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Yes, the question about what pads to use has been asked a thousand times. But hear me out, because I have specific reasons for asking this the way I do.
Firstly, my setup: 2014 Mustang GT Track Package version (hence, Brembo brakes) with Stoptech pads and Laguna Seca brake ducts.
I'm at the point where I'm exceeding the capabilities of the Stoptech pads I use (which are good to 1300 degrees) when I'm on the track. And I do not want to switch pads between street and track. So the pad I use has to work on the street. Now, I don't care at all about noise and dust. After all, the noise just says "race car". But I do care about stopping capability.
I don't mind if the pads I use require a little more pressure to stop the car, but they must still be able to engage the ABS even when cold. When Carbotech says that their XP12 is not recommended for street duty because of dust and noise, I have to at least hope that it means that the pad will in fact function well on the street when it comes to stopping the car. For me, that's a necessity.
And that leaves the other characteristic I'm after: linearity. Carbotech advertises its pads as having very high "initial bite". But that makes me hesitate to buy them, because what I'm after is the greatest amount of linearity and controllability possible. That means that when I gently brush the brakes, the pads should generate relatively little braking, because when I'm doing something like that I'm doing it to control the weight transfer on the car or to subtly alter my line, and obviously a strong braking response under those conditions is highly undesirable. I'm after as much linearity in the pad's response as possible, because linearity gives controllability.
So with that in mind, and keeping in mind that I'm looking for something with substantially greater heat handling capability than the Stoptechs, what pads do you guys recommend? I'm inclined to go with the Carbotech XP10 or XP12 (depending primarily on whether or not there's an appreciable difference in how they handle on the street -- if they're about the same then I may as well go with the XP12) on all 4 corners in order to retain the front to rear balance that I have with the Stoptechs, unless the use of differing compounds (e.g., XP12 front, XP10 rear) is what retains that balance.
One last thing: I'm on street tires (Bridgestone RE-11s) and will remain on them when on the track. So I certainly don't need too much pad -- I'm primarily concerned about heat handling characteristics and linearity when on the track. If the XP10 won't overheat with street tires then it may be the way to go.
Thoughts?
Firstly, my setup: 2014 Mustang GT Track Package version (hence, Brembo brakes) with Stoptech pads and Laguna Seca brake ducts.
I'm at the point where I'm exceeding the capabilities of the Stoptech pads I use (which are good to 1300 degrees) when I'm on the track. And I do not want to switch pads between street and track. So the pad I use has to work on the street. Now, I don't care at all about noise and dust. After all, the noise just says "race car". But I do care about stopping capability.
I don't mind if the pads I use require a little more pressure to stop the car, but they must still be able to engage the ABS even when cold. When Carbotech says that their XP12 is not recommended for street duty because of dust and noise, I have to at least hope that it means that the pad will in fact function well on the street when it comes to stopping the car. For me, that's a necessity.
And that leaves the other characteristic I'm after: linearity. Carbotech advertises its pads as having very high "initial bite". But that makes me hesitate to buy them, because what I'm after is the greatest amount of linearity and controllability possible. That means that when I gently brush the brakes, the pads should generate relatively little braking, because when I'm doing something like that I'm doing it to control the weight transfer on the car or to subtly alter my line, and obviously a strong braking response under those conditions is highly undesirable. I'm after as much linearity in the pad's response as possible, because linearity gives controllability.
So with that in mind, and keeping in mind that I'm looking for something with substantially greater heat handling capability than the Stoptechs, what pads do you guys recommend? I'm inclined to go with the Carbotech XP10 or XP12 (depending primarily on whether or not there's an appreciable difference in how they handle on the street -- if they're about the same then I may as well go with the XP12) on all 4 corners in order to retain the front to rear balance that I have with the Stoptechs, unless the use of differing compounds (e.g., XP12 front, XP10 rear) is what retains that balance.
One last thing: I'm on street tires (Bridgestone RE-11s) and will remain on them when on the track. So I certainly don't need too much pad -- I'm primarily concerned about heat handling characteristics and linearity when on the track. If the XP10 won't overheat with street tires then it may be the way to go.
Thoughts?
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