well, it sounds just like Chubaka from Star Wars! Anybody else have this issue. Cures? There was post on another thread about home made shims to deal with this. Craig from Rennstore is a bit leary of the shims (had a bad experience in a Porsche a few years back). He feels that after a track day the issue may go away. He also suggested I seat the pads by taking the car up to 110 and brake hard to 65. Then a couple similar runs at lower speed.
Would love to get some input.

I had a hi-pitched squeal at very low (parking garage) speeds. After the weekend at the track it almost went away. Previously, I eliminated the noise by applying lots of the anti-squeal blue stuff on the pads (RS14). But your 'howl' may be a different issue.