Spin9k

Here's something else to consider that you've likely not heard about. I used to track on HP+ pads both front and rear and found them not overly impressive, not good bite, not confidence inspiring haul down from high speed. So I moved on to these and am extremely happy compared to HP+ as they are very suitable in 0 degree weather as well as 90 deg track days in HPDE 4 groups. No warmup is esp. nice so I do not have to have two sets of pads, one street, one track.

details: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...obalt+friction

SouthFL

Spin, do you use the GT Sport as both a street and track pad? Reason I'm asking is that I've really reached the limits with what HP Plus pads can do for me. I only use them at this point due to my laziness for pad swapping- but that's got to stop. Seems like 200 treadwear tires and the speed I'm carrying into brake zones these days have caught up to the pad's limits.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

After using the HP10's after the HP+...I wouldn't go back

Swapping the pads is a PIA I suppose...but I always seem to get to the rack really early anyway

SouthFL

^
It's not the before track day swap- it's the damn I'm tired and I want to go home pad swap that I don't like

Razz1

I like the Porterfield brakes. Carbon kevlar.

http://www.porterfield-brakes.com/

SouthFL

^ Swapping between R4 (track) to R4S (street) is yet another option which I've overlooked.

mwood

Carbotech Panther...XP8 for street/track, with a bias to track. Might be worth a try, they were great on my Mustang, after I got tired of HP+ melt down and the Hawk Blue to oem pad shuffle.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Just brake really hard on the way home

legokcen

I use the HP+ pads. I put them on at home before the event and swap them out later the weekend after the event. In fact, I've even run on them longterm before. When I go back to the OEM pads, the car feels like it doesn't want to stop anymore...

Spin9k

Absolutely , I've got them on right now and went out yesterday, they grab just the same from my driveway @15 degrees now as during an HPDE @90 in summer.

Probably few believe what I'm saying about this, but I guarantee you'll be happy with them hot or cold, and for track days they perform extremely well. I think people just get stuck with brands they know and don't realize there is technology that will improve their experience, IF they'd take the leap of faith required .

Personally I don't like products that require compromise and inconvenience, and these guys deliver the goods I need. Apparently something about no binder, just a special pressure compacting makes them grab irrespective of temp. Not to mention Cobalt Friction has had their pads extensively tested by RX-8 race teams and know the car well and can give recommendation depending on your needs. Give them a call, they'll talk to you about it as they did me.

The only downside I've found is they are a bit noisy the last 3 ft as you stop on the street, but to me that's an insignificant thing compared to all their pluses. Plus they told me this up front - I said no biggie.

Red Devil

I might look into these when my XP8s are worn down this summer.

gojackets

Call me crazy, but I actually like having two sets of pads - I want great pads for the track, but I don't fool myself into thinking I need killer pads for everyday driving. I'd rather have quiet pads with less dust. I get to the track 3-4 times a year (depending on how often she lets me!!), so I'd like a race car those weekends, and a reasonably sporty car the rest of the year. That's why I bought an RX-8. There are better pure sports cars out there, and there are more comfortable, lower cost cars out there, but the beauty of the car to me is the balance.

So... I'm going to continue to shop the Carbotech, Hawk and now Porterfield options. The Cobalt track pads sound good, but they don't have a true street pad, and that's not what I'm looking for. I would like to be in the same brand to minimize issues with the rotors.

I appreciate all the discussion - just what I was looking for. Thanks!

SolarYellow510

Not with that combination directly. Run Blue driving to and from the track, and you'll clean any transfer layer off completely. But I wouldn't do any more than that for non-track driving with Blue.

I've seen the transfer layer take on a crazy tortoiseshell appearance when going from, say, Pagid Sport for street to Hawk DTC-70 for track. The mixed transfer layer was inconsistent and potentially unstable. You can usually nurse it through the transition if you're careful and pay attention (may take a couple sessions). The risk is that during the unstable phase, it will become excessively irregular and judder develop. Let that go long enough, and you're buying new rotors.

dothackRAVE

First thing I did before my first HPDE (was PDX with the WORSCCA) was replace the brake fluids with ATE Super Blue, and put on some Hawk's HP+ on all four calipers.

Since then, I've been to a total of two HPDEs, 1 AutoX, 3 RallyXs and approaching 10,000mi with no problems (and I do brake hard on the street. I like scaring the **** out of the car in front by braking at the last moment). If only my tires held up this good...

Anyway, unless you're a really hardcore driver, you won't even use the HP+ to their maximum capacity.

Only downside I found was the increased squealing on the rotors. If your pads/rotors aren't warm, they squeal like a banshee, especially in cold weather. I've noticed extra dusting when washing, but I don't really see it often because I painted my wheels grey.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Well...there are a number of here that way overdrive the HP+... take that as you will. They worked OK for the first year for me...but hey melt off like butter when they get really hot. A true motorsports pad set is miles better than the HP+ ( no pun intended )

dothackRAVE

No ****. That's like saying an F1 car is wayyyy better than the 8. Thanks Captain Obvious. :D

But if you're not doing serious competitive racing, you don't need hardcore pads.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

HUH??? You on crack?

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

What I said was that HP+ aren't the best pads for someone who pushes the car hard.......Captain obnoxious!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-racing-25/tires-goddamned-tires-136061/

it rubs the lotion on itself..


beers

swoope

iTrader: (5)

wow,

you get good advice that is above your head.. maybe read a bit more????

beers

dothackRAVE

>.>

I'd like to know why you'll want to pay big bucks for race pads when you're not racing at all. He said HPDE, not club racing. HPDE = no lap times.

That's all I'm saying. Pay for equipment that you use.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Cause a set of HT10's lasted me over 10 track days...the HP+ less than 2......you do the math...............

mwood

Pretty much sums it up...it's all about temps and you can overheat marginal pads easily in a HPDE event...leads to lots of issues, besides just increased wear...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

personally I would swap between Hawk ceramic pads for the street and then the race pads of your choice if you want to be that serious

SouthFL

Running at an advanced group (HPDE 4) pace is only ticks slower than race pace (if you wish to push the car). If you're lapping at 8 to 9/10ths race pace, then you do need hardcore pads.