Xp8 vs xp10 carbotechs thoughts
 

I am on the fourth set of Carbotechs on the 370. The first three sets I had were XP10s while the last set is the XP8. The XP10 performed great except it can trigger ice-mode whenever you get to a bumpy braking zone on track from time to time. For those who experienced it, you know how scary and dangerous it is. With that in mind, I made the decision to switch over to the less aggressive XP8, hoping for less chance of ice-mode with its less aggressive bite. Well I am happy to report the XP8 did make the car less prone to ice-mode, BUT the XP8s’ bites were so bad that you feel like you get nothing during initial application of the brake pedal. It seems to take an extra split second for the pads to bite and slow the car. The lack of bite made it difficult to trust the car and dive into the corner late as you don’t know if the brakes will bite or not. Also once the pads grab, you find yourself in a situation where you slow down yourself too much. The XP8 just didn’t have the consistency like the XP10 had. Also from my datalogs, it was showing the car had more braking power with the XP10 than the XP8. So before you pull the trigger for the XP8, you might want to consider getting the 10 and learn to avoid ice mode instead (separate discussion).
Also here is the second problem with the XP8. It seems like they have the tendency to leave deposits onto the rotors for whatever reasons. In all three track days I did this quarter, my car came home with super bad vibration. The deposits eventually wore off after driving my car around on the XP8, but I don’t seem to recall the problem being this bad on the 10s. The same thing happened last year with the XP8 too, but I was able to take care of it by swapping the XP10s in and use them as sandpaper.

I do think the xp8 will do maybe one day more than the 10, maybe 2. I think They are basically good for 4 to 8 days

10s in the front, 8s in the rear.

When I had 8s in the front they weren't lasting two weekends.

Currently have a set of the RP2 endurance compounds for the front. Apparently the first set they ever made for the Akebonos. They're too much for RE-11s and aren't playing nice with my rotors. Does look they will last longer than 10s, so I would stick with them if I was on Hoosiers.

Knock on wood, and assuredly a bunch of factors, but I have never had issues with ice mode.

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I had half a day of track time today on a cold day and just left the stock pads in. Fade was manageable with large brake ducts, they don't get scary. Data from today will show the fall-off

I have always ran xp8 on the rear. I started on xp10 on the front but tried xp12 one time when they were out of xp10. The xp12 wore out too fast and didn't add any performance with my current setup so I'm back to the xp10.

I just don't like the xp8 because the grabbing power is not linear. It seems like I get nothing, then everything. It makes it hard to hit corners that only require a quick tap. When I order next set, I am getting the 10 again

interested in this thread. getting ready to start putting all the track prep stuff on the new nismo and debating betwn the xp8's f/r like we ran last time or going xp10/8 f/r or just 10's all the way around.

Cossie, my wife is the track rat in the family and she reports the same inconsistent braking with the 8's all around sometimes.

Here is what pisses me off. I have a set of XP10 with 30% left. I lost one of the 4 pad when I moved, now i cant use it to clean my rotor. I have this nasty judder when i brake

I guess you're going to have to sell them and get a new set? that sucks losing just one pad.

I origianlly was going to give it out, then I realize how great they were to scrub rotor deposits. Now I cant do jack because I have 3 pads only, it's mocking me!!!

black Friday's coming up, you should be able to get a new set on sale. At least that's what I'm hoping for since i'll be picking up a set of either 10's or 10/8's at that time.

That, camber plate and sway bar and brake duct, I sort of need them

Btw, this is a chart on my car with XP10 (red), XP8 (blue).

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7128/os7x.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Brake Pads
 

Never used the ones your talking about. If your looking for another option I like using the endless pads MX72

When I was running Carbotech on the stock calipers, I liked 10F + 8R like DR_ is talking about. It really helped with the ice-mode stuff to put a less-grippy pad in the rear.

This is the set-up I want to run next year. 10F-8R.

For lapping on 200 tw street tires I think it is about perfect.

/\ very helpful. :tiphat: sounds like 10/8 (f/r) combo is my best bet.