Brake Pad Reviews
 

So much for the new Google Search feature. I can't find a decent review of Hawk HPS pads for the life of me. Given that pad selection is a common question, let's make a consolidated thread here. I'll kick it off, but someone please post a nice review of Hawk HPS and HP+ pads. I'm also considering Carbotech's autoX pads, but they're about $100 more than the HPS and $50 more than the HP+ pads.

Stock Sport Pads:
Overall: Fine for everyday driving, would pass for auotX, not a good idea for track use
Initial Bite: terrible, my wife's Altima has better initial bite
Stopping power: fine...once you push the pedal very hard
Fade: they will fade out on track, should be fine for street use
Dust: Relatively none, rims stay clean a very long time
Noise: Silent

Carbotech XP10/8
Overall: Very aggressive feel and bite, ideal for track use, compromises daily driving livability
Initial Bite: Incredible! Will put you through the windshield the first time you try them.
Stopping power: Excellent, requires much less brake pedal force to get high levels of braking power
Fade: Haven't experienced it yet with these pads
Dust: Lots, plan on cleaning your rims after any events and probably twice a week if you use them on the street
Noise: Very squeaky. Given the slight brake pad/rotor contact at all times, you'll even get occasional squeaking while driving along at a constant speed.

Ok, come on Hawk users...

Hawk HP+, will last about 4 20 minute sessions on a brake intensive circuit before wearing to the backing plates with the sport brakes.

I'm running Carbotech XP12/XP10 now with my brembo fronts and sport rears, but haven't really had them on the track yet, only the two laps before my crash. I did just swap them back in last weekend in preparation for Zcon track day, and I must say they are silent on the street for some reason. I got one squeal out of them when I was backing into a parking spot, but thats it.

With Hawks, chances are that you will need rotors before new pads

Uh, sounds like Mike would disagree...

actually, I did forget, I not only wore the pads down to the backing plate, but scored and cracked the rotors.

Hawk Blues (9012)? Yes, for sure. But Hawk makes at least 12 compounds that I know of -- and a few others are in testing.

The HPS are not track pads and should never be used as such. The HP Plus are autocross pads with good bite right away when cold, but are not up to the ultimate high temperatures that full track use requires. Neither of these are in the same category as the XP8 or XP10, so they cannot not be directly compared. You will want to look at the DTC-30, DTC-60 or maybe the DTC-70 if you are comparing Hawk's offerings to Carbotech.

There is no one answer for all. You need to first understand the temperature range your driving style and track require, then compare pads that perform best in that range. Then, you can ask specific questions on those compounds to get an idea of what they feel like, wear like and whether or not they abuse rotors more or less than others. The ultimate goal is to find a solution that gives you as much feel/confidence you can get while staying under budget level you've set.

Chris

I have never used the Hawk Blues, but Hawk HPS is garbage. Hawks HP+ is a good pad, but too noisy and hurt rotors too much.

I've used HP+ and loved them but they are load and dusty as hell. As Chris pointed out, none of them are track worthy.

Another pad I tried was Ferodo DS2500 and I really didnt like that. No bite and they fade quickly. They are not meant to be used on the track.

Cobalt Friction XT series pads are pretty good track pads too, but they aren't very rotor friendly.

I successfully used the hp+ on the 350z and the C6, but the 370 brakes just get too hot for them

ive run project mu ns pads since last february when mike and i put them on while doing my calipers. that includes 8 track days at roebling and they're still there holding up well. my main problem was soft springs so ive got coils coming in this week. ill be at sebring in a month so i can really test them there with my suspension sorted but so far they've done great.

How do the Nismo pads hold up to daily driving?

I destroyed them in both cars you listed, that's why I stay with Carbotech now.

I used the HPS twice, never again for any driving. They have no initial bite, especially when wet. You are better off buying Wagner pads from Advanced Auto

I will echo the above, but I do have to say, you *can* use the HP+ just fine on the track - you just have to go easy on the brakes. No late braking...

Of course, I got sick of going easy, and of fade late in the sessions, so I switched to Carbotechs on the stock calipers, which have been solid for me. They did start making an ungodly racket after my last track weekend. They seem to be chilling out a bit since then...

Since I have the carbotechs for track days, what would you guys run for a daily driver and occasional autox? I'd like to only swap pads for my track days and run a pad that is DD and Autox worthy the rest of the time. Something a bit quieter and less dusty than the carbotechs, still rotor friendly, and has better bite and feel than stock but less than the carbos. Ideas?

I used the Carbotechs for a while on the street and autox, but they are very noisy. How about the basic Carbotechs?

:iagree:

I am running the HPS now and agree about the intial bite. They're certainly not an upgrade over the Akebono sport pads, IMO.

How were the Ferodo DS2500 compared to the stock sport pads for street driving?

I preferred the stock pads to be honest...

I'm trying out the Stillen stock pad replacements later this week, I'll chime in when I have something.

Cool, looking forward to that.

I can't stomach a set of basic Carbotechs for $300...essentially the same price as the 'better' track pads.

why not the stock pads for daily driving? They work great and are virtually dust free. I run stock rear pads and DS2500 on the fronts.

That's what I'm going back to after these HPS are done... stockers.

I was looking for stockers, but found the Stillens which are supposed to be better than stock for a similar price. Not to mention they have that "free pads if you buy rotors" promotion right now..

I suppose the stockers would hold up fine for autoX given the time between runs. The feel is just so different compared to the Carbotech XPs.

Who makes the rotors and metal matrix pads that Stillen sells, anyways? I will probably order rotors through Stillen when mine are done (may have been harsh on them about the bumper & SC but they have always been good to me for getting parts!) but wasn't quite sure who exactly manufactured them.

the bite on the stock pads are pathetic, my 350 felt much better

Its interesting because I always tell my gf, who has a G37s, that her brakes feel a lot better than mine around town. Much better initial bite. Do they not use the same compounds on both cars?

project mu ns are a great daily/sporty pad like i said...

Good question. Comparing my stock pads to the Carbotechs that I just removed...the stock pads are dust free because the pad material just smears across the face of the pad and accumulates on the trailing edge. The pads have a groove down the middle and mine are filled with old pad material. It's like using pencil erasers for brakes.

Why would Nissan would put such 'cruiser' pads on their 2nd-from-the-top sportscar? As I've said before, my wife's stock Altima pads have twice the bite of my Z's stock pads.

Keep us posted on the Stillen pads. There has to be something out there that is still pretty dust/noise free but has an improved feel and bite.

Stock pads are ceramics, almost like most aftermarket pads, which usually dont stop as well as the semi metallic (except carbotechs).

I had a RX-8, C6 Corvette, 350z prior to the 370 (small brakes). I can tell you the feel of the stock sport brakes are worse than all the cars, I havent felt brakes this bad since my 91 MR2 turbo at 14 years old!!!

Because 9 out of 10 Z owners buy the car to "cruise."

exactly, Nissan has probably been on all of the car forums and seen the numerous posts from corvette and bmw owners who complain about brake dust, and in all honesty, the stock pads are just fine for any legal driving on the street.

Let us know.

Thanks

Who stocks the Carbotech XP12/XP10 pads? I need some pads for my next track day in two weeks time and would like to try these out.

I too have tried the Hawk HP+ and I liked them however I understand them to be extremely hard on the rotors.

Call them directly, I believe one of the sponsor stocks it too.

I like the DS3000s for our car... they are consistent over temperatures and until we all get more cooling to our front rotors, we need that! The good heat performance may be in part due to the added thermal barrier used on these pads. I'm running these now and have no complaints... I don't want to 'think about' my brakes working - just want them to work - and that's what I get with these.

http://www.ferodo.co.uk/ferodo_home/pics/ms_graph.gif
Ferodo UK

These pads are not made for the street, as most of you know.

There is an endurance version of this pad if your budget requires it... I think someone around here was going to try the endurance version - would be curious to hear their thoughts.

I have the Hawk HP+ and ran 5 20 minute sessions and have tons of pad left. I think these are much better upgrade than the stock. I have also left them in since the car doesnt get driven much except at the track and they are eating my rotors and leave tons of dust. I am planning on doing rotors soon so I am not worried about my rotors unlike everyone else. I have started to see some nice rotor being made that I think will handle racing pads. I plan to try some carbotechs next unless someone hear can advise me of a better pad.

I should have a review of the Stillen Metal Matrix pads for you by this weekend.

:tup:

:iagree:

Where are you getting these Pads from?