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Brake Pads replacement - What to try next?

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cib24

cib24

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Jan 12, 2018
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It is time to replace my brake pads after 3.5 years, over 10,000 miles and 7 track days (I don't brake hard enough obviously!).

I am running Project Mu HC+ which have been great as a street/light track duty pad with great longevity, good bite when cold and easy to clean dust. However, I am looking for more performance on the track. I know ducting and/or larger discs can also help but as a first port of call I'm looking to increase the performance through slightly more aggressive pads.

I was thinking of staying with Project Mu and trying for the Level Max 900 if I can find them, but I know not many of you will have experience with this brand so what are some potential alternatives?

Perhaps the Level Max 900 is a step too far for the road?

50387-7_11285.jpg
 
Pagid rs29 are the absolute best, no question! I have just never been able to find them in a fd fitment.
 
I've used DS2500 's fine on the road and good on track, no squeal, dust is a little excessive and wear not so great, stopping power is very good.
I use EBC ultimax for road use great but noticeably less stopping power than DS2500's but more stopping power than a basic motor factors pad.

3.5 years out of a set is pretty good I'd be tempted to stick with those!
 
All of the really track focused pads are hard as hell on your discs. Ferrodo 3000 killed my first set of stoptech discs. I now stick to stoptech pads, discs etc as I've no complaints. Yes some pads will stop you better but there is always a trade off.
Hawk hps
Stoptech sport (not street, both are fine but i find sport have better bite)
Ferrodo 2500

More race focused pads

Ferrodo 3000
Carbotech
Stoptech race

Project mu obviously do some nice gear but i expect jdm tax is applied.

To go out and do 4-5 laps of a large circuit like croft the stoptech's hold up ok. I can stamp on them enough to induce the abs from pretty high speeds so they are working.
Having the balls to go later, now that's a different thing again.
 
JoeLanger said:
I've used DS2500 's fine on the road and good on track, no squeal, dust is a little excessive and wear not so great, stopping power is very good.
I use EBC ultimax for road use great but noticeably less stopping power than DS2500's but more stopping power than a basic motor factors pad.

3.5 years out of a set is pretty good I'd be tempted to stick with those!
Click to expand...

Fair point! They do hold up well and don't fade super quick on the track but I was looking for something a little more serious!
 
Otherwise I got them from Tegiwa. Cheapest at the time I bought, although didn't know of the company Joe referred...
 
Curious question.

Is it advisable to run street pads on the street and swap over to track pads for track days AND not change the rotors? Any issues doing this and needing to bed in the new pads every time you swap the other ones out?
 
I personally wouldn't bother unless your going for a full race brake set up that really needs heat in them to work. Trackday pads that can stop you well enough are fine on the street. I've used fast road pads on track and they do work just not for long before they fade.

Do you feel like your already at the limits of your pads and brakes now. What i mean is are you braking as late as you possibly can already and looking at the next 5-10 mtrs of track and thinking "That's where i need my next marker".

I think with braking, it's one of those things you think you need better and are really pushing boundaries until the guy with all the real race experiences jumps and and takes you for a spin. Your sat there pushing your feet through the floorpan thinking howthefuck!!!. Usually they comment " goes well this" and "brakes are pretty good".

I know I'm not there yet and you may well be and if that's the case maybe a bbk is in order.
 
More confidence braking from 140 mph would be welcome at a place like Snetterton, as well as being able to do a 15-20 minute session at a smaller track like Blyton Park (which is heavy on the brakes) without experiencing brake fade in the first 10 minutes would be great. However, I am also considering something like a very light dusting street pad simply to keep my wheels cleaner longer. It's not so nice having a clean car but your front wheels are a different colour than your back wheels due to excessive brake dust.
 
Again i think your tyres are your problem for high speed braking and stability. I wouldnt want to do 140 on those ns2r tyres.

For those above reasons id go with ds2500 as they are great for less dust and one of the better fast road/ trackday pads.
 
Alright. Stoptech's look to about about £60-70 cheaper for 4 pads compared to the Ferodo's but even Stu was trying to tell me to get the DS2500s. I'll go with those and as for tyres I'm swapping now anyways and will try the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. Not a track tyre but it's apparently competent enough for a few track days a year even if the times won't be as impressive as someone on a stickier tyre.
 
This is why i stick with stoptechs, the sport pads are slightly more expensive than the streets but still about £50 cheaper than anything else. I usually buy 2 - 3 boxes of pads then i have a spare set to take in my track bag. I can't find any difference in any aspect from ds2500/hawk/mintex to the stoptech pads.
 
Endless are supposed to be good but i expect they are made in the same factory as project mu
 
jdmr_neil said:
Pagid rs29 are the absolute best, no question! I have just never been able to find them in a fd fitment.
Click to expand...

Apologies to Roy for the hijack, but as RS29s are available for ksports, which I will be fitting soon, I would like to try them. Only issue is running mismatched pads as can't get them for stock fd rear, so will stick with DS2500s on the back.. Personally I don't think it will be that big an issue, but would welcome feedback.
 
jdmr_neil said:
Endless are supposed to be good but i expect they are made in the same factory as project mu
Click to expand...

I've gone with endless pads next, not got them on yet but I'll report back when I've bedded them in and given them some abuse.
 

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