Stop! - Brake Pads
Posted on 08 March 2017
The Bottom Line on Brake Pads
We often hear from Lotus owners who want to upgrade their brake pads as soon as they see the words “track”, “race”, or “high-performance.” While performance upgrades are exciting, brake pad selection is one area where misalignment can be costly. Simply put: choosing the wrong pad for your use case will make your driving experience worse—not better.
More "bite" is not always better.
Track pads do NOT belong on the street.
Track pads are engineered to operate at elevated temperatures—typically 500–600°F and above. On the street, you’ll never reach those temperatures, which means you're relying only on the pad’s abrasive properties instead of the chemical compounds that activate at high heat. This leads to excessive rotor wear and noisy, inconsistent braking. Even if a pad feels like it “works” cold, it’s not doing so properly.
Avoid running the following compounds on the street:
- Hawk DTC-70, DTC-60, Black, Blue
- CL RC6, RC8
- PFC 01–07, 97
- Pagid RS14–RS15
- Ferodo DS3000, DS1.11, DS3.12
- Carbotech XP8, XP10, XP12+
- All Cobalt XR compounds
Just because a friend says it “feels fine” doesn’t make it a good choice. These pads are designed for racetrack temperatures—not stop-and-go traffic. Thankfully, there are purpose-built street and dual-purpose pads that perform safely and quietly without compromising rotor longevity.
Street and Street/Track Pads
When it comes to pads that can handle both daily driving and occasional track use, there are a few standouts:
- Ferodo DS2500: One of the best aggressive street pads on the market. Very linear friction response, low noise, and capable of handling the occasional track day. It’s not a racing compound, but perfect for novice to intermediate drivers who want confidence without harshness. Excellent pedal feel with low dust and rotor wear.
- CL RC5+: Slightly more aggressive than the DS2500, this pad works well on the street and light track duty. Good initial bite and modulation.
- Hawk HPS: A solid street pad with minimal dust and good cold bite, but not suitable for track use.
Track-Only Pads
For consistent, high-performance track braking, you need pads engineered for repeated high-temp stops. This is where compounds diverge into two main categories: sintered and organic.
Sintered Pads (Cobalt & CL)
Sintered pads require no bedding and offer instant performance. We’ve had great results with both Cobalt and CL Brakes in Lotus track setups.
- Cobalt XR4: Ideal for ABS-equipped, boosted cars. Excellent modulation, long rotor life, consistent lap times.
- Cobalt XR3 / XR2: For manual-brake or high-downforce setups, XR3 or XR2 may be better choices. XR3 strikes a nice balance.
- CL RC6: A proven compound for stock Lotus setups. RC6 is typically more predictable and less aggressive than RC8.
- CL RC8: Suitable for unboosted, manual brake cars. Very high torque with fast response.
Organic Pads (Ferodo, Hawk, Carbotech)
Organic pads rely on a proper bedding-in process and form a transfer layer to perform correctly. Among these:
- Ferodo DS1.11: An extremely durable track pad with progressive feel. Suited for intermediate to advanced drivers.
- Ferodo DS3.12: Too aggressive for most Lotus setups. High bite, but not well-balanced for lighter cars.
- Ferodo DS3000: This is an older compound that is largely superseded by the 1.11. It's still a solid pad, but most will prefer the newer 1.11.
- Carbotech XP8 / XP10: Great progressive feel and confidence, but extremely sensitive to bedding. XP8 is a good starting point; XP10 is more aggressive.
Ferodo Compound Comparison
We carry a wide selection of Ferodo pads and regularly test them ourselves. Here’s a quick breakdown of the four main compounds we offer, tailored specifically for Lotus owners:
| Compound | Best For | Heat Range | Pedal Feel & Modulation | Street Use | Track Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DS2500 (H) | Street & occasional track | Up to ~500°C (932°F) | Smooth, predictable, moderate bite | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Limited |
| DS1.11 / 3000 (W) | Regular track days | Up to ~700°C (1292°F) | Progressive, consistent pedal effort | ⚠️ Noisy | ✅ Reliable |
| DS3.12 (G) | Aggressive track/racing | Up to ~800°C+ (1472°F) | Strong initial bite, flat torque curve | ❌ Not ideal | ✅ Top-tier |
Cobalt Compound Comparison
Cobalt Friction Technologies produces sintered metallic pads designed specifically for motorsport. Unlike organic pads, Cobalt compounds require no bedding process and offer extremely consistent torque and rotor-friendly performance from lap one. We’ve found Cobalt pads especially effective on Lotus platforms due to their excellent modulation and extended rotor life.
Here's a quick comparison of the most relevant Cobalt compounds we offer:
| Compound | Best For | Heat Range | Pedal Feel & Modulation | Street Use | Track Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR4 | ABS-equipped, boosted setups | Wide range: 200°C – 870°C+ (392°F – 1600°F) | Extremely linear, excellent modulation, low pedal effort | ❌ Track only | ✅ Consistent lap after lap |
| XR3 | Manual brakes / high-downforce cars | Similar to XR4, slightly more initial torque | Strong bite with slightly firmer pedal | ❌ Track only | ✅ Ideal for non-boosted track cars |
| XR2 | Very high downforce or aggressive use | Broad range; better cold than XR1 | High torque, more binary feel | ❌ Track only | ✅ Situational – high-performance setups only |
Note: All Cobalt pads are sintered metallic compounds and are not street legal or street safe. Their performance shines in demanding track environments where pedal consistency, fade resistance, and rotor longevity are critical. They're our preferred pad line when chasing lap records.
We stock what we’ve tested and trust. Explore our full brake pad selection here.