Brake pad opinion....

[Lava Speed 05]

So I'm in need of new pads before the next event... I was gonna do the flying miata slotted rotors and porterfield pads package, but I just don't have the money at this point. My rotors were in decent shape before the last event, but I haven't really looked at them since so I'm hoping they're still smooth. Anyway I'm between the follow two common pad options and just looking for options from all you miata guys out there.

Porterfield R4-S
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... 1023b.html

or

Hawk HPS
http://www.trackdogracing.com/website/brakes/hawk.htm

[Native]

I don't have vast experience, but I'll share what I've learned/experienced.
Don't bother with slotted/drilled rotors. They look cool, but do little else good. Plain blanks.

As for pads, I've been using Axxis Ultimates, which are now ULT's, I think. Good pads. A little on the dusty side, but it comes off easily. Someone posted somewhere, accurately, "the initial bite is insane." I've been happy with them as street/autocross pads.

My next set is sitting in the box waiting for installation. EBC Yellows. Heard enough good about them to give 'em a try. Jeff (Treekiller) hooked me up. A bit "higher performance" than the Ultimates. I guess we'll see.

Of the pads you listed, while I've not used them, probably RS-4s are the better choice, per reviews I've read.

That's what I got...

[Loren]

The Yellows should be almost on par with the Cobalt SM's you were using on the track, Steve. Completely different league from the Ultimates.

But, for the OP, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". For autox or street use, there's nothing wrong with stock Miata pads. Especially on the big brakes that are on the Mazdaspeed.

Second what Steve said about slotted and drilled rotors. It won't improve anything. Probably won't hurt anything in the autox/street environment, but if you ever do track events where you'll really be stressing the brakes, they are more prone to cracks than OE style solid vented rotors.

[Native]

The Yellows should be almost on par with the Cobalt SM's you were using on the track, Steve. Completely different league from the Ultimates.

Hopefully it won't be 2 1/2 years before I find out...

[Lava Speed 05]

Loren,

Thanks for replying to both my posts! I would gladly buy the mazdaspeed pads that are currently on the car if it wasn't going to be double the price of the pad options I had asked about... I tried finding the akebono pads you spoke of but all I found when I looked briefly at work were ceramic pads.

I'm not being cheap I'd just rather not spend so much and get something of similar or better quality rather than spending double to get the "Mazdaspeed" pads. I have been perfectly happy with the brakes, I just can't see spending so much for the name at the moment.

[Loren]

Call Jeff, he can hook you up with whatever you need and probably cheaper than you'll find them on your own.

I'd guess that something along the lines of EBC Red would be a good choice. Aggressive street pad.

[Lava Speed 05]

Thanks i'll hit him up later.

[aparke]

FWIW, the Hawk HPS is not for high performance. Compared to the OEM pads on my Mazdaspeed3, they have far less bite and torque. Their only advantage is less dust.

[yamaha731]

I was having lock up problems once I put a new set of oem calipers on the brakes felt 100% better

[snookwheel]

FWIW, the Hawk HPS is not for high performance. Compared to the OEM pads on my Mazdaspeed3, they have far less bite and torque. Their only advantage is less dust.

Huh???? I didn't think you even used brakes

[AScoda]

I was having lock up problems once I put a new set of oem calipers on the brakes felt 100% better

These guys have those fancy-ass high-tech anti-lock brakes. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_08

Pansies.

[Jack]

There is one and only company when it comes to stopping , Carbotech!
Lots of info on the web site.
You will not be dissapointed!

[Loren]

Carbotech makes good pads, but they're far from the "only" maker of good performance brake pads.

Carbotech, EBC, Hawk, Performance Friction, Porterfield, and I'm sure a few others all make capable brake pads.

[impalanut]

I have used all of the companies in Loren's post at one time or another. They all make good pads. The key is getting the right pad for the job. In autocross you need a pad that will work without too much heat and won't fade with some heat. You won't be generating the kind of heat in autocross that you do on the track. Use the compounds that the companies recommend for autocross or spirited street use. High temp track pads will be virtually useless and possibly dangerous since they need a lot of heat before they have much bite. I have been very happy with the Hawk HPS+ on my current car. I have also used the Porterfields for a long time on my previous car. At the time my current car won the national championship in 2003-4 it was using stock Honda brake pads, but I think the current pads are better, although they do need a few stops to heat up (just doing stops from walking speed in grid is usually enough).

[aparke]

FWIW, the Hawk HPS is not for high performance. Compared to the OEM pads on my Mazdaspeed3, they have far less bite and torque. Their only advantage is less dust.

Huh???? I didn't think you even used brakes

Wha? Me? Sometimes I drive it on the street and I've encountered the occasional stoplight.