Would definitely recommend HPS for street use. I run them, and use them to autox and terrorize the roads around here.

I'd also recommend a fluid flush because stock fluid, well---sucks.

Stainless lines aren't a 100% must have, but they aren't a bad idea, especially if you are flushing the system anyway.

 

OK Argonaut and Philostang so let's really hijack this thread -

I'm still undecided on the r-comps but leaning very heavily towards geting some Nitto NT01's on another set of rims for track use and driving back and forth to the track. As they are going to significantly upgrade the stopping grip from my present KDWs what are your suggestions for a track pad that I can also drive in the summer on the street. Remember I have the GT500 front calipers and stock rear calipers.

 

I drove on the street the last 6 months with XP10 in the front, XP8 rear (recently switched to the bobcats for the winter). I use to swap back and forth but I found the XPs so streetable that I just didn't see any point. They dust bad but that doesn't bother me. Some guys report they squeal but I rarely had that issue and when it did occur it was very slight. In the past I used the HT10s and also found them streetable but less so...and they did squeal very bad. Looks like I will be back on NT01s again next year (after using a variety of tires this year), recently picked up a pair of barely used (the colored lines on the tread face havent even worn off) 275/40/18s for half price. Just need another pair and I'm all set.

 

I had similar experience with the XP10s. One set in particular was god-awful on the street (squeal), but then another set was great. I think the bad set was due to a clip that broke off (lot's of install/removal on that set). The last set I put on has been great (clips are intact). All sets dust more than street pads.

I still use the Bobcats in the cooler months.

Best,
-j

 

Argonaut & Philostang

You've convinced me to try XP10 front and XP8 rear for next season and they sell them for the GT500 rotors.

I've got a partly used set of front rotors that I'll have resurfaced before reinstalling them. For the rear I've got a nearly new set of take off rotors. Should they also be resurfaced per the Carbotech web site?

I'm also in luck as the organizer for the May 28, 2010 event at Mosport is organizing a Carbotech group buy.

 

I don't think you need to resurface them, just bed the Carbotechs really well and you'll be good to go. I will say that the Carbotechs have a little tendency to shutter more than the Hawks did (as in a slight vibration) but a good ABS inducing stomp has cleared it up every time.

 

Anyone here have any experience with the Hawk Ceramic pads ? opinions ?

 

I do not have experience with them but in general - ceramic pads have less dust, less noise and less stopping power. That doesn't mean they aren't good enough, they certainly are for most uses. For high performance/heavy brake applications we use track compounds that are dusty and noisy but resist fade and knock your teeth out with stopping power. Have you read the reviews of the Hawk ceramics on TireRack.com? Seem to be all over the map.

 

Thanks Argonaut, I guess I'll probably go with the Hawk HPS. I need stopping power to avoid the local wildlife. (deer everywhere around here) Going with wider tires too.

 

I've got the HPS pads on two other cars, one of which I autocross and the other being my wife's DD. So far they are working much better than what they replaced. Not at all noisy, not particularly dusty, and I do get into them pretty good from time to time. In both cars.

One thing that I have found is that if you don't drive the car for a couple of weeks or so, it seems like you have to go through a short version of re-bedding them. Took me by mild surprise this year. But if you drive the car pretty much on a daily basis this does not show up, and it doesn't even seem to matter how lightly you normally use them as long as they get used at all.

They're on my short list for when I've finally had enough of the way the '08 OE pads feel.


On edit, braking at autocross isn't particularly harder on brake pads at least with respect to maximum temperature reached or likelihood of fade than a minute at a time of hard street driving.


Norm