Track brake pads,Carbotech XP10
 

I picked up a set of Carbotech XP10 for my Z (used them on my 350, C6, RX-8 before) four days before my track days. Installation was a snap as the 4 piston calipers made changing pads an easy job. It took me a total of 60 minutes to do all four.

Here is a picture of what the pads look like compare to the stock ones with 4000 street miles and 120 autox runs. (Pretty much dead even)

http://a.imageshack.us/img251/1452/imag0044p.jpg
Shot at 2010-08-31

Here is what it looks like after 3 track days with about 160 track miles and 1200 street miles

http://a.imageshack.us/img715/7073/imag0056p.jpg
Shot at 2010-08-31

As you can see, the pads are probably good for another 3-4 track days. On a high HP like the Z, this really isn't that bad. The wear rate on this car is roughly the same as my RX-8, slightly better than the C6. I do recall the 350z using more rear brakes than fronts, so I have to check the backs to make sure it is not wearing a lot faster.

I don't recommend this for the street as they make a lot of dust. Here is what my wheels look like after two track days.

http://a.imageshack.us/img37/2200/imag0049b.jpg
Shot at 2010-08-31

These pads stop in the wet and in the cold, I just don't recommend it because of the heavy dust and what I get in the video below.

YouTube - Carbotech XP10 brakes

As far as performance, these pads are excellent as I had no hint of fade even after 4 hotlaps. The only thing you have to watch for is that these pads are super aggressive, your ABS might flip out if you use it on bumpy area. If you don't have race rubber, I actually recommend the XP8 so it doesn't bite this hard. I had a lot of problems at Pocono due to the ABS flipping out, it got a lot better at tracks that are flat and smooth. Also do prepare to give up your first session to bed these pads in. I tried to bed them on the street, but that just wasn't going to happen.

I was shocked when I pulled my wheels off to check last weekend and had so much pad left. I have 4 track days on mine and lots of street driving... they do really hold up well.

These Carbotechs are no joke. The Puskar's over at Carbotech really make an exceptional product.

We use these pads on our 370z and G35 shop cars and I have personally have them on my 300zx that has been retrofitted with the Akebono brakes from the sport models 370z's.

They do create a lot of dust and will squal when cold. But these pads will pin you against the seat belts every time without failure!

Going to try them out with the AP Racing calipers and see how they do. Mike Jr was very helpful locating the correct size and profiles and was willing to get some product made up on a short schedule as they were out of stock. They are a small company but becoming increasingly popular every day. Everyone that I've talked to that uses the pads swears by them.

I've been nothing but impressed with the Carbotechs. The first time I put them on the car and left them on for 3 months. I finally took them off due to the noise (I just washed the rims weekly to cope with the dust). I replaced them for a track day about a month ago and used a lot more high-temp brake grease when I reinstalled them. The first time around I was using the little Permatex packets. The second time I bought a huge container of the Permatex from Amazon which included a paint brush to slop it on with. With the significantly higher amount of grease, my pads are still nearly silent when I stop. So....be generous with your brake grease.

Next for me is the Bobcats as a DD and autoX pad.

Next weekend I will bolt the stock pads and datalogger on, I will see how much less G's I pull with the stock pads.

As I said, I wouldn't go past the 8s unless you have R comps. The 10s COULD be too aggressive for the ABS, I get ice mode in bumpy corners

10's are pretty aggressive bite wise. I need them on the track for their heat tolerance...8's just would not hold. I can lock the tires up with the stock brake pads so 10's take quick a delicate touch on street tires.