Let's get serious about track brakes

[firestarter2]

What track pads are you guys running and do you recommend them?

I run Ferodo DSUNOs. I get about 10/15 days on them. I am on my second second but set at 500 a pop I am looking for a cheaper option. Initial bite is cold is good and I have used then on the street with out issue. I do not have much experience with any pad other that the stock one.

https://www.gt350brakes.com/product/ferodo-ds2500-gt350-front-brake-pads

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[honeybadger]

Using Raybestos ST43s here. Been a huge of fan them. Last super well (10-15 days as well) and have a very well-mannered bite. Easy to modulate, can be driven on the street just fine, etc.

I am looking for something with more bite, tho. I used to run G-Loc R16s 2 sets failed pre-maturely on me. Incredible pedal feel, but only lasted 4 days.

Thinking about trying Raybestos ST47s next.

 

[JAJ]

If someone asked me to speculate, and I realize that you didn't, I'd speculate that the DS2500 is very close to the OEM GT350 pad.

 

[JAJ]

Using Raybestos ST43s here. Been a huge of fan them. Last super well (10-15 days as well) and have a very well-mannered bite. Easy to modulate, can be driven on the street just fine, etc.

I am looking for something with more bite, tho. I used to run G-Loc R16s 2 sets failed pre-maturely on me. Incredible pedal feel, but only lasted 4 days.

Thinking about trying Raybestos ST47s next.

Contact Warren at Racing Brake and ask about their XC-40 sintered pads. I've run them with my CCB's but I also believe that racers are also using them with iron rotors, and they're on a whole different level for bite and longevity. RB makes an even more aggressive racing-only sintered pad as well. Or look into Carbone Lorraine - I think they're called CL Brakes now.

 

[MikeR397]

If someone asked me to speculate, and I realize that you didn't, I'd speculate that the DS2500 is very close to the OEM GT350 pad.

Not if he’s getting 10-15 days out of them. I’ve gone through 4 sets of oem pads (they are fine but wear fast although I get them $235 per front set) and never made it much past 6 track days even wearing them to 1mm. At around 3.5mm I notice the oem pads start to chunk a little and the pedal pulsates some and car feels a bit Darty under track braking (it’s absolutley not rotors as the issue goes away with new pads).

Anyway I have one set of oem pads left, with what is on there now will get me to about 20-25 days on original rotors (rears obviously look new, but fronts are starting to crack in the center — hoping to get another 7 track days before cracks spread to edges). I have a set of new flat rotors that I plan to use with ST43 pads next season (they are $400 for fronts but expect 15 days out of them per comments, with great but still probably advanced rotor wear vs oem).

 

[honeybadger]

Rotor wear with the Raybestos (like all pads) will come down to heat. I've gotten anywhere from 6-20 days out of a set of rotors. These days, I am getting closer to that 6 day time with the added aero, bigger brake zones at tracks like COTA, and aggressive braking. My 2019 rotors look like this after 3 days (boooo).

Not super surprising, tho, since this is the same complex of corners. First photo is the big brake zone heading into turn 12 at COTA, second is turn 13. Turns 14-15 are similar. Brakes just don't get to cool down fully until the front straight. It's crazy.

 

[MikeR397]

Ya Cota is a little different than the tracks in MI I run (max speed would be grattan straight around 140mph). Mid Ohio is coming in a couple weeks and will be a little faster still, but not Cota lol.

Waterford hills is a hoot but you barely need brakes.

 

[firestarter2]

If someone asked me to speculate, and I realize that you didn't, I'd speculate that the DS2500 is very close to the OEM GT350 pad.

I have the UNOs not the 2500 the link is for both.

 

[firestarter2]

I have the UNOs not the 2500 the link is for both.

Not if he’s getting 10-15 days out of them. I’ve gone through 4 sets of oem pads (they are fine but wear fast although I get them $235 per front set) and never made it much past 6 track days even wearing them to 1mm. At around 3.5mm I notice the oem pads start to chunk a little and the pedal pulsates some and car feels a bit Darty under track braking (it’s absolutley not rotors as the issue goes away with new pads).

Anyway I have one set of oem pads left, with what is on there now will get me to about 20-25 days on original rotors (rears obviously look new, but fronts are starting to crack in the center — hoping to get another 7 track days before cracks spread to edges). I have a set of new flat rotors that I plan to use with ST43 pads next season (they are $400 for fronts but expect 15 days out of them per comments, with great but still probably advanced rotor wear vs oem).

My rotors started to crack so I had to change before the cracks met between the holes.

Rotor wear with the Raybestos (like all pads) will come down to heat. I've gotten anywhere from 6-20 days out of a set of rotors. These days, I am getting closer to that 6 day time with the added aero, bigger brake zones at tracks like COTA, and aggressive braking. My 2019 rotors look like this after 3 days (boooo).

Not super surprising, tho, since this is the same complex of corners. First photo is the big brake zone heading into turn 12 at COTA, second is turn 13. Turns 14-15 are similar. Brakes just don't get to cool down fully until the front straight. It's crazy.

Is it possible the 2019 rotors wont hold up as well?

 

[honeybadger]

Is it possible the 2019 rotors wont hold up as well?

Not sure. COTA in July is definitely about as much abuse as I can imagine rotors getting, so it might be unfair to base an opinion on it. However, I was really let down to those cracks already. If anything, I don't think they're going to last any longer than OEM and they cost more. It sucks.

Will be switching to GiroDisc I think.

 

[DCShelby]

Are those actual cracks in the rotor surface, or just the deposited pad material cracking?

 

[honeybadger]

Are those actual cracks in the rotor surface, or just the deposited pad material cracking?

Actual cracks in my case

 

[firestarter2]

Not sure. COTA in July is definitely about as much abuse as I can imagine rotors getting, so it might be unfair to base an opinion on it. However, I was really let down to those cracks already. If anything, I don't think they're going to last any longer than OEM and they cost more. It sucks.

Will be switching to GiroDisc I think.

I think the holes help dissipate heat at the cost of strength.

 

[DCShelby]

Ever try Alcon brakes and Carbotech pads? Had that on my B6 S4, really was the best mod I did to that porky thing.

 

[TDC]

Raybestos ST45 on the front and stock pads on the rear.

The Raybestos have great bite when heated and they are lasting forever (lost count but so far my guess is 7-8 days and they are about halfway through. Just switched to the solid 2019 rotors with 2 days on them at Watkins Glen and hope they last longer than the cross drilled.

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