Brake Pad Upgrade
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
Brake Pad Upgrade
I am looking into upgrading my brakes. I don't want to do anything extreme right now, just upgrade the pads and install braided stainless steel lines.
For those of you with better-than-standard pads: what are you running and how do you like 'em?
I have previously run Hawk HPS pads and Axxis Metal Master semi-metallic pads on another car of mine and have been satisfied with both (except the Hawks started to squeak after awhile). Any other options out there I should consider?
For those of you with better-than-standard pads: what are you running and how do you like 'em?
I have previously run Hawk HPS pads and Axxis Metal Master semi-metallic pads on another car of mine and have been satisfied with both (except the Hawks started to squeak after awhile). Any other options out there I should consider?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
From: La Grange IL
Why change?
I went with the HPS due to the lacksluster performance of the braking with a low end pad. If your brakes are working good, why not go with what you have success with? If I did it again, I would go HPS in the front and the cheap ones that came with the low end back rotors. I dont think it would have made much of a difference in the back.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
I don't like the idea of cheap pads in the back. If anything I would use more aggressive pads in the rear. That seems to balance the braking system. GM designed the Corvette with a huge front brake bias. That's very safe.
If you're changing pads your sure don't need any greater front brake bias.
Richard Newton
If you're changing pads your sure don't need any greater front brake bias.
Richard Newton
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I replaced my last pads with Evolution Ceramic Pads all way around and have been very pleased with them , no dust,not as pricey as Hawks, and they stop great. These are for street, not for racing or autocross....WW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
+1 on Hawk HPS's. I like them a lot. They work well cold and also seem to handle high-speed stops quite well. They are a little dusty, but that's the lowest priority on my list of brake pad wants.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
From: La Grange IL
I did go all Hawk HPS on all four corners
I wanted to claify after gettting a rsponse from Richard Newton. My questioning was if the Hawk pads on the back were worth it since the car is such a front brake heavy car (Plus I am cheap and the rear rotors came with pads) All said, the brake performance is the best it has been with these pads and I highly recommend. Great Book Richard, it is always a good reference when starting a project (Although more forcus on earlier than later models, I have a 94)
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
I'm a few months into AC Delco ceramic pads (cheap from either thepartsladi or gmpartsdirect) and they work well for me.
About the braided lines...
There must have been some time in the great automotive past wherein the rubber brake lines were just simple vulcanized rubber that would age and balloon. But the stock flex hoses on C4s (all years) are braided to prevent ballooning and then coated with a rubber-like compound to protect the braid. I think any DOT approved brake hose will be both braided and perfectly fine. I do appreciate the look of the "braided" aftermarket lines tho.
About the braided lines...
There must have been some time in the great automotive past wherein the rubber brake lines were just simple vulcanized rubber that would age and balloon. But the stock flex hoses on C4s (all years) are braided to prevent ballooning and then coated with a rubber-like compound to protect the braid. I think any DOT approved brake hose will be both braided and perfectly fine. I do appreciate the look of the "braided" aftermarket lines tho.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
I installed Goodridge braided stainless steel lines and I like the feel of the brake pedal, more firm.
As for brake pads I just received a front and rear set and got them at a very low price at Ebay. This are Hawk HPS and I will probably be using them this weekend at a track day if I have the time to install them .
By the way, do you think that they will work nicely without first driving 300 miles to settle them down? I will only be able to drive for about a 100 miles before arriving to the track so I am worried that it is not enough for the pad to adapt to the rotor.
As for brake pads I just received a front and rear set and got them at a very low price at Ebay. This are Hawk HPS and I will probably be using them this weekend at a track day if I have the time to install them .
By the way, do you think that they will work nicely without first driving 300 miles to settle them down? I will only be able to drive for about a 100 miles before arriving to the track so I am worried that it is not enough for the pad to adapt to the rotor.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,956
Likes: 706
From: WI
I tested the stock rubber lines by holding the line and having the pedal pressed, mine ballooned quite a bit.
HPS are very poor for track use. I faded them in two laps and burned them away in one event. You don't need hours to bed the pads, 15 mins is enough. Use something like 4-5 stops from 50-10 till you feel they start to fade.
HPS are very poor for track use. I faded them in two laps and burned them away in one event. You don't need hours to bed the pads, 15 mins is enough. Use something like 4-5 stops from 50-10 till you feel they start to fade.