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Tell me your thoughts on brake pads...

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1.1K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  C2Cab95  
C
#1 ·
I am looking for some brake pads for my SVT. I am leaning the OEM route, but wanted others imput before I do. What I am looking for in a set of pads is...

A.) Good Stopping Power (Gotta Bite)

B.) Minimal Brake Dust

C.) Minimal Fade

I just want a good all-around pad, and I have heard good things about the Hawk HPS, and I already like the OEM for stopping, but too much brake dust. I haven't heard much good about EBC however (ie. pad coming off backing plate).

Thanks for your help in advance! :thumbup:
 
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#2 ·
I stuck with the factory stuff.

While they satisfy items A and C, they are dusty buggers though.

I don't have experience with any of the aftermarket/performance pads, so I am afraid I am of little use for info there.

I concur about th information on the EBC pads. I seem to have read more negative comments than positive regarding those pads.
 
M
#3 · (Edited)
I think the stock pads are great for street driving. Seems like any decent pad is going to spew dust. The stock pads are temperature tolerant, which to me means they work well in the cold. When my Carbotech XP8s (soon to be XP10s) warm up sufficiently, they are really good, but not so much for everyday driving. They work, but I would not want to be caught up short with them when they are cold. That's not an issue with the stock pads. But I have experienced a bit more performance degradation with stock pads (vs. XP8s) at the end of a long open lapping track session, but considering the price they do very well.
 
P
#4 ·
I have EBC green stuff pads, They feel perform just like stock if not better, but i also installed SS brake lines when the pads went on. Also i love the fact that it takes about a month for me to look at my rims and see i little bit of dust. No where near the amount of brake dust as the stock pads.

LAZ :)
 
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#5 ·
I put stock pads on my car about 10,000 miles ago and I did a bead in process and it appears that that has helped keep the dust down a but. But it could be just this set of pads. I use them for everyday and open lapping days. Have only noticed a bit of faid at the end of a long session on track that is hard on brakes.
 
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F
#7 ·
I have a ZX3 and I have had, EBC, stock, Hawk, and Pro-line(I think thats right, Autozone performance special). My next pads will be the Hawk HP-plus pads again. I cannot stress enough that these are absolutely the best pads I have had on my car. They say that they are for extreme driving whereas the Hawk HPS are for the street, but I feel the Hawk HP plus pads really perform with minimal noise, low dust, and no fade. They really bite hard and you can definately use them for street driving with no compromises.:thumbup:
 
T
#10 ·
Well...I hate brakepads. I had them changed at a Ford dealership and they replaced them with broken brake pads. They squeeked like hell so I brought it in and they resurfaced the broken pad. Still squeeled like a pig...Took it in for 3rd time and they finally realized that they had installed a busted pad on my car. Anyways, if you don't have to, don't go to Ford for brakepads...get some EBC or something.
 
F
#11 ·
And one more thing, if you get new upgraded brake pads, make sure you get new rotors too, don't just have the old ones resurfaced. Keep the old set in case you ever have a problem and just need to install them to get somewhere. You will notice an even bigger difference if you can break in a new rotor with new pads. Brembo makes excellent stock size rotors for the ZX3 in drilled or slotted, and Power Stop makes a slotted and dimpled version. :cool:
 
C
#14 ·
My euro grill doesn't have any indicators... it is an ST170 grill. As for the tail lights, I know what you are talking about, but I am back with the stockers now.
 
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#15 ·
The OEM pads were very good - but the Mintex I put on were even better. None better for the street. Excellent bite (better than OEM even), no noise, and on the low end of the dusty scale. BAT has them.

When I do HPDE, I put HP+ on which work fine on the track. BUT THEY ARE VERY,VERY NOISY and dusty on the street. I mean, way worse than an old box-van truck.
 
C
#18 ·
I am going with the Hawk HPS... seems to meet what my daily requirements are, and still have a durable pad for auto-x and track events.
 
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