what a delimma. semi metallic,ceramic, factory , Baer, or Hawk cheap or expensive how to decide? C5
Harvey
hkblum@gmail.com

 

I really don't have any complaints with the factory pads, but I don't track my car either. I did run a set of Hawk HPS pads with my Baer Eradispeed rotors on my '00 and they performed well too.

 

If you are doing street driving I would recommend you stay away from cross drilled rotors; they have a tendency to crack and provide less stopping surface area.
I personally like slotted rotors with some Hawk pads
Look to spend $500 for a good set of 1 piece rotors and $200 ish for the brake pads.

Here is a link to a tread from a vendor with some cheaper but seemingly good quality rotors.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...ke-rotors.html

 

You will be able to read well into old-age on this topic if you search as it is covered VERY frequently...

Here's the summary:

Brake Pads:

High Ceramic content = No dust and poor stopping power
Stock, Hawk HPS, or other well known non-ceramic = Great stopping power, lots of dust.

I have been pleased with the stock pads and the Hawk HPS pads and I prefer the HPS b/c I think they dust a little less. I cannot speak from personal experience on other non-ceramics. I tried a set of ceramics once and took them off two days after installing them... The stopping performance was TERRIBLE.

Rotors:

Drilled/Slotted or Drilled: Pi$$ poor choice for track use. They will crack. But they are fine for street use. I drive very aggressively and I have drilled rotors. Three years and going strong.

Slotted only: No idea... No experience. I've read they are less susceptible to cracking. I guess they look better than plain rotors.

Solid Rotors: Cheap, solid, reliable. But... they look plain. Great for the track as they won't crack and can be replaced for a very reasonable cost.

Just my $0.02. Try this: http://tinyurl.com/3txdgzs

 

Carbotech 1521 compound F $144 R $124 less 7% forum discount.

The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

 

I keep reading good things about these and I'm really tempted to try them as I'm going to need pads soon. I've tried the Hawk ceramic pads on my C5 and had ceramic pads on my G35 coupe when I had it (they were on the car when I bought it so I am unsure of the brand) and I HATED them.

Can you tell me why yours are superior to other in terms of performance? (I don't care nearly as much about aesthetics when it comes to being able to stop QUICKLY if the situation demands it). Also, in terms of performance, how do they compare to the stock pads or Hawk HPS (or similar). I would use them for street driving only as I use track specific pads for HPDEs. Do yours contain less ceramic material than other brands?

Sorry for the hijack.

 

We use a proprietary Ceramic and Metallic brake construction along with kevlar. The 1521 will out perform the stock pad in Quick stops, it may feel a little softer than the stock pad during normal driving, this is do to the modulation we build in to are pads, but if you are in a panic stop they are going to grab the more pedal you give them the harder they bite. As for the HPS I would say they are on par with each other the problem with HPS is the dust is corossive as where ALL of our compounds are 100% non Corossive.

 

I'm in the same dilemma...currently running Hawk HPS + (left on after an HPDE) and the dust is crazy, 2 commutes to work and get out the hose!!! (to be expected I guess)
And my used to be pristine magnesium wheels - well lets just say not so much anymore...


But, in all I've read it seems Ceramics and Brakes are like Oil and Vinegar....

I guess my question would be whats the lowest dusting non ceramic pad available? )non corrosive dust a plus) and would this pad be able to double for a few track days per year?

 

I may have miss led you guy on the grip, It doesn't have less grip at any time, due to the modulation, the pads require more pedal input at times than the OEM pads do, but in reality, the pads have a higher coefficient of friction than the OEM pads do at all times. More pedal equals more bite and shorter stopping distances.


These are not a ceramic pad, it is only one of several parts of the makeup of the compound, and know where near the majority of what is in the mixture. You are correct, ceramic pads do not stop a car well at all, and are quite very dangerous. The 1521 compound being comprised of Carbon, Kevlar and ceramic is what gives it such great performance, longevity, rotor friendliness and also makes it a very low dusting compound.

Call me direct at 216-780-8825 to place an order.

F $ 144 R $124 less 7% forum discount.

 

Okay, now I'll have to try them. I'll be ordering these from you soon...

 

cdk, did I understand above that your experience was that the Hawk HPS pads dusted less than the stocks?

These Carbotechs sounds interesting, but $100 more than the HPS....

May be the price to pay for noncorrosive low dust.....

 

Just a little less... They both dust like crazy. I really don't care much about dust, cleaning wheels is easy.

I just want to try the carbotechs because I've been reading good things about them on this forum. Run a search...

 

I suggest the Hawk HPS. I run a set and sell tons of them. I never really suggest the ceramics, but I offer them.

http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...&categoryId=41