Break Pad Types?

[Edub1]

What is the deal with different break pad types? I guess semi-metallic is what most cars use these days.

I looked at Hawk's web site and they have high performance street, track and ceramic.

What's the deal with ceramic? Are they good for aggressive street use on an S13?

What is the difference between pad types?

[nismofly]

basically the amount of heat they can contain before you start getting fading, and how much they bite

if your car never sees the track, hawk HPS really work great

[Edub1]

What about ceramic?

[diamond]

carbon kevlar r4-s by porterfield are very nice pads.performance pads should be able to take the heat generated without fade.

[Q45tech]

Ceramic's were created to optimize oem specs [low dust, low noise, low NVH] as such they tend to fall off a cliff frictionwise at a critical temp --------not useful above 550-600-650F.

Every compund has downsides!

A single stop from 60 mph increases rotor temp by ~~ 140-150F so 5 back to back stops in a few minutes or a single stop from 120 mph in summer heat migh get you near the critical temperature.

Never measured the rotor rise temp on a stock 240 It might be a little less than 140F per 60 mph depends on weight of driver/passengers etc.

[Q45tech]

You really cannot tell the composition as most pads now have a mixture of ceramics and metal oxides to try to extend the usable temperature range.

Federal specs for oem [aftermarket are not tested] Edge Codes: tell you a liitle about the CF at 250F and 600F - look for a pad that is FF rated

[diamond]

thanks q45tech.good info.r4-s is for very sported street driving.good for track.i wouldnt drive hard with anything less.after 30 years of pad changes,im stickin with these,lol.i really need them tho.most people wouldnt.

[Edub1]

Those Porterfields are over $100.

I just picked up some Brembo drilled & slotted rotors. What are some reasonable pads that perform well with these? Should I avoid ceramic? How about semi-metalic?

[nismofly]

just get Hawk HPS and youll be set, theyre all youll need for the street and theyre a decent price

fyi those rotors arent drilled and slotted by brembo, so watch out for stuff

[Edub1]

I know, they are Brembo cores that are done on a CNC. But for $200 for all 4...

I think they'll be kosher.

[nismofly]

just like the HPS pads, youll know when youve gone too far, but to do it on the street youd have to be very hard on them

but theyll be fine if you dont push them, just keep an eye out for cracking on the rotors

[Edub1]

just like the HPS pads, youll know when youve gone too far, but to do it on the street youd have to be very hard on them

but theyll be fine if you dont push them, just keep an eye out for cracking on the rotors

That's why I didn't buy the cheaper, no brand core type. I think the Brembo probably uses a CNC on theirs. Good steel, good machining. I'm not expecting any problems.

[nismofly]

ive actually heard of a few people having like auto zone rotors, or similar, explode on them during heavy use

just remember though, the reason i say watch for cracks is because like i think you said, Brembo doesnt do the drilling/slotting, theyre Brembo cores that a company buys, does the work, and resells

the reason then to watch for cracks is because the holes are drilled, which creates stress points that a lot of people find can lead to cracks, real Brembos and other good rotors have the holes cast into the rotor when theyre made, so the stress points dont exist

real Brembos are available in drilled or slotted, but not both

[diamond]

spendy i know.i use thier rotors and lines too.pads for mine are 200 shipped.i go threw 4 sets of sz50's to a pad change and have alot left in front after.rear wears much more.i dont know about temp stuff and in house test but i know what works.

[gabossie]

I've been using Axxis MetalMasters for a number of years now. Works great for the street and they're enough for autox. Rarely do I EVER experience any brake fade.

[diamond]

glaze is for donuts not rotors,lol.