Question about optimizing brake pad selection. Last year I got to the point where the OE GT PP front pads were only lasting a couple events so I did some research and saw most people stagger the pads on these cars - 1 level more aggressive in front compared to the rear. I settled on Raybestos pads after doing a bunch of reading, these appeared to last a long time, be fairly gentle on the rotors, have good cold bite, and be difficult to overheat. I decided on ST45 front and ST43 rear pads and after 7 events I can say they do everything I've expected them to. Absolutely no complaints about performance and the pedal remains consistent for an entire 20 minute session.
But I've noticed a pattern after every session that makes me wonder if I've got a less than optimal setup right now. The front's always have a uniform transfer layer and heat checking while the rears always come off the track with bright, shiny rotors. I am not sure what this means? I've thought of two possibilities: 1) The ST45s are too aggressive up front doing the bulk of the braking, and ST43s front and rear may be more appropriate, or 2) The front pads are ok and the fault is the rears not being aggressive enough and I should try ST45 front and rear?
I didn't really start thinking about this until the drive home, the pictures below are the front and rears after the 200 mile journey home. The interesting thing is that rears have a totally uniform transfer layer after some street miles, and the fronts are cleaned up a bit but still have some heat checking.
Relevant info:
Castrol SRF fluid
GT PP with the 6 piston front calipers and Vorshlag cooling deflectors
Steeda two piece front rotors
Square 305/30R19 RS4 tires (soon to be NT01s if that influences what I should do going forward)
But I've noticed a pattern after every session that makes me wonder if I've got a less than optimal setup right now. The front's always have a uniform transfer layer and heat checking while the rears always come off the track with bright, shiny rotors. I am not sure what this means? I've thought of two possibilities: 1) The ST45s are too aggressive up front doing the bulk of the braking, and ST43s front and rear may be more appropriate, or 2) The front pads are ok and the fault is the rears not being aggressive enough and I should try ST45 front and rear?
I didn't really start thinking about this until the drive home, the pictures below are the front and rears after the 200 mile journey home. The interesting thing is that rears have a totally uniform transfer layer after some street miles, and the fronts are cleaned up a bit but still have some heat checking.
Relevant info:
Castrol SRF fluid
GT PP with the 6 piston front calipers and Vorshlag cooling deflectors
Steeda two piece front rotors
Square 305/30R19 RS4 tires (soon to be NT01s if that influences what I should do going forward)