Ceramics are normally not as effective at stopping your rotors as metallic pads. They will be easier on your rotors and produce less dust but they are a downgrade from stock pads, which I believe are metallic matrix compound. Can you engage ABS with the Hawks?

 

Hawk HPS = Carbon semi-metallic

Hawk Performance Ceramic = Carbon semi-metallic with 7+% ceramic (silicate) content

350zRiot installed HPS, not ceramic. Either way, he will have no problem engaging ABS, unless he is running racing slicks at their peak operating temperature. Hawk's ceramic compound, while having less friction coefficient than their HPS, gives up the least amount of friction compared to any other "ceramic" I've tested so far. Some are just gawdawful. Hawk -- not nearly as bad.

Chris

 

I watned to get EBC redstuff but since they are ceramic and eat up rotors fast, i just went with HPS. I'm thinking of stoptech high performance for my rear set. damn HPS haha
Do you think these pads have great bits and less eating up rotors?

 

Hawk HPS are a very good all around street/performance pad. They are fairly easy on rotors. They have been around a LOOOONNNGG time and are overdue for an update, which I hear is in the works. That said, they are a solid product made right in the USA by a very reputable company founded in 1920 -- not cheaply-sourced elsewhere.

Chris

 

Since you are a brake guy, could you explain what Para-aramid brake pads are, such as S.T. high perf pads? Do they eat up stock rotors quickly?

 

Para-aramid fibers are Kevlar (a duPont trade name), or, more accurately -- para-phenyleneterephthalamide. Kevlar has been used in brake pads for years, with its use in inverse proportion to price. Porterfield was one of the first to market this type of pad many years ago. Think of a more expensive pad with the benefits of lighter colored dust (like ceramic-doped pads), but without the lack of stopping power.

I have not seen accelerated rotor wear with any of the Kevlar pads I've dealt with, but keep in mind there are a thousand different ways to make brake pad compounds. Just because they say "Kevlar", "Para-aramid", "Ceramic" or whatever -- they are not all the same. Some may do just fine on rotor wear and others may chew through rotors like beef jerky. A lot also depends on the iron composition of the rotor itself.

Chris

 

so basically kevlar is better than ceramic . ceramic pads eat up rotor so i thought kevlar is the same

 

Well... yes, maybe and no, depending on what the rest of the pad is made from, how it is pressed and how it is cured. There are a TON of variable in brake pad manufacturing, so broad labels do not apply well. There are some pretty decent ceramic contented pads out there, but as of right now, a majority of them are terrible for aggressive use.

However, most Kevlar pads are better simply because they tend to be more expensive. Knowing that, pad manufacturers are free to use better compounds as the market will step up to the plate when buying them.

Chris

 

Does your company sell stoptech high perf pads for 05 350z rear? if so, i'll buy from your company I hope stoptech's pads are strong..

 

Stillen, a forum-supporting vendor, carries a variety of pads in stock and can get just about anything else quickly. I would suggest calling into the cars sales line and asking.

Chris

 

its so hard to find a company that sells these pads for standard caliper. i'm going to call stillen and see if they have them in stock
[edit] I called stillen but they weren't picking up phone. I couldn't be patient and ordered it from CVR motorsports. Pretty cheap $57 free shipping. I did hear some bad things about this company but i hope they'll be nice to me hahaha It's cheaper than hawk HPS so i can't really be sure if stoptech pads are any better than hawks..

 

That would be very unusual, even though the lines are pretty busy this time of year. Try 866-250-5542 next time, in case you were using a different number.

Chris

 

I went from Hawk HPS to Stop-Tech Street Performance pads (aka 309 pads). Much better overall performer than the HPS. A lot more initial bite and great response throughout the braking duration. Are there better track pads then the 309 pads, sure, but I think these are tops for street applications that see some track use and especially aggressive street use.

The only area the HPS is better at is dusting, but I decided I care more about performance than dust and its not really that bad...still miles better than OEM.

 

man...i wish i could sell my hawk HPS haha..especially the front one..ANYONE?

 

Its cool man, dont sweat it. Chalk it up to a first run mistake, no biggy. Get the most out of them and when you feel like you've had enough upgrade to a new set you feel better about.