Actually in a stock braking system it's the pads that can make a huge difference. Look into the pads made by Hawk, Portefeild, and Carbotech (this is the stuff that real racers use) you will stop better.

True stock sized rotors limit you, but in some racing classes brake upgrades and the need/want for using small rims means you stick with stock sized rotors. This is where SS lines, brake fluid like ATE superblue, and some very good pads come into play.

 

Can you lock up your brakes or cause the ABS to kick in easily? If so the best pads won't do squat to help stopping distances. Pads stop the rotors, TIRES stop the car. Do you have some good rubber on the car now? If not, you will notice a difference in stopping from that change. Increasing rotor size will not necessarily make you stop any quicker. Pad compound plays a big role, assuming tires are up to the task. Large rotors are good for preventing brake fade from heat build-up not much good for decreasing stopping distances.


Oh, and stop tailgating! If you are worried enough about rear-ending someone to look into a brake upgrade you are driving way too close. Yes, I am serious.

/bill

 

umm guys... i started this thread because i'm totally upgrading my brake system(ie rotors, pads, lines etc..) i was just wondering who makes the best pads. i wasn't asking how brakes work or any of that jazz. i jus want to know who makes the best pads to compliment my slotted rotors.

 

Well, it is obvious this is a show setup and have no concern for any performance...in which case you should either buy the lifetime brake pads/rocks that Midas/Meineke sells, or opt for the wheel covers with the fake disc brakes on them.



/bill

 

please... tell me how it's obvious that it's a show setup. if it were a show setup i'd probably be asking what :ghey: color to paint my calipers, but i'm not. i'm not asking what looks the best and i'm not asking for a lesson on how brakes work. i know how brakes work. i'm simply asking for different opinions on which company makes the best brake pads. you should probably post over on www.hondasociety.com because they have all kinds of tech gods just like yourself.

 

Pads are probably the second most important factor in determining your braking distance, next to tires.

If you want braking distance similar to OEM with maybe a little more bite, try the Axxis Metal Masters. For extra bite, use the Ultimates or Hawk HPS pads.

You'll notice a lot more dust with pads like Ultimates/HPS/HP+, but that just comes with the territory, unfortunately. The other downside to the more aggressive pads is that they need to heat up a little more before they work at full effectiveness. That's why I recommend the Hawk HPS rather than HP+, HP+ is really not in tune with street driving.

For much improved braking distance with not too much out of pocket, get a set of stainless steel brake lines, change your brake fluid, and get some Axxis Ultimate or Hawk HPS pads. Obviously, change rotors if needed. Brembo blanks would be my suggestion there.

Actually, given that torque = force times distance, the farther your caliper is from your axle, the more torque it will be able to create. Which is why you don't see brake pad size increase much when you move to larger rotors... you are really only looking for distance from the axis of rotation and, like you said, less brake fade.

 

What about a brembo rotors and pads? I heard thay work pretty damn good. A lot better then stock

 

i have raybestos. :wtc: