Original Thread

I really wanted to reply because I stand behind the Carbotech Bobcats on the EVO. They brake better in my experiance, and dust less than the stock pads. When I changed them, I used the factory metal shims from the original pads, but no "anti-squeak" compound. I did not opt to use the fiber shim that comes on the original pad, either.

I did experience a horrible squeal after about 700 miles on the pads, which occured under mild braking. I then pulled the EVO back into the garage, and removed the wheels/calipers/pads, etc.. On a hunch, I used a razor blade to remove the fiber shims from the stock pads that were in the Carbotech boxes on my work bench, and okied them onto the Carbotech pads, (thus returning the vehicle to a configuration that is closer to the original).

Then I reassembled the car and hit the road for a week of travelling around the Bay Area for work. In the 900+ miles that I have travelled this week, the pads have not squeaked, squealed, or otherwise offended me in any way.

Just my two cents.

P.S.

Maddmatt! Don't discontinue this compound for the EVO. At the rate I put miles on this car, I will need another set in about 4 months or so.

 

I think I may have to try some grease on mine. Mine scream at me just driving down the road with no brakes applied. I'm not dissapointed with the pads, I would just like them to make a little less noise. Oh and I used both shims that came with the factory pads.

 

you used the fiber shims and they still squeak?

 

I have the Full race pads from Carbotech (Panther XP) and I like them alot. When I first installed them the made a hell of alot of noise. But I took them off, applied a good amount of anti squeel and they quieted right down. They started making no more noise than any other race pad I have ever used.

I took them to the track this weekend and won my class at the Porsche STS event with a time that made alot of the porsche race car drivers take notice. Not once did the brakes fade all day long.

 

I'll give you a steal of a deal on my lightly used Bobcats. Let me know when you need them.

 

I just put mine on two weeks ago, so I should need new ones around April/May. If you still have them in April, PM me.

 

Yup I used both shims. Did you have a hard time fitting them in? Mine were VERY tight.

 

yeah, they were pretty tight going in with the fiber shims in there.

 

fiber shims???? are these the second piece of shim attached to the stoc brake pad? how the hell do u get it off????

 

I like the bobcats. I use these with the new rotora rotors I bought through the vividracing group buy. the car stops on a dime all day long. I will use the panther plus next spring when I get to the track.

I wont use any other pad. everything else is horrible in comparason

 

I eventually solved the squeal problem with my Bobcats by using a heavy coating of anti-squeal goop. I used the same technique with my new Panther XP-8s and they seem to be pretty quiet for a race pad, too. They also have a nice bite and solid stopping characteristics. I'll be tracking them in early August and post some feedback.

Some quick observations about my Bobcats, now that I've worn a set out. They seemed to shed heat slightly better than the stock pads. Stopping distances were slightly longer with the Bobcats, but only by a tiny bit. Testing with my G-Tech showed a consistant increase of about 10' more total distance from 100 mph. A pretty small difference at those speeds. The stock pads seemed to recover from being overheated better than the Bobacts did. Neither of set is really a track pad, and I did overheat both sets at different times. Both sets did make complete recioveries for street use after being cooked; although I wouldn't track either set again after cooking them.

Both the Bobcats and the XP-8s seem to require more driver modulation than the OEM pads. With the Carbotech pads and anything over light braking, my foot is always making adjustments for the pads; wih the OEM pads I needed to make fewer adjustments. I like the XP-8s so far, and I look forward to doing some real driving with them.

 

TTT

I was really pleased with these pads on my WRX and thinking about getting a set for the Evo now. Anyone have any updates?

 

Hmm - after about a year of abuse my XP-8s are holding up very well with absolutely no fade in street conditions and only a minor difference in feel between normal and "too hot" on the track. When the brakes do drift into "too hot" teritory my braking distances increase very slightly and the pedal becomes a small bit less precise. Keep in mind that when I'm talking extreme braking - the car is being worked hard on the track for extended periods of time. The XP-8s are also lasting much better than I expected.

I still need to remove the pads and completely re-goop them after every track day if I don't want the pads to get squeaky; it's something I've just resigned myself to. Oh - my OEM fiber shims are long gone - that's probably the root of my squealing problem.

After driving almost a year on the XP-8s, I can't imagine going back to the Bobcats or a stock pad. I'm even considering XP-9s for my next set of pads - a bit more track oriented.