Porterfield R4 - need a Real opinion
#1
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Porterfield R4 - need a Real opinion
Anyone have real track experience with Porterfield R4 brakes? HPDE, Time Attack or actual circuit use. Not autocross.
I can't really find any info on them except that they are a few amatuer racers that race with them. They spec out to be race pads in their temp ranges and torque coefficients but I'd like to know if anyone has any firsthand experience that they'd be willing to share.
Most of the reviews online are on the streetable "R4S" pads. I swap pads at the track so streetable is not important to me.
I know about carbotech and I've bought into the hoopla, but Porterfield R4 is $50 less per axle.
Thanks!
I can't really find any info on them except that they are a few amatuer racers that race with them. They spec out to be race pads in their temp ranges and torque coefficients but I'd like to know if anyone has any firsthand experience that they'd be willing to share.
Most of the reviews online are on the streetable "R4S" pads. I swap pads at the track so streetable is not important to me.
I know about carbotech and I've bought into the hoopla, but Porterfield R4 is $50 less per axle.
Thanks!
#2
Registered User
I'm new to the track, so keep that in mind.
I've done ~3 track days so far in my sc'd s2000. Most of the time it was on OEM pads, but on my last day, I melted through my OEM pads and decided to put my Porterfield R4 track pads on for one of my last runs (wish I had put them on at the beginning of the weekend, but long story). They felt 100x better than my OEM pads, as expected. I don't have any comparison to any other track pads, as I am new to the track, but I was very happy with the R4's.
Yup, it's tough to find a review on the R4 (not R4S). I had searched on google but could barely find any info on them.
I did meet another s2000 owner at the track who has been using R4s for years, so that's a good sign.
I've done ~3 track days so far in my sc'd s2000. Most of the time it was on OEM pads, but on my last day, I melted through my OEM pads and decided to put my Porterfield R4 track pads on for one of my last runs (wish I had put them on at the beginning of the weekend, but long story). They felt 100x better than my OEM pads, as expected. I don't have any comparison to any other track pads, as I am new to the track, but I was very happy with the R4's.
Yup, it's tough to find a review on the R4 (not R4S). I had searched on google but could barely find any info on them.
I did meet another s2000 owner at the track who has been using R4s for years, so that's a good sign.
#3
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Thread Starter
I've only tracked on Cobalt VR's (discontinued) and the inital bite was crazy, and the have been durable. Except I damaged one of them when I was changing the pad (hot!) and a small piece chipped off and I don't know if it's ok to use it still or not.
#4
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Originally Posted by SeanSerino,Oct 29 2010, 09:58 AM
I did meet another s2000 owner at the track who has been using R4s for years, so that's a good sign.
The R4's are great because they come into the temp range quickly. If you are doing HPDE, lrts assume you get 4 25 minute sessions. The R4's are at temp in a lap and a half, it's great. The initial bite from the pad is good and they feel consistent.
For comparative purposes to the R4S, I ran both pads at Watkins Glen, which is notoriously hard on brakes. The R4 would last me several days there. The R4S were worn down to the backing plate it one single day there.
Also, over the years, Porterfield has been great to deal with.
Hope this helps.
#7
Post over at the miata sites, they use them. Fine and cheap. The porterfield is an old standby however. Most folks I know in that world, including myself have gone over to the Raybestos race series.
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