Brake pads for AP racing

wstar · 08-05-2013, 09:00 AM

IMHO, what I've found over the course of many brake pad experiments is that there are two universal rules:

1) Good track pads will make dust and noise that you won't enjoy on a street car.
2) Brake pads that are sufficiently clean and quiet on the street won't hold up to hard-core track stresses. Something will give, if nothing else they'll put deposits all over your rotor and then destroy them

Just don't believe the hype when a pad mfg tells you they have a universal pad that solves everything. They don't!

That being said, I'm running Carbon-Lorraine's RC-6E at all 4 corners in the AP kit on my track car, and I really like them, and I think they're about as good as it gets on most of these factors. They will squeak, especially if you drive them cold on the street, but it's not that bad. The on-track performance is awesome, the pedal feel (ability to modulate) is awesome, and perhaps most importantly they're basically self-bedding. No need to worry about hardcore break-in/cool-down on pad swap and trying to figure out whether you broke them in hard enough, or hit them too hard and cooked stuff.

The only real downside is they're very pricey and there's only one distributor in the US to order from. For RC-6E at all 4 corners on the AP/Stillen kit, you're looking at $850 in pads. They do seem to last a long time, though. Pad links from my last order:

Front: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads
Rear: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads

Next time around (whenever these are finally significantly worn down) I'm planning to upgrade the front to RC6 while leaving the rear at RC6E, but RC6E all-around is still a very good setup, and probably more streetable than the RC6 anyways.

Sh0velMan · 08-05-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

IMHO, what I've found over the course of many brake pad experiments is that there are two universal rules:

1) Good track pads will make dust and noise that you won't enjoy on a street car.
2) Brake pads that are sufficiently clean and quiet on the street won't hold up to hard-core track stresses. Something will give, if nothing else they'll put deposits all over your rotor and then destroy them

That being said, I'm running Carbon-Lorraine's RC-6E at all 4 corners in the AP kit on my track car, and I really like them, and I think they're about as good as it gets on most of these factors. They will squeak, especially if you drive them cold on the street, but it's not that bad. The on-track performance is awesome, the pedal feel (ability to modulate) is awesome, and perhaps most importantly they're basically self-bedding. No need to worry about hardcore break-in/cool-down on pad swap and trying to figure out whether you broke them in hard enough, or hit them too hard and cooked stuff.

The only real downside is they're very pricey and there's only one distributor in the US to order from. For RC-6E at all 4 corners on the AP/Stillen kit, you're looking at $850 in pads. They do seem to last a long time, though. Pad links from my last order:

Front: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads
Rear: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads

Next time around (whenever these are finally significantly worn down) I'm planning to upgrade the front to RC6 while leaving the rear at RC6E, but RC6E all-around is still a very good setup, and probably more streetable than the RC6 anyways.

I have the RC6's, they're loud as **** and dusty as well. So this guy would probably have an aneurysm if he bought them.

SPOHN · 08-06-2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

IMHO, what I've found over the course of many brake pad experiments is that there are two universal rules:

1) Good track pads will make dust and noise that you won't enjoy on a street car.
2) Brake pads that are sufficiently clean and quiet on the street won't hold up to hard-core track stresses. Something will give, if nothing else they'll put deposits all over your rotor and then destroy them

Just don't believe the hype when a pad mfg tells you they have a universal pad that solves everything. They don't!

That being said, I'm running Carbon-Lorraine's RC-6E at all 4 corners in the AP kit on my track car, and I really like them, and I think they're about as good as it gets on most of these factors. They will squeak, especially if you drive them cold on the street, but it's not that bad. The on-track performance is awesome, the pedal feel (ability to modulate) is awesome, and perhaps most importantly they're basically self-bedding. No need to worry about hardcore break-in/cool-down on pad swap and trying to figure out whether you broke them in hard enough, or hit them too hard and cooked stuff.

The only real downside is they're very pricey and there's only one distributor in the US to order from. For RC-6E at all 4 corners on the AP/Stillen kit, you're looking at $850 in pads. They do seem to last a long time, though. Pad links from my last order:

Front: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads
Rear: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads

Next time around (whenever these are finally significantly worn down) I'm planning to upgrade the front to RC6 while leaving the rear at RC6E, but RC6E all-around is still a very good setup, and probably more streetable than the RC6 anyways.

$500!!! I'll stick to my Carbotechs for my AP's. They stop perfect, no fade ever, and very lasting pads for my hard braking (XP 10's)

08-05-2013, 09:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3596	IMHO, what I've found over the course of many brake pad experiments is that there are two universal rules: 1) Good track pads will make dust and noise that you won't enjoy on a street car. 2) Brake pads that are sufficiently clean and quiet on the street won't hold up to hard-core track stresses. Something will give, if nothing else they'll put deposits all over your rotor and then destroy them Just don't believe the hype when a pad mfg tells you they have a universal pad that solves everything. They don't! That being said, I'm running Carbon-Lorraine's RC-6E at all 4 corners in the AP kit on my track car, and I really like them, and I think they're about as good as it gets on most of these factors. They will squeak, especially if you drive them cold on the street, but it's not that bad. The on-track performance is awesome, the pedal feel (ability to modulate) is awesome, and perhaps most importantly they're basically self-bedding. No need to worry about hardcore break-in/cool-down on pad swap and trying to figure out whether you broke them in hard enough, or hit them too hard and cooked stuff. The only real downside is they're very pricey and there's only one distributor in the US to order from. For RC-6E at all 4 corners on the AP/Stillen kit, you're looking at $850 in pads. They do seem to last a long time, though. Pad links from my last order: Front: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads Rear: Essex - CL RC6E Brake Pads Next time around (whenever these are finally significantly worn down) I'm planning to upgrade the front to RC6 while leaving the rear at RC6E, but RC6E all-around is still a very good setup, and probably more streetable than the RC6 anyways. UNKNOWN_370 likes this. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details Last edited by wstar; 08-05-2013 at 09:02 AM.

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