I replaced my front brake pads w/Hawk racing pads. I noticed the difference immediately. It takes less pedal pressure to acheive the same braking effect.
I noticed while changing the pads that the friction material on the stock pads was tapered on either side, (WTF?) so you wouldn't have full surface contact between the pads and rotor until the friction material was half gone. Does anyone know if there's a legitimate reason/purpose for this?- other than making the pads need to be replaced sooner. I will upload the pics of the pads side by side that I took, so you can check them out.
Thanks for the heads up, pics apreciated when you get time.
I remember when I did new 6 piston calipers, larger slotted and drilled rotors and pads on my car prior to this one and man what a difference.
So many people spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to make their cars go faster and faster and never spend a dime to make it stop quicker with less brake fade when hot lapping etc.
Good job man.
I want some better rotors and pads too, then again I want everything lol.
Maybe I will hit the lotto!
Is the brake fade any better on extended highway trips like in stop and go traffic with just a pad change? I know they have the rotors out already for the 04's and the price isn't too bad.
The stock pads are a joke. Couldn't believe how small they actually were. I went with C5 pads. AC Delco ceramics up front and still stock in the rear. Very noticeable difference. And they don't dust near as bad as the stockers.
I'm not sure if I should do this since the site is not a sponsor, but I'll take the heat if it's not cool. I got them from Thunder Racing. Here's a link, http://www.thunderracing.com. Moderator: hope it's okay, and thanks for inserting my pix into the posts.
I have shopped at TR for a long time and if they are not a sponsor maybe they should be? They are on practiclly every LS1 site there is and have proven themselves reputable in my opinion. I will get these ordered soon thanks again!
The reason they taper the ends of the stock pads is to help get rid of alot of the tip in brake squel and it also helps cool them a bit not to try and help them wear out faster or anything like that. I would bet money that the stock pads would last longer than your aftermarket ones they probley won't stop as well but it is a give and take sort of thing. :cheers
The reason they taper the ends of the stock pads is to help get rid of alot of the tip in brake squel and it also helps cool them a bit not to try and help them wear out faster or anything like that. I would bet money that the stock pads would last longer than your aftermarket ones they probley won't stop as well but it is a give and take sort of thing. :cheers
That is true on the taper but just about every pad out there is tapered. Problem with the GTO pad is its incredibly small. I don't think it'll last as long as an aftermarket pad because of that. Why they didn't take the material all the way out to the edge of the plate is anybody's guess. Probably why they fade so fast.
OK...I've gone through too many cars over the years to ever getting around to change brake pads myself. What is actually involved in changing out the pads? If there's one thing about my GTO that I haven't been completely satisfied with, it's the braking performance, so this is an upgrade that I'd certainly like to perform.
The worst thing about changing the brake pads for me was the fact that someone on the production line went a little crazy with the lock-tite on the caliper bolts. I nearly broke my ratchet trying to get them out. Other than that it is very simple. It would be somewhat involved to explain the whole procedure in a post, though. If you haven't done it before, you would probably find a set of pictures handy as well. Any automotive repair manual would be a good resource for you as far as this stuff goes. All disc brakes are pretty much the same basic design. You might also want to look around on-line for some instructions. If I didn't have my job, kids, etc. I would be happy to help more, but I think you can find what you need. :cheers
Well, all things considered, better is still better.
In my case, I get the chance to go on an occasional romp through the mountain twisties, or zoom across desert plains. Oregon has a little bit of everything, as do some other states. I enjoy it all. I am really looking forward to window down cruise time this summer. I want my car to be the best it can be when I take it out to play. :cheers
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Date Listed:27/03/2020
Last Edited:27/03/2020
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I installed new tubular front control arms. Torqued the upper ball joint to spindle nut to 65 ft lb. the bottom to 90 ft lb. the spindle is so tight I can nearly move it. After speaking with the supplier they said to loosen the castle nut. This I did on the bottom a arm and could then move the...
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I will upload the pics of the pads side by side that I took, so you can check them out. 
