Time for new brake pads
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Hawk HP+ or EBC Red Stuff
Those are the best pads I've ever used.
I used the EBC Yellow Stuff for a 2 years without a problem, although some report you really need to heat them up before use. I didn't have this issue, but either way, I'd recommend the Red Stuff for daily driving.
Pros and Cons (Personal experience):
Hawks HP+ are superior to the EBC Red Stuff in stopping power (if you're going to track the car) but they're kind of noisy to me and hard stopping from 100+MPH still runs the risk of warping rotors (I was coming down from 145MPH. Warped and cracked BOTH front rotors.)
The EBCs DO NOT warp your rotors and they're very quiet. They bite pretty good and will definitely stop your car on a dime and you'll be very safe with them, but again, if you're going to the track with them, use the Hawks HP+.
They both leave minimal brake dust on the wheels.
I like that the EBC Red Stuff is actually painted red so it looks good in the calipers. When I had the yellow stuff in my Trans Am, the yellow stuck out like a sore thumb. But red always looks good behind the wheels.
Those are the best pads I've ever used.
I used the EBC Yellow Stuff for a 2 years without a problem, although some report you really need to heat them up before use. I didn't have this issue, but either way, I'd recommend the Red Stuff for daily driving.
Pros and Cons (Personal experience):
Hawks HP+ are superior to the EBC Red Stuff in stopping power (if you're going to track the car) but they're kind of noisy to me and hard stopping from 100+MPH still runs the risk of warping rotors (I was coming down from 145MPH. Warped and cracked BOTH front rotors.)
The EBCs DO NOT warp your rotors and they're very quiet. They bite pretty good and will definitely stop your car on a dime and you'll be very safe with them, but again, if you're going to the track with them, use the Hawks HP+.
They both leave minimal brake dust on the wheels.
I like that the EBC Red Stuff is actually painted red so it looks good in the calipers. When I had the yellow stuff in my Trans Am, the yellow stuck out like a sore thumb. But red always looks good behind the wheels.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,599
Likes: 1,717
From: Converse TX
I have the Hawks on our C6 and they are just fine for our street driven Vette and I used to have the non cermainc Hawks on the C5 before I went with new brakes and they were also very good, just lots of dust
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,824
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Are you saying you got that many miles on the original pads? If so I would go with the GM pad kit (not Delco) that comes with the pads and new caliper hardware. The OEM pads are not ceramic. Ceramics are not very good at stopping well under hard usage.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I'm not sure where you got that info from, but I definitely have to say that it's not correct.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I recommend HAWK HPS brake pads for street use. They can be used for mild track use also. They dust little but stop better than ZO6 pads.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jul 11, 2009 at 09:18 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Hawk Performance’s HP Plus brake pad compound is ideal for Autocross and Track Day drivers looking for a high performance race compound that can take the heat of the track and get you home safely without having to change the pads.
Of course, that's a pad that is daily driveable. If there pad were anymore meant for racing, they wouldn't be good on the street because you'd need to heat them up.
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I ran a set of Hawk HPS brake pads on my '00. Got them from Corvette Garage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
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From: Los Angeles California
Racing pads aren't streetable. The best pads you're going to get for the street are ceramic. Why are you looking at racing compounds? Obviously he doesn't race the car if he doesn't even know what pad he had!
Geezus.
Geezus.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
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From: Reading PA
I would be happy to help you out with some ceramics.
||--Genuine GM C5 Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 153.03 shipped.
||--Genuine GM C5 Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 153.03 shipped.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 244
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From: IL
Paul:
There is never a shortage of opinions on the forum. I just installed rotors and ceramic pads a couple of weeks ago. The stopping efficency was slightly effected. However, I can now drive around the block after detailing the car and the rims are still pristine. (zero dust) I do not race the car, so it was a no brainer for me.
There is never a shortage of opinions on the forum. I just installed rotors and ceramic pads a couple of weeks ago. The stopping efficency was slightly effected. However, I can now drive around the block after detailing the car and the rims are still pristine. (zero dust) I do not race the car, so it was a no brainer for me.
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