Rear brake pads for the track
 

Just curious what people are using for rear pads at the track. I am running Carbotech Panther XPs up front(they don't make rears), and I like them very much. I started with stock pads,unfortunately, I don't know how much pad was on them when I started. They seemed to work fine, but life was relatively short.
EBC reds worked well, lasted two weekends at 125.00 a set.
I just put on Hawk HP Plus rear pads since I had a set laying around. They must have a higher cf, becuase now I'm locking up the rears under heavy breaking.
I do not yet have adjustable bias control.
What I'm looking for is something with friction characteristics like the EBCs, butt hat will last more than two hours. Thanks in advance for any advise, Carl Byck:D

It depends on what series your running at the track. FOr example. here in CA, NASA Pro7 racing requires you to get your brake pads from a specific manufacturer.

I am not limited with regard to pads. I will eventually be running NASA Super Unlimited here in Nor Cal.

I use Hawk Blues all the way around. Have been very impressed with performance and wear. Something like 6 weekends on the fronts and even more on the rear. Plumb the bias controller. You'll like it!

Chris

I run Panthers Plus (as you know, a step down from XP) all around, but I have bias control on mine. I have to turn in about 3 clicks of bias adjustment to limit the rears, otherwise I start getting very loose under braking. Might be time for the bias controller.

If you do get the bias controller, see Chris Wire, he can order the right adapters to use so you can plumb the lines 10x1.0mm all the way around, I had to go 10x1.0 to 3/16SAE fittings, then 3/16 to 10x1.0.

PaulC

Thanks Paul, I'll check it out. Maybe I'll try the other panthers on the back, what do those run?

Panther XPs in the front and Axxis Ultimates in the rear. I've found it provides a pretty good balance.
-Matt
www.bfimotorsports.com

hawk blues in the front .... hawk blacks in the rear.

your not supposed (ok, not RECOMMENDED) to run hawk blues in the REAR unless you have a brake bias valve, because the rear tends to lock up. so by using blacks... your creating bias by using less grippy pads.

oops im sorry c.ludwig. you said you DO have the bias controller. heh i guess i should read, not skim.

you could try something like hawk blue in front and porterfield r4 in back. the hawks have quite a bit more initial bite but both have roughly the same temp range.....that may help your rear lockup problem

regards
fabian

Paul,

what brake bias setup do u have? dual masters? or some kinda proportioning valve?

Wilwood Polymatrix B on the front Wilwood Superlite 6 calipers, and Hawk Blue on rear stock calipers with Wilwood reverse mount pedal assembly and balance bar porportioning. rears pads have benn run for about 10-12 events and need to be replaced and fronts are still in great shape after 6-8 events including one 3 hour enduro. the Wilwood pads are great and are very reasonably priced. they may start offering them for OEM applications also. other wise I would use the Hawk blues for any race car.

I run a pressure limiting proportioning valve from Wilwood.. I plumbed it inline with the hardline running to the rear brakes, required some interesting line bending, but I got it in there. You can find it at Summit or most hi-po shops..

PaulC

I used this at first and installed it near the master cylinder to make lines easier to install, but you had to wait till the end of the session to adjust it. once it was set I didn't have to mess with it though.

Paul,
are you guys going to be at Willow Springs this weekend? I need some good action shots of the ASC car for our sponsor package. thanks

Hey Tim,

No, we'll be at SPIR for NASA Norcal's event.. The two main SoCal tracks (Buttonwillow and Willow Springs) have made it almost impossible for us to do business at their tracks without taking a loss to do it ($150-300 fee to sell onsite).. NASA LA was helping us greatly by defraying some of the costs, but we just weren't making enough to justify asking them to continue to do that for us. I know NASA LA has a photo guy that does good work and sells exclusively from his website, but I can't remember what his URL is :\

Re: prop valve, mine's cockpit adjustable, but I'm kinda wondering if I should have just left it in the engine bay, I haven't touched it since I found the right setting for it. Would have made it a lot simpler to install if I did that :)

PaulC

I'd say do the prop valve within reach not under the hood. While I don't play with mine much it has come in handy several times. You guys out west probably don't know what rain is.;) But we get some on the mainland and you need handy access to that prop valve when it gets slick.

For ease of installation I had SMC make some braided line for me. Cost was about $100 and braided line of that length (MC to rear T) isn't the "proper" way to do it. But it was easy, idiot proof (didn't have to bend or flare anything) and it's worked great.

BTW, Tims or one of the guys on his site turned me on to SMC and he was awesome to deal with! Got his email addy handy? I lost it and have tried to refer several people to him but never know how to get a hold of him.

Chris

Chris,

I have also lost track of Steve from SMC. he moved to San Clemente or something and I lost all contact info right about the time I gave it to you. I have since started using all AN type fittings and flares and using military surplus parts as well as pre made flexible line available from the stock car supply shops. it has been easier to stock replacement parts as I have eliminated all the metric hydraulic fittings.

Paul,

It is too bad the tracks are squeezing you guys. The in house track photos are average at best and the guy NASA uses is still learning I believe(still needs to work to get the car centered in the shot). nothing beats experience and all the great shots we have of our cars have been from you guys. maybe we'll make some of the northern cal ASC races and we'll run into you there. How about California Speedway or Las Vegas?

Tim

Regarding Photos at WillowSprings - I could be induced to spend some time out there on saturday I think - I have not been doing much race photography lately but want to start again - The only samples I have on line right now are some on the SpeedVentures site, I used to have some here in the gallery before it went down But :(.

PM if you want to arainge something and/or want me to send some more samples

Tim,

We're probably going to miss most of the LVMS stuff, they all fall on weekends that we have stuff committed to up here, but we will make March 7-9 at Fontana..

Thx for the vote of confidence :)

Max, nice pic!

PaulC

Max,

Sorry I didn't get your reply until monday. we left for the track friday morning early. It would be great if we could work something out for future events. we have always lacked someone to take photos at the track. we tend to have plenty of paddock and starting grid shots but none of use have the equipment or talent for action shots. keep in touch and maybe we can do something in the future.

Paul,

good to hear you guys are coming to Fontana. look forward to having you guys around again.