I am preparing to get my front Brembo GTs and rear drilled Brembo rotors installed. I am still undecided on what rear brake pads to use. Brembo does not recommend the use of racing brake pads such as Ferodo. What is a good daily driver and occasional track brake pad which has little or no dust?

I appreciate the input.

 

What's the application? Street and some autocross/gymkhana? If so, Porterfield R4-S. If track/AX, Porterfield R4's. We can get both.

I've not found a better low dusting street pad than the R4-S, and we've tried them all...

 

Mainly street driving and 2 - 2.5km road race tracking.....no autocrossing.

 

When you say road racing, do you mean open lapping or actual wheel-to-wheel racing?

I'd suggest Porterfield R4's...

 

open lapping for grins and giggles with the 2 MINI Clubs here in Seoul

 

Txwerks, What do you think of the Hawk Ceramics for a street pad? Little dust? I just bought a set and haven't installed them. I won't have the car out until Spring since I'm in Michigan.

 

I don't...

I know a lot of people like the Hawk's, but I personally don't. IMHO, the best street pad out there, hands down, is the Porterfield R4-S.

 

I'd like to take that bait...

Why does Porterfield sell Hawk brake pads? First thing that comes to mind is modulation.

 

I've always had excelent results with Hawks, both street and track.

 

Hey ArmyDog, where you getting em? You got a good price for them? Pray do tell!

 

Why do all suppliers sell everyone else's pads? There really aren't that many manufacturers of brake pads out there... Cobalt sells Hawk, too, and Performance Friction sells everyone else's pads as well, etc. One could argue that the majority of pads out there are the same, with some very minor differences in compounds (within the same performance range, that is) - with a different color sprayed on the back and name stamped on the box...

I know a lot of people like the Hawks, but I thought the HP+ were horrible on the MINI for autocross and track work. I've had good luck with Hawks in the past, which is why we ran them initially on the MINIs - major letdown. I thought the modulation, fade resistance, etc. weren't up to task. Swapped in some Cobalt GT-S pads and it was like a night/day difference in performance. Then I tried the Porterfield R4's - even better.

Similarly, I wasn't impressed with the other Hawk's on the MINI. At least, not as much as other offerings. Shrug - to each their own, I reckon.

 

So are the Porterfield R4-S pads set up to accommodate the Mini brake sensors front and rear? I guess the Hawk pads can accommodate the front sensor, but not the rear. Thanks!

 

I put the Hawk Ceramics on last weekend, changed out from OEM.
The feel is very similar to OEM but MUCH less dust.
If you want better performance you don't want these pads, but if you want low dust they are great. For me the stock were fine, and so are Hawk Ceramics.

 

Thanks thulchatt, Now I don't feel like crap for spending $180.

 

I like your answer to that.

My experience with Hawks on many Subaru's - HPS/Ceramics and HP+ which I use has been very good. The level of friction I get with reasonable dust and wear is pretty good. I've also used and liked the Hawk race pads as well - my car is fairly underbraked (sub 12" rotors with 3100+# and nearly 300AWHP) and my rotor temps were off the charts and aside from high wear the Hawk Blues held up very well. My guess is that you need a higher mu/MOT pad for your driving if the pads faded - those Cobalts are dedicated race pads aren't they?

I have experience with not all but quite a few other brands. I thought the Carbotech pads were disappointing - both street (Bobcats) and race (XP-10's). But depending on what rotor - bedding in etc there are just so many variables it's hard to say. Ferrodo's are good as well - but they are $$$ and wear out too darn fast.

Your other comment on who actually makes these things is spot on as well. There are several 'brands' of brake pads that are nothing but reboxed offerings - and I would suggest that they are identical -not even an adjusted compound.

I don't think I'd name names though - that might get me in trouble.

I need to try out some Porterfields some time - I do know they make a no nonsense performance pad. Semi-metallic - with good bite etc. Rotor wear, noise and dust are pretty far down my list of requirements.

I am surprised that you didn't like the HP+ for autox - that is one need that I think they fit very well.

And to the OP - the Hawk Perf Ceramics are intended to do exactly what the user experienced. Similar braking to your stock OEM parts with WAY less dust.

I keep them in stock all the time (shameless plug - sorry)

And back to TXwerks - how are those rotors coming along? I read that post from a while back and they sounded pretty good?

-Ken

 

Getting what? My pads? dunno yet. I do have my front and rear Brembos however.

 

<<<<<<Hawk in stock w/ good prices and fast shipping

 

Our AX courses are more like road race circuits...

The rotors are in process - we expect them to be in hand here in a few weeks.

 

Sorry, my excitement got the better of me. Yes thats what I meant, where did you get your front and rear Brembos. I'm interested to get them too and am looking around for the best pricing.

Please PM me if you don't feel comfortable posting here. Thanks!

 

"Don't mess w/ Texas."

 

I got em from Mini Works. Although I got a great deal on the GTs (2250.00) it took entirely too long for me to get them. You might try Mini Mania for the rears. They may also have the GTs. I recommend you shop around. Good luck. I will post pics when the new brakes are mounted.