Who's using Carbotech Pads and which ones?

grillpt · Oct 29, 2009, 06:58 AM

I searched the sticky on brakes... looking for some imput on these pads. Not sure which ones I want. The car is street driven but is not my DD, I do autox the car.
I'm coming from Hawk HPS which aren't bad, just lack initial bite.

Looking at either the Bobcat or Panther Plus.

Thoughts?

**MR Turco** · Oct 29, 2009, 07:16 AM

Carbotech Bobcat Pads

Brakes, Carbotech Bobcat Impressions

grillpt · Oct 29, 2009, 07:33 AM

Thanks Mr Turco... those thread are a little old though and don't have a whole lot of info.

Anyone have any more recent input for me. I'm sure some of you guys must be using them...?

**SmikeEvo** · Oct 29, 2009, 10:10 AM

With the other pads out, these are not as popular. Many use the Axxis ULTs for DD/AX. I ran GranSport GS5s, there are also the more expensive DS2500s.

grillpt · Oct 29, 2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmikeEvo

With the other pads out, these are not as popular. Many use the Axxis ULTs for DD/AX. I ran GranSport GS5s, there are also the more expensive DS2500s.

I was going to buy the DS2500's but have heard from a few different peeps that they're to hard to get heat into, plus there on the expensive side. I have heard good things about the Axxis. I don't know anyone who has used the GS5's.
Thats why I was asking about the Carbotechs... Now I'm thinking about the RacingBrake ET700's.

**SmikeEvo** · Oct 29, 2009, 01:42 PM

I AX'd on the GS5s. Great pad.

Kracka · Oct 29, 2009, 01:44 PM

Carbotech pads are very popular with the S2k guys and I've always been curious about them. I personally have the RacingBrake ET500's and am very happy with them on the street and for autocross. If I were to go more aggressive I'd go with the ET800's since they get great reviews whereas the ET700's do not.

rush63 · Oct 29, 2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grillpt

I was going to buy the DS2500's but have heard from a few different peeps that they're to hard to get heat into, plus there on the expensive side. I have heard good things about the Axxis. I don't know anyone who has used the GS5's.
Thats why I was asking about the Carbotechs... Now I'm thinking about the RacingBrake ET700's.

1. Grabs a lot better than stock pads you wont even want to compare.
2. Excellent initial bite at 40*F mornings.
3. Have yet to hear it squeel after 200+ miles since installed.
4. Way too little dust compared to stock pads.

chu · Oct 30, 2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

Carbotech pads are very popular with the S2k guys and I've always been curious about them. I personally have the RacingBrake ET500's and am very happy with them on the street and for autocross. If I were to go more aggressive I'd go with the ET800's since they get great reviews whereas the ET700's do not.

Kracka, still running shimless? As for the GS5, they are a great set of pads. I have them on my Dad's Acura RL...overkill? I think not.

grillpt · Oct 30, 2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

Carbotech pads are very popular with the S2k guys and I've always been curious about them. I personally have the RacingBrake ET500's and am very happy with them on the street and for autocross. If I were to go more aggressive I'd go with the ET800's since they get great reviews whereas the ET700's do not.

I have a friend who is using the ET800's on his IX and he really likes them. They seem to be very loud though, granted he's not using any shims or grease. I've seen some of the negative feedback your refering too. Just thinking the 800's may be over kill for my app.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rush63

1. Grabs a lot better than stock pads you wont even want to compare.
2. Excellent initial bite at 40*F mornings.
3. Have yet to hear it squeel after 200+ miles since installed.
4. Way too little dust compared to stock pads.

Same thing Chu asked about the shims? So you seem to like the 700's huh? How do you use your car, DD, autox...?

**SmikeEvo** · Oct 30, 2009, 05:42 AM

I always run shim-free.

grillpt · Oct 30, 2009, 07:48 AM

Smike, are the GS5's noisy on the street?

Kracka · Oct 30, 2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chu

Kracka, still running shimless?

I actually ended up installing a set of Girodisc Magic shims on the ET500's when I was chasing down my squealing issues. The problem turned out to be the rotors but I figured the shims were already on so I might as well just leave them there. After the new rotors though my setup is 100% silent no matter how hot they get, and I've really tested them on occasion. Plus, even after the hardcore beating sessions my wheels were practically still clean; these things just don't dust which is great.

These are the best all-around street/autocross brake pad in my opinion. Low cost + no dust + silent no matter what + great stopping power. I would love to try a set of ET700 and ET800's sometime though.

**SmikeEvo** · Oct 30, 2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grillpt

Smike, are the GS5's noisy on the street?

Never a peep - ever.

rawkus · Oct 30, 2009, 01:51 PM

My ET800s are pretty quite, a squeak on occasion, but pretty rare. I don't think they are the end all or be all of brake pads though. I feel like they do not have enough bite and the dust pretty good. My pads see about 90% track time and are only on the streets 2-3 days a month.
Dan