1stgen7

Well it looks as though it is going to be time for new front pads. Does anyone have any suggestions what to put on my 1985 SE. I use it for a daily driver and need something suitible for the street, but I also drive rather hard and may use it for autocross or for some track weekend events (if I don't regain my sanity - this is my daily driver!). At any rate, I have been looking at a lot of information and unfortunately it is conflicting and does not address the 1st gen specifically.


Mark at the parts warehouse suggested the following:

either Axxis Delux Organics or Meatel Masters or EBC Greenstuff.

I was all hot for the EBC's until I read a post somewhere where the guy said they almost killed him because the lock up too easily!

Also, does anyone know where I can get drilled disks (Brembo??)

Any input would be useful!!

Thanks...Bill

rx7gslse

hmm... do a seach in the brake/suspension etc section...

I did the same thing yesterday and ended up buying a set of HP+ pads. It sounds like the EBC green stuff and HP+ were about equilalent, but the Hawk's were about $20 cheaper for all 4.

I haven't actually got them yet, so I can't say how they are, but I will in a week or so.... Just search brake pads. you'll find lots of info.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

I have driven a car with the Hawk Pads, and they are great. I bought a set for myself from Racingbeat, but have not put them on. I *was* going to put them on when I did the suspension upgrade, but decided I would do it all together later. Besides, it's not too good to put brand new pads un without resurfacing the rotors, you may glaze them.

I too want slotted / crossdrilled rotors, and when I get them, that's what I will use with the Hawk Pads and the SS brake lines that I have waiting to be put in.

smnc

Hawks are the way to go...

SilverRocket

Yep, Hawk HP+... phenomenal.

inittab

With the increased stopping power of these pads comes increased wear on the rotors. Are the Hawk HP+ pads tough on rotors and if so by how much? Rotors ain't cheap ya know.

CrazyJoe12a

I have the HP+ on my car and LOVE them. Of course its mainly an AutoX car and only occasionally driven around town. Only thing to watch out for, is they are LOUD when coming to a slow stop after they are heated up. The squeal is deafening which I think is kinda cool

I put on brand new rotors at the same time, and so far there doesn't seem to be too musch wear on the rotors. Although I'm sure they won't last as long as if i used organic pads.

I've also found that when used hard with street tires they will lock up(although I do have crappy street tires) But with my race tires I have never had a problem, car stops GREAT!

SilverRocket

Don't worry about cross drilled or slotted rotors - you don't need them. When you put those Hawks in and go for a drive, you will be *amazed* at the difference from stock brake pads. The stopping power is quite impressive, especially at high speed when using them hard after they're heated up. And they don't fade under the kind of use we're talking about, or at least I haven't been able to fade them by doing repeated stops from high speed. They actually seem to get better when you work them hard, believe it or not. Once you start to really use them the pedal gets rock hard, so different from the stock pads where the pedal goes to the floor quite easily under hard driving.

I also run Motul 600 racing fluid, flushed recently.

And of course you'll lock up your tires if you hit the pedal hard. You'll do it a few times before you get used to the Hawks, and after a week you won't be hitting the pedal too hard anymore. It depends on your tires - I have Toyo Proxes 205/60/14, and I can lock them easily at 160 kph (about 100 miles per hour). I imagine this would be easier still with crappy tires, and harder with better tires like those new Yoko's or the Proxes T1-S. However once you learn to not slam the brake pedal, this won't happen.

I can mirror CrazyJoe's experience with the rotors - I haven't seen any noticeable wear on mine so far, and the pads are lasting awesome. I was afraid they would wear out in no time or wreck my rotors, but not the case. They are just as good as when I installed them last fall.

The brake squeal under mild street stops is in fact deafening, but I hardly care. Brakes are there to stop, and that's what these do. Plus, it's always cool when people ask me why my brakes are so loud and I can tell them about my cool hardware

mperformance

Ditto on the HAWKS HP+ per recommendation of this board I bought them. I have them on since last Tuesday...they rock, I still run stock rear drum brakes but the hawks are on the frt...

Just remember to follow the instructions that come with them. You need to do what they say before you used them hard the first time.

The pads are perfect for the street and daily driving, but the more you race your car and drive aggresive the more you will fall in love with these pads...


the Hawks improved my braking considerably to the point that I will be racing my car soon at the track.

You will love these pads. HAWKS HP + RULE

SilverRocket

I strongly agree with this as well. A word of warning... The day after I installed my pads I went out for an RX-7 meet and a day of hard driving. I thought I had done the break-in procedure the day before as stated in the instructions. But during the meet, I experienced total green fade at one point - brake pedal to the floor, no braking at all. This only lasted a minute, and then went away never to return. I mention this as a word of warning, that one should be cautious during the first few days of use.