Carbotechs are ok but you have to pick the right level to match the rest of the car (specifically tires). If you are running a fairly sticky tire, XP9's (are they still making 9's?) aren't going to cut it. You'll need at least X12 up front. The XP8 and XP9's ok for tracking when using tires over 200 tread wear ratings. You want their higher pads using tires with a tread wear rating of 200 or less.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Carbotechs, I am unsure why they are getting so much flack here. I ran them for years and never cracked a rotor, recently switched to Project Mu CR and I'm cracking rotors left and right (and i have brake ducts now too as opposed to not having them with the carbotechs)

Keep them, they are good pads.

 

no, XP9s were discontinued years ago....just bought them off a s2kca member that didnt have use for them BNIB. That said I was running Conti DWs this year (flame suit on).

So it doesn't really matter if the boots have cracks in them? I was told just the smallest amounts of debris can cause the seal to fail.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Carbotechs, I am unsure why they are getting so much flack here. I ran them for years and never cracked a rotor, recently switched to Project Mu CR and I'm cracking rotors left and right (and i have brake ducts now too as opposed to not having them with the carbotechs)

Keep them, they are good pads.
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My problem with them is that they have a bad pedal feel and have a tendency to not hold up to heat as well. I don't like how spongy they feel. I swap in Cobalts, Hawk DTCs, or even stock after the event and the brakes feel great so I know its the pads. Also I feel like I have better control over threshold braking with the stiffer pedal of the two mentioned.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Carbotechs, I am unsure why they are getting so much flack here. I ran them for years and never cracked a rotor, recently switched to Project Mu CR and I'm cracking rotors left and right (and i have brake ducts now too as opposed to not having them with the carbotechs)

Keep them, they are good pads.
[/quote]
My problem with them is that they have a bad pedal feel and have a tendency to not hold up to heat as well. I don't like how spongy they feel. I swap in Cobalts, Hawk DTCs, or even stock after the event and the brakes feel great so I know its the pads. Also I feel like I have better control over threshold braking with the stiffer pedal of the two mentioned.
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You're describing the modulation. The modulation on carbotechs is an advantage, not a disadvantage. Look at spec miata. All of the front running cars in a class where every little bit counts is running these pads. That's not because they suck.

Constantly transferring pads and not rotors as well is only going to exacerbate this issue if that's what you're doing. There could be any number of reasons why you're not having success with them.

 

I use XP20 fronts and XP10 rear.
I like the feel and modulation.
I'm thinking about trying something with better metallurgy than the $35 centric blanks though. If I'm not meticulous about cool down procedure, they crack.

 

I know, I had dedicated rotors for the carbotechs when I had them. The Cobalts can mix with anything though. Either way it doesnt matter. I will never touch those pads again. I just had a set of Cobalt XR2s last 8 events, bought them used so not sure how many where done before me, would say 1-2. Beats the hell out of 3-4 days....

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't SM lack ABS? I can see how that would be advantageous there. I'm not consistent with pedal pressure when its that soft on my car where with a firmer pad I am.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Carbotechs, I am unsure why they are getting so much flack here. I ran them for years and never cracked a rotor, recently switched to Project Mu CR and I'm cracking rotors left and right (and i have brake ducts now too as opposed to not having them with the carbotechs)

Keep them, they are good pads.
[/quote]
My problem with them is that they have a bad pedal feel and have a tendency to not hold up to heat as well. I don't like how spongy they feel. I swap in Cobalts, Hawk DTCs, or even stock after the event and the brakes feel great so I know its the pads. Also I feel like I have better control over threshold braking with the stiffer pedal of the two mentioned.
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Same thoughts as you. I'm not a fan of the pedal feel. Not to say they are horrible pads, but There are other pads out there with much better modulation, pedal firmness, and durability.

 

Yep, swapped back to oem pads last night and the pedal is hard as a rock...couldnt get that with the carbotech pads. Will look into Cobalts after I run through the rest of the extra set of carbotechs.

 

I have heard from quite a few others that they always felt like the carbotechs were more compressible than other pads. But brake pads really come down to personal preference once you are in the world of pads with high enough operating temperatures to deal with track use.

But back to the piston boot issue. Do I need these damn things? I am so sick of these single piston sliding calipers. Being in California where it will presumably never rain again would it be bad for me to just rip them clean out of the caliper? The piston doesn't end up with more play or anything like that without the boot does it?