Different take on brake pads: family of street/track pads that can be swapped without re-bedding

Car in question is a 2019 Miata.  Daily driver that gets occasional track use at advanced level HPDE.

I wanted to believe that there are brake pads out there that can do an acceptable job of both street and track duty, but I've pretty much given up on the idea.  So now my new idea:  having a set of street pads and a set of track pads from the same brand family that each do their job very well.  Ideally they would use similar compounds with similar transfer layers that wouldn't require me to cut and re-bed the rotors every switch.

Street requirements:

- minimal noise

- works at normal temperatures

- don't eat rotors, minimal dust

Track requirements:

- good heat tolerance

- good feel and modulation

Maybe Hawk HPS for street and DTC for track?  I recall the HPS pads dusting quite a bit the last time I had them.  What other brands are worth considering?

I can't speak for synergy within the same brand, but my track Raybestos ST43 swapped with my street Ferodo DS2500 just fine.

Porterfield R4/R4S here. The R4S are a bit on the dusty side for street pads but it cleans off pretty easily and they're good for autocross or even moderate track driving. Lately mine have started getting a bit noisy on the street but I don't think it's the pads' fault.

dps214 said:

Porterfield R4/R4S here. The R4S are a bit on the dusty side for street pads but it cleans off pretty easily and they're good for autocross or even moderate track driving. Lately mine have started getting a bit noisy on the street but I don't think it's the pads' fault.

Been reading up on these... looks like a good choice. 

For low dust also look at the ceramic pads. I use EBC Red Stuff on one car and like them a lot - can't exceed their heat capacity even with quite aggressive street driving (down mountain roads and such).  I

f you go full out track then they may not be enough, but the Yellow Stuff result in more dust and IMHO are not as good a street pad.

I use R4S on another car and like it almost as much.

In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :

What is extremely critical is what track are you going to race at?   Some tracks are brutal on brakes pads. Long straights with tight corners at the end.   Followed closely by tight twisty corners.  Ones that build up a lot of heat.   The worst is Elkart Lake.  3 really long straights followed by tight corners and 14 turns. (4 mile track) Indy car, NASCAR, Can Am all put the biggest vents and coolers.  A heavy production based car  is just going to cook those brakes. You need the best fluids and flushed after every session. 
   Some tracks just are brutal on brakes and only the finest pads work.  

G-Loc.

I run R10/R8 on the track on our NA Miata.  Fantastic.  Squeal like a stuck pig on the street, so I bought a set of GS-1 for the rare times the car is street driven.  No issues at all with switching between compounds.

If you're running any kind of pace at the track on super 200s or R compound tires, I doubt you're going to find a pad that will stand up to that use and still be acceptable on the street.  If you don't want a compromise that will suck at both, you're going to be switching pads.

The last time I talked to Porterfield Wendy told me that their pad compounds are compatible with other pad compounds. They told me I could use the stock pads on my Cayman with their R4 pads.

Another vote for Porterfield R4/R4S.

Have heard good things about G-Loc and Carbotech but they're a lot more expensive and less widely available compared to the Porterfields.

I have run EBC on various cars in the past but strangely I have heard lots of bad things about them in recent years.

To be clear, I'm not racing this car just doing track day stuff. And I don't mind swapping pads, I just don't want to swap rotors or deal with re-bedding every time the pads change. I do want to run full race-spec pads on the track because while I might not be going quite at race pace, I want to be able to practice braking as if I were. Thanks for the suggestions so far. 

I used to use Porterfield R4 and they were ok, but the DTC-60's I switched to were liked much better.

From what they say, Carbotech and G-loc pads can be swapped around within their lineup without re-bedding.  And they're definitely good pads. 

+1 for EBC Reds for street use.

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

dps214 said:

Porterfield R4/R4S here. The R4S are a bit on the dusty side for street pads but it cleans off pretty easily and they're good for autocross or even moderate track driving. Lately mine have started getting a bit noisy on the street but I don't think it's the pads' fault.

Been reading up on these... looks like a good choice. 

I run them on the SundaeCup One Lap Rio. Great pads. 

pointofdeparture said:

I have run EBC on various cars in the past but strangely I have heard lots of bad things about them in recent years.

EBC had issues with bonding to the backing plate for a bit - the first set of Red Stuff  pads I bought had the friction material come loose from the backing which ruined my front discs. EBC were very good about it, said they were revising their attachment methods, and paid for a new pair of front rotors (I was given their slotted and dimpled street/race rotors at no charge) plus a new set of pads which have worked flawlessly since.

I'd stay away from EBC pads for track use if you are an honestly quick driver, or the track you run at is hard on brakes. I tried all the different flavors/colors of the EBCs, and none of them worked well on track. The yellows juddered terribly (as if the rotors were badly warped) once they got hot. And yes, I bedded them per EBC's recommendations. Not only did the yellows judder, but they faded after a lap or two. Going to PFC 08s solved all the problems, other than squealing and dusting on the street.