Opinions needed - swapping between street and track pads on the same rotors?

[Nate047]

Hey guys, looking to hear some opinions on the subject of using different brake pad compounds on one set of rotors. Aka driving to the track on street pads, swapping them out for track pads, bedding the pads, and swapping back at the end of the day. Potential drawbacks and complications of doing this? I used to do this on one of my Honda track cars, I had street and race compounds from the same manufacturer. I've also heard plenty of people say no don't do it though. Specifically, don't mix pad manufacturers. I'm just wondering what the consensus is from experiences, good and bad.

Related, is there a magic bullet pad we like that works for true dual duty? Like a middle ground between stopping power and extreme amounts of dust.

[Estoril]

The only "middle ground" that I have experience with is the OE pad. You'll still generate dust - but that's what car washes are for. They have their limits - but all compromises do.

I would just bed properly any time you change compounds - or when you swap rotors. Changing rotors paired with pads seems..... unnecessary.

[repoman89]

I switch between my Textar street pads and DS1.11 track pads on the same ZCP rotors without issue. I put the track pads on at home before the event and all is well by the time I get there. I always take it pretty easy the first session though (usually learning or relearning the track), ymmv I guess if you don’t. I also don’t bother swapping back to street pads until I get home .. the ds1.11 compound at least gets me back home just fine (with some serious squealing)

[enjoy_m3]

What's up Nate. I run Raybestos ST45 pads and switch to Akebono low dust pad. No issues with my slotted only rotors. I just spray the rotor down with brake cleaner as well as the brake pad before installed to get rid of dust and debri. Maybe scotch brite scrub to help bed in a little better. I've ran DS2500 before for dual purpose and it was quiet with high temp brake grease. But it can get pretty dusty. When I switched to ST45, it was so loud in the street I got the akebonos and switched out. Lol. Running Endless RF650 helped with brake fade at the track. Might be worth considering if you want to run 1 set of pads that are less aggressive than a track pad.

[Nate047]

Yea those sound pretty much like what I used to do on my other cars. I did actually just run PFC 08 pads on one of my cars and never changed them, TBH they performed awesome on track, and fine around town, they are just noisy and dusty. If I were concerned about preserving the car perfectly I wouldn't be tracking it to begin with, but I also don't want to just nuke my wheel finish either.

[Estoril]

Yea those sound pretty much like what I used to do on my other cars. I did actually just run PFC 08 pads on one of my cars and never changed them, TBH they performed awesome on track, and fine around town, they are just noisy and dusty. If I were concerned about preserving the car perfectly I wouldn't be tracking it to begin with, but I also don't want to just nuke my wheel finish either.

Use a product called "RejeX" on your (cleaned) wheels. It works.

https://www.amazon.com/RejeX-High-Gloss-Polymer-Wax/dp/B0006V0LNY

[lvm3sm46]

Or https://www.amazon.com/Collinite-845...0153256&sr=8-5

and you can use it on the whole car too

[eacmen]

Only issue I had is once I was stuck at the track and had to make a run to autozone for rear pads. All they had were akebono ceramic pads in stock. The compounds didnt agree or i overcooked them and the rear rotors glazed over.

I have never had an issue switching between semi metallic track and street pads. Use first session to acclimate to the track then do a couple heavy braking laps to bed in then do a cool down lap with minimal braking and pit in


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[enjoy_m3]

I use sonax beast wheel cleaner and it works great with my track pads. No scrubbing, just hose it down and you're good to go.

[Obioban]

There is no pad that works well for both.

So long as you drive home on your track pads after the event, switching between pads on the same rotor should be no issue. Cold track pads are abrasive enough that they remove the transfer layer, taking to rotor down to bare metal. Put the street pads back on, bed them, back to street mode.

Similarly driving to the track on track pads removes the street pad transfer layer, prepping the rotor for track use.

I only see an issue with going back and forth on the same rotors if you go to/from track pads at the track.

[r4dr]

There is no pad that works well for both.

So long as you drive home on your track pads after the event, switching between pads on the same rotor should be no issue. Cold track pads are abrasive enough that they remove the transfer layer, taking to rotor down to bare metal. Put the street pads back on, bed them, back to street mode.

Similarly driving to the track on track pads removes the street pad transfer layer, prepping the rotor for track use.

I only see an issue with going back and forth on the same rotors if you go to/from track pads at the track.

Took the words right out of my mouth (keyboard?).

I would run a more aggressive track pad to hasten the process. I like more bite on the track anyway, but that's a personal preference.

[bigjae46]

I used to go between the Stoptech Performance pads and PFCs and Stoptech Race pads. Never had a bedding issues.

Pagid Yellow seemed to be pretty sensitive to bedding.

The reason why you don’t want a high temp pad geared for track use for the street is the dust will ruin your wheels. The dust is hot iron from the rotors that gets embedded in the wheel finish. Then it will rust and look terrible.

That’s why I went with Stoptech ST40s - pad changes are super quick. Less than 10 min an axle with a good pad spreader.

[Nate047]

Thanks for the info guys. I feel like it may be prudent to grab a second set as spares anyway. Probably going to do a PFC 08 or 11 for track and just use these Textar street pads. Or see what I can get on FCP that fits the D1001 front pad size (TT RS, Volvo S60R) and is also available for 996 rear.

[L0okitzRaj]

I used to go between the Stoptech Performance pads and PFCs and Stoptech Race pads. Never had a bedding issues.

Pagid Yellow seemed to be pretty sensitive to bedding.

The reason why you don’t want a high temp pad geared for track use for the street is the dust will ruin your wheels. The dust is hot iron from the rotors that gets embedded in the wheel finish. Then it will rust and look terrible.

That’s why I went with Stoptech ST40s - pad changes are super quick. Less than 10 min an axle with a good pad spreader.

Good to know! I also assume they eat the rotors faster than street pads?

[01SG]

Though it appears not to make much difference anyway, a post in this thread says there is no trouble switching between PFC Z-rated and their track pads on the same rotors. I thought it seemed like a good idea. I have been using the Z-rated for the street and plan to pick up the track pads to swap in for my next event.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1740411-Performance-Friction-Z-Rated-feedback-on-track-use