I am torn between which pads to run. I have stock replacement Brembo rotors for the fronts and AC Delco rotors for the rears (I got a killer deal on them).

I realize that the ceramic pads do not stop as well, but have less brake dust.

The vette will be almost totally street driven, no auto X or things of that nature.

I was looking for more detail on how much more brake dust the Hawks create over the ceramics, and how many more feet would the vehicle take to stop with ceramic pads than the Hawks.

 

 

There is almost no dust with GM Ceramics, and what dust there is, is white and doesn't show up on wheels.

Ceramic brakes will not hold up well to repeated high speed use, they will get hot and fade. This never happens on the street.

I don't understand how people can say that ceramic brakes don't stop as fast in a one time emergency use, since you can lock up the tires/wheels with ceramic brakes, the ABS determines your stopping distance. You can't stop any faster than modulating brake lockup with the ABS regardless of the brake pad.

 

This comes up almost weekly. If you drive like you say, why not run ceramic. If you like to clean up black brake dust like a german car and make mutiple panic type stops from near 100 mph by the metallic pads.
I would say the dust you see ( ceramic is white) is 70% less, as far as to compare the stopping distance probably none on the first panic stop. Multiple stops need the metallic like a NASCAR on a short track.
Just my opinion, I am not an engineer.

 

HUGE difference between these two in performance and dust both.

If you're just taking it easy, get the ceramics. I hated them, but I'm a performance-minded type. If your car has much adhesion, you won't be able to stop nearly as quick with ceramics. I have first hand experience with both HP+ and ceramics.

 

I run the hawk plus pads, TONS of dust and noise, TONS; they make the ceramics fell like you are stopping on ice

nothing else grips like the Hawk pads(for a track/street pad)

 

Going from stock Z06 pads to Hawk HP Plus pads I have noticed a large increase in dust, noise and grabbiness (is that even a word?) - but under extreme duress the stock pads faded pretty badly and that wasn't an option as far as I was concerned. If you are just driving on the street, or even aggressively driving on the street go ahead and use the ceramic...

 

Thanks for the replies. I do not ride my brakes when driving, or tail gate resulting in needing to slam on them. However, as posted above by another member, in an emergency situation I do not want to hit something because I could have stopped sooner with another pad. Dust is def. a pita, but I rather have dust then a messed up front end.

 

Tire adheasion is the limiting factor in your braking distance, not the aggressiveness of the pad. You can lock up the brakes on all four corners no problem regardless of the quality of pad - so don't let that be the main determining factor.

The Hawk pads will be more aggressive and brake harder with less pressure, thus reducing overall heat and fade - but will also chew up rotors, dust like mad and make noise. The ceramic pads may take slightly more pressure on the pedal than the Hawks, but still have the capability of locking up the tires and activating ABS - they will also last longer, be easier on rotors and dust far less.

 

I try to tell my kinds what to do but in the end they have to make a few mistakes on their own to learn for themself.
Use ceramic for a daily driver.

 

On the street, use the ceramics. Dust is a PIA and you want to change pads as little as possible. That said, I personally did not have a good experience with the HP plus, I went back to the ceramics for the street and the track. Maybe the HP plus is better on the autox track than a road track. They only lasted one weekend and I thought they faded after a couple of laps. The dust was amazing...

If you have to get a different pad, then maybe look at the z06 pad. And, be prepared to change pads more often.

 

I use and will continue to use the HP+. LLLLooottttsss of black dust. The OEM pad does not stop as well. I've used the HP+ for one HPDE(top speed about 125-130), 25-30 low and high speed autox events, and 6000 miles/year. I've had the same pads and rotors on for over 3 years. I miked the rotors($29/ea. Raybestos) and they are about .020" from discard thickness. Tyhe old HP+ pads I just took off were worn to .150" front and .300" rear the new HP+s I put on were .350"(new pad thickness). I've seen no damage to rotors.
Now, go another 20-30mph more and my observation is that both pads and rotors begin to dissapear very quickly. Others Can go through aset of rotors and pads in two weekends when doing high speed events.

 

I really appreciate all of your help. I have decided to go with the GM Ceramics. Where did you guys find them for the cheapest?

 

gm parts house

 

Fichtner's Chevy, a forum vendor.

 

On EBAY - INTHERED

 

I know your original post was asking for a comparison of the ceramics vs. the Hawk HP+, but you might want to consider the HPS instead. The first time I replaced pads and rotors, I went with the AC Delco ceramic pads and DuraStop rotors. As soon as I went for a drive, I could tell there was a good bit less stopping power from the stock rotors and pads. There was no question that I could still stop, but it took more pedal pressure for the same stopping force. But the ceramics created MUCH less dust than the stock pads.

This time, I went with some zinc-washed rotors for the rust resistance and I changed to a set of HPS pads. They are also very low dusting, but have more stopping power than the ceramics do. I'd say that HPS are about as low-dusting as the ceramics but are closer to the stopping power of stock pads - not quite as good, but much better than than the ceramics. The HP+ are a more aggressive pad, meant for autocross or track days. The HPS are a street pad and I plan to use them from now on.

When I first put on the HPS and new rotors, I followed Hawk's bedding instructions while I was still on my original set of wheels. I was going to get new wheels/tires the next week, but didn't want the dust from the pad bedding on the new wheels. The Hawk bedding process got 'em hot and smelly, but I made sure not to stop completely. The old wheels took the brunt of the break-in dust and now my new wheels stay cleaner while I'm stopping "better".

Here is a link to the Hawk Performance page where you can get some more info on the different pad compounds:

http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance/

HTH....

Tex_Vette

 

Do the ceramics make much noise?

 

I removed the stock pads after getting disgusted with cleaning my wheels every time I drove my vette. I'm switched to Hawk Performance Ceramic pads and it virtually eliminated my brake dust problems. I've been very happy with the switch and have not experienced any noise as a result.

 

I have the EBC Red Stuff pads. Low on dust, & stop incredibliy well. Love heat too.