Pedal feel with performance pads/rotors
06-14-2009, 03:53 PM
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Pedal feel with performance pads/rotors I'm wondering what the difference in brake pedal feel is with different performance pads/rotors vs. stock?
I need some examples from personal experiences please.
I'm considering power stop slotted rotors with hawk hps or power stop z26 semi-metallic pads. Car is street driven, weekend spirited driving.
I like the feel of the stock pedal so I don't wanna stray too far from that. I don't wanna increase the pedal effort. Don't like a super hard pedal under light/normal driving conditions.
I'd like to get a boost in braking performance without sacrificing normal drivability. It would be nice to shave off a few feet from highway-speed stopping distance while reducing potential fade from numerous high speed stops. Wanna boost my emergency stopping power, for my peace of mind and safety's sake.
I don't want anything noisy/squealing.
I've done some searching but I would still like to make this thread asking for personal experiences with certain products and suggestions for accomplishing my goals. Thanks
I need some examples from personal experiences please.
I'm considering power stop slotted rotors with hawk hps or power stop z26 semi-metallic pads. Car is street driven, weekend spirited driving.
I like the feel of the stock pedal so I don't wanna stray too far from that. I don't wanna increase the pedal effort. Don't like a super hard pedal under light/normal driving conditions.
I'd like to get a boost in braking performance without sacrificing normal drivability. It would be nice to shave off a few feet from highway-speed stopping distance while reducing potential fade from numerous high speed stops. Wanna boost my emergency stopping power, for my peace of mind and safety's sake.
I don't want anything noisy/squealing.
I've done some searching but I would still like to make this thread asking for personal experiences with certain products and suggestions for accomplishing my goals. Thanks
06-14-2009, 04:01 PM
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I have EBC drilled and slotted Rotors with stock calipers and Wagner Brake pads. The first time i stepped on the pedal it almost threw me threw the windshield lol. I was used to pushing the pedal a little further down. I like the rotors work really good for daily use and racing. You can still slowly push the pedal down and come to a nice easy stop with no problem
06-14-2009, 05:46 PM
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all ill say about drilled/slotted is DONT USE THEM.
as for feel, the pedal feel is the same. the only thing that will change the actual pedal feel is old/bad fluid, or fluid with air trapped in it. the pads/rotors have nothing to do with the pedal feel, as in the ease of pushing it down. it may seem to grab higher, but thats probably just because new brakes or high performance brakes will grab harder and sooner, and will give the illusion of a higher pedal.
if you want better brakes for the street, all you need are hawk HPS and SOLID rotors. brembos are best, but even parts store rotors will do.
as for feel, the pedal feel is the same. the only thing that will change the actual pedal feel is old/bad fluid, or fluid with air trapped in it. the pads/rotors have nothing to do with the pedal feel, as in the ease of pushing it down. it may seem to grab higher, but thats probably just because new brakes or high performance brakes will grab harder and sooner, and will give the illusion of a higher pedal.
if you want better brakes for the street, all you need are hawk HPS and SOLID rotors. brembos are best, but even parts store rotors will do.
06-14-2009, 06:40 PM
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this topic has been beated to death. a slotted rotor only isnt bad. a drilled or drilled/slotted IS bad and very prone to cracking, especially when tracked. even manufacturers will state that drilled are not to be used in high performance applications and should not be tracked.
theyre for looks only, they do nothing for braking power. if all you want is looks, then thats one thing. and im sure there are pleny of people who can chime in and say theyve driven X miles on drilled and no cracking.......well you can bang hookers without a bag for years and not get aids too. but is that a risk worth taking?
slots only are again mostly for looks. they dont do much for increased braking power. they do look decent, and they arent anywhere near as prone to cracking as drilled are. had i to choose, i would of course pick blanks. but if the choice was only slots or drilled, then pick slots.
theyre for looks only, they do nothing for braking power. if all you want is looks, then thats one thing. and im sure there are pleny of people who can chime in and say theyve driven X miles on drilled and no cracking.......well you can bang hookers without a bag for years and not get aids too. but is that a risk worth taking?
slots only are again mostly for looks. they dont do much for increased braking power. they do look decent, and they arent anywhere near as prone to cracking as drilled are. had i to choose, i would of course pick blanks. but if the choice was only slots or drilled, then pick slots.
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06-14-2009, 07:20 PM
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Point well taken. And thanks for the recommendations everyone.My only concern with the slots is the fact that they wear pads more quickly. But how much more quickly they wear the pads I'm not sure? I don't drive the car daily.
I've had power slot/hawk hps on a previous car but sold it shortly after...but thats another story. The anti rust finish and slots looked very nice.
Another concern with slots is losing a bit of surface area. I would probably never notice the difference with slots or blanks while driving "spiritedly" on the weekends, below the legally posted speed limits OF COURSE
06-14-2009, 07:53 PM
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Point well taken. And thanks for the recommendations everyone.My only concern with the slots is the fact that they wear pads more quickly. But how much more quickly they wear the pads I'm not sure? I don't drive the car daily.
I've had power slot/hawk hps on a previous car but sold it shortly after...but thats another story. The anti rust finish and slots looked very nice.
Another concern with slots is losing a bit of surface area. I would probably never notice the difference with slots or blanks while driving "spiritedly" on the weekends, below the legally posted speed limits OF COURSE
06-14-2009, 11:35 PM
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Whilst on that subject, I've also tried DBA blanks with their supposed "kangaroo paw" venting, and just found the rotors to be overpriced, overbuilt, and overall to be nothing better. Whilst it's nice to have more mass in the rotors for better heat tolerance, this is a case where too much is just too much. In this case, recommend the Ate "slotted" over the DBA "kangaroo vented" blanks.
Just my .02.
BTW, good job in researching your options.
06-15-2009, 07:01 AM
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^^^ you whilst alot.
slots will increase pad wear, but not alot. if its a toy/weekender, you probably wont even notice it. i get all my brake stuff from tirerack. one stop stopping. i have the C5 conv., and for whatever reason, brembo blanks are significantly cheaper then LS1 blanks. youd think being directional and bigger theyd be more money, but theyre $20-$30 cheaper. ATE has a powerslot rotor, which isnt just slotted but has two concentric grooves across the rotor face. i think thats a better design, and its even a few dollars cheaper then the brembo blanks.
i have blanks for the track, but i wouldnt hesitate with the ATEs for street.
slots will increase pad wear, but not alot. if its a toy/weekender, you probably wont even notice it. i get all my brake stuff from tirerack. one stop stopping. i have the C5 conv., and for whatever reason, brembo blanks are significantly cheaper then LS1 blanks. youd think being directional and bigger theyd be more money, but theyre $20-$30 cheaper. ATE has a powerslot rotor, which isnt just slotted but has two concentric grooves across the rotor face. i think thats a better design, and its even a few dollars cheaper then the brembo blanks.
i have blanks for the track, but i wouldnt hesitate with the ATEs for street.
