Camaro, Firebird, and Corvette: Brake Pad Reviews
When the time comes to do a brake job of your Corvette, Camaro, or Firebird, why not upgrade the performance as well? Better than stock stopping is often no more expensive, and often comes with benefits like less brakes dust, and noise. However, some better stopping pads trade off pad life, noise or initial bite. Let's look at a few.
This article applies to the F-Body (1993-2002) and Corvette (1997-2004).
If you are in need of an inexpensive way to add stopping power to your F-Body or Corvette, a set of aftermarket brake pads is a great way to go. Unlike pricey multi-piston calipers and cross drilled rotors, pads won't break the bank and are in need of more frequent replacement anyway. And because the cost difference between a set of stock replacement pads and aftermarket ones isn't that massive, it makes a lot of sense to forgo the stockers and upgrade to a set of quieter, smoother, or longer lasting pads that will also shorten your braking distance. Here's how three of the most popular aftermarket options stack up against each other.
Brake Pads
Hawk |
Stop Tech |
EBC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $100-$300 | $50-$75 | $80-$100 |
| Performance | Street/Race | Street | Street/Race |
| Lifespan | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| Warranty | Manufacturer defects | Limited | 6 month/5,000 miles |
Best Value: EBC
Hawk
Price – $100-$300
Performance – Street/Race
Lifespan – Not rated
Warranty – Manufacturer defects
Hawk performance makes a pretty wide variety of brake pads for the F-Body and the Corvette, ranging from pads designed for improved-over-stock street performance to all out race pads. While Hawk advertises that all of their pads are dual purpose, real world reports seem to shoot down those claims. Those that have tried to race with the street performance pads report fading and overheating after hard use. Outside of that, there isn't much to complain about. Hawk pads are quiet and don't produce much brake dust, and all of their compounds provide shortened stopping distances over stock.
Stop Tech
Price – $50-$75
Performance – Street
Lifespan – Not rated
Warranty – Limited
Stop Tech produces brake pads that are mainly designed to be a stock replacement or to provide an upgrade over stock on the street. While they don't make a hardcore race pad, they don't charge you a ton of money either and provide good value for the money. Unfortunately, that also means that they produce more brake dust than the competition and don't provide much of an upgrade in terms of stopping distance. On the plus side, Stop Tech pads don't fade like stock pads and they seem to hold up well over time.
EBC
Price – $80-$100
Performance – Street/Race
Lifespan – Not rated
Warranty – 6 years/5,000 miles
EBC offers a variety of brake pads that vary in use from basic street driving, to performance street and race applications. Reviews are generally good for a big reduction in brake dust and silent operation on the street as well as improved stopping power. Critics point out that they do seem to be a little less grippy when cold, and tend to fade as well as wear out much quicker under high stress. Under normal conditions, however, EBC pads last a long time. Overall, the pads offer a nice middle option between stock replacement pads and expensive, all-out performance pads.
Related Discussions
- Looking for Input on EBC Brake Pads - LS1Tech.com
- Stop Tech Performance Brake Pads - LS1Tech.com
- Anyone Use Hawk Street or Race Brake Pads? - LS1Tech.com
