pfft

I have been running Carbotech XP10's all around for track events. I have stoptech slotted rotors, brake ducts on the fronts, and I use motul rbf600 fluid. I'm using the stock '05 350z calipers. I'm not even getting 2 full track days on the fronts (rears last plenty long), and the XP10's aren't cheap to essentially be using nearly all the pad in one event (app 6-7, 20 min sessions).

What track pads are ppl using? Looking for a pad with better life. Does it exist?

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

That's about what I got on mine with the OEM tiny brakes. Upgrading is a must IMO

dkmura

iTrader: (64)

As an SCCA road racer, I get three full weekends out of my Cobalt Friction XR2 pads. When they get down to half pad (4 mm) I've swapped them out in the past. But lately, I've tried using them right to what I consider to be the end (1-2 mm) and gotten another full weekend out of what were "used up" pads.

My T3-spec Z has a minimum weight of 3400# (and we may get another 100# added this season) and uses brake ducts, ATE gold and standard Brembo rotors.

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

Try Hawk DTC 60s.

Carbotechs last me around 3 events per set of fronts. Keep in mind it will be track dependent. Also, get someone in the car to make sure you are braking optimally.

pfft

@terrasmak - you ain't lying. Gotta live with what I got for *now*.

@dkmura - Man, if I could get 3 (possibly 4) events out of the Cobalt Friction XR2 pads (as you mentioned) that would be awesome! Looks like they're about $279 for the fronts. So, with the Carbotech XP10's running about $179 for the fronts, I would really need to get a couple more events from the XR2 pads to make the switch worthwhile.

@guitman32 - How long have you gotten (i.e. track events) on the Hawk DTC 60s? Those are only $142 for a set of fronts, which if I could get a few track days, then that would be nice. As for braking optimally, what are some tips you suggest (or anyone)? I basically try to brake in a straight line (minimal trail braking as of now), and scrub off as much speed as I can as late as I can. I brake hard and fast. What could I do differently?

armt350z

iTrader: (6)

Using a Stoptech 6 pot kit in the front, XP12 pads RBF660 and vents with OEM Brembos with Ferodo DS2500 on the rear. I'm seeing around 10 to 13, 20 minute sessions. I do late brake and intermittantly trail brake.

2000atlanticgt

iTrader: (5)

OEM Brembo, XP12 fronts/XP10 rears, stock weight plus a roll bar welded in the car, no brake ducts, Castrol SRF fluid.

Last event was at the new NCM Motorsports park in Bowling Green, started with new pads and ended with 2-3 mm left on the fronts after 7 - 25 minute sessions over 2 days.

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

Carbotechs are nowhere near that cheap for me, so that is a pretty good price, and they are definitely a performing pad. Just on higher end price-wise, and considering their durability, make them an expensive pad to run. I think the rotor friendliness is overplayed, so for me (low rotor cost) it doesn't balance out.

Id be lying if I said I haven't also gotten as few as 2 days aggressive running out of a set of front Carbotechs, but as dkmura alluded to ive also found that if you can extract the last few mm out of a set of pads without cooking the fluid it will help you eke out a little more track time.

The DTCs are significantly cheaper (for me) and on average tend to last a couple more days at minimum.

Also hear good things about the ST43/45, but never used them myself, and don't know how they stack up price-wise.

03threefiftyz

iTrader: (25)

Raybestos last forever in my Stoptech front/Brembo rear car...

pfft

Thanks for all the input everyone! Keep it coming if someone else would like to join in. Brief searching did not reveal the Rabyestos ST43/45 pads being available for the stock 350z calipers. I really wish I had those damn brembos. I have brake ducts, so with bigger rotors and better calipers, I'm sure I'd be in a better spot, but gotten live with what I got in the meantime.

I think I'm going to try the Hawk DTC-60's. I'm surprised at some of the comments regarding how long they've lasted. I at least gotta try 'em out. They're the cheapest anyway. Not too mention I'm going to the track tomorrow so I will burn up the last bit of my two remaining sets of XP10's.