2000 Miata brake pad question

[fwman1]

Hi,
I'm attending the TnT later this month and was doing some checking on my miata's brakes. I am need of some rear pads. I'm thinking of trying some EBC Yellowstuff pads, as in May I'm going to the Mitty and will get to try a couple of laps around the Road Atlanta track. From what I can tell, they are not the best street pads (dusty), and not the best track pad, but are a reasonable comprise for dual use. I wash the car so much that dust won't really be a problem!

I have had the SC on the car for about a year, but don't beat up the brakes too bad. That may change with the excursion into the Autox experiment.

Does anyone have any opinions they would like to throw into the mix?

Thanks for your replies...

[JohnW8]

EBC pads are not so good in my opinion. I had a set on my Time trial car and they lasted exactly one day. The pads dislodged from the backing plate. You know how first impressions are. After that I never wanted to give them another try. I swapped to Hawk HP+ For AutoX Hawk pads and recently installed Carbotech pads. I kinda like the Hawks although they get a bit noisy and dusty. The Carbotech don't abuse the rotor the way Hawks do.
Honestly AutoX isn't that rough on brakes. There aren't any prolonged braking zones that will overheat a pad like on a track. You just need something that can help plant the nose for turn-in and something to stop you from going through a fence after the finish.

[kilgojr]

I drive a completely different car then a Miata, but I also run Hawk HP+ at autox events. I like the feel of the Hawk's as well. Mine have been kind to the rotors, but the BMW brakes are a bit beefier then the Miata I believe. I agree on the noise with the Hawk. They squeak if they are not hot. I have black wheels so I can't comment on the dust.

[fwman1]

Guys, thanks for the responses. JohnW8, were the pads you had issues with the yellowstuff pads? I've heard a couple of instances where this separation occurred on the redstuff pads that had been run pretty hard.

For Autox, I guess the stock pads may be fine, at my level at least (absolute beginner). I'm just trying to find a compromise that will enable me to avoid the fade the stock pads are supposed to exhibit when braked hard on a track. I have no idea if I'll ever get on the Road Atlanta track again, so want to enjoy it without giving myself more grey hair.

My mindset will likely need to change as I think of brake pads as a fixed part of my car setup. Trying to use the car for multiple purposes will probably end up forcing this change.

We'll see. I need to experience some of this to see how far in I'll end up getting.

Thanks again for your replies, and any others that are offered.

[e30Racer]

Hey Roger,

My suggestion for AutoX would be to replace your rear pads with stock ones, come out to the AutoX and drive your car, then at some point later, change your pads with a more aggressive compund (EBC, Hawk, etc) and you'll be able to FEEL the difference. With this mindset, as you progress, your understanding of what each component of a car does will grow vastly instead of just bringing an already-prepped car out and you don't know what change will do what.

Just something to think about

[rodhx]

Miatas have brakes?? go figure...

seriously, i used oem pads for 4 1/2 track days before I really ran out of pad. If you're only talking about a few laps at Road Atlanta you will probably be fine, especially as a beginned. I know my first time out my courage was a more limiting factor than brakes or stock suspension. My car currently has Hawk HPS which is definitely better than OEM but obviously not a "real" track pad. They served me well for a day and a half at TGPR last year though.

For autocross the oems are probably fine unless you want to play with brake balance. The Mazda oem pads are actually pretty good and cheap if you get the "value line". It can be hard to get enough heat in an aggressive pad for them to work at an autox.

[fwman1]

Ok guys. Those are well reasoned arguments. I'll just order a set of the stock pads for the rear, and flush/replenish the fluid.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience(s).

[slowautoxr]

I believe there's a lot of value in bleeding/flushing your brake fluid.

[TouringBubble]

Hawks are probably a good choice for a lighter car like the Miata. An HPS might be a good starting point if it's a street car. The HP+ is a bit more aggressive ... maybe more than you need. For heavier cars the Ferodo pads seem to do better. The DS2500 is a great street/track pad and I love it for autocross, but there is a lot of pad transfer at the track when they get hot.

[fwman1]

Thanks for the recommendations fellows! Yep, I put did a flush with the blue DOT 4 fluid along with new value pads and napa rotors on the rear. The break-in went ok, and I would say that I have about exactly the same brakes I had before, but expect them to get a tad better with some more driving.

It was my first brake job, so I couldn't be more pleased that I didn't have to carry it to Midas to get my work 'corrected'.
Best,
Roger