I purchased this TL-S from a customer at my work and after many months of patiently waiting the project is finally getting done. It needed an engine replacement.
Im considering upgrading my brakes and was wondering what brake set ups people have gone with and their opinions on them. Im considering Stop Tech pads and slotted rotors with braided lines to the Brembo calipers. I got the car with slotted rotors on the front already but the car sat for awhile.
Also rear brake upgrade options, I want to do rear Brembos since itll match the front.
Stop Tech pads are okay, however, it seems the consensus around here is either the OEM Brembo pads made by Ferodo in Italy (as opposed to the crappy Chinese Brembo pads available on Amazon) and Akebono pads are the highest rated.
Slotted rotors will reduce thermal mass and surface area; unless you'll be using your brakes on a track, they will provide a slight reduction in performance over a standard blank rotor.
Brembo brake calipers like on the front of your car will not fit and cannot be made to fit without a huge investment and significant modifications to the rear end of the car, including removing the parking brake. There is a thread around here somewhere on the subject.
Anything semi metallic if you want brake performance.
I am sure the pad options for the Brembo's offer some good stuff, since the shape is shared so widely.
Idk if this is an option for the Brembo's, but a cheap way to get a set of impressive pads is to see if something for a "police/tow" option is available.
I am sure the pad options for the Brembo's offer some good stuff, since the shape is shared so widely.
Idk if this is an option for the Brembo's, but a cheap way to get a set of impressive pads is to see if something for a "police/tow" option is available.
I've used all 3 different pad types over the years. Hands down Semi metallic is the best.
1. Currently running AC Delco Semi Metallic - stops instantly and smoothly, dissipates heat better - no premature rotor warpage, long wearing, love my dirty wheels.
2. Previously ran FERODO Non Asbestos Organic - quiet stopping, soft, quick wearing
3. Prior to that, ran Akebono Street performance & PRO ACT both - no initial bite, warped my rotors prematurely, wheels were slightly "cleaner"
careful with police/tow pads, they are made for long wear in fleet vehicles vs performance.
OEM Brembos dust and pad life is not that great. They are quiet enough and brake pretty well for most drivers.
Aftermarket brembo pads are hit/miss so best to go with something either OEM or aftermarket (Real performance oriented, not just OE grade) since the brembo caliper uses a standardized pad for various makes/models.
Flavors mean everything from OE comparable all the way up to trackday only pads.
1. EBC - tons of flavors; I have NDX Blue on order for my TL-S. Run EBC Red on 3G TL, Yellow on 4G TL and MDX.
2. CarboTech - tons of flavors; have compounds in various grades that you can read lots of feedback on. Many like them if they are really tracking their cars.
Akebono are great daily driver pads, but anything more than the occasional spirited run and you'll be wanting more.
With any performance pad you will get more noise and dust.
If you want lifetime pads look at the platinum/gold level pads sold at the local auto parts store with lifetime warranty. I think those were called C-Max or duralast gold where you could bring in worn pads and exchange it for new ones.
I've used all 3 different pad types over the years. Hands down Semi metallic is the best.
1. Currently running AC Delco Semi Metallic - stops instantly and smoothly, dissipates heat better - no premature rotor warpage, long wearing, love my dirty wheels.
2. Previously ran FERODO Non Asbestos Organic - quiet stopping, soft, quick wearing
3. Prior to that, ran Akebono Street performance & PRO ACT both - no initial bite, warped my rotors prematurely, wheels were slightly "cleaner"
careful with police/tow pads, they are made for long wear in fleet vehicles vs performance.
Mybad...I was agreeing with you on semi metallics being better. My post just didn't make that apparent.
Mybad...I was agreeing with you on semi metallics being better. My post just didn't make that apparent.
Oh yea, I did understand you. I was just further clarifying my basic post and to add to something you mentioned about fleet pads, I was picking up a set of pads for a friend and was reading between the fleet type semi metallics (for longevity) is made a little different from daily use semi metallics, but I doubt it's super noticable. But I will be testing that out soon :p
Also to note, the rotor warpping was a combination issue mainly from caliper problems. The pads just made the situation worse (ceramics don't absorb and dissipate heat as well as metals) and I could also tell the semi metallic pads create an almost mirror like surface on my rotor face vs ceramics you can see streaks and blemishes.
Oh yea, I did understand you. I was just further clarifying my basic post and to add to something you mentioned about fleet pads, I was picking up a set of pads for a friend and was reading between the fleet type semi metallics (for longevity) is made a little different from daily use semi metallics, but I doubt it's super noticable. But I will be testing that out soon :p
Also to note, the rotor warpping was a combination issue mainly from caliper problems. The pads just made the situation worse (ceramics don't absorb and dissipate heat as well as metals) and I could also tell the semi metallic pads create an almost mirror like surface on my rotor face vs ceramics you can see streaks and blemishes.
The Bendix Police pads are pretty dope. That's what I'm using on a 4G to replicate track pad feel. I'm sure they don't have track pad fade resistance...but...I'm not tracking the car...so...doesn't matter.
As far as rotor warping goes; its a bit of a misnomer.
The rotor itself doesn't typically warp unless its bolted on incorrectly or damaged physically.
What happens with some pads is that they overheat and then smear themselves over the rotor surface. This causes the braking surface to be uneven.
To warp a rotor with heat, you'd need like 2500+ degrees. That's not happening.
The Akebono Performance pads are by far my favorite street pad. If they have less initial bite, I don't notice it. They feel like a stock pad only quieter and substantially less dust.
People I know that are track monkeys swear by Cobalt Friction pads. The XR2 and XR3 compounds are most popular I think. I have a set of XR2/XR3 for my car but haven't used them yet. Cobalt Friction Racing Brake Pads
The RB Performance (Racing Brake) slotted/vented rotors are very nice. I've had a set on my car for a few years now. https://racingbrake.com/2108
The Bendix Police pads are pretty dope. That's what I'm using on a 4G to replicate track pad feel. I'm sure they don't have track pad fade resistance...but...I'm not tracking the car...so...doesn't matter.
As far as rotor warping goes; its a bit of a misnomer.
The rotor itself doesn't typically warp unless its bolted on incorrectly or damaged physically.
What happens with some pads is that they overheat and then smear themselves over the rotor surface. This causes the braking surface to be uneven.
To warp a rotor with heat, you'd need like 2500+ degrees. That's not happening.
I've had it happen when my caliper seized up. The ceramics heat up and warp (the word to many may mean out of spec but i know that it means pad deposits) the rotors prematurely. I've rarely/never seen an actual warpage of a metal rotor, but I've changed plenty from pads/calipers screwing it up. I've learned my lesson the long hard way.
I've had it happen when my caliper seized up. The ceramics heat up and warp (the word to many may mean out of spec but i know that it means pad deposits) the rotors prematurely. I've rarely/never seen an actual warpage of a metal rotor, but I've changed plenty from pads/calipers screwing it up. I've learned my lesson the long hard way.
I run akebono pads up front and dynamic friction track pads out back. Car stops great and pedal feels amazing. Now i need the car tl accelerate as fast as it stops lol
