Which brake pads for non-ABS?

[bmcreider]

So I have the '04, sport brakes are stock, but I have no ABS.

For the last 100k miles I've only used OEM pads. I feel they have too much front bias, and I don't like the pedal feel as compared to some more aggressive pads.

I have heard of some people mixing up pads, with a more aggressive pad in rear (Say, Hawk HP+) and a near OEM in the front (Say, Axxis Ultimate).

What do you guys recommend for a mostly street used, sometimes autocrossed Miata w/o ABS that will give decent pedal feel and brake balance?

[cone-cerned]

I installed OEM pads in the front and Hawk HP+ pads in the rear last April. The set up has been working well for me. I wish I had done it sooner. I'm planning on being at Keller's tomorrow night, you can give it a try.

[bmcreider]

Rogue is painting the front of my car at the moment, so I don't know if I will be able to make it out.

However, I just read about Andy Hollis' proportion valve removal trick. I don't think I want to do that for a mostly street driven car, especially one on street tires and stock suspension.

And when you say OEM did you go to the dealer, or just buy some premium AutoZone pads?

[sammm]

I installed OEM pads in the front and Hawk HP+ pads in the rear last April.

+1 ... I ran the setup on my '95 and was very happy with the results. OEM means OEM Mazda. Don't cheap out with Vatozone pads.

[bmcreider]

+1 ... I ran the setup on my '95 and was very happy with the results. OEM means OEM Mazda. Don't cheap out with Vatozone pads.

You guys never noticed any weird braking differences due to the OEM not needing to warm up, and the HP+ needing to?

The 2 brake pads work at different temperatures, just wondering if you had any problems with that.

[sammm]

You guys never noticed any weird braking differences due to the OEM not needing to warm up, and the HP+ needing to?

The 2 brake pads work at different temperatures, just wondering if you had any problems with that.

Nope. Just drag your parking brake on the way to the start line.

[bmcreider]

I'll certainly give it a shot then. I will probably pick up the HP+ from Gary and get the OEMs from Hiley.

[wrx74]

+1 ... I ran the setup on my '95 and was very happy with the results. OEM means OEM Mazda. Don't cheap out with Vatozone pads.

You doing that on your new ride, too??

[cone-cerned]

.....And when you say OEM did you go to the dealer, or just buy some premium AutoZone pads?

My front pads are genuine Mazda.

You guys never noticed any weird braking differences due to the OEM not needing to warm up, and the HP+ needing to?

The 2 brake pads work at different temperatures, just wondering if you had any problems with that.

Nope. Just drag your parking brake on the way to the start line.

Same for me. I have not noticed any ill effects on the track, the street or between the cones.

I'll certainly give it a shot then. I will probably pick up the HP+ from Gary and get the OEMs from Hiley.

I ordered my OEM pads from Trussville. Here is the '04 front pads.

[aalvarez04]

You mean these...http://www.buymazdaparts.com/parts.c...=MIA05&catid=6

[bmcreider]

Nevermind, Andrew was right.

Why's it say for normal suspension though? Confuses me.

[cone-cerned]

I fixed my link, maybe. Thanks aalvarez04.

[Miatamaniac92]

Rogue is painting the front of my car at the moment, so I don't know if I will be able to make it out.

However, I just read about Andy Hollis' proportion valve removal trick. I don't think I want to do that for a mostly street driven car, especially one on street tires and stock suspension.

And when you say OEM did you go to the dealer, or just buy some premium AutoZone pads?

Link? What does he do?

Chris

[bmcreider]

Link? What does he do?

Chris

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.p...2&postcount=19

Go to your local Autozone or Napa and buy a pair of 10mm x 1.0 flared unions. Put one in place across the output side (rear brakes) of the proportioning valve and one across the control side (front brake line). And remove the proportioning valve physically, if you like. Bleed and enjoy.

[icepenguin66]

The Hawk HP+ pads should not require warm up. They are sold as aggressive street/light lap day pads...anything marketed as street should not need to be warmed up. That said, I left a set of Hawk Black race pads on my daily car a couple years ago after a track day and they actually had enough bite when cold to be very streetable. I ended up leaving them on all year since they made NO noise at all...unlike the Hawk HP+ pads that I absolutely despise!!!

I haven't tried the Axxis Ultimates...yet, and I've heard a lot of good things about Akebono pads from some OTM drivers; and they are OEM pads for some of the nice cars.

After talking to racing buddy, Keith Verges (runs the Apex Driving School at MSR), I decided to try the EBC Yellows this last year on my daily car since Keith said he loves them on his Vette, Viper and Gallardo for track days. I love them on the street for aggressive driving and would probably work great for autoX, but at least with my experience at Hallett Motor Speedway I cooked the hell out of them in only 3 laps! They are almost completely noise free and when they do peep at ya on occasion, it is minor unlike the horrid, ear piercing squeal of the Hawk HP+.

I know you autoX'ers want a different brake bias than a track car so using the HP+ just on the rears may not be so noisy since the fronts do most of the braking.

Just wanna make sure everyone hears my about the Hawk HP+! I'm sorry if anyone likes them, but for that price and for a "street" pad I should not have more noise than the pads on my Spec car! That's just terrible quality. If my full race pads and if high end cars like a Z06 can get the quality braking we are looking for without noise then I should be able to as well if spending big $$$ on performance pads.

[bmcreider]

I have been with aalvarez04 in his car with Hawk HP+ and they do squeel. It's not anything worse than the sound you get from the squeelers when your brake pads are due for a change, but it's not pretty either.

[aalvarez04]

I may have to try the hawk black pads out when my hp+ are finished.

[Darron65]

I've got HP+ on the rears. No noise but plenty of dust.

[icepenguin66]

I may have to try the hawk black pads out when my hp+ are finished.

FWI, the Blacks are a full race pad so definitely not guaranteed to be quite. I could've just been lucky! Then again even the Hawk Blues on my SM with thrashed rotors from'em make little to no noise most of the time.

[Tim the Teacher]

Could I use OEM pads all around if I track the car no more than 6 times a year?

I have some HP+ that are 3/4 gone and I hate the fricken dust they leave and the squeal they make although that seems to be going away the more they are worn.