Thanks. The XP10/XP8 combo wailed like four banshees, the fronts evaporated after two days at CotA, and bent the bejesus out of the front backing plates. They kept stopping even through all of that right down to 1/16" left. Everybody mentioned the backing plate problems and insufficient brake cooling, but nobody said the Carbotechs were worth it.

I heard good things about the Cobalts so I picked up a set of front XR2s to run my new StopTech ST40s. I suppose the StopTechs would solve the backing plate issue, but they Carbotechs were so damn obnoxious on the street. I had to dig to find anybody talking about dust on the Cobalt XR2s I bought. As a result of that search and this, it looks like I need to be super anal about the dust while I run the XR2s.

 

Just use better pads...

 

Although with the XP20 pads, I ran a full 45 minute sprint race and they never faded.

I like carbotechs, they're just a little finicky. I think I'll do the backing plate filing and keep with the shims off. Seems to be working well for me and I like the modulation.

 

This

 

Yes, Carbotechs also modulate really well. I thought my F/R XP10/XP10 had good balance with a staggered setup.

They are finicky with regards to pad transfer layer compatibility but I don't think that's a big concern. Also, my rears are dead silent but the fronts do howl when braking with low pressure at low speeds. But I think that's because I didn't bed them in, like at all. Just put them on and went to the track on old unevenly almost worn to the service limit front rotors with decent rear rotors.

Also, Cory, I don't think those ST43 pads would work too well in OE calipers with OE rotor sizes... So you may want to mention your AP Racing 6 piston front brakes, lol.

 

I don't see why not... The rotors would more than likely reach the same temps as with any other race pads and you would still crack rotors frequently. Rotors are fairly cheap compared to pads though, which was my main reason for going to the AP kit.

 

ST43 are realy good I had a set not sure why I don't start using them again they last better than CT

I took the shims off all the brakes today with XP10's - theres a lot of room now for the pads to move around a few mm at least
bit worried about pad knockback

 

I don't understand why people still run carbotechs. They were crap 5 years ago. Now they are absolutely the worst pad on the market compared to the latest Hawks, Project MU and Raybestos.

 

After installing brake vents a few years ago I got more life from the Carbotechs, but still only 3-4 weekends. I switched to Cobalt XR2/4 f/r a couple years ago and have better life with decent modulation. I've eliminated all shims from around my caliper pads, but haven't ground anything down. I'm also rebuilding calipers every 1-2 years (target every ~10 hours track time) to help avoid caliper binding risks. My car is a dedicated track car (though I'm not able to race it much, given time constraints).

 

Thanks. The XP10/XP8 combo wailed like four banshees, the fronts evaporated after two days at CotA, and bent the bejesus out of the front backing plates. They kept stopping even through all of that right down to 1/16" left. Everybody mentioned the backing plate problems and insufficient brake cooling, but nobody said the Carbotechs were worth it.

I heard good things about the Cobalts so I picked up a set of front XR2s to run my new StopTech ST40s. I suppose the StopTechs would solve the backing plate issue, but they Carbotechs were so damn obnoxious on the street. I had to dig to find anybody talking about dust on the Cobalt XR2s I bought. As a result of that search and this, it looks like I need to be super anal about the dust while I run the XR2s.
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Carbotechs are almost silent as long as you bed them in properly. And occasionally you'll need to "rebed" them.