PewterNHRA2001

iTrader: (1)

tried searching, but im curious to know what the best pads are to use with the brembo rotors? i heard the hawks are one of the best, however, should i go with the hps(composite) or hpc(ceramic) pads?

JasonWW

iTrader: (2)

I don't think the pads are going to know the difference as far as what rotor they are pressing against.

I hear the HPS are stronger than stock, are fairly quiet and only dust a little. A lot of people like them. Don't expect to have race quality brakes, though.

I've never heard of the HPC. Is that the right name?

shouldaboughttheZ

iTrader: (8)

I hear the hawk pads tend to not last very long. I went with the Wagners from O'Reilly, and they have some sort of Thermal Anti Squeal on them.

PewterNHRA2001

iTrader: (1)

the HPC are the hawk Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads, im just wondering if i should go with the ceramic or composite pads

JasonWW

iTrader: (2)

Which of the 10 or so Hawk compounds did you hear that about? Was it the HPS?
I've looked all over their site and can't find a mention of the Ceramic pads.
www.hawkperformance.com

My guess is that they are more in line with the stock pads and a notch below the HPS. Here it how the Hawk pads rank in performance:
HP SuperDuty (which uses ceramic materials)
HPS
HP Plus
Blacks
DR97
Blue 9012
MT4
HT10
HT14
HT15

So maybe the HP Superduty are the ones you are refering to? Who is offering them? Any websites you can give?

shouldaboughttheZ

iTrader: (8)

It wasn't the HPS's. Those were the better ones.

2kta--89formula

iTrader: (2)

I have VGX pads and I am happy with them...nice and quiet, stop good, and no dust. I can't speak for longevity as this is my first set of VGX pads.

JasonWW

iTrader: (2)

Who makes VGX?

How do they compare to stock?

PewterNHRA2001

iTrader: (1)

the ceramic hawk pads are sold at tirerack.com

2kta--89formula

iTrader: (2)

Don't remember who makes them, but they work much much better than stock! Summit sells them, I dunno if any of the sponsors carry them?

absolut_speed

iTrader: (1)

If you want to absolutely minimize dust and noise, go with the ceramics.

absolut_speed

iTrader: (1)

How about checking the front page? Click this photo on the front page to go to this link: http://www.hawkperformance.com/2004%...%20Ceramic.pdf

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Ok. Since there seems to be some second hand (or third, etc) information here, I'll try to give my experience so you will have first hand information (and to clarify).

The HPS have a much higher initial bite and generally feel much better than a stock pad. They are more resistant to fade as well (they are not full race pads though and track days/really hard use can produce fade). They will handle higher brake temps than stock pads, but are not a full race pad. This is good since they work cold (as do some of the new race pad compounds these days) and warm/hot. They are generally quiet, but can make noise (squeaking) sometimes (a few hard stops will usually quiet them right down again). Dust is about the same as a stock pad (similar, a little more or less). Wear is good. We put them on a Mustang GT about a year or so ago and they are wearing well (it's daily driven) and work great. So, the wear seems reasonable (unless you beat on them). The problem with upgraded brakes is that they can be so much fun to use, that you'll find yourself braking harder and that will wear the pads more quickly (but life is still good). So, I'd recommend them for a street car.

HP+ seem to have less initial bite when cold and a flat torque curve until they get much warmer, then they gain some bite. They are (in my opinion) not real good cold (for street, though I've run through a whole set on the street) and not terribly good hot. So, they are a good pad that tries to be everything to everyone and they are not a street pad, and they are not equal to some of the race compound pads I've run either (that's what blacks/blues are for, but they can be hard on rotors). For moderate use or "easy" lapping days (or using brake ducts), they may work well, but I've found pads I like better. And, the HP+ make much more dust, lots of dust, and wear rotors. When the pads wear out, the rotors will be junk as well. I replace rotors and pads as a set.

PewterNHRA2001

iTrader: (1)

im gonna go with the ceramic hawk pads from tirerack, along with the brembo oem blanks as my new rotors, i should be ordering them this weekend and i should have them put on the first weekend in may when im home from school for the summer, ill be sure and let you all know how they work out