Okay, here's the setup:
I have worn down my rear pads to the wear tab and need to replace them soon. The fronts look great. So it looks like I'm going to have to just do the rears this once and then both at the same time down the line.

FYI, I have 30k on the car.

So, which brand should I use to be most like stock? I'm hoping to keep it close to the standard stopping power so that I'm not locking up the rear prematurely, or putting more load than necessary on the fronts.

Is the Ferrodo 2500 close to OEM? Is this even necessary for "just the rears"? Any other brand recommendations for the rears?

I read a lot of threads talking about the different pads, but I didn't see one for this particular question. Seems the Hawk, Carbotech, Ferrodo, and OEM all get good reviews.

All help appreciated,
AC

 

The Ferodos have significantly more stopping power than the OEM pads, but they are vey nice for street use. Personally, I would replace all 4 corners with DS2500's if your car is only used on public roads. For track and street use, the Pagid Blues (RS-42) or Blacks (RS 4-2-1) are both very good choices. I just don't think it's a good idea to have a more performance-oriented pad in the rear and the OEM pads up front. Of course you could always replace the rears with another set of OEM's but they are pretty bad from a performance standpoint.

-Dan

 

performance pads and stock rotors isnt such a good idea. If you brake a lot it can cause heat spots on your rotors..

 

Ummm...no.
1- Negative on the heatspots. Maybe you meant pad deposits, but that is not the rotor's fault.
2- We're talking about close to OEM pads here not "performance pads" whatever it is you mean by that.
3- No one said anything about braking a lot.

 

Thanks for the inputs.

Basically, I'm looking for something that can replace my OEM rears, even if they are not as good. I am hoping to get an other 15k out of the fronts and then do a full "upgrade" and replace the brake lines, clutch line, power bleed the whole system, etc.

Unfortunately I can't afford to do that right now, and it would be a waste because the fronts are in great shape.

So I'm just looking for a pad close enough to OEM performance that doesn't cost $200 for the rears

 

i was in the same boat the other day. i was thinking either vita nouva or hawk hps. i went with the hawks.

you could ask around in your regional forum or the private sales for rear pads that still have some life. i did but didnt find any soon enough.

 

Thanks for all the help.

I decided just to upgrade everything. I ordered the Ferodo 2500 and Technafit brake lines and clutch line from www.raceshopper.com.

Now I just need a Motive powerbleeder and I'm all set.

Thanks again. Hopefully I'll document the install and post some results.

 

sometimes it can help to sand the rotors with some wet/dry 220-400 grit to try to remove the layer of old pad material before you bed in the new pads on your stock rotors.

 

Sounds like you made a good decision Alacris. It's generally not a good idea to run two different types of pads. Even slight differences in material can lead to the pads running at different temperatures and could lead to less than ideal braking. I've been in the same situation several times with other cars (either front or rear needs replacing, but not both) and I've always been reccomended to just replace all the pads unless I planned on replacing the worn ones with identical brand/type as the good ones. In any case, just toss the fronts in a box for a rainy day.

And +1 on sanding the rotors before putting in the new pads. And don't forget to break them in!

 

Well, fwiw I'm about to run Endless cc-Rg on the front and DS2500 in the rear on my Sti.

Anyway, wearing out the rear quicker than the front is a bit odd, isn't it? I normally go through 2 sets of fronts before I need to change the rears.

 

good call man, better safe than sorry, throwing off your brake bias by running different pads can be dangerous.

 

I think I am in the same boat! Thanks for the input.

 

you can get hawk front and rears shipped for under $180. it is reccomended in the service manual to change all four corners at once, not just front or rear. also, gruppe-s has some project mu front/rears shipped for around $175.

 

I'm also changing the pads on my evo, the dealership quoted me about $300.00. I've tried NAPA, pepboys, and Discount Autoparts and the prices are ranging from $60-$100 for both the front and rear brake pads.

Do you guys know if there are many differences from stock, if its horrible to put them on or just any input.

Thanks for the advise

 

The Hawk HP's are near stock but with better braking and have worked great for me. The brake dust has been reduced tremendously and the price is nice too.