Brake Pad Upgrade?

[chichirone]

Anyone have a suggestion for brake pads for my 69 Camaro? I'm running Baer Brakes 6P's up front and T4 on the rears. The current pads are the ones that came with the Baer brake kit when it was installed. My car weighs about 3600lbs and I'm running Dunlop Direzza Zii tires. I run the car on the street, autocross and am looking to do some ASCS events in 2014. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Sieg]

Hawk HP Plus pads cross over well, good bite, no warm up issues........but if you even glance at them they'll thoroughly dust your wheels. :D

[Apogee]

Hawk HP Plus pads cross over well, good bite, no warm up issues........but if you even glance at them they'll thoroughly dust your wheels. :D

X2 on the Hawk HP Plus...just don't make eye contact and you'll be fine...but only because you won't be looking at your wheels.

As for pads, have you driven the Baer supplied pads yet (Roulands)? If so, how do you like them? Even at best, opinions on pad compounds between different cars tend to be very subjective, and what I like on my car may not be what you like on yours. If you have some baseline to help establish your expectations, that can be very helpful. In addition, manual or power brakes? If power, vacuum assist or Hydroboost? If vacuum assist, booster size and configuration? MC bore size?

Tobin
KORE3

[chichirone]

X2 on the Hawk HP Plus...just don't make eye contact and you'll be fine...but only because you won't be looking at your wheels.

As for pads, have you driven the Baer supplied pads yet (Roulands)? If so, how do you like them? Even at best, opinions on pad compounds between different cars tend to be very subjective, and what I like on my car may not be what you like on yours. If you have some baseline to help establish your expectations, that can be very helpful. In addition, manual or power brakes? If power, vacuum assist or Hydroboost? If vacuum assist, booster size and configuration? MC bore size?

Tobin
KORE3

Good points. I'm new at this so appreciate the insight. I have driven on the pads quite a bit. I liked them a lot when new however I feel they tend to fade pretty quickly now, as I feel they have lost their bite. Not sure if this is "normal" or time to replace. My brakes are power. Vacuum assist. Would love to convert to hydroboost down the road. I need to look up the MC bore but I think its 1-1/8". I just can't recall off the top of my head. I'd be happy to replace with the same Rouland pads but wasn't sure if you guys would suggest an upgrade such as the Hawk HP's with my set-up.

[Sieg]

Tobin brings up a good point with manual vs. power assist. The initial bite of the pad (HP+ and comparable) with power assist may be too aggressive for your desire. He's a trusted source with insight and exceptional knowledge. :thumbsup:

[Apogee]

Tobin brings up a good point with manual vs. power assist. The initial bite of the pad (HP+ and comparable) with power assist may be too aggressive for your desire. He's a trusted source with insight and exceptional knowledge. :thumbsup:

Uh-oh...I feel like I'm being buttered up for something :headspin:

Considering the 200 UTQG tires and intended auto-x and ASCS events (I'm assuming you mean the American Sports Car Series, not American Sprint Car Series), the more aggro the better really so long as the tires can handle it and it doesn't compromise modulation and control, which I don't think it will. I do think the Hawk HP Plus, EBC Yellowstuffs, or something similar with a GG friction rating would be a good option for your application. Who cares about dust if they're doing what they're supposed to be doing?

Tobin
KORE3

[CarlC]

Tobin is right on (no buttering ;-) ).

I've settled on the HP+ as a very good all around pad. They held up to One Lap with no problems and work fine on the open road when cold. Lots of initial bite which means being a bit cautious when plenty of power assist is available.

But, I don't even have to look at them to dust the rims. I've given up chasing that demon. It is what it is, but they do work.

[Sieg]

Who cares about dust if they're doing what they're supposed to be doing?

I certainly don't.

I explained what I wanted and you delivered exactly that....noting the dusting issue as well. :thumbsup:

With the manual master they're prefect and they bite so well I can't believe they don't misbehave on the first couple cold stops, but they don't.

[SSLance]

**sitting back and taking notes**

Will be making this decision myself sometime soon.

Sounds like EBC yellow or HP+ are my lead choices so far.

I'll be replacing rotors at the same time, stock style most likely, 9.5"...with GM metric calipers. If starting from scratch, does anyone feel there a better rotor choice or different choice between those two pad choices above?

Use will be a mix between fun street and regular autocross events.

[chichirone]

Uh-oh...I feel like I'm being buttered up for something :headspin:

Considering the 200 UTQG tires and intended auto-x and ASCS events (I'm assuming you mean the American Sports Car Series, not American Sprint Car Series), the more aggro the better really so long as the tires can handle it and it doesn't compromise modulation and control, which I don't think it will. I do think the Hawk HP Plus, EBC Yellowstuffs, or something similar with a GG friction rating would be a good option for your application. Who cares about dust if they're doing what they're supposed to be doing?

Tobin
KORE3

Tobin, thanks for the input and guidance. Very helpful. Plus, if it's not at least a little dirty, its not being driven enough. Sounds like I will have no shortage of brake dust cleaning.

I really appreciate you, CarlC's and Sieg's input. This is a great site and I have to say I am really appreciative/impressed of everyone's willingness to educate and support other members, especially us newbies.

[carbuff]

Reviving this thread, as I'm looking to pick up a set of pads for my car as well. From reading the above, it sounds like the HP+ may be a good setup for me for the fronts, but I'm curious what I should do for the matching rears?

My setup:

Baer 6P Pro+ front/rear system
14" rotors front/rear
DSE vacuum-assist booster and master cylinder
Adjustable prop valve
Falken Azenis RT-615K 200-rated tires (275 / 315)

I'm using the Baer-supplied pads now, and they are great for the street (quiet, low-dust, stop the car fine), and were just ok for the 2 auto-x events and 1 road-course event. I want something a bit more aggressive for those days. I'm willing to swap pads after events for less mess / dust between events.

Should I go with the same front and rear pads in this case? Should I just replace the fronts and leave the rears alone (not sure I like that idea)?

Suggestions?

Thanx!

[Gscherer78ta]

I'm new to all this and new to this site, there's a lot of really good info here!
I bought the Hawk HP+ pads to use on my '78 TA and I'm still using the stock calipers and I have to say that I love the bite of these pads. Just changing the pads made a world of difference in stopping my TA. I have been to a several autox events and I have never worried about the brakes fading, even in the TX heat, and I've had these at a few time trials and they hold up great under repeated laps. These will stop my 78 TA way better than the Brembo performance pads and ABS system will stop my 2002 Firehawk. By comparison, I've had the Firehawk at a few events( Autox and time trial) and the brakes fade and eventually I get a "ABS INOP" indication. So, in that car I end up driving around the brakes and wondering which corner they will get grumpy at.

My question to you all - is there a pad that bites as well as the Hawk HP + but doesn't dust as much? The off hand comments about looking at these pads and them dusting is quite true in my experience.

[Sieg]

HP+ update: I spoke with the HP reps at SEMA and they noted the new HPS pad is very similar though it has a superior temp ceiling. The HP+ has an operating range of 100*-800* F, the HPS temp range is 100*-1300* F. If it has a higher torque rating is could be a winner. I'd give HP a call if you're in the market for new pads.

They also had a nice German model in their booth.........

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-DvqK2x4/1/L/i-DvqK2x4-L.jpg

[Ron Sutton]

HP+ update: I spoke with the HP reps at SEMA and they noted the new HPS pad is very similar though it has a superior temp ceiling. The HP+ has an operating range of 100*-800* F, the HPS temp range is 100*-1300* F. If it has a higher torque rating is could be a winner. I'd give HP a call if you're in the market for new pads.

They also had a nice German model in their booth.........

http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-DvqK2x4/1/L/i-DvqK2x4-L.jpg

She is a very curvy model. :)