Street/track pads are going to be a compromise in both situations and probably not best suited to either.
If you are adept at changing your pads, I'd suggest using one set for the track and another one for the street. I am partial to the Carbotech line of pads for the track. I used XP9 front, XP8 rear last year (03) on "R" Compound tires and XP10 front, XP9 front this year (04). I like the 10/9 combo better on R compound tires.
Carbotech recommends the XP8 front and Panther Plus rear for less aggressive drivers or when using street tires. I personally haven't used that combination. I have used both of my combinations on street tires and the grip is high, but I thought feel was good enough to modulate braking without excessive lockup. I prefer the Carbotech pads as their performance is as good as the top track pads (benchmark has been PFC01s), but they cost much less.
I ran Xp8 and plus combo and it worked great on street tires with a little lockup when they were cold. Haven't tried on non-stock tires yet but I bet they would be perfect for Toyo RA1, Cup's, or anything just short of a Hoosier or Kumho.
They aren't the cheapest pad but last well, minimal dust and noise, and grip great on the track and on the street cold.
I've tried tons of others and some are better on the track but they are deadly on the street.
__________________
Before: 381rwhp and 362trq - Kooks, Vararam, ti corsa, penske sa, drm ducts, Nitto NT-01 (275/315 combo)
Before Track Times: 2:11 VIR, 1:21 Roebling, 1:49 CMP
After: 430rwhp and 382trq - MTI Cam, MTI Track Suspension
I ran Xp8 and plus combo and it worked great on street tires with a little lockup when they were cold. Haven't tried on non-stock tires yet but I bet they would be perfect for Toyo RA1, Cup's, or anything just short of a Hoosier or Kumho.
They aren't the cheapest pad but last well, minimal dust and noise, and grip great on the track and on the street cold.
I've tried tons of others and some are better on the track but they are deadly on the street.
excellent since i plan on running ra-1 on the street too. so i will have to try these out this summer
I use the Subdriver Carbotech setup for the track, but change pads and rotors for the street. Recommend the Durastop Ceramic pads for the street.....plenty of brake and you eliminate the brake dust.
Hawk HP+ give a noticable increase in grip, with no dropoff when cold, but are very dirty, and don't seem to last that long. I know a very fast driver with a T-1 setup (who turns 1:33 at Willow Springs) who used HP+ with slotted rotors and stock calipers.
do carbo tech last quite a while? i can get front and rear hawk for like 145
carbotech is quite a bit more
Not fair to compare apples to oranges. Exactly what Hawk pads are you talking about, they make dozens of compounds.
The Carbotech XP10 front, XP9 rear last about three track weekends for me at about four track sessions per weekend. Last year the XP9 front, XP8 rear was about the same. But I drive really hard on R compound tires. They last as long as any other track pad I have used.
I see forum vendor pfyc.com listing XP8 front for $166 and Panther Plus rear for $129. I feel this combo would outperform the Hawk HP+ which forum vendor LAPD lists for $139 front, $109 rear. The XP8 is arguably comparable to the Hawk Blues which LAPD lists for $199 front, $129 rear. I have tried Hawk Blue on a 3rd Gen RX-7 and did not really like them. The dust was nasty and they ate up rotors.
For a better comparison, I raced most of 2003 on XP9 front, XP8 rear which pfyc.com lists for $169 front, $139 rear. This set up is comparable to the Hawk HT10 (though Hawk is now up to HT14 at least), which LAPD lists for $249 front, $175 rear. The PFC 01s were even more which is one of the reasons I switched to Carbotech.
As I said at the top, there is no "perfect" pad for street/track, which is why many of us track dogs give up and buy two sets of rotors and pads and swap back and forth.
My feeling is that if you use something like Hawk HPS or PFC Z at the track, you are going to eat them up... and face brake fade problems, neither of which is good.
Yes, there are such a wide range of pads, it is tough to directly compare them.
Here are the manufacturers statements on the Hawk HPS, HP+, Carbotech Panther Plus and XP8. You can see from reading these that each is designed for a fairly specific range of operations. They can be used outside that range, but won't excel.
Hawk Performance HPS compound provides advanced braking characteristics to enhance your driving experience. This unique compound combines the safety and quality of Aerospace design partnered with the braking technology of motorsports.
Features
Extremely low dust
High friction/torque hot or cold
Gentle on rotors
Virtually noise-free
Much improved braking over OE
Long extended pad life
HP PLUS — High Performance Street PLUS Race Worthy
Hawk Performance HP PLUS compound can take the heat at the Track and get you home safely without having to change your brake pads in and out. This compound was designed for the serious street and autocross enthusiast. Warning! Due to the dramatic friction levels produced by this product to achieve "race-level" braking; rotor wear, noise, dust, and pad wear may be increased.
Features
Extremely high friction output
Race worthy for autocross
Race worthy for club racing events
Elevated temperature resistance
CARBOTECH PANTHER PLUS (1106): A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range (150F to 1250F). Advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial "bite", high coefficient of friction (0.54-0.56), and very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Panther Plus offers high fade resistance, rotor friendliness at all temperatures, and excellent cold stopping power. As a result, Panther Plus is an excellent choice for beginner-novice lapping day and high performance driver's schools on street driven cars using street or R-compound tires, eliminating the need to change brake pads at the track. Panther Plus has gained tremendous popularity with SCCA Prosolo/Solo2 competitors for its fantastic bite and modulation. In addition, Panther Plus has seen great success as a race-only pad on lighter improved touring and vintage race cars (ITC, etc). Not recommended as a daily-driving street pad due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise.
CARBOTECH PANTHER XP8 (1108): A high torque brake compound with a wide operating temperature range (250F to 1350F). Outstanding initial bite at race temperatures, high coefficient of friction (0.58-0.60), excellent modulation and release characteristics, extremely high fade resistance, very rotor friendly and excellent wear rates. Excellent for ITA, ITB, Spec-RX7, etc race cars. Perfect for intermediate - advanced track/HPED use with R-compound tires, but still can be easily driven to and from the track. Not recommended as a daily-driving street pad due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise.
Carbotech Panther Plus outperforms HP+. I will be happy to sell you either one, but I use Carbotech on my own Z06 on the track. I used Panther Plus front and rear until I had about 7 or 8 schools under my belt, then moved up to XP8 fronts, then after another 10 schools or so went to XP9 up front and XP8 in the rear, and this is about where I will stay.
If neither of these interest you, we can get others as well. We try to specialize in helping you with a track setup more than some of the other vendors, since we have personal experience doing it.
__________________
Brian A. Marks
PFYC.com - click our banner ad below to visit our C5 Accessories Store, or click here to visit our C6 Accessories Store
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
