need help deciding on new brake pads

[bcw]

Ok little background info. I have a 93 s10 that I occasionally race and tow. Its gonna need new front brakes soon and just lookin for some suggestions to upgrade to. Also is ebc brakes a good brand or just hyped up. Thanks

 

[fredobandito]

I work at a national chain auto parts store, so hopefully my two cents will be worth at least a penny.

As far as the towing goes, you'd probably be okay with one step above OE spec. I know we carry five different lines of brake pads (three house brands and Wagners in-store and Akebonos in DCs), and the middle house brand option is OE spec. Going with either the top house brand or the Wagners should suffice.

For the occasional racing, you might want to consider the Akebonos. At the very least, check for a ceramic pad instead of a semi-metallic.

As far as EBC goes, I've never dealt with their brakes to offer an opinion. Maybe somebody else can chime in?

 

[Dune Runner]

EBC brake pads are great IMHO. I have used them many times. They are the only pads I run on my bikes.

 

[Bronco638]

They are the only pads I run on my bikes.

Same here. That said, I didn't know they made pads for cars/trucks.

 

[truckfan]

The EBC pads are good and produce little dust.

 

[AllanD]

EBC are ok, but I'd rather have something from Hawk Brake, or Performance Friction.

AD

 

[exbass94]

EBC are ok, but I'd rather have something from Hawk Brake, or Performance Friction.

AD

^^This. I decided to try EBC Greenstuff pads on my Ranger. They produce a lot of dust, and during the break-in period, they squeal a LOT. EBC says it's normal for the pads to squeal during break-in. What they don't tell you is it takes several weeks before the pads are broken in and the squealing finally stops. Stopping power is good, not really any better than stock though. I think they're overrated, and I won't buy them again.

Hawk HPS pads on the other hand, are AWESOME. Minimal dusting, excellent stopping power, and they wear fantastically. I put a set on the front of my Accord and was very impressed. I later put a set on the rear of my Accord, and a set on my Bronco. I no longer will use anything else.

 

[gw33gp]

I use Akebono pads on my Ranger that I tow my race car with. They work great and much better that the original pads from the factory. I found it is important to run rear brake shoes with upgraded friction material also or the front pads to most of the work resulting in faster pad wear and more dusting of the wheels.

I have used many brake compounds on my race car including Hawk and Performance Friction. I did not like Hawk at all. Performance Friction was good but Raybestos has several race friction compounds to choose from and a few are better. I found one of the Raybestos race compounds to work very well for me on the track. You can't get the Raybestos race compounds from typical auto parts stores. I get mine from Porterfield Brakes. I don't recommend the race compound for street use but may work OK once you get them heated up.