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Brake Pad Change Time - Advice Needed

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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 01:01 PM
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Default Brake Pad Change Time - Advice Needed

I am about to change the pads on my C5 for the first time, what does everyone recommend going with? Stock GMs or does anyone rate a particular alternative?

Cheers....
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 02:21 PM
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Hawk HPS good alternative
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 02:24 PM
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The Hawks are on a GP... check out http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1619160

Chuck
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 02:25 PM
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You've asked a very subjective question. Depends on what you are trying to do with the car; for example -
1. Hard driving and autocrossing probably want to go with Hawk pads although they dust like crazy.
2. If you are a waxer you will probably want to go with a ceramic pad, like they sell at Pep Boys, to keep the dust down - wears hard on rotors though.
3. If you know virtually nothing about your car, only drive for enjoyment and want to keep the "great GM feeling" then go with a set of OEM pads.

Just depends on your taste and needs.

Enjoy
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jeanlucpicard
You've asked a very subjective question. Depends on what you are trying to do with the car; for example -
1. Hard driving and autocrossing probably want to go with Hawk pads although they dust like crazy.
2. If you are a waxer you will probably want to go with a ceramic pad, like they sell at Pep Boys, to keep the dust down - wears hard on rotors though.
3. If you know virtually nothing about your car, only drive for enjoyment and want to keep the "great GM feeling" then go with a set of OEM pads.

Just depends on your taste and needs.

Enjoy
Where would the OEM Z06 pads fall in this range?
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 12:15 AM
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Same thing, basically same car so follow the same guidelines.
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by C5Longhorn
Where would the OEM Z06 pads fall in this range?
That would be #1.
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 09:30 AM
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For low dust and good braking even with Auto-X
AC/Delco Durastop ceramics
best prices
Gene Culley
you can visit his website 24/7 at www.gmpartshouse.com, email him, gculley@gmpartshouse.com, or call him at 610.862.0550.


If you are serious about Auto-X or high speed then
Hawk HP Plus
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by C5Longhorn
Where would the OEM Z06 pads fall in this range?
decent bite, but lots of dust
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 10:30 AM
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What is a pad with equal bite as the OEM Z06 pads but with less dust? If you're getting less dust, is that at the expense of rotor life? It seems to me there will always be a trade off.
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by C5Longhorn
What is a pad with equal bite as the OEM Z06 pads but with less dust? If you're getting less dust, is that at the expense of rotor life? It seems to me there will always be a trade off.
don't worry about rotor life, tear into those($100 from Napa/all 4); if you want stopping power on the street then Hawk HPS or GM Z06, both produce moderate dust

the Hawk Plus is the best street pad I've seen, but tons of dust and noise(squeal)
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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 11:13 AM
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ranking pads

1 - ceramic - lowest amount of dust - distance to stop ok - do not work well once hot

2- OEM C5 pads - some dust - stopping distance ok - can withstand a few hard stops

3 - OEM Z06 Pads - Dust - stopping distance good - work good under heavy braking

4 - Hwak HPS - Dust - stopping distance good - work good under heavy braking

IMHO - either the Z06 or HPS pads are the best for the street. I think the HPS do better for continual hard brakes or when the pads/rotors are hot, but for most street drivers I dont think you will know the difference.

I am just starting to test Wilwood for the street so I can give feedback on them in a few weeks. We are also working on racig pads. Last set on stock calipers were DTC-70s from Hawk. You could not ask for a better brake pad on a stock caliper.

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Old Feb 11, 2007 | 10:17 PM
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Default Hawk vs Z06

How well do the Hawk HPS do for street driving when the pads are cold? Any squealing or noise?

For the occassional drag racer and autocrosser will the Hawk HPS work well for normal street driving.

Just trying to decide on Z06 or Hawk HPS.

Last edited by USRobo; Feb 11, 2007 at 10:19 PM.
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Old Feb 12, 2007 | 12:02 AM
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Default Z06 pads on a 99?

can I assume that the Z06 pads will work on a 99?
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Old Feb 12, 2007 | 12:10 AM
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Originally Posted by USRobo
How well do the Hawk HPS do for street driving when the pads are cold? Any squealing or noise?

For the occassional drag racer and autocrosser will the Hawk HPS work well for normal street driving.

Just trying to decide on Z06 or Hawk HPS.
I want to add another pad that I used after the Hawk's: Performance Friction Z-Rated. Better-much better-braking on track and street than the Hawk's (although maybe a touch less bite if really cold), easier to clean dust, and equal in squeak (both squeak more than stock but not too bad). I like them so much that I just leave them on the car 24/7 even though I could swap them back to stock in 20 minutes if I had to...

You can still get PFC's from MSI (a supporting vendor) but I do not know the price.

Crash
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Old Feb 12, 2007 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by LeMansWinner
I am about to change the pads on my C5 for the first time, what does everyone recommend going with? Stock GMs or does anyone rate a particular alternative?

Cheers....
I did AC Delco ceramics..very minimal brake dust. im a waxer though
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Old Feb 12, 2007 | 02:17 PM
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I have EBC Red Stuff pads on mine, & love them. Not much dust, bite like crazy, & love heat.
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