Carbotech is a small manufacturer of racing and street brake pads, in North Carolina, USA. Myself and a lot of my track buddies have been using Carbotech pads for years. I was anxious to work with them to get them to build pads for the R8, and they have now done so:



Like PAGID, Carbotech offers a full line of compounds. Originally they were known for their Bobcat line of street pads and Panther line of race pads. Their compounds have evolved, and their current XP line is excellent. Very rotor friendly considering they are full race pads. Carbotech builds the pads on demand in the compound you specify, it usually takes them about a day to build and ship them. You typically call them directly to place an order.

I've tried several of their compounds (on other cars). Their Bobcat 1521 is a ceramic street pad that's quiet and long lasting but has good performance. I think it would be a great replacment for the OEM street pads. Not to be used on the track though.

I have a little GTI that my wife tracks. She uses street tires, so I put XP-8 compound pads on that, and they were really good in that situation. Fade free, even after a hot summer day driven hard at Road Atlanta. They have a level of grip appropriate for street tires - more aggressive pads would lock up the tires too much. These give you plenty of modulation (control) with street tires (and no, they don't make your GTI faster than a Carrera GT )


I've used their XP10 and XP12 compounds with Hoosier R compound tires on an NSX for years. The XP12's were phenominal, absolutely no difference in feel when really hot, and incredibly strong braking. They were a bit agressive on the rotors, leaving slight ripples (scoring). So I got the R8 pads pictured above in XP10 compound, just to be a little less aggressive on the rotors with the new car.


Carbotech R8 Front Pads:
Model CT1029
Quantity required: 4 per caliper, 8 total
Cost for all 8 in XP10: 257 USD

Carbotech R8 Rear Pads:
Model CT1155
Quantity required: 2 per caliper, 4 total
Cost for all 4 in XP10: 247 USD

Carbotech's web site: http://www.ctbrakes.com
Brake Pad Compound descriptions: http://www.ctbrakes.com/faqs#4

To order them, call Danny there at 877-899-5024

Anti-squeal shims are not included with the pads, but the racing pads all squeal, even if you transfter the shims from the OEM street pads.

It's great to have another source of pads. Let us know if you try them.

mt