My Hawk HP+ review.
 

I've had the Hawk HP+ pads installed on my base '86 for almost a week now. They cost about 55 bucks a pair from tirerack. I forgot to take my stop-squeak cream with me when I used my parents garage, so I installed them without it. My first impressions... Noisy. I didn't replace the rotors (nor did I trun them) because I plan to buy new ones soon enough. They weren't warped, but they had a couple considerable grooves on each.

Although the pads are noisy, I am overall satisfied with the stopping power they provide. The only one complaint I have is their performance when cold. When I frist start driving the car in the mornings, they require a little more pressure than normal to slow your car down (I'm guessing this is normal). Drive the car normally for about 3 minutes and the brakes will heat-up to standard operating temperatures, and the grip will improve dramatically. The stopping power is downright insane. Lock all 4 whenever you want and more... The modulation is perfectly rational. I've got wider tires in the back and stock size in the front, so I am facing understeer in hard-braking turns-- but since you are not supposed to be braking in the turns anyways, it is hardly ever an issue.

Overall, I trust the car A LOT more than I used to, but if I had to do it again, I would probably buy the HP street pads.

PJ

PS-- Can anyone verify the cold pad effect? I didn't think th eproblem would be so pervasive in the HP+ pads.

Those will eat your rotors much faster than the HPS.

I know... But I was curious. I don't plan to keep these rotors too long anyways. I don't mind shelling out bucks for increased ability to stop. The real reason I chose HP+ is because I also own a T-Bird. Two tons to stop there. It has 13 inch, dual piston brakes up font, and I wanted to find better pads than what I've got.

PJHrad