Brake Pads Semi or Ceramic?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Kentucky
Brake Pads Semi or Ceramic?
It's time to do a Brake job on my 94. I need input on Brake pads, has any used ceramic? It's a daily driver, I really like the braking I have now and would like input that you may have Thank you
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 668
Likes: 21
I just asked pretty much the same question yesterday.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...or-a-92-a.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...or-a-92-a.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
I put ceramic pads on my 2002 Z06 and then on my 1992 coupe. They stop well and make very little dust, compared to the original pads. If you are going to be on a race track I would not use them as there are better ones for racing. But for everyday use on the street I think they are great. My wheels stay clean looking a lot longer. I am thinking of getting them for our 2000 BMW M roadster, as its brake pads make a ton of black dust which gets the wheels very dirty looking in just a couple of days. I do not like washing wheels often.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Unless you drive it like a grandma, go semi-metallic or go for performance pads from one of the forum vendors.
I did ceramics on my 91 a few months ago and they are marginal at best for anything other than regular driving.
I did ceramics on my 91 a few months ago and they are marginal at best for anything other than regular driving.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
what i would do if i were the op is avoid no name pads. buy something halfway decent from a brand like hawk, porterfield, carbotech etc..
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
It depends how you drive and if there are braking from high speeds. I have had problems with crap brakes on my 85 and experienced with a lot of pads. Semi metallic are ok with slow driving but does not feel god in higher speeds. Initially the 85 brakes are very bad for performance cars.
I wanted to keep the calipers and after trial and error the ones I ended up witih is Hawks.
HPS was better than I tried before , but HP plus was a quantuum leap better and fully acceptable even cold and slow speed and became better with heat. I put safety first and now I have good brakes.
The drawback is dusting and sometimes a bit squeeling at very low speeds. That does not matter for me as far as I have good and safe brakes
I wanted to keep the calipers and after trial and error the ones I ended up witih is Hawks.
HPS was better than I tried before , but HP plus was a quantuum leap better and fully acceptable even cold and slow speed and became better with heat. I put safety first and now I have good brakes.
The drawback is dusting and sometimes a bit squeeling at very low speeds. That does not matter for me as far as I have good and safe brakes
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
For a Street car take a look at the Carbotech 1521 compound.
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 $142 R $127 Less 5% Contact me I will be happy to help 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 $142 R $127 Less 5% Contact me I will be happy to help you.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I just bought Ceramics by Bendix. So far, I really like the braking, smoothness, and quiet operation. Compared to my prior semi-metallics, they brake better for normal driving.
(OTOH, I haven't flogged it either...and in that regard, I wasn't impressed by the semi-metallics)
When I replaced my brakes a few years back, I couldn't find ceramics for a reasonable price (e.g., <$100). This time I found ceramics thru Rock Auto for a great price. Gotta love the internet!!!
Here's the product description....
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1360547
(I also installed new Wagner BD61842 rotors with the pads. Rock Auto sells them for half my local auto parts store.)
(OTOH, I haven't flogged it either...and in that regard, I wasn't impressed by the semi-metallics)
When I replaced my brakes a few years back, I couldn't find ceramics for a reasonable price (e.g., <$100). This time I found ceramics thru Rock Auto for a great price. Gotta love the internet!!!
Here's the product description....
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1360547
(I also installed new Wagner BD61842 rotors with the pads. Rock Auto sells them for half my local auto parts store.)
