I have 35K on my car and it's time to replace the stock brakes and maybe the rotors as well. This will be the first brake upgrade I will be performing on my S2K since the purchase

I think the stock brakes have done well; considering I have driven the car fairly hard on the expressways and the few times I have gotten to the track...

So here are the options that I am considering, I am looking for any thoughts/feedback...or even a new option or combo...

1. Simply replace all four pads with OEM... (I am a bit hesitant on this one, simply cause of the used rotors...)

2. replace front rotors only with OEM and all four corners with OEM pads...

3. replace all four pads with either (porterfield rs4 or carbotech panter plus) pads (is it a good idea to mix stock rotors with aftermarket pads)

4. upgrade front rotors only, (need some recommendations for rotors) plus upgrade all four corners with aftermarket pads

What do you think is my best option...and if I do choose option 4 compared to option 2, how much will the performance increase over stock brakes...

Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated...

FK

 

If you drive mostly on the street use stock OEM pads or a Hot street pad . None of the things you mentioned will improve your braking , under street driving conditions. In some cases you will decrease performance ( some pads do not work very good cold). High performance pads increase the temperature range of pad (to reduce or eliminate fade ) if you have not had fade problems or you are not using your car on the track a lot , you will not increase performance . If you do use your car on the track , change pads when you go to the track , so that the track pads you install can handle the temperatures you will encounter. Some track pads will wear rotors when they are run on the street ,only adding to your problems .

If your rotors are badly grooved you will need to have them turned , if you have sufficient material to do so.

brad

 

ditto. unless your spirited drives are very aggressive, and I mean *VERY* aggressive, I would only do SS lines and fluid for the street. the OEM pads are just fine for the street and it isn't necessary, but doesn't hurt to upgrade to a moderate street/light track pad.

 

#0.5 Just replace your fronts with OEM pads and go (unless your rears are truly worn, which is doubtful) no resurface no nothing. 30 minute job for a 1st timer, you'll love it

 

Gentlemen, thank you for your responses...

I have not experienced any fade until recently. My expressway driving is somewhat aggressive at times reaching high speeds and than braking hard. The stock setup has served well until recently.

When I brake hard, I am definetely sensing fading...

If were simply upgrade the front pads with stock rotors, what is recommended.

FK

 

OEM, seriously

 

ditto on RT's response. stick with the OEM's, they will be just fine.

 

OK, I think I am convinced that the OEM replacement route is the best for my needs.

Now here is a question, how hard is it if I were to replace the pads myself and also take off the rotors to have them turned...

Would I also need to bleed the brakes to adjust the pressure after I am done...

FK

 

I recommend that you do NOT have the rotors tuned unless you really need to. Turning them will only decrease their overall mass and make them more likely to warp. You also should probably replace your brake fluid with a better DOT4 fluid like Castrol GT-LMA.

 

For those of us that would want to keep stock calipers and pads, what are the options for replacing the rotors with something that is lighter and will not rust?

-YS