Ok, what are the best pads to get for street use on a 1999 Tib? Next question, should you only worry about performance pads for the front?

 

Are you using these with OE rotors or performance? With OE rotors use semi or full metallics front and rear, with performance rotors use full metallic or ceramic (if you can find em) front and rear, i would use the same quality pads front and rear, but maybe that's just me...

 

The reason I ask is because with EBC and KVG all you see are fronts.

 

I'm one of those people that runs their car ragged. I'll be on the gas with less than 1/8 mile til I have to stop... I don't slam on the brakes but I'm guessing I probably wear them down faster than most people.

I've had to replace my front pads about 8,000 miles ago, and my rear pads have quite a ways to go before replacing... this kinda goes with what somebody thought a while back that 75% of the braking is done in the front, and 25% in the rear (with our cars).

This makes me think, why spend $80 on a pair for the front, and another $80 on the rear, if the front is really all you need? From what I've heard, get EBC Green stuff pads. I've heard people say it does, and others say it doesn't when talking about reducing brake dust, so it's a 50/50 shot. If you're gonna replace 'em, pay a little more and get Green Stuff (or check out the HP store, Rob may have an idea which would be best)

 

If anything, (sorry for off topic) if you're getting higher performance brake pads, get rid of your stock rotors. they'll warp from the heat. It's no fun having to get them machines once every few months.

 

For street use almost any aftermarket product will be sufficient, provided it meets the min. OEM standards. Why? because 'street' brake pads are designed to have the highest friction co-efficients (FC) at low (below 200C) temps, while 'performance' pads are designed to give the same or higher FC at higher temps. In practical terms, you may notice no difference at street temps even though you bought performance pads.

Rarely in street driving situations will you encounter the need for a true performance brake pad. Take EBC green stuff pads. They are designed to increase or maintain thier friction coefficient as they get hotter. Up to 650 degrees Centigrade. They do provide better FC at street temps than OEM and OEM replacement pads.

The highest temp I ever recorded during street driving was around 85C. On lapping day my brakes got up to 300 degrees C...I had Raybestos 'performance plus' pads on the car. These are a standard OE replacment part I got from my local autoparts store. They provided more than adequate braking and I experienced no brake fade at all. $48 for the whole set, front and rears.

Do you need that extra .1 friction coefficient on the street that you would get from the EBC pads?

From my perspective, why spend extra money on something you don't need...ya know what I mean?

For replacing front and rear pads at the same time? Again, on the street your probably ok replacing just the fronts. You and the car won't notice a difference. Except maybe during an emergency stop situation. On the track for solo1, autocross, lapping days, etc. it's better to maintain the front/rear braking ratio, so you would want to have similar pads front and rear.

I don't know if I really answered your question. Did you want peoples impressions of the various pads on the market? EBC, Hawk, Axxis, etc.

 

That was a great answer. Ummm, yeah so I guess just go with OEM replacement style pads unless I am going to be racing/AutoX/Solo?

 

That's my suggestion. I'm going to get the Raybestos pads again, when the time comes. I double checked and the I had the "PG Plus" series. They were dusty but stood up well to my aggressive driving style, including on the track, and were not noisy at all even as they wore down. If you have aftermarket rims and are concerned about dust, these may not be the ones for you.