THSCC Forums

I'm looking to put some new pads on the Spyder. I don't want anything grabby as I really try to minimize my brake usage. When I use the brakes it's usually light pressure, except during a heavy brake zone. The ideal pad is progressive yet has noticeably more stopping power than stock pads.

It doesn't appear there are a lot of choices for the Spyder, especially on the rear. Does anyone have any experience with these pads:

Hawk HPS
EBC (Yellowstuff)
EBC (Redstuff)
StopTech

I've got gift certificates that will let me get the Hawk's for free, but they're only available for the fronts. If they get poor reviews, I'll look for something else.

Thanks,
Eric

I just found that Carbotech makes two compounds that fit the Spyder (front and rear): 1521 for the street and AX6 for autox...but they don't recommend the AX6 for the street due to dusting and noise.

Anyone have experience with either of these? They're a bit pricey, but if they work great, that's fine.

They've changed their naming since I was sponsored by them 100 years ago, but if the 1521 is what they used to call the "Bobcat," they were really great. Just about perfect. Good stopping but not touchy, not much dust, etc.

The AX6 sounds like the former Panther Plus, which was kind of a track day pad. If you remember the pads we had on the S2000, they were like that. Touchier but not like a switch, very dusty, and they liked a little heat in them.

More later, I'm taking Piper to the doc.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

Not no, but HELL NO.

I had the Redstuff on my Focus this weekend and they SUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKK. No bite at all. I got them for free and they are going in the trash.

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Avoid the HPS. If you go Hawk, go HP+.

Maybe my memory has faded, but my memory of HP+ is that they were pretty grabby. Powerful, but difficult to modulate. I sold mine to a Triad guy because I found them to be grabby, noisy, and dusty.

I had Carbotech Bobcats (the 1521 today) on my Excursion, I think on my BMW E30, and on at least one CRX. I thought they were just about perfect. I only stopped buying them because they got so freaking expensive.

Currently, I have Raybestos ceramic brake pads on both of my cars, and I really like them a lot. Plenty of grab, but not too much. Plenty of fade resistance for an autocross application, but without requiring any heat to get them to work - you're welcome to try them out. Very low dust. Oh...and they're cheap! The "Professional Grade Ceramic" pads are about $62.00 combined for the Spyder, front and back, from Rock Auto.

BTW, if you try something and don't like it, I'd probably buy them from you. I imagine by now my Mom's 2002 Spyder is close to needing brake pads. Also, I'd be happy to help you bleed your brakes if you haven't done that before. Made a big difference in the pedal feel of the Miata. I used my topsider oil change pump to do it - basically sucking the old fluid out of the system, rather than pushing it out with the master cylinder. Worked great.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

Thanks for the good info from everyone!!

Karl, I may take you up on the brake bleeding offer as well. Right now the Carbotech's seem like the front runner. Yes, they are pricey.

Two former Spyder driver's just highly recommended the Axxis Ultimate pads. They are only $40 - $50 for each end of the car ($100) total. The Carbotechs are around $135 or $270 for a whole set...that's a big difference.

Anybody have experience with the Axxis Ultimates?

Yes buy them or the Stoptechs (same pads, different name) and the buy Chris a nice dinner out with the savings. They are dusty however but probably no worse than hawks.

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2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I used to use them on the Miata for AX and early track days. For a Street/AX pad I think they are great - good feel and stopping power and reasonably priced. It has been a while since I bought them though since I have about a zillion used street pads thanks to another club member who cleaned out his stock.

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1990 Faded Reddish CSP Lite Miata
2002 Electron Blue Corvette Z06
2005 Mazda 6 Wagon
2003 Nissan Pathfinder DTV (Dog Transport Vehicle)

PFC Zrated and Akebono are what I normally buy.

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2006 Civic Si - #24 HS for 2015

2005 GMC Sierra
1991 318is Garage Ornament

I think they're great and the PBR label version is the pretty much the same. 80% of the grip of HP+'s (they're too grippy IMO), 1/2 the cost, and probably about 1/2 the dust without the grinding noises of a super aggressive ceramic.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. It looks like it is Axxis Ultimates for me!

I had Axxis Ultimates for my E30 for the street. They are a great pad. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S