OldSchoolSwap
08-15-2002, 08:58 AM
Found another good write up from good old gr motor sports.
What's the secret to choosing the right pad or shoe?
Obtaining a basic understanding of your needs and then matching them to the proper compounds. It's also useful to listen to the experts (hopefully, the people selling the stuff).
Brake pads and shoes, like a lot of things in this world, are available in a large number of flavors. Some are good, and others are so-so. Understanding this will make life easier. Let's take a look at what kinds of compounds are available:
· Organic: These are the $6.99 pads that you can get at the local parts shop; essentially, you get what you pay for. Organic pads are made up of compressed wood and/or paper, and perhaps some low-grade metal has been thrown in. Their friction coefficient (how well they grip against the rotor or drum surface) is very low, and they can't handle the high temperatures associated with any sort of performance driving. Basically, these pads not appropriate for competition use.
· Semi-metallic: These are definitely a step in the right direction. Expect to find much more metal in the mix (probably iron, but maybe brass or bronze) along with a better binder (what holds the pad together). The friction coefficient is higher (meaning the pads will provide more bite against the rotor) and they will wear better. Semi-metallic pads and shoes are the basic $30/pair-type found down the street. Usually a better choice over organic compounds, but you could do better.
· Carbon-based metallic: This is the good stuff that we'll be talking about today. The price goes up a bit, but performance rises many times over. Carbon and various metals (iron, nickel, brass and bronze) are thrown into the mix, and a better high-temperature epoxy binder holds everything together. The friction coefficient is much higher than semi-metallic pads, and in general they are also less dusty. Carbon-based metallic pads are offered by several companies in many different compound mixes. Hawk, Performance Friction, Porterfield, Cool Carbon and Wilwood (Polymatrix) all offer quality carbon-based metallic pads. Besides selling brake pads, Carbotech and TS Imported can also reline the backing plates from drum brakes with these modern materials.
· Carbon-carbon: Odds are you don't have these brakes (carbon-fiber rotors with carbon-fiber pads), unless you run in FIA races in Europe.
What's the secret to choosing the right pad or shoe?
Obtaining a basic understanding of your needs and then matching them to the proper compounds. It's also useful to listen to the experts (hopefully, the people selling the stuff).
Brake pads and shoes, like a lot of things in this world, are available in a large number of flavors. Some are good, and others are so-so. Understanding this will make life easier. Let's take a look at what kinds of compounds are available:
· Organic: These are the $6.99 pads that you can get at the local parts shop; essentially, you get what you pay for. Organic pads are made up of compressed wood and/or paper, and perhaps some low-grade metal has been thrown in. Their friction coefficient (how well they grip against the rotor or drum surface) is very low, and they can't handle the high temperatures associated with any sort of performance driving. Basically, these pads not appropriate for competition use.
· Semi-metallic: These are definitely a step in the right direction. Expect to find much more metal in the mix (probably iron, but maybe brass or bronze) along with a better binder (what holds the pad together). The friction coefficient is higher (meaning the pads will provide more bite against the rotor) and they will wear better. Semi-metallic pads and shoes are the basic $30/pair-type found down the street. Usually a better choice over organic compounds, but you could do better.
· Carbon-based metallic: This is the good stuff that we'll be talking about today. The price goes up a bit, but performance rises many times over. Carbon and various metals (iron, nickel, brass and bronze) are thrown into the mix, and a better high-temperature epoxy binder holds everything together. The friction coefficient is much higher than semi-metallic pads, and in general they are also less dusty. Carbon-based metallic pads are offered by several companies in many different compound mixes. Hawk, Performance Friction, Porterfield, Cool Carbon and Wilwood (Polymatrix) all offer quality carbon-based metallic pads. Besides selling brake pads, Carbotech and TS Imported can also reline the backing plates from drum brakes with these modern materials.
· Carbon-carbon: Odds are you don't have these brakes (carbon-fiber rotors with carbon-fiber pads), unless you run in FIA races in Europe.