[Kmeleon]

Am I crazy for thinking about cutting the warning tabs off my 1LE pads so that I can run them down a bit further without worrying about destroying my rotors? I still have about an 1/8-3/16" before I hit warning tab, I plan on checking them after each day (mostly track night events... So more like half a track day) but I really don't want to ruin a rotor

Opinions?

[N Camarolina]

I've had those same thoughts. After reading through previous Camaro6 forum threads, I've come to the conclusion that it isn't worth taking the pads down to lower than the 3mm warning tab depth for track driving. Why?

1) Because the pads wear faster the thinner the pad material gets
2) The pads are not able to disscipate brake energy heat as well, which means more heat going into the rotors and calipers. Not worth it in my opinion.

So given that I do both full weekend HPDEs as well as track night events, I've adopted the following approach to using the OEM Ferodo pads:

1) New pads get used until they reach the 5mm remaining point. At this point, they are designated as being only available to TNIA use.

2) TNIA designated pad sets get used only for TNIA events, with evaluation of remaining material after each event. When pad material gets down to ~ 3.8 mm, pads are no longer suitable for track use and become "road use only"

3) "Road use only" pads get used until you think they should be changed out. 3mm or less depending on how much you daily drive, whether you want to cut the screetch tabs off, and how much of a pain you think it is to check remaining material (especially the inside pads) frequently enough to prevent damage.

[eimarshall]

Also be wary about pad taper. I pulled mine off the night before a track night event just to check. The front edge looked ok(5mm) but the lower edge on the inner pad was breaking apart. Always double check.

Not sure why it was so tapered…. I might need to rebuild a caliper or replace some seals….

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by eimarshall

Also be wary about pad taper. I pulled mine off the night before a track night event just to check. The front edge looked ok(5mm) but the lower edge on the inner pad was breaking apart. Always double check.

Not sure why it was so tapered…. I might need to rebuild a caliper or replace some seals….

I too have experienced this. Swapping pads side to side after each event helps.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-beM3Ead2Y0

[N Camarolina]

Every set of front pads I've had since the begging develops a taper. I swap them left right or inside/outside to even out the taper. Seems to work pretty well most of the time.

That taper shown by Eimarshall is pretty severe. I wonder what mine would look like if I didn't rotate them.

[rotis]

Originally Posted by Kmeleon

Am I crazy for thinking about cutting the warning tabs off my 1LE pads so that I can run them down a bit further without worrying about destroying my rotors? I still have about an 1/8-3/16" before I hit warning tab, I plan on checking them after each day (mostly track night events... So more like half a track day) but I really don't want to ruin a rotor

Opinions?

Bear in mind that with less pad material, there is less insulation between the heat source and your brake fluid. I don't think ruining a rotor is the worst thing that can happen when trying to save a few bucks on brake pads for track events.

[Xyebo]

[QUOTE=N Camarolina;11362970]
1) New pads get used until they reach the 5mm remaining point. At this point, they are designated as being only available to TNIA use.

What makes Track Night in America events easier on brakes?

[Xyebo]

Originally Posted by Kmeleon

Am I crazy for thinking about cutting the warning tabs off my 1LE pads so that I can run them down a bit further without worrying about destroying my rotors? I still have about an 1/8-3/16" before I hit warning tab, I plan on checking them after each day (mostly track night events... So more like half a track day) but I really don't want to ruin a rotor

Opinions?

I wouldn't do it, the pads will wear out with astronomical speed + the tabs won't score the rotors as badly as you think.

[eimarshall]

Originally Posted by Xyebo

What makes Track Night in America events easier on brakes?

They are only 3 x 20 min sessions and the crowd tends to be less full race car +trailer, and more enthusiast that drove to the track. There is usually a lot of traffic and next to no "filtering" of who can sign up for which run group. I can usually get away with a single tank of gas.

Most FULL track days will get you 5-7 x 20min sessions and will have requirements for folks wanting to run in each group. More clean/fast laps and MUCH more actual time on track.

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

Every set of front pads I've had since the begging develops a taper. I swap them left right or inside/outside to even out the taper. Seems to work pretty well most of the time.

That taper shown by Eimarshall is pretty severe. I wonder what mine would look like if I didn't rotate them.

That's some severe taper for sure. Mine have a touch but nothing like that.

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

I've had those same thoughts. After reading through previous Camaro6 forum threads, I've come to the conclusion that it isn't worth taking the pads down to lower than the 3mm warning tab depth for track driving. Why?

1) Because the pads wear faster the thinner the pad material gets
2) The pads are not able to disscipate brake energy heat as well, which means more heat going into the rotors and calipers. Not worth it in my opinion.

So given that I do both full weekend HPDEs as well as track night events, I've adopted the following approach to using the OEM Ferodo pads:

1) New pads get used until they reach the 5mm remaining point. At this point, they are designated as being only available to TNIA use.

2) TNIA designated pad sets get used only for TNIA events, with evaluation of remaining material after each event. When pad material gets down to ~ 3.8 mm, pads are no longer suitable for track use and become "road use only"

3) "Road use only" pads get used until you think they should be changed out. 3mm or less depending on how much you daily drive, whether you want to cut the screetch tabs off, and how much of a pain you think it is to check remaining material (especially the inside pads) frequently enough to prevent damage.

I like your plan I know for sure I could probably get minimum 2 more TNIA events from the pads I pulled last night. But going to Watkins Glen in 2 weeks so I needed a new set. Just got to get out and bed them here early one morning now that they're installed.

[cdrptrks]

You can't hear the warning squeaker tabs while the brakes are hot anyways and they don't hurt the rotor when they touch it. You do have to snap them off on the rear pads to swap them inside to outside. It is easy to do with a pair of needle nose pliers just moving it back and forth.

Agreed on the taper wear; it is best to take the wheels off to check for it before a track event.

I have run the stock pads a session too long several times at different tracks often due to unseen taper wear. At Barber and Road America I was getting left to right movement in high speed brake zones because of running out of pad material in one small spot on one pad which is not a good feeling! I almost dropped a wheel into the grass at over 100mph at Barber because of this...not worth it! If you run out of material on a small part of a front pad you might feel the pedal go deeper than usual and ABS engaging. Thankfully my rotors have been fine after these experiences and just installing new pads evened out the scoring/grooves over time.

I haven't had any heat issues with stock pads and SRF fluid on stock SS 1LE tires but the pads do wear faster as they get thinner as others have mentioned.

Originally Posted by Kmeleon

going to Watkins Glen in 2 weeks so I needed a new set.

Awesome, enjoy! It is an incredible track! It is my second favorite track just slightly below Daytona on my list.

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by Kmeleon

I like your plan I know for sure I could probably get minimum 2 more TNIA events from the pads I pulled last night. But going to Watkins Glen in 2 weeks so I needed a new set. Just got to get out and bed them here early one morning now that they're installed.

I'll be there as well, will be my first time out. Hoping the weather cooperates.

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

I'll be there as well, will be my first time out. Hoping the weather cooperates.

Going with Mass Tuning?