How to prepare for a track day?
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 29
From: Miami
2001 Audi S4 Sedan (RIP) 2013 P31 W204 C63 (RIP)
Super helpful - Thanks Ryan! Yeah, I ran ST43's on my S4 when I used to track that and know exactly what you mean. Fantastic product, but that car had a StopTech BBK w/ much harder rotor rings, so I can imagine what those pads would do to a set of stock rotors : /
I'll give those PowerStop pads a look and let you know. I know the easy answer is to just get a 2nd set of pads & rotors and be done with it, but my C63 lives in So.Fla and you'd think our tracks stay open all year long, but you'd be surprised (read: disgusted) at how few fall/winter events there actually are when the weather is ideal... All the clubs usually skip Dec. & Jan. for some reason and decide to host a majority of their events when its ball soup outside, which is brutal on the equipment. I'm hesitate to make too big of an investment on brakes (and other supporting track mods) for the car considering the overheating potential w/o the 44O option.
I'll give those PowerStop pads a look and let you know. I know the easy answer is to just get a 2nd set of pads & rotors and be done with it, but my C63 lives in So.Fla and you'd think our tracks stay open all year long, but you'd be surprised (read: disgusted) at how few fall/winter events there actually are when the weather is ideal... All the clubs usually skip Dec. & Jan. for some reason and decide to host a majority of their events when its ball soup outside, which is brutal on the equipment. I'm hesitate to make too big of an investment on brakes (and other supporting track mods) for the car considering the overheating potential w/o the 44O option.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 807
Likes: 280
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+1 on Carbotech
A few of the the more seasoned track drivers (BLKROKT, Wobble64) run em, run em hard (on RacingBrake rotors), and have been very pleased with their performance (i believe Carbotech XP12, etc).
Hit them up for more feedback.
This thread (and others) also reference Carbotech pad performance in earlier posts, in addition to their other model pads (XP8, etc).
I have their XP10 pads (+ RB rotors), and will track with this setup soon and can provide more feedback.
XP10s were ~$500 for all 4 corners
A few of the the more seasoned track drivers (BLKROKT, Wobble64) run em, run em hard (on RacingBrake rotors), and have been very pleased with their performance (i believe Carbotech XP12, etc).
Hit them up for more feedback.
This thread (and others) also reference Carbotech pad performance in earlier posts, in addition to their other model pads (XP8, etc).
I have their XP10 pads (+ RB rotors), and will track with this setup soon and can provide more feedback.
XP10s were ~$500 for all 4 corners
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 284
Likes: 103
C63
I tried the heat shield as detailed in “Keeping Your Cool” with some skepticism but, it really does work. It keeps the temps down enough at this time of year at least enough to stop the fans coming on even, unless you’re tooling about stationary or low speed. But, as soon as you’re moving again the temps drop rapidly and fail to rise drastically even with hard thrashings.
I’d recommend it. The real test for me will be Nurburgring this year although I imagine it’ll be fine for some semi-hard track work. It’s not the kind of track you go crazy at unless you have 500laps under your belt; too many cars, changing camber, no run off...but there is something enchanting about The Green Hell.
I’d recommend it. The real test for me will be Nurburgring this year although I imagine it’ll be fine for some semi-hard track work. It’s not the kind of track you go crazy at unless you have 500laps under your belt; too many cars, changing camber, no run off...but there is something enchanting about The Green Hell.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, Ireland
CLS55AMG 2005
I guess it really depends on how hard you want to push and how much compromise and cost you're prepared to tolerate. At the end of the day, it is a pretty unsuitable car for track days and to make it capable will mean a lot of change which will impact it's use on the road. Personally I would recommend you change nothing but accept that you may not be able to drive as long and aggressively as you would like. I'm sure you'll still have a great day and you could perhaps use your cool down time as an opportunity to hop into other people's cars as a passenger.
Best!
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 29
From: Miami
2001 Audi S4 Sedan (RIP) 2013 P31 W204 C63 (RIP)
+1 on Carbotech
A few of the the more seasoned track drivers (BLKROKT, Wobble64) run em, run em hard (on RacingBrake rotors), and have been very pleased with their performance (i believe Carbotech XP12, etc).
Hit them up for more feedback.
This thread (and others) also reference Carbotech pad performance in earlier posts, in addition to their other model pads (XP8, etc).
I have their XP10 pads (+ RB rotors), and will track with this setup soon and can provide more feedback.
XP10s were ~$500 for all 4 corners
A few of the the more seasoned track drivers (BLKROKT, Wobble64) run em, run em hard (on RacingBrake rotors), and have been very pleased with their performance (i believe Carbotech XP12, etc).
Hit them up for more feedback.
This thread (and others) also reference Carbotech pad performance in earlier posts, in addition to their other model pads (XP8, etc).
I have their XP10 pads (+ RB rotors), and will track with this setup soon and can provide more feedback.
XP10s were ~$500 for all 4 corners
I tried the heat shield as detailed in “Keeping Your Cool” with some skepticism but, it really does work. It keeps the temps down enough at this time of year at least enough to stop the fans coming on even, unless you’re tooling about stationary or low speed. But, as soon as you’re moving again the temps drop rapidly and fail to rise drastically even with hard thrashings...
I did two separate events in mine with OEM pads and fluids and it was absolutely fine. One of those events was done at a twisty, technical circuit which is generally pretty hard on brakes. I continued to use the car for another two years on the road and never had to replace the front pads, though the rears did wear out.
I guess it really depends on how hard you want to push and how much compromise and cost you're prepared to tolerate. At the end of the day, it is a pretty unsuitable car for track days and to make it capable will mean a lot of change which will impact it's use on the road. Personally I would recommend you change nothing but accept that you may not be able to drive as long and aggressively as you would like. I'm sure you'll still have a great day and you could perhaps use your cool down time as an opportunity to hop into other people's cars as a passenger.
Best!
I guess it really depends on how hard you want to push and how much compromise and cost you're prepared to tolerate. At the end of the day, it is a pretty unsuitable car for track days and to make it capable will mean a lot of change which will impact it's use on the road. Personally I would recommend you change nothing but accept that you may not be able to drive as long and aggressively as you would like. I'm sure you'll still have a great day and you could perhaps use your cool down time as an opportunity to hop into other people's cars as a passenger.
Best!
