How bad do XP8 dust?
 

I am looking at changing pads for street use. The factory pads are not cutting it. How bad do the XP8's dust?

I lost my brakes 25 years ago due to cheap pads that overheated. That is the day I started doing my own brake work. Never again. Yes, I have a fear of it. I had nothing.

Probably best just to paint your rims black.

My wheels are perpetually dingy with XP10 in front and XP8 in rear.

I have XP10s and they dust bad, I assume XP8s would be less but they will still dust and even squeak some still. Very good brakes will dust, its just something you'll have to deal with.

Squeaky brakes are not a worry. I may just go to with the 5120's and see how they do. The stock pads gotta go.

Agreed, the Carbotech 1521s front and rear will do fine on your Z.


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Just get the Bobcats for street use. Great pad and not as much dust as xp.

Dusty and may squeak a bit when they are cold. Need some heat in them to work properly.

You don't really need/want XP8's for street use only imo. There's plenty of other options that will get the job done. How much are you looking to spend?

Check out EBC's YellowStuff pads. I've tracked with them for 2 years and DD them. They'll dust when used hard. But for DD, very little.

I'll pay for a good pad.

It's not so much about price as it is about application. There are alot of different types of brae pads, hundreds.

In my mind there are these different categories:

OEM/Oem replacement-Street Similar to OEM(terrible) and similaryly priced.

OEM/Performance replacement. Much better than OEM and not much more price wise-low end hawk comes to mind, EBC, powerstop, sure there are dozens. basically OEM Performance upgrades. Will provide big advantages over OEM but usually at the cost of more dust. very little price jump ~40.00. As Rusty mentioned EBC are a good candidate and have a good reputation in this category.

Premium OEM replacement/light track. Getting into light metal/ceramic blended pads. Big price jump. Sutitable for track days, huge performance gain, but at a price. EBC upgrades, hawk upgrades, Endless, Stoptech 104/105,etc.

hybrid daily/track/high performance but not true racing pads. Very expensive, long life, lots of track days, for track/street cars. Carbotech XP's, Endless MX72+, MU club racers, Performance Friction etc.


True race pads. metallic, expensive, tears up rotors, stops fast, squeal and dust. use them a few times and replace. There is a big jump in price/performance/longevity when you go here. Not for 99.999% of population.



Pick what category you will use them for most and then buy in that category. There are plenty of good brands. I only listed the ones I know. I personally will swear by Endless MX-72's in their category, but are a bit much for someone not tracking frequently.

Well let's get specific...

What is it about the OEM pads which you are not satisfied.

• Heat Resistance
• Dust
• Noise
• Friction compound

If all you want is more friction... XP8 are not the way to go. Their minimum operating temperature is far above ambient.

This means: You will not have optimal braking under 75% of your brake pedal usage. The pads will generally be below the operating temperature, and therefore not have the correct braking properties for which they were designed.

Get them heated up on a twisty road, they will work great. At start of taking the car out, if you need a panic stop....they will chatter and not grip. You just have to make a mental note of that, drive accordingly, and you will be fine. My B6 S4 was a fat pig of a car, so just a few stop and they got enough heat in them. It what was shipped in my Alcon brake kit front and rear.

I am going to use the Carbotech Bobcats (5120). Made my decision. I will give them a try. Not worried about cold brakes. Use to it. Drove my 1975 280zt for 3 years/80,000 miles with a set of Arizona Z car brakes, 13" up front with 12" back. You just have to keep heat in the pads. Cold rainy days it could be a challenge.