Mike 458 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 I know there's a few threads on here already about pads but everyone's requirements are different and times possible change... What are peoples recommendations for pads? Would be looking for something ever so slightly better stopping than OEM pads (so I can sneak into N2 and hope Chris doesn't notice / care) and would be suited for sprints (so can work well from cold) and are fine for 15-20min track sessions. In terms of dust creation, I'm not too bothered and squealing is ok as long as it's not that much louder than OEM pads. Budget? There isn't one really, I'd rather see what's available and go from there... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Well, I've had the Stoptechs on for a couple of weeks. I haven't hammered it particularly, but I do think there is some improvement in bite compared to the stock pads. They are quieter and less brake dust by miles. In fact this really surprised me. I had a fast run down to the M6 from mine via Chelford, Jodrell Bank and Holmes Chapel and they did feel pretty good and though I was going pretty quickly I wasn't trying to murder them. But they did instill some confidence. I'd say I need a bit longer to evaluate them, but so far, so good and a lot cheaper than OEM too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Hmmmm, to me it felt like the Stoptechs produced more brake dust than the stock ones. Maybe you need to hammer them more Lauren. But like Lauren said, they offer good initial bite and usually stop pretty well.....though the only track time I've had them for was Lydden and you know how that ended.....but I must stress it WASN'T because of the pads. The only problem I had with them as I mentioned this weekend Mike was that they sometimes felt like they didn't want to stop, I hoped it was because they hadn't been ran in yet but even after almost a year, on the odd occasion when pushing hard, they didn't feel like they wanted to stop, seriously had to bury the pedal to finally stop. Note, they are pretty cheap compared to other pads including stock pads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Mike - how did the stock pads fare for you at Oulton park? My experience of the stock pads is the like Lauren; they fade after about 10 mins (depending on the track) and smoke/fall apart. I have Project Mu HC+ 800 at the moment. They do lack bite when cold, but after a few stops, once they get warm, they work well enough and on track I was able to work them at Snetterton for 20+mins before any signs of fade. Ferodo DS2500 are a slightly more road compromised pad than the proejct mu HC+ 800. I think the DS2500s work up to about 500C whereas the Project Mu is 800C (I had signs of fade at Oulton). I should point out that all pads are able to lock the wheels up, even when cold, you just have to push the pedal harder, and lack feel. The HC+800 lack bite as you drive away (cold car), but after a few meduim stops at traffic lights you feel them come alive. For me this is not much of a compromise. For sprints as ling as there is some warm in the pad they will be great. EBC Yellow Stuff seem popular, but I have zero experience with those. I think Alec said he had those on his car? I do admit I am quite heavy on the brakes. When I got the car I painted the calipers with 300C caliper paint. Best of the best stuff. I burned them quite quickly. This is them now: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Rich mentioned you were on the Stoptech's Lauren and as Keith said, he found them rather dusty but that's not a major problem for me. GT86Owner - I thought they were fine, but I don't think I was out for more than 15mins at a time, probably only doing 10min runs in the afternoon after the juddering started. I do believe Alec does have Yellow Stuff, I know he mentioned he changed them after Oulton Park but I can't remember what to. What I do know is he was stopping slightly better than me at Blyton... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 If you are getting judder, its likely the pads getting too hot and literally smearing compond on the disc surface. Not ideal but should wear off with a bit of street driving. I had juddering using the Project Mu HC+ after my first track day with them. Ultimately you need race pads for prolonged sessions as the thermal capacity of the stock system is not good enough to keep temps down. The stock pads will stop you just as fast and well as anything aftermarket...until they start fading... I was gutted as I caught up with Alec and had to slow down becasue the pads were beginning to fade Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rob275 1817 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 I'm pretty happy with my DIXCEL Pads, but that said, they aren't the cheapest. I did feel they gave up on me at Blyton on one of the corners and I came flying off the track but other than that one incident they stopped well. Perhaps something else was the cause rather than the pads. Probably my over zealous greasing? They stop well from cold(ish) you need to brake literally once and they bite fine, not an issue on the sprint as they will most likely be warm from the previous run, held out well on the whole at Blyton on a lengthy session. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 How obvious would the compound be on the discs? They look like they have always done to me, not that I've actually looked at them much! Mike-p looked at them and said they looked clean and so did Rich... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Sometimes you get ribbing. If you run your finger nail over the surface of the disc, you'll feel tiny ribs. They should look like a nicely bedded in set of discs of ther than that. Pads are designed to transfer some pads material onto the disc. The problem is when they get too hot, they transfer too much compound in an unevenly. Here's a pic on mine when they were badly juddering: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sonic 4 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 EBC greenstuff I'd say, its got the highest friction coefficent of all the EBC range and works well from cold plus the usual low dust generation and they're pretty reasoably priced, I'm running them on mine and am very happy with them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Sorry to go slightly off topic but both Alec and now GT86Owner has managed to burn the engine paint off their front calipers....would it be fair to say this wouldn't occur for the rears since most of the stopping power comes from the front calipers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 The fronts do more of the work of course, Keith. So it will be true. Easiest solution is not to paint your calipers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodename47 446 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 EBC greenstuff I'd say, its got the highest friction coefficent of all the EBC range and works well from coldDoubt they would hold up to a 15-20 min track session, seeing as they are "street" pads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Can't feel anything on the discs at all. Attached a pic of the right one, left one was covered in some crap from the rain this morning >.< So, what I'm getting from this thread (and the others on here), it seems to be basically personal preference? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keelerad 256 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 I'm still rocking the EBC yellowstuffs, suit me fine for both street and track. I have exactly the same issue with my calipers, painted them with 300C engine lacquer and it burnt off, doubt 80C caliper paint would last 5 minutes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 More like, Mike, people can only comment on what they've tried which is not many different pads considering the mileage of the cars. Also you can't really gauge people's driving styles. Add to this that anyone who doesn't go on track can't really comment either as we all know sustained track use is when the issues happen. Also to a point you get what you pay for, but you have to balance the longetivity of pads that will last a decent track session with how they are when cold and on the road. It's all very well having pads that never seem to fade, but not so good if they don't work well enough for a trip to the off licence and back. It's a bit like tyres, most people haven't tried that many different tyres on their cars and we all know YMMV, so in a way it's similar with pads. So it comes down to who's opinions you trust and it does help if you know the nutter that is the last of the late brakers! So that's basically no help at all then. Sorry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 The fronts do more of the work of course, Keith. So it will be true. Easiest solution is not to paint your calipers. Yeah but with red caliper at the front, it'll look wrong with stock grey rears Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keelerad 256 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 Painting the rears will probably be fine Keith, its only the fronts that are scorched, the rears are still red as a baboon's rear 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 My rear calipers are showing some signs of burning close to the pads but nothing like the front. Brake caliper specialists (same company smudge used to refurbish his sti calipers) sell high temp paint and they claim its better than the 300C foliatec. Might be worth a try. Personally I wouldn't ever recommend painting calipers to anyone that tracks. When I got the car 3 years ago it was going to be a fun daily and a had my eyes on a cateram track toy. Well now I work 2 miles from home it is no longer a daily and is turning into a bit of a track toy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 FYI Keith. Dont be surprised if the paint discolours on your K sports after repeated long track sessions. Painted calipers and dust seals just don't mix well with tracking the car. My stock dust seals are just a pile of, well, dust! Anyways, I digress. Mike go with your gut. Pads are cheap so you can always try a few different types. 1 Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 2, 2015 P.s. Mike that disc surface looks lovely but are they quite worn? Might be worth checking the thickness of the disc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Lauren: Very true, I imagine you and Alec have gone through the most pads and that's only 2 sets? And as you say, everyone's style is different. I know you've told me to gradually increase brake pressure whereas Alec likes to stamp on the brakes. I may well just put the different pads in a hat and randomly pick one out... GT86Owner: Not sure how worn they are, but I'd be heavily surprised if they would need replacing after 17k miles... especially as a decent chunk of that will be motorway where I pretty much never brake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ade 517 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Well not everyone wears their pads right down before trying a different compound Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 But even so, 17K is nothing for stock pads. I did nigh on 40K and there was still pad left. Progressively increasing your braking force is the way to do it. Stamping on the brakes when you come to the corner is not the way to do it! 2 Ade and Mike reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinA 695 Report post Posted June 3, 2015 Gentle increased application also helps balance the car,I quite often left foot brake for that reason. But too many opinions for analysis, so just develop your own style that feels right. 1 Ade reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
