I recently uses a set of the xp8 front pads at button willow. Its the first time i evered used race pads and i have to say the are great. I put them on a day before the track day with new brembo solid face rotors. They are actually pretty good when they are cold but of course are a lot better when warmed up. I had to do a hard stop on hwy 5, the pads were cold and when given pressure the pads do stop quite well. So well that the big righ behind me almost ran me over. After about half a day of track use and four days of street use i used about 1/8th of the pad. The thing i dont like about the pad is that the pad hangs over the edge of the brake rotor. I thing a few people mention this already. The back plate of the brake pad is a little smaller than the stock pad so the pad moves around in the caliper. There are holes in the back plate, these holes are right where the caliper pistons are so the pistons dont have full contact with the brake pad. While driving on the freeway the pads would squeak, but once you tap on the brakes it goes away. The dust is thick but pretty easy to clean off, not as bad as the hp+. The pads do not squeal that much at all, my hp+ made more squealing noises. Overall i like these pads, i originally wanted to try the lapping pads but my internet was down and i didnt have ntechs number. On a side note the xp8 cold were better than the axxis ultimate pads that i run on the streets. The pads and new front rotors were well worth the $250.

 

Thanks! Nice review, and just in time as I'll be needing new pads very soon. Where did you get the pads from?

 

Thoseare good pads, the XP9, XP10, and XP11 are more and moer serious race pads. I use the 9s on my Supra Daily Driver, and the 10s on my TII race car. Buy direct from Carbotech, ask for a 10% discount (because you belong to NASA, SCCA, etc, and you will usually get it). They rivet alot of their pads which some do not like, but it has not caused me a problem. As far as backing plates, they generally use stock plates, so that is a new issue. Carl

 

The rivets are fine but it just looks weird to me since i have never had a set of pads that had rivets. The xp8 was perfect for my needs since i had to drive with them to and from the track. Next time i think i'll just swap the pads at the track. At $150 a set its not worth driving with them to and from the track. And next time i'll run some racing pads in the back also. the car feels funny when i'm hard on the brakes.