Need help selecting brake pads.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Need help selecting brake pads.
My brake pads are nearing end of their life and I'm looking at replacing them. Word is that the Hawk pads perform the best, but at the cost of a great deal of dust and noise. This being said, I'm looking for a set of pads based on the following criteria in order of importance to me:
1. Quiet
2. Lifespan
3. Stopping power
4. Low brake Dust
I'm also planning on swapping out to zinc coated D/S rotors with this swap so if there's a special type of pad that works better with these please feel free to inform me.
thanks.
1. Quiet
2. Lifespan
3. Stopping power
4. Low brake Dust
I'm also planning on swapping out to zinc coated D/S rotors with this swap so if there's a special type of pad that works better with these please feel free to inform me.
thanks.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,065
Likes: 24,731
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I'm running the Hawk HPS pads and they seem to be pretty decent in terms of low brake dust and so far they have shown little wear in 12K miles. I've heard that the ceramics have the lowest dust.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
Same with my Hawk HPS here, its a good street pad and perfect for a "spirited" daily driver. They have not made ANY noise whatsoever on my car and dusting isn't that bad. Also check with Jason, "Cajundude", at Gulf Coast Performance for rotors, he sold me some very nice dimpled/slotted rotors. All USA steel and cadmium coated instead of zinc... so they are silver in color, not the yellowish color the zinc coating leaves. They are also individually part numbered so each wheel has the correct vane direction. I think I paid a little over $100 per rotor.Edit: Here's the link to the original rotor thread a while back. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1753085
Last edited by DefenderC5; Jan 7, 2008 at 12:28 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
I just put on the HPS a couple weeks back and can't stand them, before that I was running HP+ and before that I was running stock Z06 pads.
The HP+ do dust heavily and can get noisy, but provided pretty good stopping power once warmed up and didn't fade until severely stressed (track day).
The HPS on the other hand have better bite at colder temperatures (it snowed here today), but feel like crap and fade during spirited driving - I haven't had them on long enough to really test for dust or noisyness.
I can handle dust and noise, I can't handle a pad that fades from just the stress I throw at the car on the street - they're coming off as soon as I can get some Z06 pads on hand...
I think it all comes down to how hard you are going to push the car with these pads installed. Install them and see what you think, if you don't like them you can always re-sell them here on the forum for a small loss and try something else.
The HP+ do dust heavily and can get noisy, but provided pretty good stopping power once warmed up and didn't fade until severely stressed (track day).
The HPS on the other hand have better bite at colder temperatures (it snowed here today), but feel like crap and fade during spirited driving - I haven't had them on long enough to really test for dust or noisyness.
I can handle dust and noise, I can't handle a pad that fades from just the stress I throw at the car on the street - they're coming off as soon as I can get some Z06 pads on hand...
I think it all comes down to how hard you are going to push the car with these pads installed. Install them and see what you think, if you don't like them you can always re-sell them here on the forum for a small loss and try something else.
Last edited by jbauch357; Jan 7, 2008 at 04:26 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg Pa
I have to agree with jbauch357. I just put HPS pads on my car yesterday and took it out for a drive and I am not all that impressed. I went with them becuase of everybody's recommendation but they just don't seem to stop all that great. I drive pretty aggressive and need a pad to stop well and the pads I had on my Z06 prior to these were far better. I have no idea what they were, probably stock z06 pads, but I guess it depends on your style of driving. If you are driving around town just to cruz around then they are fine, but for heavy braking applications on the street these left much to desire. I just felt like the car couldn't get stopped at high rates of speed.
I understand there are track pads out there but with a set of chrome 19" rims I dont want that kind of brake dust. I think when I need to new pads I will go with the Z06 pads.
just my .02
I understand there are track pads out there but with a set of chrome 19" rims I dont want that kind of brake dust. I think when I need to new pads I will go with the Z06 pads.
just my .02
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I use the Delco ceramics, but the word here is not great for track use. They are clean and quiet, I am happy with them. I have no experience with the Hawks.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
How much are ZO6 pads selling for these days? What makes them different from stock pads? Also I've heard that the 04 Z pads are diffrerent than the the earlier Z pads.
Also would the addition of braided steel brake lines help? I've heard mixed reviews on these.
Also would the addition of braided steel brake lines help? I've heard mixed reviews on these.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
As far as those that are not impressed with the Hawk pads -I think they get much better once they are bedded. And - I have to question if the process for bedding the pads was followed to the letter....it's on the side of the box.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
The Z06 pads compared to coupe pads are going to be more aggressive and wear rotors faster, dust more and possibly make more noise. They will also stop better, fade less and handle heat better. You'll probably be looking at ~$200 for a full set.
I don't have any personal experience with the stainless steel lines - so can't tell ya anything there...
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg Pa
Stainless steel lines can give you a little brake pedal feel, and can eliminate some of the mushiness. Just be careful to use the Goodrich lines - others have been reported to generate static electricity which can affect the wheel sensors.
As far as those that are not impressed with the Hawk pads -I think they get much better once they are bedded. And - I have to question if the process for bedding the pads was followed to the letter....it's on the side of the box.
As far as those that are not impressed with the Hawk pads -I think they get much better once they are bedded. And - I have to question if the process for bedding the pads was followed to the letter....it's on the side of the box.
I bedded exactly as the box stated. There is nothing wrong with the pads themselves, I just am not impressed with the stopping power. I figured it to be more.
