Brake Pad Help Needed

I'm looking at getting a set of Rotor Works rotors and Hawk Brake pads for my car (01 Trans Am WS6)

Hawk has three different sets of front pads (High Performance Street Compound) for my car and tow different sets of front pads.

The fronts are as follows:

.594 Think $64.98 P/N HB119F.594
.681 Think $91.35 P/N HB217F.681
.575 Thick $106.83 P/N HB249F.575


The rears:

.540 Thick $79.64 P/N HB112F.540
.653 Thick $93.09 P/N HB250F.653

Really?? What so many choices?? Why the different thicknesses?

Which ones do I need? If I'm doing just normal "spirited" street driving - should I just go with the cheapest ones??

Thanks!!
Dan

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Originally Posted by dschribs

I'm looking at getting a set of Rotor Works rotors and Hawk Brake pads for my car (01 Trans Am WS6)

Hawk has three different sets of front pads (High Performance Street Compound) for my car and tow different sets of front pads.

The fronts are as follows:

.594 Think $64.98 P/N HB119F.594
.681 Think $91.35 P/N HB217F.681
.575 Thick $106.83 P/N HB249F.575


The rears:

.540 Thick $79.64 P/N HB112F.540
.653 Thick $93.09 P/N HB250F.653

Really?? What so many choices?? Why the different thicknesses?

Which ones do I need? If I'm doing just normal "spirited" street driving - should I just go with the cheapest ones??

Thanks!!
Dan

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These are the pads that I have installed on Sara (2001 Z28).

Thanks Steve. Those are the ones Tire Rack recommends. I'm thinking I'll just go with those and be done with it.

Any feedback on the Rotor Works rotors? They seem to get some pretty decent reviews on the forum here. I'm thinking just the slotted rotors - not drilled.

If just spirited driving, stick with slotted rotors. My opinion.

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Originally Posted by cammed goat

If just spirited driving, stick with slotted rotors. My opinion.

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I have had very good performance out of the Baer "Eradaspeed" rotors, they are high quality 2 piece rotors that are drilled and slotted.

A set of front and rears will run you about $685.

An inexpensive add on to the brakes would be a set of Russell SS brake hoses, it will really firm up the brake pedal.

R1 Concept Rotors have their Premium Drilled & Slotted Rotors for 1/2 the cost. I think I paid $400ish for the complete set (front/back) and that price also included the Hawk HPS pads front & back. Zero issues from anyone running them, and there are a ton of people using them.

Ac delco organic pads are soft and easy on the rotors. They are cheap and I can say I'm pleased. They are actually called "organic"

whenever I pad shop I look for either Bendix or Wagner pads. Both are good high quality pads. I too run the R1 concepts slotted/drilled and have on a couple of my vehicles. No issues with any of them.

Another vote for R1 here.

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

R1 Concept Rotors have their Premium Drilled & Slotted Rotors for 1/2 the cost. I think I paid $400ish for the complete set (front/back) and that price also included the Hawk HPS pads front & back. Zero issues from anyone running them, and there are a ton of people using them.

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Yes, I am sure they are, however it is more of a personal preference, you do get what you pay for (in most cases). The "R1 concept rotors" are "cast" one piece (similar to the stock heavy units), where as the Baer are a cast "2 piece unit", held together with high grade 8 ARP bolts and nuts, when the rotor needs to be replaced you order the rotor, not the hub.

What the "R1" unit offers you is a prettier stock cast rotor with slots and cast dimpled holes.

What you get with the Baer rotors, is a superior product (directionally veined), that is lighter weight, stronger, and in most cases impervious to warping (unless wheel lugs are over torqued or installed incorrectly)

JMHO

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Originally Posted by SteveC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

R1 Concept Rotors have their Premium Drilled & Slotted Rotors for 1/2 the cost. I think I paid $400ish for the complete set (front/back) and that price also included the Hawk HPS pads front & back. Zero issues from anyone running them, and there are a ton of people using them.

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Yes, I am sure they are, however it is more of a personal preference, you do get what you pay for (in most cases). The "R1 concept rotors" are "cast" one piece (similar to the stock heavy units), where as the Baer are a cast "2 piece unit", held together with high grade 8 ARP bolts and nuts, when the rotor needs to be replaced you order the rotor, not the hub.

What the "R1" unit offers you is a prettier stock cast rotor with slots and cast dimpled holes.

What you get with the Baer rotors, is a superior product (directionally veined), that is lighter weight, stronger, and in most cases impervious to warping (unless wheel lugs are over torqued or installed incorrectly)

JMHO

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So you have to remove (12) bolts each time you replace rotors to remove the rotor from the hub?

How exactly is 2 pieces bolted together stronger than a single cast piece? Or are you talking about the rotor itself as a standalone piece? That I might buy being Baer rotors are probably a little thicker.

I can see running Baer brakes if the car was a dedicated track car, but for someone who does spirited driving, a drilled/slotted one-piece rotor should suffice. I went that route and am quite happy.

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Originally Posted by cammed goat

I can see running Baer brakes if the car was a dedicated track car, but for someone who does spirited driving, a drilled/slotted one-piece rotor should suffice. I went that route and am quite happy.

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agreed.....and what's the price of those baer's again? I'm not saying R1's are on the same level quality wise as baer.....but at their price point it's tough to beat them. I've got many many stops at the strip on mine with no warping or issues at all. I'd have to look up the date but I'd guess I've had mine on for 6-7 years or so.

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

So you have to remove (12) bolts each time you replace rotors to remove the rotor from the hub?

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If you purchase just the rotor insert you R&R it by removing the 12 bolts. The 2 rotor inserts are $153, it is your rotors that wear down not the hub, OR you can purchase the entire two piece rotor (at additional cost).

I am also under the belief that a one piece cast unit is more susceptible to cracking and warping because it is more brittle (improper English), and can not be manufactured to a closer spec just say as the two piece unit. Are the R1 units "stress relieved" after casting?, the Baer units are.

What I am also trying to say is that my life is worth more than the $645 cost for the brake rotors (and I am not inferring that you don't), when it comes to brakes (opposed to HID headlights (just say)) they are too important to my life and well being when I am tooling down the freeway @ 65+ MPH. I want to know that I have installed a high quality product that will always work the way it is designed to.

JMHO

Please check out the link below:


EradiSpeed - Baer

I'm going with slotted (not drilled) rotors from Rotorworks, Got lots of good reviews and the price can't be beat. Should be fine for the way I baby my car - most of the time...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SteveC

If you purchase just the rotor insert you R&R it by removing the 12 bolts. The 2 rotor inserts are $153, it is your rotors that wear down not the hub, OR you can purchase the entire two piece rotor (at additional cost).

I am also under the belief that a one piece cast unit is more susceptible to cracking and warping because it is more brittle (improper English), and can not be manufactured to a closer spec just say as the two piece unit. Are the R1 units "stress relieved" after casting?, the Baer units are.

What I am also trying to say is that my life is worth more than the $645 cost for the brake rotors (and I am not inferring that you don't), when it comes to brakes (opposed to HID headlights (just say)) they are too important to my life and well being when I am tooling down the freeway @ 65+ MPH. I want to know that I have installed a high quality product that will always work the way it is designed to.

JMHO

Please check out the link below:


EradiSpeed - Baer

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The R1 Concept premium rotors are made with a stronger iron cast metal (G3500) for overall tension strength. The rotors are cast with a 50/50 center split for better heat distribution. Premiums utilize a black Electro-coating finish applied on the hubs and inner vane structures providing long lasting corrosion protection. They drill their rotors in house using state-of-the-art CNC machines and follow strict procedures and standards such as drilling between each vane structure. This will allow the rotor to retain its structural integrity and overall strength with optimum thermal transfers. They also utilize smaller diameter drill bits for smaller diameter holes and each hole is counter-sink to add strength. Every R1 rotor that comes with slots comes with their exclusive "Diamond Slot design" (45 degree angle end points), to help release trapped debris.

Never seen anyone running these have issues with cracking or a warped rotor either.

I am sure the Baer brakes are great as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

The R1 Concept premium rotors are made with a stronger iron cast metal (G3500) for overall tension strength. The rotors are cast with a 50/50 center split for better heat distribution. Premiums utilize a black Electro-coating finish applied on the hubs and inner vane structures providing long lasting corrosion protection. They drill their rotors in house using state-of-the-art CNC machines and follow strict procedures and standards such as drilling between each vane structure. This will allow the rotor to retain its structural integrity and overall strength with optimum thermal transfers. They also utilize smaller diameter drill bits for smaller diameter holes and each hole is counter-sink to add strength. Every R1 rotor that comes with slots comes with their exclusive "Diamond Slot design" (45 degree angle end points), to help release trapped debris.

Never seen anyone running these have issues with cracking or a warped rotor either.

I am sure the Baer brakes are great as well.

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It sounds like we both have a quality brake rotor installed on our vehicles :)

Another plug for the R1 Concepts and Hawk HPS pads. The only other upgrade on our car was Russell stainless steel braided brake hoses. Made a world of difference in how our car stops.

Hello LS1 Members,

First, I would like to thank you all for all the support and without you guys R1 wouldn't be what we are today. Officially being around for 10+, We strive to improve and provide top notch service to best of our ability. So again Thank you!

As far as comparing Baer 2-Piece Rotors to ANY...ANY Solid 1-Piece Rotor is like comparing Apples to Oranges. 2 Different types of rotors. Everyone already knows that a 2-Piece rotor will be lighter than sold rotor. Nothing to take away from Baer rotors as they are ALSO a great upgrade.

However, You have to give credit where it's due. There's plenty of forum members that can vouch for our products. We're currently not an Official Vendor on this site Yet, but we do plan on being one as soon as I can talk with a MOD/Admin. I don't want to break their rules as I'm not advertising.... however once we get settled I'm more than willing to answer and of course provide great service and prices to you all.

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Originally Posted by r1concepts

Hello LS1 Members,

First, I would like to thank you all for all the support and without you guys R1 wouldn't be what we are today. Officially being around for 10+, We strive to improve and provide top notch service to best of our ability. So again Thank you!

As far as comparing Baer 2-Piece Rotors to ANY...ANY Solid 1-Piece Rotor is like comparing Apples to Oranges. 2 Different types of rotors. Everyone already knows that a 2-Piece rotor will be lighter than sold rotor. Nothing to take away from Baer rotors as they are ALSO a great upgrade.

However, You have to give credit where it's due. There's plenty of forum members that can vouch for our products. We're currently not an Official Vendor on this site Yet, but we do plan on being one as soon as I can talk with a MOD/Admin. I don't want to break their rules as I'm not advertising.... however once we get settled I'm more than willing to answer and of course provide great service and prices to you all.

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.............................and Forum(LS1.com) members will get a substantial discount on orders correct?? :D

talk with jeff or ed

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Originally Posted by SuperSSguy

.............................and Forum(LS1.com) members will get a substantial discount on orders correct?? :D

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Of Course!!! =) We're here to take care of your brake needs. I'll be in contact with a MOD soon.

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Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

talk with jeff or ed

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You guys have blocked all ways to contact a Mod other than me using this method.... Can you please forward them to contact me at Ralph (at) R1concepts (Dot) com as we're very interested in becoming a Vendor on here.

Ralph, I've forward your info to the mod that's handling the sponsors

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Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Ralph, I've forward your info to the mod that's handling the sponsors

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Thank You Very Much!

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Originally Posted by r1concepts

You guys have blocked all ways to contact a Mod other than me using this method.... Can you please forward them to contact me at Ralph (at) R1concepts (Dot) com as we're very interested in becoming a Vendor on here.

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Email on the way...

Correction - two emails on the way. Home computer is down and out right now, so I am late to the show. :)

E-mailed Both.... We got a Green Light =)

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Originally Posted by r1concepts

E-mailed Both.... We got a Green Light =)

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Welcome!!

Thank you LS1! We're proud to now be a vendor/sponsor of LS1!

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Originally Posted by r1concepts

Thank you LS1! We're proud to now be a vendor/sponsor of LS1!

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about time......I sent you guys an email a few years ago asking you to sign up as a vendor here. I've been pimping your stuff for years. :D I'll be getting rotors from you guys this spring for my duramax.

^^ Ditto. Good to have them on board -- I was referred to R1 Concepts when I upgraded the brakes on our car. The difference in how are car stops is amazing since the installation of their slotted rotors and Hawk HPS pads.

Welcome aboard! :woot: