So, I swapped out all the parts and put the LSJ brakes on my LT the other weekend (instead of drums). We raced Chuckwalla Valley Raceway this weekend, and I must say, I should have done that years ago. Car still feels like it could do better tho. Now that I have options, curious to see what other guys running HPDE / Time Attack are running for pads / rotors, to see what else may be worth trying. I was told that Fujita is planning on coming out with some new stuff this summer, may try and see if I can try it out.

Current Setup:
Hawk HPS Pads
R1 Concepts Slotted Rotors
Stainless lines
Stoptech 660 Fluid


Just curious to see what others are running.

 

The pads are definitely going to be holding you back. Step up to a dedicated track pad or run the HP+ or Carbotech 1521 all the time. Those are the most aggresive I would run for a daily driver. If its just a track car look into something like the XP8-XP12 or Hawk DTC-70. Im familiar with the LNF though so Im not sure what is all available to the LSJ or LS/LT models.

 

Its now got LSJ brakes all the way around. So I know options are available. Will rotor selection really matter? Or will the big jump be in the pad used? We run 10-20 minute sessions.

 

Yeah Hawk makes the specific pads for track days. I'm sure they are much better.

HP Plus | Hawk Performance HP Plus

Are you running LSJ brakes so you can run a certain wheel and tire setup? Why not LNF Brembo calipers up front?

 

Running LSJ brakes to get rid of the LT front disk/ rear drum setup. I currently have 15" track wheels, so wasnt interested in the cost of going Brembos all around plus having to buy new track wheels.

Currently using 225/45/15 RS3's as tires on Kosai K1's. it clears the LSJ brakes. Want to go to a 16" wheel and a 245 tire when $$$ allows.....

 

This is good advice. I have an LNF but when I "upgraded" my stock pads to Hawk HPS I lost a few seconds on my lap times. They are a downgrade from stock pads, at least on the LNF. I run Hawk DTC-70 now and they are awesome. As far as rotors, they are not going to increase your stopping power. There is just quality differences resulting in shorter life on the cheaper ones. Again, speaking for the LNF, you can't beat the price and durability of stock rotors. I cracked both my front R1 Concepts rotors at the road track. Underneath their nice finish and powder coat are cheap Chinese blanks that won't last.

 

R1 rotors are great for street and show, but do not belong on a road race track.


OP, HP Plus pads. You will be happy with them.

 

Which rotors would you guys recommend? Got a machine shop locally that will redril them to 4 x 100 for me, so thats at least not a problem.

 

is this you/?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Advan-Carbon-DESIGN-FITS-2005-2010-CHEVY-COBALT-CARBON-FIBER-HOOD/381095612054?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D30766%26meid%3D80497a363b704782b55b9a3510690112%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D151640123243

 

I am still using my original set of rotors that came with my car new in 2010. It has 47,000 miles on it, and at least 10 track days. They have even been turned once at NAPA to get rid of a wobble.
So if you can have a set of LNF rotors re-drilled I'd definitely recommend them!

Front:
Rear:
Edit: Not even sure if that diameter will even fit on your car ...

 

looks like it

 

I don't think the OP has the brembo rotors, otherwise I completely agree with you.

 

Using a track pad on any rotor will shorten the life considerably. In my experience by the cheapest rotors you can find at like Napa or Autozone with a warranty and just keep replacing them over and over. When you get good enough you will warp even the most expensive "premium" rotors in a day if you are on a road course. Either get floating rotors or "disposable" ones.

 

I use hawk pads front and back with r1 rotors. Dont track like you but holds up for what I do

 

Interesting. Yes thats my car from 2 years ago..... But I dont have a hood from them.... Looks like someone else to go message and ask why they are using my photos.... lol

 

my opinion Fox would be to throw the brembos on the front and leave the LSJ rears. You will get a hell of a lot less brake fade with the brembos. Might have to just go up in wheel size since there soo big.

The grab on the brembos is superior to the lsj brakes as well. If you do go this route, as i have done ... stock rotors and pads work the best. You of all people would appreciate this setup.

 

lol finders fee?

 

Id like to.... the problem is just that the money isnt there to buy Brembos, wheels, and tires currently sadly. what I could do if i wasnt paying off student loans. lol


EDIT: The brembos would require a 17" wheel right?

 

I run Hawk HP Plus on track days. And Hawk Performance Ceramic for the street. All that is for the front axle. The rear axle is Hawk HPS.

 

^^^^^

Colodude, do the DTC-70 take a while to warm up? And are they grabby?

 

I run Raybestos ST-43 on my fronts (Brembo swap LSJ) They are sorta amazing. No fade, so much bite. I got 5 full days of tracking out of them, and there is pad left. I put a new set on for this season, but there's enough I'm keeping the old set for spares.

Have HP+ on the rear. They seem fine. The rears don't do that much stopping on our cars, so they don't have to be super amazing.

Running some rando Centric solid rotors all around. They've made it through one summer just fine. They are cheap enough you can just replace as needed.

 

I've actually found little difference in cold braking performance between stock Ferrodo pads and the DTC-70s. I know they say they need to be warmed up and are therefore not suitable for the street but I've stopped swapping them after lapping days (just being lazy) and they work just fine on the street when they're cold. Much better than my Dodge Neon's stock brakes even after warming up lol
They are extremely grabby, and also extremely dusty and squeaky. Their bite is much more aggressive than stock, and I've found their wear on the rotors to be very acceptable. I also run ProSpeed 683 brake fluid which helps tremendously in preventing brake fade.

 

Hmm. Guess I have to decide between the LSJ fronts or the Brembos. May do the LSJ's for now over hte stock LT fronts just cause its easy and cheap. If my track wheels werent so small id do the brembos or ZZP's upgrade kit.

 

yes you can get a 17" wheel around the brembo. The IRL wheels clear without a spacer, that would be the cheapest wheel i think you could find to clear them.

I bought all of my brembo swap stuff used from Jeff (Mongo). I would estimate about $600 for all the stuff your going to need. The calipers, rotors, pads i got from Jeff... the other stuff you need to convert from LSJ is available at CED... there little bolts and odds and ends that you need. I also upgraded to SS lines up front when i swapped.


CED has great how-to on their site as well.


If you do decide to convert to brembos feel free to pm me with any questions, i would be glad to help you out.

 

Yeah, problem is im running 4x 100 hubs so its finding another set of 17" wheels in that that works. Im waiting to hear back from CED on the brembo full kit they sell since they are a sponsor on the racecar, Otherwise I can get the parts locally to do the LSJ brakes for about $300.