Which PFC pads?

[Dixie]

Looking for input on rear pad selection on my '88 911 track car. I have used and liked PF97s for many years. In fact, I have virtually new PF97s in front. I can ditch those if need be.

[safe]

PFC08 is the replacements. They work well with the 97s, I find them less noisy on the street.

[winders]

Originally Posted by safe

PFC08 is the replacements. They work well with the 97s, I find them less noisy on the street.

Actually, PFC14 is the most similar pad to the PFC97 pads. I just received a set for my race car......

[wildcat077]

I currently have PFC 08's on my 89,although it has 996TT brakes all around and i hate them as compared to the Pagid RS14 and RS19 i had on previously ... i would never buy them again!

Some of the guys are swearing by Raybestos pads for their track cars ... can't remember the model number off hand ... possibly 42 or 43 ???

Cheers
Phil

[DHE11]

Hi Phil,
I've been using RS19 and 29's and was looking at PFC08's for possible change.
Can you share your reasons for not liking them, interested to hear your feedback.

[wildcat077]

I found they were very unpredictable as compared to the Pagids ... at any given time they would squeal like mad ... same corner,same entry speed on different laps,and forget about using your brakes for the first lap,they need to be RIGHT HOT before any safe braking,you really need to put some serious heat in them on the warm up lap.I would have to drag the brakes for almost the full warmup lap before i felt somewhat confident !
I'm using Hawk Blues in my race car and can barely recall ever hearing them squeal,but then again that's a 2400 lb car ...

That is my personal experience with my specific 911,which is pretty well sorted for track use ...

Cheers
Phil

[safe]

Originally Posted by winders

Actually, PFC14 is the most similar pad to the PFC97 pads. I just received a set for my race car......

I won't argue with that, its just what I've been told by my supplier that the 08 was the "new" 97, at least for the 930 calipers.
I find the 08 less noisy on the street, never heard any noise on the track from them. Maybe they wear faster than the 97s, pretty sure of that actually.
They need heat to work any good, but so did the 97s.

Would be interesting to hear what you think of the PFC14.

[DHE11]

Appreciate the feedback Phil,
My 911 is similar chassis / suspension so that's good info regarding the difference in heat required to get them operating effectively.

Thanks
Darien.

[cashman]

I like PFC but they keep changing their line up. I have only been going DE for 3 years:
Started with PFC97 - dust like crazy and it turned to stone if it got wet. Couldn't get it off my rims. NLA.
Put PFC06 on the fronts, They are now NLA when I wanted new rears.
Pretty sure I was told PFC08 are NLA or about to be discontinued or no longer in my size.
Pretty sure I was told PFC01 NLA or stopped making my size.
Ended up with PFC11 on back.
Now there is a PFC 14? WTF.

I drive my car as hard as I can but I'm not good enough to differentiate the subtleties of each.

[wildcat077]

I'm sure PFC makes a good brake pad but they're hard to follow at times ... what works on a six piston caliper Cup car may not work the same on a OEM street car and the fact that they regularly seem to introduce new compounds while discontinuing others kind of makes you wonder ...

Sure,they're said to be good down to the backing plate ... but does anybody really wait that long before replacing their pads ???

Cheers
Phil

Cheers
Phil

[safe]

Originally Posted by wildcat077

Sure,they're said to be good down to the backing plate ... but does anybody really wait that long before replacing their pads ?

Cheers
Phil

Umm, yes...

Plenty of meat left on the rears...

[wildcat077]

I would never start a race weekend with 30% pad surface remaining ... it's cheaper to replace the pads than expensive warped slotted rotors !

Just sayin

Cheers
Phil

[safe]

I don't race, but the pads in the picture are 5 years and ~30 track days old, about 25 hours of track time. They are still on the car with 2-3 more track days on them and they might last a few next year.
The front I replaced after 4 years and 25 track days, still some meat on those so they are in the toolbox as reserve pads... The front rotors and pads where worn out at the same time, perfect timing.

Actually, I think new 930 rotors are cheaper than the PFC pads.

[winders]

Originally Posted by wildcat077

I would never start a race weekend with 30% pad surface remaining ... it's cheaper to replace the pads than expensive warped slotted rotors !

Just sayin

Maybe in your case....a pair of front rotors for my race car cost less than $100!

[wildcat077]

Not to worry winders... the ones on my 944 SP2 race car are not much more than yours and they're still good for next season,same as the brake pads ... the advantage of racing a momentum car

Cheers
Phil

[Matt Romanowski]

Do yourself a favor and call Porterfield Racing and talk to them. They carry Hawk, PFC, Raybestos, and their own pads. With a description of your car, driving ability, and tracks you drive on, they will be able to suggest an appropriate pad.

I would suggest the Raybestos ST43. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't like that pad.

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Matt Romanowski

I would suggest the Raybestos ST43. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't like that pad.

Agreed with Matt. The ST43 is the one I was going to suggest. I've personally seen these mixed with PF97 and the balance remains good- 97 front, 43 rear.

We didn't do any scientific testing to arrive at that choice. Simply chose the ST43 based on its specs and used only the rears since the front 97s still had good life in them. Worked out OK

[Steve W]

And to further Matt and Kevin's recommendation, try the Raybestos' newest compounds, ST47 in front and ST45 for the rear. Compounds developed for 800 hp Nascar racers. Similar torque as the ST43s, but faster bite and reaction, resulting in even shorter braking distances. Best for an experienced to advanced driver as the stopping power is so good, if you're not good at modulating your brakes, you can flat spot your tires. The pads stop just as good when they're cold as they do hot, I would even say dead cold they have more torque and stopping power than factory pads, so they're very usable on the street, and they don't fade out even if your brakes are smoking hot lap after lap. Life is very long and they are gentle to the rotors, with low dust. These are the pads have been the secret some of the best drivers in Porsche club racing use. Combine with Endless RF650 brake fluid and you have a winner.

[WideRide 86]

Interesting that the raybestos compounds recommended here have the more aggressive compound suggested in the front rather than the rear. I thought the convention was to use a more aggressive pad in the rear in an attempt to move the bias rearwards (e.g., pagid yellow 19s or 29s up front, and black RS14 in the rear).

Any further insight here would be appreciated. Im looking to give the raybestos pads a shot, but not sure which compounds to choose.

Originally Posted by Steve W

And to further Matt and Kevin's recommendation, try the Raybestos' newest compounds, ST47 in front and ST45 for the rear. Compounds developed for 800 hp Nascar racers. Similar torque as the ST43s, but faster bite and reaction, resulting in even shorter braking distances. Best for an experienced to advanced driver as the stopping power is so good, if you're not good at modulating your brakes, you can flat spot your tires. The pads stop just as good when they're cold as they do hot, I would even say dead cold they have more torque and stopping power than factory pads, so they're very usable on the street, and they don't fade out even if your brakes are smoking hot lap after lap. Life is very long and they are gentle to the rotors, with low dust. These are the pads have been the secret some of the best drivers in Porsche club racing use. Combine with Endless RF650 brake fluid and you have a winner.

[winders]

I discovered recently that the PFC 14 compound is no longer available and that the 11 compound is the closest to it in performance. The 11 compound has more initial bite and and more torque. I had a chance to use the 11 compound at Sear Point last last month and I like them better than the 14 compound. Like the 14 compound, the 11 compound is very easy on the rotors.