Brake Upgrades
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Joined: Jul 2007
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The R&C forum is a great place to find opinions about different pads for track use. With that said, the HPS pads are widely considered lower performance than OEM pads. I haven't run them before, so read and make your own decisions. A buddy of mine just paid $30-ish for some Duralast front pads. Your street setup could be fairly low cost, if you don't care about performance.
I buy my blank rotors through Carbotech when I order pads. I think they were about $42 each for the fronts and $32 each for the rears. I've heard the prices increase if you don't order pads or other products at the same time. However, I'm not 100% on that.
Good track pads are going to cost some $$$. I think my last set was close to $330, or around there. They're earned their price, though.
I buy my blank rotors through Carbotech when I order pads. I think they were about $42 each for the fronts and $32 each for the rears. I've heard the prices increase if you don't order pads or other products at the same time. However, I'm not 100% on that.
Good track pads are going to cost some $$$. I think my last set was close to $330, or around there. They're earned their price, though.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by Hero,Sep 25 2009, 08:47 AM
i need to flush all my fluids and replace my pads. i'm looking into what would be a solid upgrade in performance over the oem setup I have.
the brake system is all stock except for ATE Brake fluid.
I'm mostly street with plans to start the occasional track day in the spring and some spirited canyon driving.
so what would you guys recommend for:
pads
rotors
SS brakelines
fluid ( probably just stay with ATE )
if you think oem is a better choice somewhere, just say so.
thanks everyone.
the brake system is all stock except for ATE Brake fluid.
I'm mostly street with plans to start the occasional track day in the spring and some spirited canyon driving.
so what would you guys recommend for:
pads
rotors
SS brakelines
fluid ( probably just stay with ATE )
if you think oem is a better choice somewhere, just say so.
thanks everyone.
i would say its probably the single best mod i've ever done for braking.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 2
From: Troy, Michigan
Hero,
To answer some of your questions:
Q: How long does it take to change pads?
A: It takes me about 30-45 minutes to change pads at all four wheels. Really, there are just two bolts that need to be removed at each caliper to access the pads. It's really quite easy. Just need some open ended wrenches, sockets, and a little time.
Q: How much do OEM pads and rotors cost?
A: If you buy pads and rotors from HandAaccessories.com, it's usually about $42 for front pads, $48 for rear pads, and about $95 each rotor.
Just FYI, but when I bought my Carbotech pads a few weeks ago, I bought the XP8s for both front and rear. Fronts were $140, rears were $150. Yes, they are significantly more money than OEM pads, but they have a significantly different purpose as well.
Regards,
Christopher
To answer some of your questions:
Q: How long does it take to change pads?
A: It takes me about 30-45 minutes to change pads at all four wheels. Really, there are just two bolts that need to be removed at each caliper to access the pads. It's really quite easy. Just need some open ended wrenches, sockets, and a little time.
Q: How much do OEM pads and rotors cost?
A: If you buy pads and rotors from HandAaccessories.com, it's usually about $42 for front pads, $48 for rear pads, and about $95 each rotor.
Just FYI, but when I bought my Carbotech pads a few weeks ago, I bought the XP8s for both front and rear. Fronts were $140, rears were $150. Yes, they are significantly more money than OEM pads, but they have a significantly different purpose as well.
Regards,
Christopher
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 0
From: Aliso Viejo
Originally Posted by Nofar,Sep 28 2009, 08:36 AM
Hero,
To answer some of your questions:
Q: How long does it take to change pads?
A: It takes me about 30-45 minutes to change pads at all four wheels. Really, there are just two bolts that need to be removed at each caliper to access the pads. It's really quite easy. Just need some open ended wrenches, sockets, and a little time.
Q: How much do OEM pads and rotors cost?
A: If you buy pads and rotors from HandAaccessories.com, it's usually about $42 for front pads, $48 for rear pads, and about $95 each rotor.
Just FYI, but when I bought my Carbotech pads a few weeks ago, I bought the XP8s for both front and rear. Fronts were $140, rears were $150. Yes, they are significantly more money than OEM pads, but they have a significantly different purpose as well.
Regards,
Christopher
To answer some of your questions:
Q: How long does it take to change pads?
A: It takes me about 30-45 minutes to change pads at all four wheels. Really, there are just two bolts that need to be removed at each caliper to access the pads. It's really quite easy. Just need some open ended wrenches, sockets, and a little time.
Q: How much do OEM pads and rotors cost?
A: If you buy pads and rotors from HandAaccessories.com, it's usually about $42 for front pads, $48 for rear pads, and about $95 each rotor.
Just FYI, but when I bought my Carbotech pads a few weeks ago, I bought the XP8s for both front and rear. Fronts were $140, rears were $150. Yes, they are significantly more money than OEM pads, but they have a significantly different purpose as well.
Regards,
Christopher
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 0
From: Aliso Viejo
how much brake fluid do i need for a complete flush ( for clutch also ).
i've read 1 bottle of ATE is pretty exact and i've seen people saying you need a little more and to get 2 bottles.
i think i only used one last time, but can't remember. how much do you guys use?
i've read 1 bottle of ATE is pretty exact and i've seen people saying you need a little more and to get 2 bottles.
i think i only used one last time, but can't remember. how much do you guys use?
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,368
Likes: 0
From: Aliso Viejo
Originally Posted by spets,Sep 28 2009, 11:03 AM
One bottle was enough for me, but I was pretty close to empty by the time I was done with it.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 2
From: Troy, Michigan
Hero,
I'd suggest buying 2 containers of ATE DOT 4 brake fluid. Open one and use it to bleed your brakes and clutch. If necessary you will have the second bottle handy. You can always return it if you don't need it.
However, if you plan on attending track days and other events, then keep the second bottle around and bleed your brakes periodically after track days. I bleed my brakes after every 2-3 track days, just for good measure. Last time I bought ATE Superblue fluid it was about $13 for each quart, so not such a huge investment.
Christopher
I'd suggest buying 2 containers of ATE DOT 4 brake fluid. Open one and use it to bleed your brakes and clutch. If necessary you will have the second bottle handy. You can always return it if you don't need it.
However, if you plan on attending track days and other events, then keep the second bottle around and bleed your brakes periodically after track days. I bleed my brakes after every 2-3 track days, just for good measure. Last time I bought ATE Superblue fluid it was about $13 for each quart, so not such a huge investment.
Christopher