Hi all,


I currently run the standard Brembos on my Evo 9 GSR and I'm finding although the pedal feel is always consistent, the performance falls off after 3 laps and I have to start braking earlier and earlier. The car is approx 400bhp at the flywheel and is on 255 semi slick tyres (18" wheels).


The brake setup consists of two piece front discs, Carbotech XP10 pads front and rear, Gulf RF1000 fluid, a master cylinder brace, and binary engineering vented caliper brackets fed by 2" silicone tubes attached to the undertray. I'm really happy with the performance of the brakes for approx 3 laps but then the performance of them falls off rapidly and I have to start using earlier braking points to get the car slowed down. The pedal feel is always consistent, i.e. it's not sinking any lower or feeling wooden, the car just doesn't stop with the same force as it did at the start of the stint. If I back off for say half a lap, the brakes are back to feeling good again.


Last year I ran single piece discs, a similar but cheaper 0.6 friction coefficient pad, and a lower boiling point fluid and had exactly the same issues. I eventually ended up with brake judder from pad deposits so moved to two piece discs and added some vents as I figured heat was to blame. Carbotech themselves say the XP10 should be sufficient for what I'm using it for. I've even scuffed up the brake surfaces and re-bedded the pads but still no joy.


I'm at a bit of a crossroads now as switching to two piece rotors and buying a more expensive pad has felt like a waste of money. I keep thinking perhaps I need a better brake pad but the XP10 is extremely popular and I've yet to find anyone else who's had similar issues to me with them. Does anyone know whether a more aggressive pad would help my situation or should I keep the funds towards an AP Racing or Alcon big brake kit?


Many thanks

 

I’m surprised they recommend an XP10. Assuming you have a near stock weight car, even with improved cooling that seems like far from enough pad. XP16 at least. XP10 is a great pad...that’s just not enough.

 

That sounds promising! Yup stock weight car.

Have you used XP16 personally with the standard Brembos? I would also be open to other pad manufacturers if anyone feels they are better value than the XP series.

 

Need more pad.

I highly recommend checking out Raybestos ST47 in front. I had the same issue as you and that pad allowed me to maintain braking power for longer on my heavy *** Evo 10. Ultimately I had to upgrade the front to a Stoptech Trophy BBK.

 

This is key. If the brakes progressively fade as they warm up and then return to proper pedal feel after they cool down, you need higher temperature brake pads. Raybestos ST43 or ST47 or known to be good.

Do you have any photos of your ducting setup? I'm interested in where you're taking the air from.

 

I also like the ST43 or ST47 ideas that were given. These are proven, reliable solutions and would be the direction I would go.

I do not have specific experience with XP16 on stock brembos. I've got experience with the XP16 on a same-weight vehicle on a road course, but with less power.
So, XP16 at minimum, which is why I was so surprised they thought XP10 should be enough. Maybe if your car was 500 kg lighter XP10 would be viable.

 

st43 + a ti shim. castrol srf fluid and u should be good to go

 

I can vouch for ST43 pads, Ti shims, Castrol Fluid, 255 Nt01 with 3150lbs and 450whp. Seemed to work pretty danged well.

 

I've got 95% new st43's kicking around here. If your interested I just went Alcon more so because i couldn't stand the oem lack of cold bite on the street.

 

If OP doesn't want them, I may be interested.

 

Slight thread revival, but thanks all for the input.

I'm currently trying to get some Raybestos ST47 through suppliers in the UK but I'm not having much luck. Where is the best place to order Raybestos pads from in the USA? I may look into purchasing from there and having some shipped over here.

As a potential alternative, Carbotech seem more readily available over here. It looks like the Carbotech XP16 have been replaced by the XP20, then next setp up is the XP24. Does anyone know which Carbotech pad would be the closest equivalent to the ST47?

Thanks again

 

bestbrakes, ordered all my pads from them over the years. A+

 

Carbotech is my favorite pad, when I can afford them Seems the 24 would be a little on the extreme side, though....?

 

I did think that, but it's a lot of money to spend on XP20 if it's still not enough pad.

 

I'd definitely research first. Not fun to end up with the wrong pad.