Good brake pad brands

[keeweechris]

People often say "make sure you put on good pads", but hardly ever mention what brands/models are "good" and where to get them in NZ. So I thought I'd ask. Couldn't find that info anywhere else.

 

I've been thinking about how to upgrade the fairly crappy braking performance on my stock BH5 GTB, which has 2-pot sliding calipers on 295mm rotors and stock 17" wheels, without spending heaps. I've settled on fitting BP/BL 316mm rotors and calipers, and good pads and bleed. As I understand it, just fitting WRX 4-pot red calipers on my 295mm rotors will not do much, which makes sense. Increasing rotor diameter and making sure the sliding calipers work well is the best bang for buck.

 

But what are "good pads"? Do you base it on cost? Cheapies tend to be ~$60 a set from supercheap/repco. I'll stay away from those. Are Bendix General CT's or Ultimates classed as "good pads"? They're at Supercheap for $90. Or do you have to spend $150+ for a set of "good pads"? What about TRW? They seem to be about $200. What makes them better?

 

Cheers for any advice guru's!

[Andy_Mac]

I've got Bendix ultimates on the Legacy with Brembo’s they're miles better than whatever was on the car before but are very very dusty.

 

I've been recommended Winmax by a few places now as an all around really good brand that gets used in motorsport a fair bit but hasn't really broken into the mainstream for road cars.

 

[RaKid]

I use an Endless 0 degree pad so I can run it on the street and track. I also use  an Endless brake fluid.

https://www.prosportauto.co.nz/ is where I get my stuff from.

I think the combination works really well for my use case.

[Timmah]

Talk to Dave @ BrakeTech, I've been using Dixzel pads and they're great! Otherwise @gotasuby can help.

 

Good pads will come at a cost, whether it's noise, brake dust or poor cold performance. It does depend on your driving style/goals. You wouldn't want to run a race orientated pad if you're just a bit of a quick street driver.

[keeweechris]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I'm definitely just a "quick street driver", not race or anything like that. I'm after something on par with modern cars, where you feel nice solid positive braking, rather than sloppy "old car" braking.

 

I think I'll stay away from those Bendix Ultimates, just due to the dust issue.

[pl0x]

I always go Bendix Ultimate if i can. I can deal with the dust for the cold and hot braking performance.

EBC green in one car and better than a repco brand pad but nosier

[Firenza]

The bendix ultimates are a track capalble pad, so a tad over what you need, and why they will be dusty.

 

Would be worth checking out the rest of bendix range https://www.bendix.co.nz/product-range I have their General CT pads in my turbo outback and they're quite good daily driving and for the odd blat.

 

Otherwise I've used TRW pads https://www.trwaftermarket.com/en/passenger-cars-and-lcv/disc-brake-systems/brake-pads/

and they were very good, even coping with a track day at Hampton Downs (though they were pretty shagged by the end, but that was over what they were ment for !)

 

If you want something more specialist EBC pads work quite well. Ive got the EBC Yellows in the WRX now, and i've know people use them and the greens to great effect, but they can be a little costly.

[keeweechris]

Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated!

[logan25]

For anyone running the brembo's for the legacy (such as the stock ones on tbsti or s402 etc), is this the correct part number for the front for the Bendix Ultimates?

 

DB1678-ULT

Or is it

 

DB1379 ULT 

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by logan25

[Andy_Mac]

@logan25 I used DB1678-ULT on mine.

[newsuba]

"good pads" depends on intended use.

for general pottering around stock is fine

bendix ultimates, for a bit more enthusiastic driving.

ferodos if you want a bit more.

the old ts2000/formula was a great road/sometimes track pad but need a bit of heat in them.

never got consistent results from ebc.

match your new pads with some good fluid and you should be good 😄

bigger rotors etc. may improve stopping power but usually all they do is increase your unsprung weight

😄

[Individualities]

On 1/05/2020 at 7:43 PM, logan25 said:

For anyone running the brembo's for the legacy (such as the stock ones on tbsti or s402 etc), is this the correct part number for the front for the Bendix Ultimates?

 

DB1678-ULT

Or is it

 

DB1379 ULT

 

S402's run a 6 piston caliper up front. Just adding that for future reference.

And yes on the 1678's. 1521's for the rear Brembo 2 pots.

 

For bad pads - Repco RTQs are just straight up s***. Every car I fitted them to while I was on the tools, always came back with squeaking noises.