I was wondering if anyone knows 100 percent whether or not the HPS pads are truly better than the OEM pads. From doing research online, I found that the HPS's are more effective at high temperatures and that the OEM pads are more effective at lower temperatures. Since autocross allows enough time for the rotors to cool off and is generally too short in duration to experience temperatures that can cause brake fade, it seems as if the OEM pads would be better. Since I can't find any credible scientific data, it's hard to come to a conclusion. What are your thoughts on this?
I was wondering if anyone knows 100 percent whether or not the HPS pads are truly better than the OEM pads. From doing research online, I found that the HPS's are more effective at high temperatures and that the OEM pads are more effective at lower temperatures. Since autocross allows enough time for the rotors to cool off and is generally too short in duration to experience temperatures that can cause brake fade, it seems as if the OEM pads would be better. Since I can't find any credible scientific data, it's hard to come to a conclusion. What are your thoughts on this?
I disliked HPS pads very much. Louder, dustier, and more expensive than stock, without noticeably more stopping power. If you're autocrossing, I would go with HP Plus. Still good for the street, somewhat noisy and dusty, but do bite much better than stock. You will not see brake fade in auto-x, and the HP plus feel great when cold, and after 1 hard stop are pretty much in operating temperature, and feel even better. So either stick with the cheap stock stuff, or go for the HP plus and you won't regret it...unless you care about brake noise, but I figure an srt-4 is already loud all the time to begin with.
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04 Black SRT-4: Stage 2, Stage 3 coilovers and more
That's good, I thought that I was the only one who was questioning whether or not the HPS pads were actually better than stock pads. I would get the HP Plus, but I'm on a tight budget and can't afford the pads and having to replace the rotors more often.
good one .... forgot that was on the list ... wait...
The answer to your question really depending on a lot of factors.. braking style, course type etc.
On a course with a couple decent to harder braking areas where you get a bit of heat into the pads the HPS should have an advantage. Insofar as they will remain predictable across a larger temperature varient. Also the backing is a wee bit thicker than stock so you wont bend them as fast. and you will get a more consistent feel if you do get em hot.
I can not speak much of the OEM pad as they never were on my car for very long but seemed to work well too. But I have used several OEM replacement parts from random auto parts stores. But there is no way to compare them all as there is a ton of different friction materials both organic and semi metalic and ceramics AND designs (tapered attack and release edges of the pad material, absolutely flat and with a gas slit cut across the pad...) and backing material thickness and composition.
I do have a favorite Napa OEM replacement pad: it's cera-metallic pad they were 70 bux and worked well cold and hot. AND didnt deform or wear at weird angles. mostly predictable after you got em bedded properly. before they bedded and warm they were a little grabby and forced ice mode once or twice trailing out of a transition. other stock replacement pads have all been not nearly as aggressive enough and then didnt maintain torque during a healthy decel. and it always seemed that about when they were working well is about when they run out of material. lol
recommend carbotech AX6 compound pad with ATE Super Blue, Motul 600, castrol SRF ( in that order ) fluid. I know none of that was on the list. but this is the cure if you are standing the car on its nose and you are getting any sort of icemode crap happening, the AX6 are resistant to lock up which seems to be one of the causes (when one or more wheels have a vast difference in rotational speeds than the others). </.02>
David
NOTE: please bear in mind I'm not an a-x'er. Im a road racer. i use XP-12's on the racecars and XP-10's on my HPDE instructing vehicle and ax6's on my streetcars. I have done AutoX type stuff while instructing novice road racers and am basing my opinion on this experience. YMMV =]
recommend carbotech AX6 compound pad with ATE Super Blue, Motul 600, castrol SRF ( in that order ) fluid. I know none of that was on the list. but this is the cure if you are standing the car on its nose and you are getting any sort of icemode crap happening, the AX6 are resistant to lock up which seems to be one of the causes (when one or more wheels have a vast difference in rotational speeds than the others). </.02>
good one .... forgot that was on the list ... wait...
or if you want different brake BIAS then use it (or any pad) accordingly to your driving style.
Changing pads is very very easy.
I've also had success with Carbotech XP10's, in fact I liked them more than any Hawk compound, except maybe the DTC70, but this was on a road course. Guessing the AX6's are a good pad, and comparable to the HP plus. Also, I had the EBC yellowstuff and absolutely hated them. Had them on the rear of my car for my first 2 days ever at Watkins Glen, so wasn't even going as fast as I am now, and they were shot, and disintegrating by the second day. HP plus have lasted me about 8 days on average on the rear.
ive never heard of those pads before though. ive never had ice mode though and ive stood the car on the nose a few times
are they worth the extra money vs napa, green stuff pads?
imo: yes.
only experience have been xp8 on a road course (4-5 days):
-good initial bite
-can take plenty of heat
-still rotor friendly (relatively speaking)
i would recommend. although haven't used them for a while now.
they are also not in the same league as Napa or Green stuff.
By OEM, I meant the stock Mopar pads. The Mopars seemed to be identical in performance to the HPS. Now that you guys started listing off other pads, I started thinking about getting the HP pads. If I were to get the HP's, how long should I expect the pads to last? Also, would they last longer than the rotors if they've been turned once with 52,000 miles on them?
I'm on HPS's for the Street and HP+'s for the track.
I agree with the above statements, HPS's are just like a stock pad, better WET braking then stockers. Thats it. everything else is almost identical.
HP+'s will eat your rotors unless you get them up to temp. The +'s have a hardcore inital bite but fade. I have several track days on my HP+'s and they are in great shape.
Well over 10,000 miles of street driving on the HPS's and they are wonderful daily pads.
I'm moving to Carbo-tech pads for track use next year. I've seen them maintain consistancy under some pretty hot conditions. Impressive for sure.
Hawk pads make good, starter brake pads, the HPS's are good daily/street pads and the HP+'s could be a bit better on track honestly.
By OEM, I meant the stock Mopar pads. The Mopars seemed to be identical in performance to the HPS. Now that you guys started listing off other pads, I started thinking about getting the HP pads. If I were to get the HP's, how long should I expect the pads to last? Also, would they last longer than the rotors if they've been turned once with 52,000 miles on them?
Pad wear depends on usage. HP on the street should last a long time 30k with average hwy and local driving. but it's relative to how you drive. i would say at this point the pads would out last that set of rotors you described.
some (race) pads don't last more than 5 days with track usage.
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Hawk HPS vs. OEM
knew that was coming =] lol
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