Brake pads - fast road/track

[Ianeire]

I'm in a bit of a quandary in so far as choices of brake pads that will be used for fast road/ track use.

The pads will see the Nurburgring in April, Mondello International in June and Kirkistown in the summer, plus the usual daily driving in between.

At the moment I'm looking at:
- Ferodo DS2500
- Performance Friction 97
- Pagid RS4-2 (Blue)
- Carbone Lorraine RC5

Out of those mentioned both the Pagid Blue and the Carbone Lorraine are leading the way. There's quite a significant difference in price between the two, almost €100/ stg£65.

Has anyone experience of the Carbone Lorraine. How much do they spark, which compound sparks (RC5/RC6)? Are they likely to cause damage to the lacquer on the wheels/paintwork? What is their longevity like?

They will be for a Clio 172.

[Ian Godney]

I have had the CL RC5's on test for about a month , and found them very good , but they can squeel a bit , I have been testing them on an Impreza , and just as you stop they made a bit of noise , I put a set on an EVO the other day and they made so much noise the customer wanted them changed.

With the list of pads you have put up , I would say they are the best , and they are cheap , I didnt find they have caused any damage on the wheels or paintwork on the car I have them on , and considering the compound , they are nothard on the discs.

The stopping power is very good , with no fade experienced yet , and they have had a right hiding .
Hope this helps
Cheers Ian

[Ianeire]

Thanks Ian. Speaking to a few more people EBC Yellowstuff pads have also been thrown into the mix as a possible option also.

I have my eyes on a mates car at the moment. He has fitted CL RC5's a few weeks ago and since I have a few weeks in which to decide, he's my guinneapig!

He reckons that they're quite a dusty pad and unless the wheels are cleaned regularly, twice a week in his opinion, the dust has turned greasy (for want of a better description) and is proving quite difficult to get off. Some of this has also spread to the wings. Obviously not good. It would be fine if I had a dedicated set of wheels for track use, but I don't!

[belleair302]

EBC Reds are excellent pads, less dusty than Yellows, and offer great stopping power, less damage to disks and good value for money too!

[Ianeire]

Splashed out and bought the Pagid RS4-2 (Blue) in the end after talking to a few guys on Northloop!

[stylussprinter]

I'd go for HAWK Black or Blue compound. Black work from cold and stick a circuit well without fade but under greater time/pressure Blue are even better BUT do not work best from cold / need warming.My car weighs 615kgs and I sprint using Black ----- excellent ---- you'll end up accelerating after braking too early -- I did !

[pikeyboy]

i use hawk 9012 blues in the frogeye race car, not cheap but they never fade. quite hard on the disks though and left steel embedded in the inside edge of the wheel