This info is all you need.

 

All the info I need, to decide not to buy those pads - but it doesn't tell me (for sure) that all the sub $100 pads at stores like Auto Zone/Advance Auto, etc. are all basically no better than, or worse than, the stock OEM pads?

Any opinions on Raybestos® - Element3™ "Enhanced Hybrid Technology" pads? They are rated "GG" - I guess I better go read up on what exactly those ratings mean - so far, I gather that decent pads are rated anywhere from FF to GG?

I've also learned that racing pad/rotor sets are not nesc. going to give you more "initial bite" than OEM 'family car" brakes, but rather, aside from being larger and thus able to withstand more force without failure, they are also designed to endure far more heavy use, for a logner period of time without fading/failing from over heating.

The consensus here seems to be to consider EBC brand either "Red Stuff" or "Yellow Stuff" pads would be the way to go for someone such as me who would like faster stopping, "better feel", more initial bite but is not going to be doing track days/racing, and not exceeding speeds of 120MPH on any sort of regular basis.

I somewhat resent the people who earlier berated me for "ignorantly" wanting Brembo brakes "because I had no idea was asking for, and they would actually be worse than stock OEM for street use" - yes I'm not an expert on various brake brands and pads, but, I know that larger rotors and calipers are generally desirable if you want more braking power, and want to brake harder from higher speeds than typical consumer day to day driving - the only reason I said "Brembo" in an earlier thread was it just seems to be the most well known/widely used example of "performance" brakes where stock cars are sold with higher performance brakes.

Perhaps this summer I'll consider getting some Michelin Pilot Super Sports - the size my car takes: 225/50ZR18, looks to be priced at about $190 per tire without any special discounts. But, until then, I'm riding on my stock Bridgestone Potenzas - which, even though they're just "all season" tires, should still allow for at least some benefit from superior brake pads? No?

 

Apparently, EBC doesn't make brake pads for TLX yet?

 

Going to get into real trouble with this one. Most NOT ALL auto store pads are geared toward daily drivers. Quite, long lasting & no dust. Same with rotor material long lasting.

Performance brakes yellows, red, HP, HP+, etc are geared for stopping power, fade resistance with less concern about dust & noise. Then they are subdivided street, street-strip, Auto-X, road course etc in the type of use they will get which will govern their effective operating temperatures. Rotors will also tend to wear faster

A typical first level pad will over lap a high end auto store pad with more stopping power & fade resistance. Its a compromise pad the will stop well, last pretty well is low dust & may or may not squeak depending on how good the install & bedding in process. Then as you move up the line pads wear faster, are more dusty & again might be prone to squeaking.

From that they go up the ladder & their operating temperatures will shift more & more away from street pads. That means on a cold morning with race pads it might prove to be an adventure pulling out of your garage. Good track pads can be as high as 400/1600 degrees max, optimal effective 800/1200 Street performance 100/700 degrees max 100/500 optimal effective.

On Brembo's news flash. Most NOT ALL OEM high performance brakes are Brembo. You have a caliper & a pad. The caliper just squeezes the pads against the rotor & does not give a rats ass what the pad composition is. There are all levels of Brembo pads. My BMW's run Brembo's from the factory as did my TL. In both cases I use the OEM pads.

Note: I do not know what brakes are on the standard cars with out the performance brake options.

Same deal with tires. My COBRA runs 100 treadware gun Balls. The grip like crazy but will wear out fast. I get more mileage out of them because the car is so light. Street performance tires ab run 200 to maybe 300+ Good traction longer lasting. High mileage tires 500+ long wearing sucky traction.

Don't quote me on the exact tread ware number, except for my car, as I did not look them up.....just a ball park estimate. Point is you want traction expect wear.

 

I'd kind of like to push my car hard enough to lose traction at least a few times before I decide that I'm dissatisfied with my Bridgestone Potenzas - I'll have to think about exactly how I want to do that, without risking my car getting smashed...

I have said I'd like my brakes to feel better/faster/grippier - but, I haven't had that moment where I say to myself: fuck, these brakes aren't good enough... Summer will be here soon

After looking briefly, it seems that the 2014 Honda Ridgeline at least uses the same OEM brake pads as the TLX, and I saw EBC Red/Yellow Stuff brake pads sold for that model, so, I gather they'll work in my TLX?

 

Big Box parking lot early Sunday morning.

 

Not even sure why this thread still has life. The stock brakes are fine for 99% of people. I had the type S with brembo brakes and the TLX A-Spec is a slower car and no difference in performance acceleration wise than a non-Aspec model so way fewer situations where you need to bring the speed down fast. When I first got mine I looked for an aftermarket big brake package (as I thought a big brake package would be nice) but there is no bolt on package either by Brembo or Willwood. No demand or near zero. Six months in and I can say after a few deer hop outs and other incidents the brakes as stock are fine and are probably better on the A-spec just due to the wider tires. I waste money all the time and after having the car for a while there really is not much if anything to be gained by replacing brake components. Braking on the A-spec is not the problem, its acceleration that needs work. If anything that's where to put your money or on performance tires. At least then you will see a difference. The car under is unpowered either due to weight or the trans. Brakes are not a problem. Save your money.

 

You might be right, so far who I've seen driving this car have been mommy's, mums, laydeez, Caitlyn.

 

 

 

Hey, I resent being called an "applaince driver"

For example: I hate what "Traction Control" does to my TLX, it makes it a lot less fun to drive. With TC on, it feels like instead of actually controlling the throttle, when you press the gas pedal it's taken as more of a suggestion and the car behaves like: "Oh, you want to go faster, well let me ease into that slow and smooth like" instead of what I want is: when I tap the gas, I wanna FEEL the car move, immediately if possible. I also really miss the fast/powerful feeling brakes that I had on my VW GTi.

I didn't buy a "Precision Performance" sports sedan because I wanted an "appliance car", I got it because I wanted something that was, yes, comfortable and quiet for family road trips, but, also thrilling.

So, I'm more than happy to see threads where another member is contemplating something such as a brake upgrade and I appreciate as much input from other members as possible - I do not appreciate comments such as "just go google it, don't as here"...

Out of curioity: do you drive with Traction Control off usually? I find the car to be a lot more responsive to my input with TC off and it (turning TC off) fixes complaints I had with the V6 TLX initially (feeling that it didn't have enough "pep").

Also, I appreciate your thread here, I look forward to reading your opinion after you install your new brake pads - I would definitely do the same (and other upgrades) myself except I recently found out that we're paying for the car entirely out of pocket and not getting $500/month from our company car plan as we had initially anticipated (this is what promted me to buy the TLX in the first place instead of a more "pedestrian" car). I'm not meaning to complain about the lack of car plan, just an explanation as to why I'm not doing upgrades currently even though I frequently say that I want to...

Was next to another TLX today and looked at the driver - sadly, I saw a middle aged lady that didn't seem to be in any kind of a hurry to get anywhere... But, the other day earlier I found myself in a line of 3 TLXes in a row! That was cool. I'm sure they weren't all old ladies and soccer moms I can tell you one thing - my buddy from work f_cking LOVES my TLX and gets the biggest grin on his face if I punch the gas and pass some other guys - he makes comments while I drive making fun of whoever we passed - it's a hoot. Of course, I know my car is no Porsche 911 or Dodge Hellcat, but, it's still a nice fun car when you want it to be (and you put it in Sport/Sport+ mode with Traction Control OFF).

 

Hang in there Chris, your car is whatever you want it to be.

 

 

ultrapogi: have you been using the EBC pads for a few days yet? Any opinions? Which model # fits our TLXs?

EDIT: sorry, I just realized that you meant you aren't installing the new brake pads until after you get the new brake lines - looking forward to your review.

 

 

No worries man - so far my biggest "upgrade" is turning off Traction Control :P

 

Maybe I'm reading your post wrong, but you put a "VCM muzzler" on a 4 cylinder Acura?

 

nope VCM is only in the 6 cyl

 

so i have the red pads and I'm just waiting for my first oil change to do everything in one shot. should be in the next coming weeks

 

I know that, that is why I asked. So what is this vmcuzzler you talk about installing?

 

Hey Guys, I'm putting on the Reds Saturday i will have some feedback by Monday on this

 

 

Sorry I meant they put more abuse on the rotors.

 

it disables the VCM it goes on the IAT sensor and tricks it to think your not at operating temps so the VCM does not kick in.

 

my rotors were warped twice with the stock brakes as well. hopefully these last longer and bite better

 

Check the torque in your wheel lug nuts. Too tight will warp rotors.

 

Thanks, but only Discount Tires rotates my wheels and they torque the lugs every time. Although I bet they use a generic spec for all cars.

 

 

Are they using a torque wrench or an pneumatic impact wrench? I use a impact wrench set under the torque spec & finish up with a standard torque wrench. FWIW or not I notice uneven bolt torque from the impact wrench.

 

 

Cool, could you post a link to the ones you got?

 

I know what the VCMuzzler is, so you could not have installed it on your car, since you have a 4 cylinder vehicle. Also, there is no such thing as a vmcuzzler, you are talking about the VCMuzzler.

 

typo on my end and I have the 4 and 6 cyl. This thread is for the EBC red brakes so please post in the VCMuzzler thread.

 

https://ebcbrakes.com/product/redstuff-brake-pads/

i actually ordered them from pepboys, pretty cheap with free shipping

 

I'm curious- @horseshoez, you around?

I've always wondered about "pedal feel"... to me, it's not something that really ever changes. I attribute pedal feel to the entire hydraulic system- the brake cylinder, hydraulic lines, number of pistons in the calipers, age of fluid, temps, etc. The brake feel is determined by the hydraulic system itself... so by that thought, changing a brake pad should not really change the pedal feel at all... the brake feel, by installing a sharper grabbing pad, sure. Am I crazy?

The only down side going to a more aggressive brake pad is likely increased brake dust and potential for squeaks when braking (doesn't always happen though)

 

Did you do all four or just the fronts?

Keep us posted. I really hate these damn brakes. I know they are still setting / breaking in, but really how hard to give us a confident brake. The reds should create a ton of dust I would expect, but the ASPEC wheels should hide much of that. Too bad they don;t have yellow pads for this car, probably a decent combo.

 

 

Thanks for the info OP - I too feel the a-spec brakes are weak. The brakes in the RDX and MDX feel great, not sure why they screwed up the TLX. I feel like I stop faster in my 06 Silverado!

 

Brakes on my COBRA are HAWK HP+ which are high grip, high dust that work well on the street, track days & AutoX. Found spraying clean wheels with Armor All Brake Dust Repelent works great. Just takes a dry paper shop towel once around to wipe them clean.




I wipe them down about once a week.

 

Keep us posted on much they dust too. I know the SPACE wheels will hide some of it, but I would hate to get as much dusting as my Audi did until I swapped the stock brakes out.