Hot brakes cooling off!!!!!

[racersedge52]

Time to change the brake pads and maybe rotors on my stock 94 LT1.

What is your favorite, preferred, recommended brake pads to use?

I will stay a street performance machine, so I will not need race performance brakes.

I'm favoring the Hawk HPS over others at the moment.

What are your experiences?

Also, what price did you pay for new brake shoes?

Do you recommend an online store or others that do good business and have good prices?

I want to use the best, but not race application brake pads and maybe rotors as well.

It's hot down here!!!

Headin' South

 

[c4cruiser]

I've used Hawk HPS pads on my 92 and they do have very good cold bite. I bought them for low-speed autocross use and they worked great. I have run some track days with these pads and only once did I experience some brake fade but that was due to boiling the brake fluid. Hawk pads will dust signifigantly over stock, so be prepared to clean your wheels frequently.

Another pad to consider is EBC Greenstuff pads. I just installed a set on my 87 and they seem to work every bit as well as the Hawks but they don't dust nearly as much. You can get both pads from the Tire Rack at pretty decent prices:
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/products/pads.jsp

Performance Friction "Z" pads are another popular choice but they are really more suited to heavy-duty braking like track use or autocross. Try AutoZone or Pep Boys.

Actually, OEM-type pads will work just fine if you do not intend to do any activities like autocross or the occasional track day. A good semi-metallic pad like Raybestos or the NAPA pads will suit your needs.

As far as rotors, I use generic stock-type rotors for both autocross and track use. You can find rotors pretty cheap with "lifetime" warranties. Track use will trash them after 2 or 3 sessions, so I just take them back and get another set for free! I specifically don't use drilled rotors as they will crack under severe use and that is not a good thing at speed!! For the street, drilled and/or slotted rotors look cool and will perform well.

If you are doing a complete brake job, make sure you do a complete brake fluid flush using a good quaity DOT3 or 4 fluid. Do not use DOT5 fluid!! My 92 takes just less than a quart to do. I use Castrol LMA for street use and for track day, I use the Ford HP fluid. I flush the fluid after each track event, but for street use once a year will work. Check the condition of the brake hoses. If they are original, replace them.