Ceramic pads - Page 2

Deanski · 07-17-09, 07:59

Just make sure you match up the pad to the rotor. Too many people see "Ceramic" and their eyes bug out, heart races for beter stopping, less dusting etc.

If the pads are not matched correctly, you WILL have issues in both stopping when cold/wet, warping rotors and possiblity of cooking a bearing.

I should know, the Porsche has ceramic brakes, but not just pads, but rotors, which match well as the rotor can get cherry red and still perform the same no matter how hot it gets.

However, flood it with water, and it's a different story. You have to learn to shed-off water on some brakes and on other brake systems it can get worse due to type of rotor and location.

My advise is to correctly match a rotor to the pads. Failure to do that will result in poor performance or worse it can effect your life OR OTHERS. Just because it's says "Ceramic" doesn't mean it's best for your vehicle, it's also a marketing ploy as well.

Deanski

soccerjunky · 07-18-09, 05:15

another option would be hawk performance ceramic pads... i have them on the viper and challenger and they are top-notch for street stopping use

RustyBumper · 07-19-09, 03:09

Well after doing some shopping around online I've decided that I'm going to go with stock parts. One of the biggest things that influenced my decision is the fact that Goodwrench currently has a $25 mail-in rebate going on for ceramic brakes right now. For $75 I get not only parts but labor as well. That's too good of a deal to pass up right now. In the meantime, I'll just start saving and hopefully in the future I can get a brake/rotor combo.

wytstang · 07-19-09, 07:21

EBC brakes seems to get positive reviews for street performance and low dust.

Dunbar42 · 07-19-09, 07:26

I know on BMW's the Akebonos have a good reputation for ceramic pads. Good ceramic should only trade initial brake bite for lower dust. They shouldn't make any more noise or behave differently when it's cold out.

Setec Astronomy · 07-19-09, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunbar42

I know on BMW's the Akebonos have a good reputation for ceramic pads. Good ceramic should only trade initial brake bite for lower dust. They shouldn't make any more noise or behave differently when it's cold out.

The references to "cold" brake performance are not pertaining to the ambient temperature but as to whether the brake pads are heated up to operating temperature. Some pads don't perform well until you have made a number of stops so as to heat up the pad from braking friction. Some concept as doing burnouts to heat up your drag slicks.

nrengle · 07-19-09, 10:09

I just recently switched to Powerslot Slotted rotors, and Hawk HPS pads for my Civic SI (14 lbs of boost on K20A3), and it definitely helps with the stopping, I don't drive like a maniac, but when I get spirited on a few of the country roads I live near they help me take some of the turns at better speeds, and slow down for deer quick (coming home at normal speeds!)