I've seen lots of questions on this so I thought I'd share my experience with 3 pads (stock, Hawk HP+ and Carbotech XP9) in three settings (street, autox and track days).
First, some background: I use the stock tires on the street and Kuhmo Victoracers for autox and track events. I think matching the pads to the tires makes a big difference so that's why I mention. I have an upgraded suspension but basically stock (non-turbo) power. This may also matter since the braking needs are less when your power is less. You just don't go as fast in the same amount of space. Also, i always change rotors with pads. I don't believe in turning rotors or trying to get 2 pad sets per rotor. I run ATE SuperBlue racing brake fluid and have SS brake lines.
Your results may differ but here's what I found:
Street:
stock pad - very good for a stock pad but our tires deserve credit too, they're great in the dry
HP+ - definite improvement over stock, great initial bite but very dusty and very squeaky, these may be reasonable trade offs for the performance and price ($65 or so from Tire Rack). Note: I did not use anti-squeal stuff so maybe that would help.
XP9 - much quieter than HP+, dust slightly less than HP+ and surprisingly good at low temps, even in a Northeast winter (I ran them all last winter as a test). They seemed as good as stock, but the initial bite when cold may be slightly less, though still totally safe (in my opinion). If you stay on the brakes for a few seconds, they heat right up and bite well. On the few occasions when I ran r-compound tires on the street (what fun!), they were awesome after the first few applications of the brakes. A WRX-driving friend drove my car like this and is now very jealous of my brakes.
Autox:
stock pad - very acceptable performance but room for improvement
HP+ - great autox pad, great initial bite, doesn't need to heat up, who cares about the squeaks or dust? they stop well
XP9 - not ideal for autox, although if your runs are consecutive or with 5-10 minutes between each, they will work well for the runs after your first or second run. Last weekend we ran in 2 heats of 4 runs each and they were pretty good by the 3rd and 4th runs each. Since it my 3rd and 4th runs are usually my fastest anyway and I try not to brake too much during autox, they were fine for me. The HP+ perform better, though, and probably the Carbotech Panther Plus compound would work better for autox as well.
Track:
stock pad - fairly decent for a stock pad (with stock tires only, don't try with r-compounds) but will fade after several laps and will need to be replaced after one track day. A month after buying the car, I ran an event at Lime Rock (not a heavy braking track) and they were okay for that one day. Pedal went much closer to the floor on the ride home from the track than on the ride there but they still worked acceptably for the street. I changed them before the next event and tried HP+s.
HP+ - Definite improvement over stock but still faded (though less than stock). Great initial bite but a bit harder to modulate than the XP9. After one track day, they were basically shot, although still ok for street and autox use, but the pedal never felt as firm again (as before the track day). I changed them before next track day. They may be marketed as street/autox/track day pads but they are really only good for street/autox use and maybe one track day on a track without heavy braking.
XP9 - great on the track, no fade, decent wear. Perfect combination with r-compounds. This is not surprising since this is a true track compound brake pad. Good wear but I think I will stop running these on the street due to the high price ($125 / front set) and fact that better street/autox pads exist (maybe the Carbotech Panther Plus). If I had to run one pad for all purposes, though, this would be it. And No, I am not a spokesperson for, sponsored by or in anyway affiliated with Carbotech, although I think they give you a forum discount if you ask.
I'd love to hear what experiences others have had with these pads or others in these settings.
First, some background: I use the stock tires on the street and Kuhmo Victoracers for autox and track events. I think matching the pads to the tires makes a big difference so that's why I mention. I have an upgraded suspension but basically stock (non-turbo) power. This may also matter since the braking needs are less when your power is less. You just don't go as fast in the same amount of space. Also, i always change rotors with pads. I don't believe in turning rotors or trying to get 2 pad sets per rotor. I run ATE SuperBlue racing brake fluid and have SS brake lines.
Your results may differ but here's what I found:
Street:
stock pad - very good for a stock pad but our tires deserve credit too, they're great in the dry
HP+ - definite improvement over stock, great initial bite but very dusty and very squeaky, these may be reasonable trade offs for the performance and price ($65 or so from Tire Rack). Note: I did not use anti-squeal stuff so maybe that would help.
XP9 - much quieter than HP+, dust slightly less than HP+ and surprisingly good at low temps, even in a Northeast winter (I ran them all last winter as a test). They seemed as good as stock, but the initial bite when cold may be slightly less, though still totally safe (in my opinion). If you stay on the brakes for a few seconds, they heat right up and bite well. On the few occasions when I ran r-compound tires on the street (what fun!), they were awesome after the first few applications of the brakes. A WRX-driving friend drove my car like this and is now very jealous of my brakes.
Autox:
stock pad - very acceptable performance but room for improvement
HP+ - great autox pad, great initial bite, doesn't need to heat up, who cares about the squeaks or dust? they stop well
XP9 - not ideal for autox, although if your runs are consecutive or with 5-10 minutes between each, they will work well for the runs after your first or second run. Last weekend we ran in 2 heats of 4 runs each and they were pretty good by the 3rd and 4th runs each. Since it my 3rd and 4th runs are usually my fastest anyway and I try not to brake too much during autox, they were fine for me. The HP+ perform better, though, and probably the Carbotech Panther Plus compound would work better for autox as well.
Track:
stock pad - fairly decent for a stock pad (with stock tires only, don't try with r-compounds) but will fade after several laps and will need to be replaced after one track day. A month after buying the car, I ran an event at Lime Rock (not a heavy braking track) and they were okay for that one day. Pedal went much closer to the floor on the ride home from the track than on the ride there but they still worked acceptably for the street. I changed them before the next event and tried HP+s.
HP+ - Definite improvement over stock but still faded (though less than stock). Great initial bite but a bit harder to modulate than the XP9. After one track day, they were basically shot, although still ok for street and autox use, but the pedal never felt as firm again (as before the track day). I changed them before next track day. They may be marketed as street/autox/track day pads but they are really only good for street/autox use and maybe one track day on a track without heavy braking.
XP9 - great on the track, no fade, decent wear. Perfect combination with r-compounds. This is not surprising since this is a true track compound brake pad. Good wear but I think I will stop running these on the street due to the high price ($125 / front set) and fact that better street/autox pads exist (maybe the Carbotech Panther Plus). If I had to run one pad for all purposes, though, this would be it. And No, I am not a spokesperson for, sponsored by or in anyway affiliated with Carbotech, although I think they give you a forum discount if you ask.
I'd love to hear what experiences others have had with these pads or others in these settings.
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