I am going to track my s2 shortly in a couple weeks, and am prepping the car as of today.

My question is with regard to brake pads. I have tracked before, but never in the s2000. (i am also a beginner). I have read good reviews on a couple race pads, but I feel that as a beginner, I might be better off with "in between street/race" pads (someone correct me ont his).

Does anyone have any recommendations with regard to what brand and model pads from the s2ki market that are good for a beginner? I have read on the front page article which mentioned a couple, but I want to get more opinions on this.

Also, I plan to run Motul 600 brake fluid along with it.

Thanks in advance.

 

Motul is good.

If you will be running street tires and are a beginner, then street pads would likely do for your first time or two, but if you are happy to change out pads (I highly recommend this), then save your street pads and get full race pads, at least for the fronts. The Cobalts are proven but out of stock. See other thread for recommendations, but I am using Hawk HT-10 front with Hawk HP+ rear (Hawk Blacks are similar and recommended too). You're going to love this car on the track!

 

Thanks Richard for the fast reply!

I plan to track with street tires (mainly SO2s) for the first 10 track days. After, I will see where that will take me. Maybe R compounds from there..

I am okay about swapping out pads, but I am just weary that race pads will be overkill for the driver/tire combination in consideration.

I guess that I can run the street pads for this first track day then. I will work on the brake fluid first

Anyone else have any recommendations?

 

I'm in the same situation, on street tires for one of my first track events. I've got ATE fluid going in soon but am still deciding on track pads. I've seen some people recommend stock or axxis ultimates for decent compromise pads and I've been thinking about these. My only real concern is that the last event I went to ended up being open for about 3hrs of continuous lapping. If this one goes that way as well, I'd like to have confidence that I can stay out and lap for as long as I want without worrying about the pads.

Maybe I should just get some blacks and hp+ for the rear...

Any experiences Ferrodo pads?

 

OEM pads are probably fine, and full race pads are probably overkill. Higher temp streetable pads like Panther+ or the equivelents from other manufacturers would probably be perfect.

 

You might want to give Carbotech XP9 or XP10's a try on the front. They're the best pad I ever used and they don't eat up the rotors. They dust and squeal but, the dust is ceramic so, it won't corrode your wheels.

I'd call them on the phone and ask. They have race cars and know from experience what's best.

Street pads are fine if you're just playing around. If you're planning on something more you need more pad. I use the carbo's with street rubber and R compound. You can easily modulate for the tires. Nothing's worse than getting to the track and having to brake BEFORE the brake markers because your pads have glazed over.

 

For a new person in a position where you might be out on the track for a while I would recommend the Carbotech Panther Plus or Cobalt GT sport pads. They both have a bit higher temp range than stock pads (not a big fan of stock pads on the track for anything other than brand newbies on street tires.....though I am probably overly careful), but are not terribly hard on your rotors.

Full race pads are harder on your rotors in general, but will be A LOT harder on your rotors if you can't keep enough heat in them.....on street tires you might not be able to keep them hot enough.

My 2 cents.