Ceramic pads
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,002
Likes: 5
From: No Opti Here Tn
St. Jude Donor '06
Ceramic pads
Im putting in ceramic brake pads tomorrow in an attempt to cut down on dust
Any improvement in braking will be a bonus
Anybody else done this? Howd ya like em?
Any improvement in braking will be a bonus
Anybody else done this? Howd ya like em?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I was a tester for the NAPA ceramics, had roughly 60,000 miles before I changed them out.
Price wasn't a factor since I got them free.
I did new rotors and put Hawk HPS pads on.
The NAPA Ceramix will wear your rotors out quicker, but they stop great and the dust is still there, but itis so fine you can't see it for a couple weeks.
You will always have brake dust no matter what pad you use, some is harder to see than others.
You'll still have to wash your wheels as much as you did before.
On my other car, I put Hawk ceramic pads on. I happened to give a quick test stop the other day and they stopped the car pretty damn quick, did it again, no signs of fade or anything like that.
Price wasn't a factor since I got them free.
I did new rotors and put Hawk HPS pads on.
The NAPA Ceramix will wear your rotors out quicker, but they stop great and the dust is still there, but itis so fine you can't see it for a couple weeks.
You will always have brake dust no matter what pad you use, some is harder to see than others.
You'll still have to wash your wheels as much as you did before.
On my other car, I put Hawk ceramic pads on. I happened to give a quick test stop the other day and they stopped the car pretty damn quick, did it again, no signs of fade or anything like that.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I have been running the NAPA Ceramix for over 3 years now...I've put about 30,000 miles and 400 drag strip passes on them...no problems and no cracked rotors...I have Stillen drilled rotors, btw....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,002
Likes: 5
From: No Opti Here Tn
St. Jude Donor '06
Wont be seeing a "help my rotors are already warped" thread from you
How pathetic am I?
I just realized that I cant sleep because I pick up my pads tomorrow
It really is a disease
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA.
Put Bosch ceramic pads on my 90 ZR1 2 years ago. Brake dust is greatly reduced and is now light grey as opposed to black before. Only 4 passes on the strip but 15,000 miles, including a round trip cross country with no brake problems. I will use them again
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
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hey guys, i have an 89 and it stoped great until i changed my pads. i put on cheep ones from autozone thinking they would stop fast. took both feet . changed them out for good pads from kragen, ray bestos. cant even lock them up in a panic. no abs reaction. could ceramic pads be the answer or do i have a problem ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
When I upgraded to C-5 brakes on the front of my 92, I bought the GM Dura Stop ceramix pads to go with it.
The good.
1. They came in the C-5 kit and were not very expensive.
2. After about 3-4 weeks of very abusive driving and a few weekend test and tunes at the local 1/4 mile drag strip, There was practically no dust (compared to before) from regular street driving.
3. The very little dust there was after racing just wiped right off with a rag or hosed off with the water hose.
4. The braking performance was very good.
The bad.
1. After 3-4 weeks my rotors were burnt completely up. Little hot spots everywhere all around the little crossdrilled holes in the GM Dura Stop rotors. Touch the brake peddle a little and it would rattle your teeth out of your head.
2. I re-surfaced the rotors and it did the same thing after another weekend trip to the track.
My opinion, if you just drive your car and don't beat on it very hard or your the type that shows it at car shows and that kind of thing a lot the ceramic pads will be great for you. There was practically no dust on mine and the braking performance (power wise) was good. If you are a hard driver or race your Corvette, you better get something else.
Will
The good.
1. They came in the C-5 kit and were not very expensive.
2. After about 3-4 weeks of very abusive driving and a few weekend test and tunes at the local 1/4 mile drag strip, There was practically no dust (compared to before) from regular street driving.
3. The very little dust there was after racing just wiped right off with a rag or hosed off with the water hose.
4. The braking performance was very good.
The bad.
1. After 3-4 weeks my rotors were burnt completely up. Little hot spots everywhere all around the little crossdrilled holes in the GM Dura Stop rotors. Touch the brake peddle a little and it would rattle your teeth out of your head.
2. I re-surfaced the rotors and it did the same thing after another weekend trip to the track.
My opinion, if you just drive your car and don't beat on it very hard or your the type that shows it at car shows and that kind of thing a lot the ceramic pads will be great for you. There was practically no dust on mine and the braking performance (power wise) was good. If you are a hard driver or race your Corvette, you better get something else.
Will
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
I was a tester for the NAPA ceramics, had roughly 60,000 miles before I changed them out.
Price wasn't a factor since I got them free.
I did new rotors and put Hawk HPS pads on.
The NAPA Ceramix will wear your rotors out quicker, but they stop great and the dust is still there, but itis so fine you can't see it for a couple weeks.
You will always have brake dust no matter what pad you use, some is harder to see than others.
You'll still have to wash your wheels as much as you did before.
On my other car, I put Hawk ceramic pads on. I happened to give a quick test stop the other day and they stopped the car pretty damn quick, did it again, no signs of fade or anything like that.
Price wasn't a factor since I got them free.
I did new rotors and put Hawk HPS pads on.
The NAPA Ceramix will wear your rotors out quicker, but they stop great and the dust is still there, but itis so fine you can't see it for a couple weeks.
You will always have brake dust no matter what pad you use, some is harder to see than others.
You'll still have to wash your wheels as much as you did before.
On my other car, I put Hawk ceramic pads on. I happened to give a quick test stop the other day and they stopped the car pretty damn quick, did it again, no signs of fade or anything like that.
Wear out the rotors faster? My pads wore out faster. I didnt pay much attention to the rotors though. I have NAPA rotors right now. I have autozone pads though beacause they are cheap....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
[QUOTE=rklessdriver;1558454798]When I upgraded to C-5 brakes on the front of my 92, I bought the GM Dura Stop ceramix pads to go with it.
The bad.
1. After 3-4 weeks my rotors were burnt completely up. Little hot spots everywhere all around the little crossdrilled holes in the GM Dura Stop rotors. Touch the brake peddle a little and it would rattle your teeth out of your head.
I would not run ceramic pads with drilled rotors for just this reason. I guess GM might think it is OK, I don't. Ceramic pads are going to be tougher on the rotors, especially drilled rotors. But then drilled rotors are for show, not for the track.
The bad.
1. After 3-4 weeks my rotors were burnt completely up. Little hot spots everywhere all around the little crossdrilled holes in the GM Dura Stop rotors. Touch the brake peddle a little and it would rattle your teeth out of your head.
I would not run ceramic pads with drilled rotors for just this reason. I guess GM might think it is OK, I don't. Ceramic pads are going to be tougher on the rotors, especially drilled rotors. But then drilled rotors are for show, not for the track.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I've had SBS ProTouring Ceramics on mine for about two years now.
Except for an occaisonal, slight squeal during light application, I have no complaints whatsoever.
Larry
code5coupe
Except for an occaisonal, slight squeal during light application, I have no complaints whatsoever.
Larry
code5coupe
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
A warning to anyone using cheap pads - you get what you pay for.
I have read where the Autozone pads will literally separate from the backing plate.
I have subscribed to a simple theory for a while now: The words "cheap" and "brakes" are mutually exclusive.
I have read where the Autozone pads will literally separate from the backing plate.
I have subscribed to a simple theory for a while now: The words "cheap" and "brakes" are mutually exclusive.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
In my case with well over 125,000 miles on the rotors, it was time, besides I wanted to add some bling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 35
From: LaUgH, mOrE!
www.ecaronline.com on ebay usually has a great price on them. Fast shipping, too.
Last edited by G-Sting; Jan 16, 2007 at 09:13 PM.