Just finished my third track day for the year on Carbotech XP10/XP8 setup and the pads are completely done (ended up the last session bare pad against rotor ). Is this about average for the Carbotechs? I could have sworn I got around 4 or 5 out of my last set of Cobalts (XR2's I think). But then again, i'm faster now than I was back then.

I'm thinking of moving up to XP12/XP8 setup (my rears are still good). Would this last any longer? Or I may just move back to Cobalts - I don't like that the Cobalts are more abrasive but they didn't seem to heat up as much and seemed to have more initial bite...but then again I'm driving faster and harder now. Since they will be track only rotors/pads, i think I can avoid ruining wheels by cleaning the dust off between track days.

Thoughts? thanks!

 

Should also mention, the last 2 track days did 4 30 minute sessions instead of 6 20 minute sessions...so I'm sure that contributed to the heat.

 

I prefer the Cobalt pads.....

I was not at all happy with the CT XP10/8 combo, mainly for the lack of initial bite. I never tried the XP12 though. After switching to Cobalt I didn't see the need to experiment with other pads....I'm completely satisfied with the Cobalt product.

 

FWIW I got about 6 track days or ~8-9 track hours out of my last set of XP8's, plus about 3000 street miles.

I would expect more than 3 2-hr track days out of them, but it depends on the track, mods to the car (mine's bone stock), tires, etc.

 

Mine is 99.5% stock (CR) - front sway bar. First track day on them was on RA1's and the last 2 were on Kumho XS. All days involved tracks with long straights where I would have to break from top of 4th or bottom to 5th gear (AP2) to 3rd or second.

 

that's why.

a set of pads only last me a weekend at AAA Speedway infield. but same set will last me 8 days at Buttonwillow.

 

XP12s will not last as long as XP10. I like the softer initial bite and increased ease of modulation in the XP10 (especially in a car without ABS).

 

Driving on a track which is hard on brakes, I typically would get four days (5 30-minute sessions each day) on the fronts with Carbotech XP10/XP8 with my S2000.

Is it possible that you're being hard on your brakes, in the sense that you're spending too much time on the brakes?

 

hey Pat, I've tried Cobalts, Carbotech, Ferrodo and Hawk and I'm back with Cobalts XR2s. Cobalts destroy the rims, but that's the only pad that works for me. I love the initial bite and they seem to handle heat better than the other ones I listed above. You've been in the car with me so you know how I drive and if that's how you drive, then Cobalt may work for ya

 

Pat,

I know we talked about this at the track. You are definitely driving it faster (not that I ever saw you before, but you were really haulin' the mail).

As I had suggested, once your pads get down below 50%, you're going to get diminishing returns (less braking, more heat, faster wear). If you're getting serious, you need to swap them at 50% for new and save those for light braking tracks, rains, or emergency backups.

Joliet South Course is not that huge a braking track though (medium maybe). If you go to Road America, or worse Blackhawk Farms you'll go through brakes even faster.

Time for a brake ducting project. That'll help.