brake pad suggestions please
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
brake pad suggestions please
well i tried searching, cuz i know i've seen this, but i can't find many threads on pad suggestions. I can't find ceramic for the 85(although those are the most recommended). And i'm really not willing to spend $100 a set. And i know the $19.95 special isn't any good either. So what are some good ones to buy from the AutoZones and other parts stores? Info on brands and material composition would be great! I don't race, but I do enjoy the spirited driving once in a while, and i don't want them to make noise.
Also, while i have this part (again) should i have the rotors turned? Visually they look good and i can't feel any waviness, and the pedal never pulsed, so i think they should be good.
Finally, after the new pads are on, are there any break-in/"bedding" techniques? (other than finally being able to just sleep at night after this friggin project is done?? )
Also, while i have this part (again) should i have the rotors turned? Visually they look good and i can't feel any waviness, and the pedal never pulsed, so i think they should be good.
Finally, after the new pads are on, are there any break-in/"bedding" techniques? (other than finally being able to just sleep at night after this friggin project is done?? )
Last edited by XQIZT; Nov 17, 2004 at 09:13 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by Orlando85UCFvette
well i tried searching, cuz i know i've seen this, but i can't find many threads on pad suggestions. I can't find ceramic for the 85(although those are the most recommended). And i'm really not willing to spend $100 a set. And i know the $19.95 special isn't any good either. So what are some good ones to buy from the AutoZones and other parts stores? Info on brands and material composition would be great! I don't race, but I do enjoy the spirited driving once in a while, and i don't want them to make noise.
Also, while i have this part (again) should i have the rotors turned? Visually they look good and i can't feel any waviness, and the pedal never pulsed, so i think they should be good.
Finally, after the new pads are on, are there any break-in/"bedding" techniques? (other than finally being able to just sleep at night after this friggin project is done?? )
Also, while i have this part (again) should i have the rotors turned? Visually they look good and i can't feel any waviness, and the pedal never pulsed, so i think they should be good.
Finally, after the new pads are on, are there any break-in/"bedding" techniques? (other than finally being able to just sleep at night after this friggin project is done?? )
I recently put on a set of Autozone PFZ's Z rated...and am very happy with them! they stop great! I have a 94 by the way- I want to say they were about $70 a set...as for bleeding, you don't have to bleed the system for a pad replacement- but if you are changing the fluid...a speed bleeder works well...pump action unit I bought at the auto parts store- or the old two man method...
I would recommend these pads- they changed the stopping attitude of my 94 for the better!
Cheers!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
i have tried both the PFC carbon metallics and the PFC z-rated pads from Autozone. i found the carbon metallics are acceptable for daily driving but panic stops were sometimes scary. it would not brake hard enough to have ABS kick in on dry non-cold pavement. in an autocross, they were nearly unacceptable.
the z-rated pads cold performs slightly better than the carbon metallics (barely gets ABS to kick in), but when warmed up they perform much better. i wish i had originally spent the extra 30 bucks or so instead of getting the carbon metallics.
if you don't have any brake judder or have excessive pad material on the rotors i wouldn't bother turning them.
as for bedding, check the following link under "prevention":
http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm
the z-rated pads cold performs slightly better than the carbon metallics (barely gets ABS to kick in), but when warmed up they perform much better. i wish i had originally spent the extra 30 bucks or so instead of getting the carbon metallics.
if you don't have any brake judder or have excessive pad material on the rotors i wouldn't bother turning them.
as for bedding, check the following link under "prevention":
http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm
Last edited by tempest; Nov 17, 2004 at 10:36 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Hi.
I have an 85 Z-51 4+3.
I was scared the first times I used the brakes after having bought the car. I sweated more than one time. i changed the pads to semi metallic and it became better. The stock ones were glazed and very hard. This year I changed to the EBC greenstuff and that was a big difference as I now feel that I have near into normal brakes. The booster is fine so it is not that. I heard from a brake shop that the 85 had terrible brakes so it probably theone piston calipers together with small brake pad area.
At least the EBC gave an improvement.
I have an 85 Z-51 4+3.
I was scared the first times I used the brakes after having bought the car. I sweated more than one time. i changed the pads to semi metallic and it became better. The stock ones were glazed and very hard. This year I changed to the EBC greenstuff and that was a big difference as I now feel that I have near into normal brakes. The booster is fine so it is not that. I heard from a brake shop that the 85 had terrible brakes so it probably theone piston calipers together with small brake pad area.
At least the EBC gave an improvement.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I really like the performance friction Z-rated pads as well, but they are not really cheap. I'm thinking $120 or so for front and rear. The beauty of it though is that they have lifetime warranty, which covers normal wear!
You replace them one time and you've paid for the extra cost.
You replace them one time and you've paid for the extra cost.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I'm about to put the AZ Z-rated pads on the rear and don't intend on toughing the rotors.
To bed the new pads find an open streatch of higway, brake hard from 65-70 to around 20-30mph several times and then drive for 5min or so at highway speeds to cool the brakes.
To bed the new pads find an open streatch of higway, brake hard from 65-70 to around 20-30mph several times and then drive for 5min or so at highway speeds to cool the brakes.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
i've called everywhere and there are very few choices. looks like bendix or raybestos, which are readily available and reasonably priced. bendix pads from advance auto are going to be about $100 all up and the raybestos from pep boys would be about $60.
thoughts??
thoughts??
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
...The beauty of it though is that they have lifetime warranty, which covers normal wear!
You replace them one time and you've paid for the extra cost.
You replace them one time and you've paid for the extra cost.
not sure when they did that....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Originally Posted by Orlando85UCFvette
i've called everywhere and there are very few choices. looks like bendix or raybestos, which are readily available and reasonably priced. bendix pads from advance auto are going to be about $100 all up and the raybestos from pep boys would be about $60.
thoughts??
thoughts??
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Originally Posted by Orlando85UCFvette
i've called everywhere and there are very few choices. looks like bendix or raybestos, which are readily available and reasonably priced. bendix pads from advance auto are going to be about $100 all up and the raybestos from pep boys would be about $60.
thoughts??
thoughts??
I can lock them up just before that ABS kicks in and on a dry road I can move everything that's in the hatch area right into the front cockpit area with the push of a peddle (cooler, jackets, hat) !!
They do dust but not as bad as Raybesto's that I have on another car. I got mine through the tirerack.com
I'll buy them again too. I'm a daily driver and weekend cone chaser.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
In answer to both questions....
First I purchased a cheap set of drilled and slotted rotors on Ebay. I also purchased a set of pads from AutoZone PFCs Z rated. Lifetime guarantee, no dust and work WITH heat. That was about a year ago and the still stop great.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
He has a 85 vette and they don't make them for that year. I have tried ceramics and they fade after 125-10 MPH. That is with my Z06 conversion. I have the Hawk HPS on the Z06 conversion now. Best pads in my book.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Originally Posted by Corvette0096
He has a 85 vette and they don't make them for that year. I have tried ceramics and they fade after 125-10 MPH. That is with my Z06 conversion. I have the Hawk HPS on the Z06 conversion now. Best pads in my book.
Listen to Rich. I helped him on his pad selection. He was disgusted with the ceramics, they wouldn't slow him down quick enough.
The hawks are 62 for the front and 75 for the rear.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Whoops, also as far as bedding.
Two schools of thought.
1) the slow increase in brake speed several times.
2) Cook them immediately, best to do at night when you can see the orange glow and sparks.
I use number 2
Two schools of thought.
1) the slow increase in brake speed several times.
2) Cook them immediately, best to do at night when you can see the orange glow and sparks.
I use number 2