Different Front and Rear brake pads

[riander4]

Hi everyone I had a question and want some opinions on it.
Its time to change the brake pads on my 240sx,
And i want some pads with bigger bite than stock ones (or stock replacement oem quality), I was thinking of getting some EBC redstuff pads for the front, and just some oem replacement ones for the rear.
I was wondering if you guys thought this was a good idea, My friends se-r spec v came stock with brembos up front and regular se-r brakes on the back, SO... I think my setup would be just like that, except obviously my calipers are the same!
Well tell me what you zilvians think!
Ryan

[LuiGs14]

get Z brakes on front n oem on back ...that's ma setup

[LuiGs14]

[gunluvS14]

is that for a S13 or S14?
u want to think about brake bias.

i would recommend equal pad material to keep the braking force similar to stock, unless you having problem locking up the rear first.

dumping big brakes up front doesn't slow you down any quicker.

[MrChow]

^^
I'll agree with that. Brake bias is important.

And anyways I think the Red stuff cost only a bit more the OEM stuff anyways. I'm going to the Red stuff on my next change.

[aznpoopy]

Originally Posted by riander4

My friends se-r spec v came stock with brembos up front and regular se-r brakes on the back, SO... I think my setup would be just like that

it wouldn't be just like that, because nissan already did all the hard work figuring out proper brake bias for the specV.

i don't think it'd cause any problems per se, but i would just get the same type of pads all around.

[riander4]

red stuff is like almost 100 bucks CAD per pad!! ahh thats expensive! and i dont have the money for a z32 brake swap yet...

[cdlong]

i think you mean per axle. and the term 'you got to pay to play' comes to mind.

i've heard bad things about EBC (don't remember the details anymore) but hawk HPS are cheaper, low dust, low noise, good bite, good life, and will fill your assumably minimal requirements (since you didn't say anything about racing, or even hard driving).

[riander4]

I don't take my car to the track, but i had an issue of dsport that reviewed all the brakes and the EBC's did really good?
But i havent heard many reviews on any products but i knew id be deciding between ebc and hawk

[cdlong]

don't base your decision on one magazine (considering it probably has EBC ads in it). do some research.

[aznpoopy]

for street it's all good. i wouldn't worry about it too much.
if you can lock tires, you're good.
if your tires suck, your stopping isn't limited by your brakes.

[riander4]

Originally Posted by cdlong

don't base your decision on one magazine (considering it probably has EBC ads in it). do some research.

I don't even know if it does I really don't think they were biased tests

[codyace]

Originally Posted by aznpoopy

if your tires suck, your stopping isn't limited by your brakes.

Thank god someone posted some decent information.

Having used alot of differen brakes in my time, my opinions as follows:

EBC's are shit. Any sort of spirited driving and you can considered them cracked garbage. They work 'slightly better than OEM, but not any better than Ceramic OEM replacement.

Hawk HPS will be fine for any parking lot cruiser. You can find these at Carquest

However, Carbotech Bobcat pads (IMO) are the best pad you can get for a street s chassis vehicle this side of 300 hp. For those in the 400 range, I would look at Carbotech AX6 (formally known as Panther +) For those really serious about brakes, look into the Carbotech XP series brakes hehe.

But as the quoted poster said, bad tires will make any good pad look crappy. Invest in a decent tire (I wholeheartedly suggest Hankook Ventus Z212 (RS2)...they out perform Proxies 4 and Azenis, and work awesome in the rain...enough to the point where I was screwing with and passing Sti's and EVo's in the rain @ Pocono over the summer)

[cdlong]

Originally Posted by codyace

Hawk HPS will be fine for any parking lot cruiser. You can find these at Carquest

i assume you're talking about autocross, and you say it like it's bad that parts are readily avaliable.

[djtrickz]

if you're looking to just get the most for your money, get some axxis/pbr pads. they're not bad at all and they sell the Ultimate ones for the most ive seen 60 per axel.

if you're picking just between ebc and hawk get hawk. nothing wrong with them except brake dust on their metallic ones but that's not a big deal unless you have super baller pussy wheels that you don't want to clean.

[Inland180]

Just get autozone lifetime warranty!! jk...hawks hps pads are good enough for all around....they also tend to last a pretty good time.

[C. Senor]

i use hawk pads with brembo rotors. they definitely stop better than stock. saved me just yesterday. they are good pads if your car is mainly a street car.