Brake pad recommendation for DD and occasional track use

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Feb 2, 2010 | 02:41 AM
  #1  
I know this isn't a specific CLK63 BS question because the car I plan on tracking is the C63 but I guess they'll be similar enough for a rough comparison.

I was wondering what aftermarket brake pads you guys would recommend for daily driving with occasional track use.

I plan on doing occasional track days but I am not sure if I want to upgrade the OEM brake pads.
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Feb 2, 2010 | 03:27 PM
  #2  
Why do you want to track the C63 ? I assume you are talking about road courses....
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Feb 2, 2010 | 05:51 PM
  #3  
I would rather discover the limits and enjoy the speed in a safe enviroment than on the streets.

Yes I am talking about a road course.
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Feb 2, 2010 | 06:09 PM
  #4  
Qship5 on the C63 board has tracked his using the stock pads and he's had no complaints.
I think he's also tried carbotechs but I don't know how he's liked them.
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Feb 2, 2010 | 07:28 PM
  #5  
try the standard pads should be ok . get good brake fluid in the car ( and braided hoses if this becomes a regular event .)
take care and have fun
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Feb 2, 2010 | 07:49 PM
  #6  


This is basically the layout of the course, it's very very hard on brakes because there is a lack of front straight where the brakes get a chance to cool down and also because many of the turns are slow so you need to bury the foot into the brake pedal before each corner.
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Feb 2, 2010 | 09:11 PM
  #7  
If you just wanna learn the limits of your car in a controlled environment; I'd suggest starting with a skidpad and work your way up to a road course. If you want to do a lot of track days...I'd say the amount of money you will spend in brakes, rotors and tires would pay for you to rent a real race car and not have to beat on your street car.
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Feb 2, 2010 | 09:22 PM
  #8  
Looks like a lot of hair pins, not an ideal track for a heavy car. But you'll have a lot of fun with all that torque coming out of the turns........you can be like Stefan Roser, aka Sideways Stefan . Like WTDoom already said, the OEM pads will be your least worry, just the fluid and brake lines are of concern. Have fun and be safe!
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Feb 3, 2010 | 12:16 AM
  #9  
SMP, do you use a different brake fluid or do you stick with the oem fluid
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Feb 3, 2010 | 01:35 AM
  #10  
Do you guys notice any difference in SS brake lines?
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Feb 3, 2010 | 08:28 AM
  #11  
Quote: Do you guys notice any difference in SS brake lines?
It's hard to be certain, I think most of what I notice is toward the end of a session and it's between my ears as much as real.
Can't say that I ever noticed a deficiency with the stock lines.
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Feb 3, 2010 | 03:35 PM
  #12  
On a different note, is the stock camber settings adequate for road course usage?
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Feb 3, 2010 | 06:27 PM
  #13  
not sure about us ones but the uk ones are very rear end happy not the fastest or most accurate but insanely , hilariously , fun
:
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Feb 3, 2010 | 07:02 PM
  #14  
Quote: not sure about us ones but the uk ones are very rear end happy not the fastest or most accurate but insanely , hilariously , fun
:
If I'm not mistaken, the OP is asking about a C63 on track, not a Black Series. And FWIW, the Black Series has a MUCH more agressive suspension geometry as well as alignment settings.
This thread should probably be moved to the C63 forum where it belongs.
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Feb 3, 2010 | 07:47 PM
  #15  
Quote: If I'm not mistaken, the OP is asking about a C63 on track, not a Black Series. And FWIW, the Black Series has a MUCH more agressive suspension geometry as well as alignment settings.
This thread should probably be moved to the C63 forum where it belongs.
oops , my bad sorry op i should have read it more carefully
( id still try the brake fluid and hoses though ).

thanks for pointing this out lzh ( i would have gone on and on and looked even sillier )
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Feb 3, 2010 | 09:30 PM
  #16  
OEM pads work only so so on the track, no much paddle feel (too soft), although our brakes are made by brembo, but they don't give the felling anything like in P-cars, after 3 track days, my front pads cracked
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Feb 3, 2010 | 10:48 PM
  #17  
last year I went through rotors an pads like underwear. As everyone knows, they are not cheap. Here is my 2 cents. Stick with one piece heavier steel rotors. they dissipate heat better then 2 piece p package rotors. My 2 piece lasted 1 session. Based on Hartmut from Renntech advice, I switched back to one piece again. They last 5 to 7 sessions. The OEM pads would crack and had to be replaced every 2 sessions. I did switch to Renntechs pads they lasted longer, but still cracked. Will come down to track and how hard you push. Car will embarras many supposed fast cars, but if you drive at the limit, expect to pay for brake pad and rotor replacement. Also, if you use factory fluid, I recommend changing after every session as it will boil.
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Feb 3, 2010 | 11:37 PM
  #18  
Have you had any experience with carbotech pads?

I am not sure if i want to be switching pads out for each track day or buying something thats is good at neither.
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Feb 4, 2010 | 01:05 AM
  #19  
Quote: Have you had any experience with carbotech pads?

I am not sure if i want to be switching pads out for each track day or buying something thats is good at neither.
Pagids are what I used with my 996TT. The "Orange" type if I remember right. I believe Pagid now makes what they call a "Sports" pad which is less extreme. This allows both street and track use without most of the usual drawbacks of high performance pads.

If you have the 030 option with the bigger rotors and LSD it will be even better for you but you'll have fun regardless.

Was next to a C63 today and those rev-matched downshifts sound nearly as good as mine.
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Feb 4, 2010 | 01:14 AM
  #20  
I checked out the Pagid website and they don't make any pads for the C63, so I guess the only other routes I can go is Carbotech, Hawk, EBC,
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Feb 4, 2010 | 04:15 AM
  #21  
stock pad will hold up fine at mission. I ve tracked my c63 twice there last year already.
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Feb 22, 2010 | 12:51 PM
  #22  
So according to what I've read Carbotech is not great and I can't find any pads from Hawk according to their application guide. Pagid too has none.

Anyone has any experience with some pads or can let me know what's available?

thanks!
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Feb 22, 2010 | 01:01 PM
  #23  
I just noticed a thread speaking of the EBC "Yellow" being a very good option. If you ever have other suggestions let me know.

thanks!
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Feb 22, 2010 | 01:56 PM
  #24  
Quote: I just noticed a thread speaking of the EBC "Yellow" being a very good option. If you ever have other suggestions let me know.

thanks!
Try the REDS, if they make them for your car. I have tracked numerous cars on REDS and they NEVER faded, unlike stockers.

Hawks, are okay for the track, but VERY dusty.

Yellows are too hard for a DD, IMHO. Some guys have used them here as a DD, but they require a greater pedal effort when cold to stop, aka NOT wife friendly.
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Feb 22, 2010 | 02:45 PM
  #25  
Quote: Try the REDS, if they make them for your car. I have tracked numerous cars on REDS and they NEVER faded, unlike stockers.

Hawks, are okay for the track, but VERY dusty.

Yellows are too hard for a DD, IMHO. Some guys have used them here as a DD, but they require a greater pedal effort when cold to stop, aka NOT wife friendly.
I'd get hawk HP plus but they don't have it for the C63. I have GS-3 pads on my Honda that dust like hell (at least twice as much as Hawk) but the braking will make your eyes pop out.

I'll consider the REDs thanks for the advice.
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