Hi all,

I just installed akebono brakes from a g37 on my 350z, running OEM pads. I am trying to plan ahead

I mostly just daily drive my 350 but do maybe 4 track days a year. I have taken my car to the track a few times before with the stock tiny brakes (03-05) with autocross pads and ate super blue fluid and didn't have any problems since I didn't push it too hard.

I bought some carbotech track brake pads with the intention of having a spare set of rotors and swapping these before the track day. I recently moved and no longer have a garage so this isn't so easy to do unless I can somehow do it at the track (does anyone do this?)

What is my best option for a pad since I am not tracking the car that much? Can I get by with autocross pads, or should I change my pads out at the track?

 

With the bigger Akebono calipers and rotors, together with fresh ATE fluid, you've upgraded your braking ability considerably. I think upgrading to an autocross pad should be enough for some track day fun. Try it and report back.

 

I used to swap pads at the track , simple and quick.

 

You could get some carbotech 1521 for daily driving and then swap to the track pads (XP?) when you need to. I am fairly sure the compounds are compatible and no rotor swapping would be needed.

 

The beauty of the Akebonos is how easy the pads are to switch. Remove tire, pull pins, then the pads pop up like toast from the toaster, push pistons in, swap pads, reinsert pins, put tire back on... done! The hardest part is pushing the pistons back, so I bought a tool that helps. My brother runs a VW Golf R and we do a tire and pad swap at the track, takes maybe 20 mins with two people working the jack and lugs on/off. For my Z I just run some slightly more aggressive pads (Project Mu HC+ Plus) and deal with the slight squeak and dust increase. However for only 4 track events a year I would think an autocross pad would be fine. My brother ran EBC Yellows for awhile as a mixed use pad with good results.

What rancor said above is good advice that I've heard before, this way you don't have to switch rotors. Once my pads are used up I'll most likely switch to that system.

 

Cool, thanks all. I wasn't aware there were different compounds and you dont have to swap rotors if they are the same. Have carbotech XP12 and XP10's so think I will go with the carbotech pad route for the daily and pop em out at the track

 

If you run yellows make sure to wash your car offten. I don't drive mine a lot which ends up me not washing it a lot. I left it dirty for over a month and the yellows are super dusty which ended up staining my wheels. Took dish soap and like a your to clean my wheels. Smh

 

I found Simple Green with a wash mit gets rid of brake dust pretty good. I normally wash my Z once a week and at most its goes maybe a month before baths. Just can't stand a dirty car, especially the rims. After a track day I do a quick hose off because the rims basically turn black from all the heavy braking.

 

Problem is I only drive mine once a day a week if that.

But I use dish road before anything else because it's safe for hands so I trust it on wheels. No cleaners with acid. Yeah no