I have used the search and read a lot of the posts, but I want to know this...

What brands are out there?
I know about Hawks, EBC, and Raybestos(sp?)
Who else makes a good pad, and what can I get at the local Napa, Autozone, Orielys, Advanced Auto.... etc...

Or should I just get GM OEM pads?

As you can guess, the 99 has the rotor problem, so I guess I'll go cheap for now and get the AZ rotors, this seems to be a good option.
But for pads, I have no idea.

What are the adv. vs. disadv. of each pad??


Thanks...

 

GM OEM pads will cost you over 100 just for the
fronts. I researched this alot and my conclusion
was to get the Hawks. I've had them for a year
now and like them alot. Stop much better and dust
less than stock.
Basicly as far as pros/cons of pads in general
you have a trade off of either stopping or low dusting.
The hawks minimize that trade off based on my
above statement.
You could also consider the cardon metallic styles
but they chew up rotors.

Also I paid 125 for all four during a special at Thunder Racing.

 

Hawk is better way to go, but if you wanto to go locally, OReilly should carry the Severy Duty Wagner pad, which is a carbon-based metallic also. Wagner rotors are also a lot beter than AZ's.

 

For street use I only consider the OEM pads.

 

Personally, I use the Raybestos ceramic pads from CarQuest. The are very quiet, virtually zero dust, and have a lifetime replacement guarantee. So, for my original $150 investment for pads, I get them replaced free when they wear down.

For rotors, I use the AutoZone rotors --- $34/each.

 

I've always had good luck with the Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads and generic rotors from AutoZone.

Yeah, the pads dust a little, but I was my car at least once a week, so no problem with dust build-up. And can't beat the lifetime warranty, either.

TS

 

So whats the downside to these??
What would be better about Hawks?

 

Could you please elaborate?

 

OK, the stock pads are great for street and autox use. They bite well, don't dust much at all and last long time. They are also quiet. Most "performance" pads dust and squeak.

And the best reason is, the stock pads have enough bite to activate the ABS with street tires, so adding more brake pad only makes this more likely. It also increases the liklihood of rear axle hop on extreme braking (which is a major problem on our cars).

 

My experience with the Hawks is they
do everything better than stock and cost
less.

 

I am still wondering what are the downsides to the Carquest ceramic pads?
Lifetime warranty, no squealing, good braking..... Whats wrong with them? Is anything better about the OEM pads?
Do these actually stop better than stock?? (or cause premature ABS activation)

 

I have no complaints. I didn't notice a decrease in stopping ability and I love the fact that they don't get my wheels dirty.

I guess the only downside is the inital $150 expense.

 

I like my Hawk HPS up front on stock in back..

Next, I'm going to try the HP+ up front and perhaps HPS in back...

supposidly we have a little too much brake bias out back, thats why I'm choosing to use less agressive pads in the back.

I believe the Z06 uses Hawk pads from factory, FWIW..

 

Do the Hawk pads have a lifetime guarantee of any sort??
Does anyone know for sure if the ZO6 has Hawk pads?

 

No real performance pad has a lifetime warranty.

'02+ Z06 used a special pad made by Hawk for GM. I have been told the compound is similar to the HP+ pad. They dust and squeak more than the OEM F-body pad.