Hawk brake pads

[SeanC]

Hey guys,

I'm doing a brake job on my Trans Am and was wondering if you guys had any experience with the Hawk Performance brake pads. I see a few different kinds: the ceramic brake pads, the HPS pads, and the HP plus pads. What are the differences between them? Is one better than the other? My car is pretty much just a daily driver (going to the drags a little this summer), and I was just looking for a new pad that might improve braking a little. Thanks for any help!

[Blazer]

Got them on mine an love them. I also am using slotted an dimpeled rotors.
Blazer

[Christopherrr]

Stockers have plenty of stopping power...but I run HP Plus on my car, but they don't really start to bite until they are warm. They dust very little compared to others I've ran...always found myslef back at Hawk.

[SeanC]

Thanks for the responses guys! Chris, do you have problems with increased pad wear with those pads? I only ask because the description of the HP plus pads says you might experience "increased brake wear". Is there a certain reason you chose the HP plus pads over the HPS pads or ceramic ones? Sorry for so many questions, I just want to be happy with my pads if im spending close to $100 on a set. Thanks again guys!

[Christopherrr]

I ran the HPS and they were good also...but they dust a lot. At least with my rotor combination. I would probably go back to the HPS simply because they stop better cold. Unless you are autoX or taking your car the to the track, HP Plus...HPS for the street. With the HPS I noticed quicker pad wear, not rotor wear...I've had the HP Plus for alittle over two years and they still look good. No particular reason why I picked them...just wanted something new. You can't really lose on either set...what kind of rotors are you going to run?

For the 5 years I had my car...I had stockers (which again have good stopping power), HPS (ran them down with slotted rotors), OEM (on the slotted rotors), HP Plus (on rebuilt brakes, with slotted and drilled rotors)...in that order.

When doing a brake job...always bleed your system with DOT-3 or 4 fluid.

[Performin Norman]

They are very popular in the Corvette world. I have no personal experience but hear they are great.

[SeanC]

I'm planning on either getting my stock rotors on the car right now resurfaced (depending on how much they are worn), or just buying stock replacements. I was debating getting slotted rotors, but decided against them when I saw they would cost over $400 for a decent pair.

Is there any other pads out there that are really good? If I was to get the Hawk pads, I'd probably go with the HPS. I'm just a little concerned of how fast they are really going to wear (compared to normal replacement pads); i'm not thrilled about a lot of brake dust either. They still sound like awesome pads, i'm just trying to find out whats out there.

Thanks for the help so far guys!

[Blazer]

I get no dust from my Hawk pads An you may want to check this place out for rotors. That is where I got mine over 2 years ago an love them. They will E-mail you a price for free. www.rotorpros.com I for forgot what I payed but it was way under $400.00 An they will paint them almost any color.
Blazer

[msfyter]

My OEM ACdelcos are squeeking. I had Morse ceramics on my GTO and they rocked NO dust, great hold(they were C5 pads)

[axgrndr]

im running hawk ceramics on stock rotors for 5 months now. have no complaints. very little dust and as good if not better than stock. no noticable fade under hard braking. wear seems to be unnoticable so far. only small down side is that they can occasionally squeek under light application. but the instructions pointed out that was normal. cant really hear it unless the windows are down. i went with the ceramics because mines a daily driver and i dont do the track so couldnt justify additional expenese. i like them enough that my next set will be hawks.

[Joe 1320]

I've used varous pads and in my opinion, each have a specific use. Ceramics have great holding power as the heat builds. The problem is that when cold, they provide less stopping power especially in the rain. Heat them up and they are grand. the semi metallic produce more brake dust but yields much better bite when the rotors are wet or in the cold.

A very respected brake specialist once schooled me......... A dustless brake pad is a stopless brake pad. The dust byproduct means the pad is doing it's job and sacrificing it's material for work to be performed against the rotor.

There are people that swear by ceramic and in certain uses, I agree. On the street, I don't think it's the best compromise. You want something that doesn't require much heat in order to perform especially in the rain when the rotors are rapidly cooled from the water.