Hence the need upgrade. Gonna include price, cause cats always ask:
Hawk HPS pads fronts and rear. $127
ATE Super Blue Racing fluid. $15
Stainless Steel lines front and rear. $90
I thought why not upgrade the lines while Im at it. It was supposed to improve the brake pedal feel and reduce line expansion. For 90 bucks, I figger why not. I got all this stuff from SPL, from the sites I had searched, they had the best prices. Some places have such stuff for the same price. But having used SPL before, why not, they have a decent selection, customer service is great, and I will buy from them in the future.
Now for the Review
Hawk HPS pads. Fantastic initial bite. They are extremely predictable. Trail braking feels MUCH better on these pads compared to stock. The pads I had before, not sure what they were, but just couldnt rely on them as accurately as the Hawk HPS pads. The dusting is next to nothing. My wheels look fine after a weeks use, not super clean, but a thin film of dust that a car wash easily takes care of. By no means are my wheels black after a month, just a lighter shade of grey. Car is garage kept, so I wash the car about once a month. Also, the pads are fairly quiet, no noise is heard with an aggressive brake. When you are coasting to the light, there is just a pinch of a squeal, you have to be going really slow to hear it.
ATE Super Blue Racing fluid. Im really happy with this fluid. I guess you could sub in any other type of fluid. I try not to brake incredibly hard on the street. But I did test out the temp range. Cold braking I will call it, basically when I first take the car out and try to brake hard, you could say I cant stop the car as quickly. Compared to letting that fluid temp get up there, it is a perfect stop, hella predictable, and hella quick, Ive got no complaints. Having said that if you are planning for street use only or live up north, stay with the stock fluid replacement. You just wont get up to optimum fluid temp, and you will feel something that feels like brake fade.
Stainless steel lines.
I got the lines really because "they" say SS lines are a good upgrade to do. I couldnt tell you about stock lines vs SS lines. They could contribute to the fact that my brakes are extremely predictable, but I couldnt tell you for sure. I was going to try out the stock lines with the pads and fluid changed, but it would be a pain to bleed lines, test out, swap lines, bleed lines again and then test. All in all, after a month of driving with this setup of new pads, fluid, and lines. Ive got no complaints. For those lookin to upgrade their pads, I recommend the Hawk HPS, they are perfect for street use. The ATE fluid super racing fluid not so much unless its a bit hotter in your location, as cold braking kind of sucks. If you must go easy with the braking when you first take your car out. And as far as stainless lines. I dont know, if you just drive on the street and if you can afford to, change them out, if not, I couldnt say if you will be missing much. But if you track, Im sure as soon as I hit the autocross, or that tracktime coming up in sept, it would make a world of difference.
Anyhow, I hope that helps anyone thinking about what pads/fluid or lines to upgrade to. Im sure other people like other pads, or like the same pads. But sometimes, its hard to find decent reviews on pads. And fluid reviews are non existent. And hell, I upgraded my lines because it sounded like a good thing to do. Im such a noob
When I do the tracktime in sept, I'll prolly hit yall with another review of all things said and done. Good luck y'all and feel free to hit this thread up with questions and comments, I'll do my best to help
