Brake pads Carbotech or DIXCEL
When I was really into AX the best combo I found (and what I still run for the last 6 years) is Carbotech 1521 front Carbotech AX6 back
Carbotech xp10 + steel rotors. Sooooooo damn good. They’re track only pads and will squeal very loud if they’re cold, I recommend getting them prebedded if you can’t bed them on a track.
I recommend Carbotech brake pads. Expensive af but last twice as long and are better than just about any other pads out there.
Stock calipers with Dixcel SD slotted rotors and Dixcel ES pads.
Dixcel ES pads are a “fast street” pad with low noise and dust that out perform oem pads and can be used for light track application also with effective heat range of 0-600 degrees Celsius. I think they’re the best “bang for buck” pad you can get.
Carbotech is the way :) Seriously though, I have XP-12 front and XP-8 rear on my Elise and had XP-12 on my Focus ST and they are great. Tried the Hawks on one car, and hated them. Downside of the carbotech is the insane squealing on the street.
Second the recommendation for the Carbotech 1521 compound, good choice for the street.
I've had very good results using Carbotech pads. Their street pad compount 1521 is comparable to OEM but without the brake dust and their various XP track pads have been very consistent and predictable.
I have the 1521’s, and will add another data point - less initial bite, great modulation. No dust, No noise. Overall I’m happy with them, but will continue to experiment - next round of braking components - floating/2 piece rotors and new calipers.
had a track day over the weekend and saw that a hard, black substance that seems a little rubbery had formed on the brakes. The brake pads are Dixcel ES brake pads. I had not bedded them in and instead street drove with it for a couple months as the website suggested. Brake grease was placed on the pad surface contacting caliper. The track has lots of left turns and I braked from 170+ kmh to 80kmh on the first corner. I'm pretty new so i may have braked deep as I was turning. The substance formed heavily on right front wheel, less on left front and none on rear. Brakes were smoking lightly when i came into the pits. Braking feel didn't change throughout the day as I continued lapping. Car still tracked straight. I tried not to brake too hard and didn't observe any other substance buildup.
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