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      09-30-2021, 05:36 PM   #1
Itogliano
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Limited Brake Pad Options

Note, this is NOT for a BMW, but given this is the most active forum I know/use and the fact all cars use brake pads, hopefully some people here will have some good advice.

As you may have picked up on, I need to replace my brakes (pads). I'm looking at aftermarket pads for, 1) they're a hell of a lot cheaper than OEM and 2) better performance. From what I have been able to find online, the only two manufacturers that have pads that will fit are EBC and Pagid.

EBC has yellow stuff pads available for both the fronts and rears, and blue stuff ONLY for the rears.

Pagid has a 3 different compounds available for the fronts (shape 8081), and 6 for the rear (shape 2487). Of all of those, 2 compounds (RSL1 and RSL 29) are available for both front and rear.

So my question is really, what should I do? From EBC it seems like the blue stuff is a higher performance pad, would it make any sort of sense to put a higher spec pad on the rear than front, considering I'm not intentionally trying to get more rear bias, or just stick with yellows all around? I haven't done a deep dive into Pagid's compound differences yet, but same general question applies; stick to the same compound everywhere, more aggressive front, or more aggressive rear?

The car is a summer/fair weather car that sees about...3-5 track days per year.
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      10-01-2021, 06:51 AM   #2
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If you can stomach the cost, and brake dust, I'd go with the RSL29.

I've been happy enough with the cost/performance of the EBC Yellowstuff and Bluestuff (on both e34 M5s and Z4MC), but they don't tend to last as long, and can be a bit inconsistent from one batch to another.
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      10-01-2021, 09:32 AM   #3
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Thanks for the insight! I think I'm being somewhat forced to go with Pagid anyway since all the EBC distributors I looked at didn't have the pads I would need currently available.

Do you have any experience with the RSL 1? Looks like it's basically an RSL 29 with a higher overall mu. $70 difference between the two
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      10-04-2021, 03:40 PM   #4
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Not used the RSL1 as I’ve been happy with the RSL29.

From the Pagid website it seems that the RSL1 has higher initial bite, but slightly worse modulation, fade resistance and higher wear on discs (which is a function of the increased friction).
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      10-04-2021, 04:48 PM   #5
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Well then, in an effort to preserve the rotors where possible, I think I'll go with the 29s and if I feel like I could use more stopping power on the track, I can always jump up to the RSL1s.

Thanks for all your input!
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      11-16-2021, 03:50 PM   #6
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I order Project Mu track pads from Japan. They work great.

They also have a selection of street/track pads that are good for dual duty if you do street drive the car.

Special order only but not too hard to get if you know where to go.

Endless also makes pads for most cars.

All these pads cost significantly more than OEM for most applications. Maybe not for Porsche and some others. I ordered a few sets for my friend's 911 Turbo for track use and they were cheaper than Porsche OEM.
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      11-16-2021, 03:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
I order Project Mu track pads from Japan. They work great.

They also have a selection of street/track pads that are good for dual duty if you do street drive the car.

Special order only but not too hard to get if you know where to go.

Endless also makes pads for most cars.

All these pads cost significantly more than OEM for most applications. Maybe not for Porsche and some others. I ordered a few sets for my friend's 911 Turbo for track use and they were cheaper than Porsche OEM.
Looks like you just edited your post but I was going to ask what something like that costs? I imagine special order pads would be a pretty penny. For reference, the Pagid pads cost about $600 per axle set (RSL29). OEM pads are 1400 for the fronts, 1300 for rear. I haven't ordered anything yet since the car is now garaged for the winter so I have plenty of time.

I also saw Endless made pads that seemed to fit but having not really heard too much about them, I am/was more inclined towards Pagid
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      11-16-2021, 07:27 PM   #8
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Is this a Porsche?

Why so secretive about the car?
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      11-17-2021, 10:31 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gen13 F36 View Post
Is this a Porsche?

Why so secretive about the car?
Don't mean to be. Thought I mentioned it in my original post, but I guess not, sorry. It's a 2017 DB11.

I think it's still (relatively) too new of a car that a lot of performance brake companies haven't gotten around to making pads for it yet.

Here are some photos, if you're interested: imgur.com/gallery/lf37Eup

Last edited by Itogliano; 11-17-2021 at 10:35 AM.. Reason: Added link to photos
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      11-22-2021, 03:34 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Itogliano View Post
Looks like you just edited your post but I was going to ask what something like that costs? I imagine special order pads would be a pretty penny. For reference, the Pagid pads cost about $600 per axle set (RSL29). OEM pads are 1400 for the fronts, 1300 for rear. I haven't ordered anything yet since the car is now garaged for the winter so I have plenty of time.

I also saw Endless made pads that seemed to fit but having not really heard too much about them, I am/was more inclined towards Pagid
For the Project Mu pads, the HC+/CS pads and Racing 999 race pads are about $250-300 per axle pair (left and right). That includes shipping from Japan.

Endless is a bit more expensive $250-400 per axle depending on which application and which pads.

I just ordered a set of Project Mu HC-CS for my friend's Porsche 997 Turbo and it was $600 for all 4 wheels including shipping. Of course if you order some oddball pads that no one usually carries or orders, the costs may be higher and wait times longer.

I am not going through the US distributor, I order direct from Japan so it bypasses the middleman and speeds up the shipping. I had ordered before through Mackin (US wholesaler) before and it took 1/2 a year to get pads made. I usually get pads from Japan within a month of ordering.

Does Aston Martin DB11 use calipers and pads that can be cross-referenced with other cars or other calipers? i.e. Lotus uses generic AP calipers on Elise and Stoptech uses Porsche brake pad shapes.
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Last edited by Z K; 11-22-2021 at 03:39 PM..
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      11-22-2021, 03:50 PM   #11
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I did some homework on your 2017 DB11.

Here are the Endless part numbers:

Make Model Year
Aston Martin DB11 [Cast Iron Brakes] 16-18 Front:RCP117 Rear:EP357

Apparently the front is the same pad as the R35 GTR. The rear is the same pad as a Subaru STI.

With MX72 street performance pads, its about $250-300 for the front axle set not including shipping. Shipping is anywhere from $50-100 for airmail depending how big and heavy the pads are.
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      11-22-2021, 04:21 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
I did some homework on your 2017 DB11.

Here are the Endless part numbers:

Make Model Year
Aston Martin DB11 [Cast Iron Brakes] 16-18 Front:RCP117 Rear:EP357

Apparently the front is the same pad as the R35 GTR. The rear is the same pad as a Subaru STI.

With MX72 street performance pads, its about $250-300 for the front axle set not including shipping. Shipping is anywhere from $50-100 for airmail depending how big and heavy the pads are.
Wow, thanks for all the great info! When you say you order direct from Japan, are you just getting in touch with the company through a generic contact email, or do you personally know someone? Seems like their website is pushing you towards using a US distributor.
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      11-22-2021, 04:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Itogliano View Post
Wow, thanks for all the great info! When you say you order direct from Japan, are you just getting in touch with the company through a generic contact email, or do you personally know someone? Seems like their website is pushing you towards using a US distributor.
There's a few places that you can order from Japan. RHDJapan is one of those places if you want a one stop shop to order Japanese parts. You can message them and get a price including shipping. They're easy to work with and I order hard to get parts for my friend's R32 GTR through them. I go through a different process that's more complicated...

For your pads, you can probably just contact a US seller. R35 GTR pads are commonly stocked as are Subaru WRX STI parts. You can just get it in the USA. I gave you the part numbers.

Here are some examples for fronts. In stock and you can get it in a few days. If you do go to a track and want to push the car, you can get more aggressive compounds. MX72 is good for the street though.
https://speedfreaksusa.com/i-1602544...rake-pads.html
https://www.vividracing.com/endless-...1-p-80678.html
https://www.amsperformance.com/produ...nt-rcp117mx72/

Rear pads are much cheaper:
https://speedfreaksusa.com/i-1596610...ubaru-sti.html
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      11-22-2021, 04:56 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
There's a few places that you can order from Japan. RHDJapan is one of those places if you want a one stop shop to order Japanese parts. You can message them and get a price including shipping. They're easy to work with and I order hard to get parts for my friend's R32 GTR through them. I go through a different process that's more complicated...

For your pads, you can probably just contact a US seller. R35 GTR pads are commonly stocked as are Subaru WRX STI parts. You can just get it in the USA. I gave you the part numbers.
Those part numbers are just for Endless though, if I understand correctly. I was asking about Project Mu, although that's somewhat moot since the site you mentioned, RHDJapan, pulls up Project Mu pads when searching by vehicle. In any case, you've definitely been a big help, so thank you once again!
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      11-22-2021, 05:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Itogliano View Post
Those part numbers are just for Endless though, if I understand correctly. I was asking about Project Mu, although that's somewhat moot since the site you mentioned, RHDJapan, pulls up Project Mu pads when searching by vehicle. In any case, you've definitely been a big help, so thank you once again!
If you are set on Project Mu pads, they have a matching list. Just look up the pad shapes for R35 GTR front and the Subaru WRX STI/Mitsubishi Evo front.

https://www.project-mu.co.jp/en/matching.html

Front shape F261
Rear shape F506

Project Mu is much harder to get in the USA so you will need to go through RHDJapan or some other avenue to get it from Japan. Endless would be easier and faster for you if you want it.
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Last edited by Z K; 11-22-2021 at 05:10 PM..
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      11-22-2021, 05:14 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
If you are set on Project Mu pads, they have a matching list. Just look up the pad shapes for R35 GTR front and the Subaru WRX STI/Mitsubishi Evo front.

https://www.project-mu.co.jp/en/matching.html

Front shape F261
Rear shape F506

Project Mu is much harder to get in the USA so you will need to go through RHDJapan or some other avenue to get it from Japan. Endless would be easier and faster for you if you want it.
Gotcha. Not necessarily set on them but it's always nice to have more options. Curious where you found the front shape. I didn't see it anywhere on the Nissan page
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      11-22-2021, 05:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Itogliano View Post
Gotcha. Not necessarily set on them but it's always nice to have more options. Curious where you found the front shape. I didn't see it anywhere on the Nissan page
Go to the Nissan page, then go to the "英数" tab at the bottom. You'll see GTR R35 Brembo near the top.

I'd say Project Mu and Endless are about equivalent quality. Both are very large Japanese performance brake manufacturers. But Endless is more widely known as they provide brake pads for Porsche Cup race teams and WRC/Formula 1.
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Last edited by Z K; 11-22-2021 at 05:41 PM..
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      11-22-2021, 05:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
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Go to the Nissan page, then go to the "英数" tab at the bottom. You'll see GTR R35 Brembo near the top.
Didn't even see the tabs at first . Thanks
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