Brake Pads

[Dasd329]

Looking for some recommendations on best dual use brake pads for track/street.

I know the best would be to change them out but really just don't go to the track enough to justify that. Maybe 3/4 track days a year the rest street driving.

[dr.roro]

I've read good things about Porterfield R4-S and Ferodo DS2500, but would also like to hear other recommendations.

[M3SQRD]

Ferodo D2500 and Porterfield R4S are excellent street performance pads but can be easily overheated on track. Also, as the temperature exceeds its street-designed temperature range limit, the coefficient of friction (COF) starts to drop and continues to drop with increasing temperature. Here’s what the Ferodo DS2500 COF vs. temperature curve looks like:

https://www.ferodoracing.com/product...e-pads/ds2500/

Once you hit ~350 C, the COF starts to drop off from its peak value. Depending on the track, it’s easy to reach brake temperatures > 350 C. If you're a novice then these pads will likely work for you on the street and track (not necessarily tracks that are hard on brakes) but once you’re solidly in the intermediate group then you’ll definitely need dedicated track pads.

Another pad that falls into the “novice” dual-use street-track pad category is the PFC z-rated compound.

[mike@x-ph.com]

We offer HAWK & Stoptech pads

[melanthius]

Street/track dual purpose pads are a myth.

You will either sacrifice daily drivability (squeal like a mofo and eat your rotors) or fade badly at the track unless you drive very conservatively.

If you really want to try you can go with carbotech xp8's but prepare for the squealing. They do have good bite for street but will be very noisy.

[theox05]

I have PFC11s. There is more squealing coming out of my wheel wells than Deliverance set on repeat and hooked up to a PA.

[SEAT TIME RULES]

Originally Posted by melanthius

Street/track dual purpose pads are a myth.

You will either sacrifice daily drivability (squeal like a mofo and eat your rotors) or fade badly at the track unless you drive very conservatively.

If you really want to try you can go with carbotech xp8's but prepare for the squealing. They do have good bite for street but will be very noisy.

I 100% disagree.....I've used 3 different pads that can work on the street and for track days.

I've also run on pure track pads such as the PF's, Ferodo's, Hawks and a few others as well.

The 3 below will squeal some coming to stops when cold. yes all 3 will dust...

But the magic of all three of these is they don't eat rotors when cold...

They also can stop the car on sub zero days cold.

And they can handle full time track work on even the toughest courses on brakes.

The Porterfield R4's (not s's)

The Raybestos 43's

And my personnel fav are the Carbotech 12's. Which are perfect for the M3/4's weight.

On both my M3 and my Evo X I did run a brake ducting kit, but that was to prolong the front pad life more than to worry about heat issues.

All 3 of these pads have a WIDE HEAT Operating RANGE. That's the key.

I've got 250 track days as a driver, instructor and SOLO 1 driver.

Wicked rotor friendly...

[melanthius]

Yeah I just drove around with Carbotech XP12s before/after track day and that is technically driveable safely on the street but not what anyone would consider streetable at all.

Even if it's "rotor friendly" it's way too harsh. Way too much bite, way too much noise. Squealed and screeched like a parrot getting slowly murdered, and the lightest tap of the pedal throws you forward in your seat.

99%+ of people would not want that on the street but you can be the 1% if you like.

There are reasons Carbotech (and most people) would tell you that these are NOT street pads...

[hellokitty]

Portfield R4S held up great this past weekend in the canyons. Very light dusting pad surprisingly. A tad more dust than my previous akebonos but much much better bite and heat resistance.

Running Castrol SRF fluid.

[aswy6]

I daily drive on PFC 11 all around. For me they make absolutely zero noise. Just lots of dust

[Craigito]

Originally Posted by aswy6

I daily drive on PFC 11 all around. For me they make absolutely zero noise. Just lots of dust

I ran some PFC pads with stock rotors for a while and the screeching was unbearable. Whatever you consider loud just multiply it by 10. Awful. I'm running a front AP racing BBK now with Ferodo DS2500 on the street and they make zero noise.