Track Pads

[StottyGTR]

I'm looking for recommendations for which track day pad to use.

I'm running a Subaru Impreza, 280hp/1100kg, with Gold Brembo's. After searching around a lot I landed on Ferodo DS3000s but its £300 a set, this is a bit more than I'd like to spend and very potentially overkill as the car is quite light, underpowered and has pretty decent calipers.

Any suggestions for a decent cheapish pad that won't fade?

[Jay_87]

Myself and my friends have been running Tarox hardware for a little while now and I can have complaints with them. Good quality kit and works very well!

[uttanutta12]

I'm running Carbone Lorraine RC5+ in my 200bhp/1100kg Fiesta using Alcon P-Type calipers.

Have no complaints, good on the road but don't suffer on the track either, they are a bit more than DS2500's for the caliper, £200 rather than about £160 but seem to last longer.

[E-bmw]

Personally, I think DS3000 are not good track day pads.

The bite & longevity of PROPER TD pads as opposed to "fast road" pads is a revelation having used many over the years.

Pagid RS29 are a VERY good TD pad, as are DS1.11, as are many others.

However, to get good TD pads that last & don't wreck discs is NEVER going to be cheap.

I used to pay £230 + vat for RS 29s using AP twin opposed pot pistons on an e36 328, but they lasted over a year of TDs.

EBC yellow, by comparison were £95.00 & lasted one full TD if I was lucky.

[Dakkon]

Ah, a thread about pads, this will be almost as bad as threads about trackday tyres.

To give you a sensible answer, I run Carbotech XP8's on my MX5 and think they are some of the best trackday pads money can buy.

XP6, 8 or 10 depending on the weight of your car.

They are not cheap, but offer fabulous feel and work.....Always.

I have done about 7 UK trackdays and one Spa trip and there is still plenty of life left in them.

[cleverdick]

Afternoon,I second the CL rc5+.I run a 290bhp V4 Impreza type R with standered 4 pots on the front and single pot on the rear,with godspeed hooks discs.And no ABS.I do around 4 full trackdays over the winter and though the summer between 6 and 8 evening trackdays as well.We go to Snetterton/Bedford/Rockingham/Blyton/Cadwell and Brands.And change them about every 9 months,but if the summer track evenings are hot ,maybe a bit sooner.And make sure the brake fluid is up to scatch.Good luck.

[Oilchange]

If you can get Ferodo DSUno in the right size they are a much better pad insofar as they are less harsh and still very high performing, from personal experience

[J.M.T]

Ive used quite a few brands and types of pads however the best I've used IMO is Pagid RS29. Can not recommend them strongly enough.

Combine them with a decent disc, braided lines, Castrol RSF and some brake cooling ducts and they go lap after lap after lap. Also work absolutely fine on the road also

[StottyGTR]

Thanks for the responses guys, what I've taken from this is if I want a decent track pad there's no such thing as a budget one.

After reading through recommendations its between Carbotech XP10 and Pagid RS29s. The RS29s look like the best pad tbh but they're super expensive. I've had a quote from Ian at Carbotech so I'll go with them, not happy about the cost in the slightest but it doesn't look like I've got another option!

[edh]

Also worth trying performance friction. I've used them for years. The 08 compound seems a good compromise for Track days.

[the_stoat]

Don't forget good fluid, no point having good pads if they make enough heat to boil your fluid.

[james_gt3rs]

edh said:

Also worth trying performance friction. I've used them for years. The 08 compound seems a good compromise for Track days.

I’ve just switched to these and am impressed so far.

[edh]

james_gt3rs said:

edh said:

Also worth trying performance friction. I've used them for years. The 08 compound seems a good compromise for Track days.

I’ve just switched to these and am impressed so far.

The dust from the 97's was a bugger to remove from wheels and paintwork. The 08's seem better. Good thing I'm not too precious about my track car though.

[Ash170990]

I used Carbotech XP8 pads in my evo (was only a road car) but they were awesome, so id be going for the XP10's for track. As said not cheap but get what you pay for.

[JKING]

I used Carbon Lorraine RC8 in my track only Clio 182.
Expensive but Immense stopping power

[CedricN]

I really like hawk pads, often good bang for the buck. Tried Carbo techs xp8, they were similar performing but much more expensive.

[LondonTom]

Another shout for RS29's and RS19's (no 29's available for the rear on an e30). I had been using DS3000's, however, the longevity of the RS29's far outweigh the difference in cost.

[E-bmw]

LondonTom said:

Another shout for RS29's and RS19's (no 29's available for the rear on an e30). I had been using DS3000's, however, the longevity of the RS29's far outweigh the difference in cost.

100% agree with that one.

£115 (DS2500) for 1 day versus £230 for 1 year with enough meat to keep as a spare set.

[alienwarerandy]

Another vote for XP10, have lasted approx. 8 days so far and still have life left in them. Expensive though.

[griff7]

JKING said:

I used Carbon Lorraine RC8 in my track only Clio 182.
Expensive but Immense stopping power

Used them a couple of times and they gave the best pedal feel of any pads i've tried.Bit noisy but worth it.