For the impatient: Squeeky and dusty, but never had brake fade. Power: I could get ABS to kick in over 90mph. Need to say anymore? FTW Longevity: I put 12k miles, 3 track days and 2 mountain runs on these pads. They still had some life left but 1 of the 4 pads was down to the wear indicators. The others were close. Probably could have gone another 3-4k street miles, but not enough pad for any more track days. Feel: Decent feel and control, but with ABS it wasn't too critical. The stock lines are a bigger problem than anything the pads may have done. The brakes would get hot enough that the pedal would come down *much* further heel/towing and cause me to use too much rev's. Noise: They would squeek loud as hell if you want them too. I could always vary the pedal pressure to start or stop the squeeking. I like squeeking them when people have their windows down to watch them cringe tho... :keke: Dust: Lots, but prepping the wheels when they are clean can make them easy to keep clean. BTW, I'm using the XP-8's now.
I got the wheels *completely* clean, then wiped them down lightly with syn motor oil. The brake dust washed off sooo much easier afterwards. Just don't get any near the tire. I've heard polishing helps, but I don't think it would last as long. XP-8's are so supposed to have slightly less friction, initial bite and max temp. Still way more than any Hawk pad though. I'm not sure the 9's were bedded in perfectly though since the 8's seem to have more initial bite.
"Hold your a$$ in there" is the official name given to the seat mod. :rofl: nice writeup on the XP-9's as well Brian
In case you didn't see the update in the other thread... My STi+big turbo+this Tues+TopSpeed= +++ whp
trust me.... I'm watching that thread.... I'd love to come hang out and watch this tune, I'll be out of town all week though :wtc:
Good review but you forgot one important issue. Your rotors are probably is great shape... yes? The trade-off with carbotech XPs is extra dusting but very rotor freindly.
Yup, my rotors are still looking good after 1) stock pads 2) turning then XP-9's 3) turning then XP-8's
Are you turning because of 'untrue' rotors or to give the pad a clean rotor? I ran through stock, bobcat, XP9s and XP10s on the stockers and never had to turn them...and these rotors have plenty of life cause Carbotech makes uber rotor freindly pads
you can also use rainX - it's fine enough to get into the pores of glass and i've seen it work quite well on wheels, too.