Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Feeling the bumps in the Forester or wanting more, look here

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Raven
Mr. Underpowered or something
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:46 pm
Location: Manasty

Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Raven »

I think I'm actually gonna go ahead and start to prep my SAAB for racing. However I can't afford any kind of caliper upgrade so I'm going to have to make due with my stock binders. Unfortunately, this will probably be a game of "what's actually available for a SAAB?" For example I think the most aggressive stuff Hawk makes is HPS pads. So what would you guys suggest I look for?

EDIT: What's the consensus on EBC pads? I can Yellowstuff for all four corners.
All my cars have drum brakes and are sub 200 hp, what am I doing with my life?
2013 Mazda 2
1994 Chevy S10 pickup
1985 Chevy Caprice (no fuel system)
User avatar
Sabre
DCAWD Founding Member
Posts: 21432
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 8:00 pm
Location: Springfield, VA
Contact:

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Sabre »

If it's a track day car with occasional drives around town or to meets, you'll want an aggressive pad. The Yellow stuff is your basic weekend warrior replacement. Look at the Blue/Orange for a track car. I'd also throw PAGID Blue, Porterfield R-4 (I ran the 4S compound on the STI), Racing Brake, and StopTech in the same league, depending if they make pads for the Saab.

Other things that you should change out if you haven't for track use:
Stainless Steel lines all around.
High temp brake fluid (I use ATF Super Blue, but anything rated high will be fine).
Think about getting titanium shims for the back of your pads and bearings. Both prevent the transfer of heat to your bearings, which can be costly to replace!
Sabre (Julian)
Image
92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
User avatar
Raven
Mr. Underpowered or something
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:46 pm
Location: Manasty

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Raven »

Well EBC Yellow stuff is as good as they make with my car. I can't figure out PAGID's website so they're out. Porterfield makes the R-4 and the R-4S for my car. Racing Brake and Stoptech both make nothing for a SAAB.

So it's down to EBC Yellow and Porterfield R-4 or R-4S. This car probably won't be a track only car, it'll probably see more autocross. I'd like to be able to rock up and do a track day without having to change my pads. I'll probably go for the R-4 pads, they seem to perform about the same cold according to Porterfield's documentation and handle heat better than the R-4S. My 9-5 is a very heavy car so those pads will see a lot of heat.

I have braided steel lines, I just need to install them. I was planning on using Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid, or should I opt for something more serious?
All my cars have drum brakes and are sub 200 hp, what am I doing with my life?
2013 Mazda 2
1994 Chevy S10 pickup
1985 Chevy Caprice (no fuel system)
User avatar
drwrx
DCAWD Founding Member
Posts: 4382
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 8:00 pm

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by drwrx »

A set of Hawk HPS pads are a good choice as well, and they will likely have pads for the Saab. They can take the weekend abuse and be completely livable day to day.
Valvoline makes a DOT 3/4 Synthetic Brake fluid that has about 90% the temp threshold of Super Blue but is very inexpensive. Advanced Auto sells 16 fl oz. for $4 and 32 fl oz. for $8.
User avatar
Raven
Mr. Underpowered or something
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:46 pm
Location: Manasty

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Raven »

I'm still inclined to lean toward more pad than I need than less. My 9-5 is a 3600+ lb car. It's only got 308mm vented discs up front so they're gonna get hot. The wider rubber I'm looking at getting will only push those brakes harder.
All my cars have drum brakes and are sub 200 hp, what am I doing with my life?
2013 Mazda 2
1994 Chevy S10 pickup
1985 Chevy Caprice (no fuel system)
User avatar
drwrx
DCAWD Founding Member
Posts: 4382
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 8:00 pm

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by drwrx »

OK, go with the Hawk HP PLUS. Again they will have a wide range of sizes. The Saab will likely be there.
What are you thinking for tires?
User avatar
Raven
Mr. Underpowered or something
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:46 pm
Location: Manasty

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Raven »

Some kind of wide summer rubber. The cheaper the better.
All my cars have drum brakes and are sub 200 hp, what am I doing with my life?
2013 Mazda 2
1994 Chevy S10 pickup
1985 Chevy Caprice (no fuel system)
User avatar
drwrx
DCAWD Founding Member
Posts: 4382
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 8:00 pm

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by drwrx »

Look into the Sumitomo HTR Z III (235/45ZR17 for $105.00.)
User avatar
Sabre
DCAWD Founding Member
Posts: 21432
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 8:00 pm
Location: Springfield, VA
Contact:

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Sabre »

drwrx wrote:Look into the Sumitomo HTR Z III (235/45ZR17 for $105.00.)
GREAT tire for the price. Next step up will cost you at least twice as much!
Sabre (Julian)
Image
92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
User avatar
zaxrex
DCAWD Founding Member
Posts: 6350
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:00 pm
Location: asiandale

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by zaxrex »

I have those.
Not bad in of themselves. The price makes them much better.
But take my input with a grain of salt; my all-time fav performance tire for the money were the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712. I wish I had bought more of them.
Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears
User avatar
Raven
Mr. Underpowered or something
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:46 pm
Location: Manasty

Re: Best "up to track use" OEM replacement pad?

Post by Raven »

drwrx wrote:Look into the Sumitomo HTR Z III (235/45ZR17 for $105.00.)
Thanks for the tip, and they're non-directional. If I can't do a front-back-across tires rotation my saab will eat a set of tires in no time.
All my cars have drum brakes and are sub 200 hp, what am I doing with my life?
2013 Mazda 2
1994 Chevy S10 pickup
1985 Chevy Caprice (no fuel system)
Post Reply