Sorry Guys.. Brake Pad Advice Needed.

Apologies in advance I've just picked up a stage 4 turbo and first job is new brakes all round. I'm going to be replacing the fluid with some nice dot 5.1 stuff and will also be fitting braided lines. I've been convinced standard discs are the way to go, and at just over £25 each, it's hard to argue. Pads on the other hand are proving to be a nightmare to make a decision on. I will be dailying my VX so the use is road / fast-road but I would also like the option of being able to go out on track one afternoon (haven't decided). So far I've been told: Mintex 1144's (£125 on ebay) will squeal, create lots of dust and wear quickly. Mintex 1155's (£145 on ebay) have less dust, wear less, however are less efficient when cold. So far the 1155's are looking most attractive. Then I've seen recommendations for RC5+ and RS14 which come at a premium (I've found them for around £265). I'd rather save the money and go with the 1155's but at the same time if I'm spending all this money on tyres, fuel, insurance I don't want to ruin my experience with inferior pads. Do 1155s really feel as "wooden" as people make out? Is the cold performance of 1155s really as bad a people make out? Are RC5's / RS14's really that much better? I know this has been discussed a lot but I dread making the wrong decision. Thanks Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

I've used 1144 which were ok on road, crap on track. Now RS4-2 which are really good on road and way better on track than the 1144. I think next time I'll run something else but not because the Pagids aren't good. 1155 are on my mates vx and are similar to the RS4-2 on road and track

Edited by pete-r, 08 April 2018 - 06:44 PM.

1144's only squeal if they aren't bed in, and they just take a couple of stops. The dust is friendly and washes off easily. 55's are fine, a shade wooden but not like they don't work when cool as many would have you think. Just a light dab from 30 and you're ready to rock and roll. Braided lines aren't needed.... well, unless your rubber hoses are fcuked, and even then new rubbers would be fine

What are you going for next Pete? So your mates 1155's were alright? Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

No idea on the condition of hoses but know they're rubber and no history of being renewed. Car is on 80k so will be replacing them as a precaution/ complimentary measure. How wooden is a tad wooden? I've never had track pads so don't really understand the term. Kinda means they're off / on and not much feeling between to modulate? Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

What are you going for next Pete? So your mates 1155's were alright? Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Honestly not sure, maybe CL6 or RSL29. I've still got loads of life in the 4-2s.

No idea on the condition of hoses but know they're rubber and no history of being renewed. Car is on 80k so will be replacing them as a precaution/ complimentary measure. How wooden is a tad wooden? I've never had track pads so don't really understand the term. Kinda means they're off / on and not much feeling between to modulate? Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

The hoses will more than likely be fine, but hey, it's your money. It's not on/off, it's more that the first press of the pedal won't slow you as well as the second. Not that it will make you overshoot a junction or anything like that, it's just not as warm and fuzzy feeling as a pad that just grips from stone cold like an oem or 1144 one will

I've never had track pads so don't really understand the term. Kinda means they're off / on and not much feeling between to modulate? Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

 

Changing the hoses makes sense.

 

If you've never used track pads, or been on track, the difference in pads may not make sense.  I brake with as much force as I can generate two to four times a minute.  I would never brake so hard on the road and no where near as frequently.  'Modulation' is a relative term.

 

1144s are my perfect road pad.  Reasonably priced, good feel, great stopping power and no corrosive dust.  They do not survive two laps on circuit.  The heat generated overwhelms them.

 

I've used all flavours, but am currently a convert to CL (8 I think).  They go on the car for the track and come off afterwards.  I'm not aware of any pad that will survive track use and still stop you first thing in the morning 100 yds from home.  4-2s are a good road pad at the Pagid price point.  29s are an endurance racing pad (and exceptional for that purpose).

 

You can't compare pads that suit the N/A as they don't receive the same abuse.

I found the Pagid RS42s no better than 1144s, waste of money, RS14s are better. And I've never found the track pads bad on the road, just braking when rolling off the driveway seems to switch them on for me.

1155s are fine on the road, never had any problem with 1st cold braking.

 

they last about 5-7 laps on track before they start to fade and around 2-4 trackdays before they need replacing....   i dont think im particularly aggressive on the brakes

 

 

they do rattle around in the front calipers

 

Gulf RF800 or RF1000 is a very good brake fluid to use. Its still Dot4 but its got one of the highest boiling points of all apart from Castrol SRF but thats £40 odd per 500ml.

Like Chris says: don't go blind on dot  4 versus 5 on the lable.

The minimum ERBP difference is only 10 degrees, and most good quality brake fluid is way above that minimum for both 4 and 5.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_4

 

Read up on what you buy. Some popular samples:

 

The castrol SRF is in a wet ERBP league of it's own, but it's degradable over time. (ie only use in racecars)
 

Edited by smiley, 09 April 2018 - 12:03 PM.

Did you know SRF is what f1 cars use.. That probably why its degradable, excellent performance bin it after the weekend

I remember you and Cliffie bringing the last few drops in the last bottle on the Timeattack Masters on Zandvoort looking to it that we did not spil a drop when putting it in

Iirc srf also eats rubber as well as its short life span

I use Mintex 1155's, they're really good on the road and good for the track. They lack the ultimate stopping power of some Pagids on the track but its a good compromise as Pagid prices have gone crazy.

 

The dust can be dealt with easily by sealing the wheels with a detailing sealant, it will just jet wash off. Takes about 30 mins per wheel to apply but lasts a few years. The cold performance isnt really an issue either, yes its less then when their warm but its still more power than most cars when cold. I use my car all year round and never have any issues.

Ordered a set of 1155's for 135 with some of the anti-rattle pads thrown in! Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

1144 don't squeal well I have 2 sets with no issues on the road or the odd track day, just follow the bedding in procedure

 

Changed to 1155 as the price was about the same and have no complaints even from cold

I use ferodo ds2500 in front and ds1.11 in rear, great balans without abs, does not block the front and only light squeaking with poor braking. ds1.11 is beter in cold and hot then ds2500.

Pfc11+8 can also be had for cheap at around 250gbp. Need to be heated up properly but once done they will pop your ears on hard breaking. Lots of squeal though as it's heavy on metallic compound.