I'm looking for pad recommendations- spirited daily driver, with 1 or 2 track days & 1 or 2 autox events per year. Low noise is really important, dusting isn't ideal but I can handle it. I drive year-round, so I need something that will get me through the cold winter months- I don't really mind if they take a bit to warm up, but I need them to work once I get moving :-)

I also will replace rotors- I prefer solid rotors, if anyone has a good suggestion on those I'm open to it as well.

I've searched some threads and could probably put something together, just seeing if someone might have a specific recommendation for me. Thanks!

 

This is what I do. When not going on the track I use the OEM pads. I have an early build (05/2003) that I have owned since 2/2004 and never had any noise or other issues with the OEM pads. When a track trip is coming up I swap out the OEM's for Hawk HP pads about a week before the event. That does a couple of things. It forces me to inspect my brakes before every event, I know how much pad life I have and gives me a reason bleed the fluid before each event. I advise getting a set a track pads and only use them for a few days around the event, did I say they are noisy? But I can live with it for a week or two.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=taka+brakes

 

Nice, but I think $2500 is a bit out of my price range :-)

 

Ya I've thought about doing that- I could manage, but not changing pads sounds a lot more appealing to me :-)

 

I have recently installed Racing brake ET-800's. I have not Autocrossed or Tracked them yet, although I have done a bit of spirited Mt. roads as well as a few panic stops and I am quite pleased. They do make some noise, not near as much as an all track pad, but it doesn't really bother me. The brake dust produced seems to be less than stock, it certainly isn't worse. Overall I would highly recommend them as long as you don't mind a bit of squeal.

 

I'd say HAWK HPS. I've ran them on 4 track events and about 12 autocross events and found them to work fine.

If you're tracking once in a while and using street tires you'll be in good shape.

 

Axxis Ultimates, Hawk HP plus, or Carobtech Bobcats are some street performance pads. All will be dusty and perhaps noisy unless you use them with shims and grease. Neither of them will hold up at the track unless you are a novice or on a non-brake intensive track. Carbotech XP8s are a track only pad which will work on the street, but dust, noise, and rotor wear will be more than OEM.

If you continue to progress in your skills and track time, OEM pads for the street and dedicated track only pads (Carbotech XP series, Cobalt XR series, or Hawk DTC series) are probably your best bet.