Brake Pad Recommendation
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 558
Likes: 22
From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Brake Pad Recommendation
I've run a search but can't find an answer I like. I'm looking for new brake pads. Street use, quiet, reasonably dust free and reasonably priced. What's best? Organic, semi-metallic, ceramic, etc...? Any recommendations?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,461
Likes: 979
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I am not a big fan of ceramic brakes for street driven cars simply because these types of pads are a mass market one designed for the average street car, not sports cars. Ceramic pads are designed to be very quiet with no brake dust and good rotor wear but they are not high performance brake pads (they offer moderate performance at the expense of quietness, wear, and brake dust). They are rotor friendly though. I had never used a ceramic pad until recently when all four brakes on my 2008 Chrysler 300 were replaced by Firestone under a fleet plan since the 300 was a company car-not impressed versus the OEM pads on this car. The ceramic pads do not have great initial bite, have average high temperature performance and squeak slightly with early morning moisture on the brakes caliper/pad combo. I bought this car for personal use from the company and plan on installing drilled/Slotted rotors at all 4 wheels with Performance Friction pads when they need to be replaced.
I have been using Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on my 78 C3 for about 10 years as well as on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (also on other company cars I have had in the past-2004 Impala LS, and 94 Mustang GT Convertible-front and rear-and these pads are simply outstanding! No brake dust, very quiet, great initial bite, and excellent high temperature performance. These pads get BETTER as they get hotter. I have never worn out a set of Performance Friction front pads. On the Grand Prix, I replaced the front rotors after putting in the PF pads at all 4 wheels direct from the dealership when I picked up the car at 50,000 miles due to rotor warping and the front pads had 50% of the material left. The rear pads were replaced at 62,000 miles and were worn-a much smaller pad. I replaced the front rotors again on the GP that had slotted and drilled rotors at 105,000 miles and the pads looked brand new. The C3's PF Pads have been on for 10 years and since the car is not driven much the pads look brand new. I drive all my cars moderately hard! On the street, High speed braking at any level is drama free.
The only downside to the Performance Friction pads is slight degradation in braking in the rain which is not an issue with the 78 C3 and in very cold temperatures until they heat up-not dramatic but noticeable. Simply a great pad!.
I have heard good things about Hawk HPS pads also but they are noisy and will leave brake dust-have never used them myself.
Hope that helps!
I have been using Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on my 78 C3 for about 10 years as well as on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (also on other company cars I have had in the past-2004 Impala LS, and 94 Mustang GT Convertible-front and rear-and these pads are simply outstanding! No brake dust, very quiet, great initial bite, and excellent high temperature performance. These pads get BETTER as they get hotter. I have never worn out a set of Performance Friction front pads. On the Grand Prix, I replaced the front rotors after putting in the PF pads at all 4 wheels direct from the dealership when I picked up the car at 50,000 miles due to rotor warping and the front pads had 50% of the material left. The rear pads were replaced at 62,000 miles and were worn-a much smaller pad. I replaced the front rotors again on the GP that had slotted and drilled rotors at 105,000 miles and the pads looked brand new. The C3's PF Pads have been on for 10 years and since the car is not driven much the pads look brand new. I drive all my cars moderately hard! On the street, High speed braking at any level is drama free.
The only downside to the Performance Friction pads is slight degradation in braking in the rain which is not an issue with the 78 C3 and in very cold temperatures until they heat up-not dramatic but noticeable. Simply a great pad!.
I have heard good things about Hawk HPS pads also but they are noisy and will leave brake dust-have never used them myself.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Sep 25, 2012 at 06:25 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 4
From: Oakland California
I am not a big fan of ceramic brakes for street driven cars simply because these types of pads are a mass market one designed for the average street car, not sports cars. Ceramic pads are designed to be very quiet with no brake dust and good rotor wear but they are not high performance brake pads (they offer moderate performance at the expense of quietness, wear, and brake dust). They are rotor friendly though. I had never used a ceramic pad until recently when all four brakes on my 2008 Chrysler 300 were replaced by Firestone under a fleet plan since the 300 was a company car-not impressed versus the OEM pads on this car. The ceramic pads do not have great initial bite, have average high temperature performance and squeak slightly with early morning moisture on the brakes caliper/pad combo. I bought this car for personal use from the company and plan on installing drilled/Slotted rotors at all 4 wheels with Performance Friction pads when they need to be replaced.
I have been using Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on my 78 C3 for about 10 years as well as on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (also on other company cars I have had in the past-2004 Impala LS, and 94 Mustang GT Convertible-front and rear-and these pads are simply outstanding! No brake dust, very quiet, great initial bite, and excellent high temperature performance. These pads get BETTER as they get hotter. I have never worn out a set of Performance Friction front pads. On the Grand Prix, I replaced the front rotors after putting in the PF pads at all 4 wheels direct from the dealership when I picked up the car at 50,000 miles due to rotor warping and the front pads had 50% of the material left. The rear pads were replaced at 62,000 miles and were worn-a much smaller pad. I replaced the front rotors again on the GP that had slotted and drilled rotors at 105,000 miles and the pads looked brand new. The C3's PF Pads have been on for 10 years and since the car is not driven much the pads look brand new. I drive all my cars moderately hard! On the street, High speed braking at any level is drama free.
The only downside to the Performance Friction pads is slight degradation in braking in the rain which is not an issue with the 78 C3 and in very cold temperatures until they heat up-not dramatic but noticeable. Simply a great pad!.
I have heard good things about Hawk HPS pads also but they are noisy and will leave brake dust-have never used them myself.
Hope that helps!
I have been using Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on my 78 C3 for about 10 years as well as on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (also on other company cars I have had in the past-2004 Impala LS, and 94 Mustang GT Convertible-front and rear-and these pads are simply outstanding! No brake dust, very quiet, great initial bite, and excellent high temperature performance. These pads get BETTER as they get hotter. I have never worn out a set of Performance Friction front pads. On the Grand Prix, I replaced the front rotors after putting in the PF pads at all 4 wheels direct from the dealership when I picked up the car at 50,000 miles due to rotor warping and the front pads had 50% of the material left. The rear pads were replaced at 62,000 miles and were worn-a much smaller pad. I replaced the front rotors again on the GP that had slotted and drilled rotors at 105,000 miles and the pads looked brand new. The C3's PF Pads have been on for 10 years and since the car is not driven much the pads look brand new. I drive all my cars moderately hard! On the street, High speed braking at any level is drama free.
The only downside to the Performance Friction pads is slight degradation in braking in the rain which is not an issue with the 78 C3 and in very cold temperatures until they heat up-not dramatic but noticeable. Simply a great pad!.
I have heard good things about Hawk HPS pads also but they are noisy and will leave brake dust-have never used them myself.
Hope that helps!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Check out the Carbotech 1521 pad, I will be happy to hel you.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
F $139 R $139 Less 5%.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
F $139 R $139 Less 5%.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
I am not a big fan of ceramic brakes for street driven cars simply because these types of pads are a mass market one designed for the average street car, not sports cars. Ceramic pads are designed to be very quiet with no brake dust and good rotor wear but they are not high performance brake pads (they offer moderate performance at the expense of quietness, wear, and brake dust). They are rotor friendly though. I had never used a ceramic pad until recently when all four brakes on my 2008 Chrysler 300 were replaced by Firestone under a fleet plan since the 300 was a company car-not impressed versus the OEM pads on this car. The ceramic pads do not have great initial bite, have average high temperature performance and squeak slightly with early morning moisture on the brakes caliper/pad combo. I bought this car for personal use from the company and plan on installing drilled/Slotted rotors at all 4 wheels with Performance Friction pads when they need to be replaced.
I have been using Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on my 78 C3 for about 10 years as well as on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (also on other company cars I have had in the past-2004 Impala LS, and 94 Mustang GT Convertible-front and rear-and these pads are simply outstanding! No brake dust, very quiet, great initial bite, and excellent high temperature performance. These pads get BETTER as they get hotter. I have never worn out a set of Performance Friction front pads. On the Grand Prix, I replaced the front rotors after putting in the PF pads at all 4 wheels direct from the dealership when I picked up the car at 50,000 miles due to rotor warping and the front pads had 50% of the material left. The rear pads were replaced at 62,000 miles and were worn-a much smaller pad. I replaced the front rotors again on the GP that had slotted and drilled rotors at 105,000 miles and the pads looked brand new. The C3's PF Pads have been on for 10 years and since the car is not driven much the pads look brand new. I drive all my cars moderately hard! On the street, High speed braking at any level is drama free.
The only downside to the Performance Friction pads is slight degradation in braking in the rain which is not an issue with the 78 C3 and in very cold temperatures until they heat up-not dramatic but noticeable. Simply a great pad!.
I have heard good things about Hawk HPS pads also but they are noisy and will leave brake dust-have never used them myself.
Hope that helps!
I have been using Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads on my 78 C3 for about 10 years as well as on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix (also on other company cars I have had in the past-2004 Impala LS, and 94 Mustang GT Convertible-front and rear-and these pads are simply outstanding! No brake dust, very quiet, great initial bite, and excellent high temperature performance. These pads get BETTER as they get hotter. I have never worn out a set of Performance Friction front pads. On the Grand Prix, I replaced the front rotors after putting in the PF pads at all 4 wheels direct from the dealership when I picked up the car at 50,000 miles due to rotor warping and the front pads had 50% of the material left. The rear pads were replaced at 62,000 miles and were worn-a much smaller pad. I replaced the front rotors again on the GP that had slotted and drilled rotors at 105,000 miles and the pads looked brand new. The C3's PF Pads have been on for 10 years and since the car is not driven much the pads look brand new. I drive all my cars moderately hard! On the street, High speed braking at any level is drama free.
The only downside to the Performance Friction pads is slight degradation in braking in the rain which is not an issue with the 78 C3 and in very cold temperatures until they heat up-not dramatic but noticeable. Simply a great pad!.
I have heard good things about Hawk HPS pads also but they are noisy and will leave brake dust-have never used them myself.
Hope that helps!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,461
Likes: 979
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Great summary of pad material. I suggested ceramic because he wanted something affordable and street driver friendly. Carbon metallic pads will wear the rotor out much quicker, and I don't think the OP wants that if it's street driven. I have some PF pads myself for my Vette that I'll be instaling as soon as I finish the brake system. I myself have never had any problems with ceramic pads, and I do some hard driving on my '00 SS.
I have not experienced faster rotor wear with PF pads on late model cars. The OEM rotors on most new cars are marginal from the factory and the rotors don't seem to last more than about 50,000 miles regardless of the brake pads in my experience.
I will check out the carbotech pads as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Per your "OEM rotor" comment, are you meaning 'original' factory rotors or the cheap-a$$ repops that GM sells now? GM no longer manufactures ANYTHING. They sold off all those businesses (Divisions) and most of them are now defunct. They buy the same foreign cr@p that you get at most auto stores. They just put it in a GM branded box. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
I am really, really happy with the Andy Porterfield R4-S, street compound. 
http://porterfield-brakes.com/manufa...akes/R4-S.html
http://porterfield-brakes.com/manufa...akes/R4-S.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Going to get flamed for this..but I have had good service out of Wagners Thermo Quiet, semi metallic pads run on coated driled / slotted rotors. Reasonable priced, stop good and quiet.
Have used these on daily drivers with good service. Not as long lasting as ceramic on the daily drivers, but on the Vettte I only drive 2,000 miles a year. So, I didn't see the need for a higher priced pad. Best of luck!
Have used these on daily drivers with good service. Not as long lasting as ceramic on the daily drivers, but on the Vettte I only drive 2,000 miles a year. So, I didn't see the need for a higher priced pad. Best of luck!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Going to get flamed for this..but I have had good service out of Wagners Thermo Quiet, semi metallic pads run on coated driled / slotted rotors. Reasonable priced, stop good and quiet.
Have used these on daily drivers with good service. Not as long lasting as ceramic on the daily drivers, but on the Vettte I only drive 2,000 miles a year. So, I didn't see the need for a higher priced pad. Best of luck!
Have used these on daily drivers with good service. Not as long lasting as ceramic on the daily drivers, but on the Vettte I only drive 2,000 miles a year. So, I didn't see the need for a higher priced pad. Best of luck!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 11
From: St Louis MO
Check out the Carbotech 1521 pad, I will be happy to hel you.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
F $139 R $139 Less 5%.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
F $139 R $139 Less 5%.
use Carbotech on several vehicles, street and mixed street/track application. Excellent modulation, very rotor friendly, easy to clean dust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,461
Likes: 979
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
To be perfectly honest, there are many very good pads on the market that will work just fine with a C3 or many other cars. I used a semi metallic pad on my 78 for about 20 years-the same one BTW- and switched to the Performance Friction pad-about 10 years ago after trying them on my brand new at the time 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix-Only I would drive the car home from the dealership and jack the car up on the same day and change all the pads-front and rear. Semi Metallic worked great on my C3 for all those years. Performance Friction pads cost about $50 an axle so have a great cost performance quotient- I am always looking at that factor with car parts.
Just not a big fan of ceramic pads for reasons stated earlier-they are not designed generally for performance but more for quietness, low dust, longevity, and rotor friendliness. Everything is a compromise with brake pads like most things in life-similiar to tires.
Hope that helps!
Just not a big fan of ceramic pads for reasons stated earlier-they are not designed generally for performance but more for quietness, low dust, longevity, and rotor friendliness. Everything is a compromise with brake pads like most things in life-similiar to tires.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Sep 26, 2012 at 07:11 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Orange Ca
I am really, really happy with the Andy Porterfield R4-S, street compound.
http://porterfield-brakes.com/manufa...akes/R4-S.html
http://porterfield-brakes.com/manufa...akes/R4-S.html