cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

I currently am testing their Bobcat/1521 pads on my FD. Noticed that these pads do not contact/sweep the most inner 1/4" of the rotor like stock or Hawk pads do.

Does Carbotech Panther Plus/1106 also do this, and how well do these pads compare to Hawk HP+?

The Bobcats work about like Hawk HPS, in other worlds not good for fast driving.
Even in slow traffic with hot rotors, they are not as good as Hawk HP+.

And how do the XP8s work on the street?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

To my knowledge, the XP8's aren't a street friendly pad.

Alpine

That's odd, Carbotech Bobcat is one of the favorite pad among Subaru autoxers. I've used them in my wrx and liked them very much, I only stopped using them because of the somewhat higher price.

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

There a many factors that affect how a same pad perform between different cars.
weight vs rotor swept surface area, # of pistons, piston pressures. etc. Even Carbotech states that while one pad might work great for a car weighing less than 3000lbs, it might not be good for a heavier car.

You only can compare beyween same cars.

Alpine

The subaru wrx is about 300lb heavier than FD. What kind of problems were you having with the pads? I'm thinking about using the bobcats in the FD.

Randy

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

Stopping power cold or hot sucks compared to Hawk HP+. They also cost about
$60 more.

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

I called them about this, they said this is due to the block size they cut the pads out off. In other words, they charge you more even though the pads are not a perfect 100 size replacement. Even the metal backing looked like it was made of used scrap metal that had been rusted. What a buch of jerks+ they are.
Never will use their crap again.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

That's interesting. Did they say that was just an issue with their Bobcat line or all their pad lines?

BMS2004

ok so this is on a FB but whatever. We're running panther plus XP's. anyways we haven't pushed the car hard from breaking it in and such. Initial observations: They seem to be alot dustier than the hawk blues we ran last year.

Alpine

how hot is hot? Repeated 60mph to 10 stops? Canyon road runs? or?

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

Let's say periodically from about 140 down to 50 with some cool down time in between. As when tuning AFRs in 4th gear.

macdaddy

The Bobcat is really a performance street/autocross pad - I wouldn't recommend it for track events except for a novice. An intermediate or advanced driver would be better off with full-on track pads like the Panther XP9's for the track (and change back to street pads for the drive to and from the track). I've used Carbotech products for Spec Miata racing for 3 seasons, as well as for my FD (street and track), and been very pleased with their service and product. cewrx7r1 - talk to Matt or Larry at Carbotech if you're unhappy before you flame them - I suspect they'll do right by you, and you may learn something.

rx7tt95

One word...Porterfield. The carbon/kevlar street and track pads are bad *** and I've yet to find anything as good that's not complete murder on the wheels (Hawk), that don't squeal like a pig (Hawk) and have excellent initial bite and modulation. I have N-Tech pads in now which have very good modulation, but not much initial bite and a lower coefficient of friction overall.
Michel

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

I talked to Larry, but I am currently going back to HAWK HP+. Maybe in the furture I will try their Panther Plusses.

cewrx7r1

iTrader: (2)

Hopefully Porterfield has improved over the years. When I tried their best street
high performance pads about 8 years ago, that many were talking about:
they also sucked!

The best street pads I ever had were the original formular EBC greens. Then they changed their formula about 1999/2000. Then they sucked. Kyle has also said the same about the changing of the GREENS!

rx7tt95

They must have changed them because they're simply awesome. I've been using them on various cars since around 1998. They do dust and produce mild levels of noise but the dust is easy to clean and it's much kinder to wheels. The HP+ pads I used with the N-Tech AP5200 big brake kit initially were horrible, noisy, and the dust FUSED to the wheels with a little bit of moisture. The Porterfield R4S was worlds better. About the only other pad I would consider using would be something from Performance Friction. They are on the pricey side however. Hawks tend to chew up rotors very quickly too. A set of Hawk Blues did my first set of big brake rotors in. Lots of people swear by the Porterfields now both for on-track and off.
Michel