Brake Pad Thoughts and Opinions
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Brake Pad Thoughts and Opinions
I know there are a lot of threads about brakes, but I am looking for some opinions on brake pads, and a few of my questions didn't really fit into the older posts.
I drive the C5 on the flatlands mostly, and don't race it. I drive it like it should be but I don't think I need to go with big brakes or significant upgrades over OEM. I plan on keeping the stock calipers.
BUT... I do play in the mountains from time to time. I start to get some fade and just a little bit of a soft chatter when they start to get warm. Checked rotor runout, had .001 on three rotors and .002 on the fourth. Specs we used said no more than .003, so I felt like we were OK with rotors.
My big question is pads. The ones on there have plenty of life, but I am giving some thought to an upgraded pad. I was looking at Hawk HPS, or Stop Tech 308 performance/street. Talked to a guy at BuyBrakes.com and he recommended NRS Premium Galvanized. I know the three points to consider are dust, noise and performance. I mostly lean towards performance and would like to get some durability out of them. And, when I am passing the Mustangs coming down the back side of Pikes Peak I'd like the old girl to be able to slow down enough to set up the next corner.
Thanks for any advise or thoughts that you have on these pads.
I drive the C5 on the flatlands mostly, and don't race it. I drive it like it should be but I don't think I need to go with big brakes or significant upgrades over OEM. I plan on keeping the stock calipers.
BUT... I do play in the mountains from time to time. I start to get some fade and just a little bit of a soft chatter when they start to get warm. Checked rotor runout, had .001 on three rotors and .002 on the fourth. Specs we used said no more than .003, so I felt like we were OK with rotors.
My big question is pads. The ones on there have plenty of life, but I am giving some thought to an upgraded pad. I was looking at Hawk HPS, or Stop Tech 308 performance/street. Talked to a guy at BuyBrakes.com and he recommended NRS Premium Galvanized. I know the three points to consider are dust, noise and performance. I mostly lean towards performance and would like to get some durability out of them. And, when I am passing the Mustangs coming down the back side of Pikes Peak I'd like the old girl to be able to slow down enough to set up the next corner.
Thanks for any advise or thoughts that you have on these pads.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
There are a lot of questions to your questions. First do you mind brake noise and dust? Carbotech offers a few compounds that will fit your needs I will list them below.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn’t recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
CARBOTECH™ 1521™
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
CARBOTECH™ AX6™
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn’t recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
I have the Hawk 5.0 pads on mine and so far, so good. Noticeably more bite than stock, can't speak to the wheel dust but every other Hawk pad I've had loved to make a mess so these are likely no different. Auto-x is the worst I've done to them, so no real feedback on fade for you.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 940
From: Orlando Florida
How much fade are you getting? Some fade can be pad, but brake fluid is a big fade factor. If fluid is poor quality or age, it’s going to be a problem when the calipers get hot.
I’m thinking you’ve got an extra zero in your runout numbers - three thousandths of an inch is pert near impossible in a rotor/hub assembly.
I’m thinking you’ve got an extra zero in your runout numbers - three thousandths of an inch is pert near impossible in a rotor/hub assembly.
