Pads for light track use on 987.2 Boxster

[D.J.]

On the track, with high air temperature (30c), I got the dash warning about pads service, even though they were freshly installed in the Spring. I have upgraded oil and braided lines.

 

So now I'm looking for upgraded pads that would work on track but not squeal too much. Are Spyder/Cayman R pads any better than stock Boxster/Cayman? I've looked into Pagid but I'm worried they'll squeal too much.

 

Thanks!

 

[Mavrik]

1 minute ago, D.J. said:

On the track, with high air temperature (30c), I got the dash warning about pads service, even though they were freshly installed in the Spring. I have upgraded oil and braided lines.

 

So now I'm looking for upgraded pads that would work on track but not squeal too much. Are Spyder/Cayman R pads any better than stock Boxster/Cayman? I've looked into Pagid but I'm worried they'll squeal too much.

 

Thanks!

 

I use Ferodo DS2500 compound pads front & rear on my CS... Zero squeal on road or track... Excellent crossover pad imo & I also run them on my 350z GT HR.

 

Were you getting fade?

 

I also only use top spec Castrol SRF React fluid (best there is!!) but I'm also running a GT3 master cylinder...

[D.J.]

I ran Ferodo DS2500 on my GT86 and they worked great. So they're good here as well?

 

No fade. I also have that brake fluid and GT3 master cylinder.

Edited July 11, 2022 by D.J.

[Mavrik]

Just now, D.J. said:

I ran Ferodo DS2500 on my GT86 and they worked great. So they're good here as well?

 

I also have that brake fluid and GT3 master cylinder.

Yep! I went DS2500 as I heard the Pagid squealed!

 

I'm also running Kinetix grooved and dimpled discs up front so not sure if the standard discs would squeal?

[wtaite01]

2 hours ago, D.J. said:

On the track, with high air temperature (30c), I got the dash warning about pads service, even though they were freshly installed in the Spring. I have upgraded oil and braided lines.

 

So now I'm looking for upgraded pads that would work on track but not squeal too much. Are Spyder/Cayman R pads any better than stock Boxster/Cayman? I've looked into Pagid but I'm worried they'll squeal too much.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Hi D.J.

 

I believe the R/Spyder pads are an improvement over the Base/S pads for very little extra outlay, someone on here might be able to tell you more.

 

I run EBC Bluestuff which I have been pleased with on track and are similar money to the Ferrodos. They are R90 compliant where the Ferrodos are not if that's important to you. Brembo also do an R90 HP2000 pad which I have not tried and seem tricky to get hold of.

 

Hope you find something that works!

[D.J.]

Thanks to both, I'll try either Ferodos or R/Spyder pads and see how it goes.

[Lennym1984]

In my experience, DS2500 are only really suitable for light track duty. On a fast circuit with big braking zones, they'll overheat and melt.

 

At the other end of the spectrum, you have things like Performance Friction pads. The stopping power and temperature resistance is unbelievable but they are incredibly dusty, hard on discs, and will destroy wheels if you don't clean them regularly (as in, everytime you drive it).

 

For me, a good compromise is the EBC Bluestuff. They are a decent enough pad, not too dusty, and reasonably capable with the heat. 

[Windymiller]

I ran brembo hp2000 sport pads with sebro slotted discs on track (+ GT3 MBC, GT3 brake cooling ducts, braided hoses & RBF600 fluid) and never ran out of brakes at Donny, Silverstone, Anglesey, Bedford, Oulton, Brands. 
 

The HP2000 were also good on road - no squeal, minimal dust and good enough bite from cold. 
 

But Im not a heavy / hard braker (I’m also not the quickest on track… 🤪) 👍🏻

[Windymiller]

To be fair, if you really only intend to maybe do 1-2 track days at a moderate pace you’ll be fine with the OE fit discs (or sebro or pagid equivalents) and the OE fit textar pads. 
 

The best upgrade in that instance would be a high temp fluid (like RBF600/660, which is cheaper than Castro SRF but a great fluid nonetheless). 
 

To prolong rear pad and disc life in track you can switch ‘off’ PSM, but I’d only suggest this if your comfortable and confident with the cars handling characteristics and your own ability on track. 
 

Perhaps your best ‘braking upgrade’ would be some track driving tuition - smoother is better (faster), rather than hoon it down every straight and stomp on the brakes for every corner 😉👍🏻

[wtaite01]

15 hours ago, Windymiller said:

To be fair, if you really only intend to maybe do 1-2 track days at a moderate pace you’ll be fine with the OE fit discs (or sebro or pagid equivalents) and the OE fit textar pads. 
 

The best upgrade in that instance would be a high temp fluid (like RBF600/660, which is cheaper than Castro SRF but a great fluid nonetheless). 
 

To prolong rear pad and disc life in track you can switch ‘off’ PSM, but I’d only suggest this if your comfortable and confident with the cars handling characteristics and your own ability on track. 
 

Perhaps your best ‘braking upgrade’ would be some track driving tuition - smoother is better (faster), rather than hoon it down every straight and stomp on the brakes for every corner 😉👍🏻

Agree with Windy, definitely do the fluid first and Motul is a good cost effective option. I did my first day completely stock, then did fluid, then on my third track day (at Anglesey) the pads started making a very strange and unnerving sound. See the video below at the 2:00 mark for an example. So I replaced them with EBCs for the next one.

 

 

[D.J.]

I went to my specialist and it was actually just burned sensor cables. 😃 More than enough wear left on the pads.

[wtaite01]

2 hours ago, D.J. said:

I went to my specialist and it was actually just burned sensor cables. 😃 More than enough wear left on the pads.

Ah, yes, should have mentioned that, remove your sensors before going on track if you can, they will all melt!

 

Learned that the hard way...

[extanker]

po part #SKU987RF is an option up from standard, around 200.00 dollars from dealers 

[extanker]

I am going to put the "R" front pads on my 09 base ,it looks like they have dampers on the ears of the new pads, do i still need to use the inside dampers ? Has anyone left them off and got no squeal ?  

[Aaron]

1 hour ago, extanker said:

I am going to put the "R" front pads on my 09 base ,it looks like they have dampers on the ears of the new pads, do i still need to use the inside dampers ? Has anyone left them off and got no squeal ?  

 

I don't run the internal dampers and only the ones on the pads.  This is on OEM Textar pads.  No squeal.  I've never had them on the rears in about 5 years and, again, no squeal.  Not the same story with more aggressive pads, however...

[extanker]

22 minutes ago, Aaron said:

 

I don't run the internal dampers and only the ones on the pads.  This is on OEM Textar pads.  No squeal.  I've never had them on the rears in about 5 years and, again, no squeal.  Not the same story with more aggressive pads, however...

thank you