So its time for me to get new brake pads for my 2004 sedan. I've done a lot of searching and it seems like everyone likes hawk hps and project mu. Unfortunately, there are too many mixed reviews about the two and I cannot make an informed decision. Hopefully this thread will clear things up for me and others who have the same concerns.

So which one? Project mu or hawk hps?

I just want the pad that produces less brake dust and squealing. Whoever has experienced these pads please chime in and other suggestions and reccomendations are also appreciated

 

Ive had both and project mu was better for me. So far, they've been quiet. About brake dust I cant say yet since I haven't washed my car over a moth.

 

thanks for the info, now just waiting for a few more opinions. Btw, what kind of project mu pads?

 

A lot of members have praised the Wagner Thermo Quiet and the Akebono Pro Act pads. I myself have the Hawk HPS on an 05 sedan and they're just OK. Low dust and no noise though.

 

If you want low dust and noise and you dont care about your everyday safety get the HPS. They're cold performance braking is worst than stock. They are supposedly a little better at higher operating temps, but even in heated use I wasnt confident in them at all.

I dont know much about the Project-Mu stuff, but they are very pricey and I would think you could find some equally performing alternatives for less.

I've heard that the RacingBrake compounds like the ET500 or ET700 compounds. I just went with the Cntric Posi-Quiet ceramic pads for my fiance's SUV and they seemed to have a good performance chart. If you want really good braking performance in exchange for a little dust (still alot less than OEM), the Stop-Tech Street Performance pads are great. Follow the links below from Rockauto.com to see their performance charts:

Centric Posi Quiet Pads, $30.79 for the front pads @rockauto.com.
Stop-Tech Street Performance Pads, $45.79 for the front pads @rockauto.com.

 

cool thanks bluedream, never heard of those so guess I gotta do some research..they sound expensive haha.

 

Thanks for the info man, I will definetely look into these..I actually live in hawaii and the weather doesnt get below 60 degress in the winter so dont know if the hawks make that much of a difference in performance.

 

Cold performance does not mean cold weather, it has to do with the starting temperature of the pads. Usually ambient temps are considered cold and most pads will have their peak performance from 300-1200 degress farenheit. Cold braking performance is important for daily use because its basically the same conditions daily driving simulates and also during emergency braking. That is where the HPS suffers, it has horrible initial bite and holding power. The street performance pads on the other hand have a great initial bite and manage temperature very well. My fiance even noticed a nice difference in performance with her Posi-quiet pads and I thought they felt pretty good too.

I bet if you got the HPS you would be dissappointed in them the moment you touched the brake.

 

^ I learned something and I think you have just steered me away from hps..hmmm, now which ones to get?

 

The Stoptech Street Performance Pads list a required shim kit with a part number, but I can't seem to find that anywhere. Is that included w/the pads, or if not, any idea where to find that?

 

Anybody wanna comment on project mu?

 

i have hawk hp plus pads up front with the brembos and some pep boys ceramics for the rear and my brakes are noisy like 75% of the time. cold, hot, after tail of the dragon.....still noisy. and yes, brand new rotors, burnished, everything. not satisfied. AND the dust almost as much as stock, if not a hair less. the rears hardly dust. imma try the MUs on the next round.

 

I have the Hawk HPS and the suck on initial bite when cold...but when the warm up they bite pretty well....I just ordered some B-force Project Mu pads(Brembo)...I still have some life left on my Hawk's ...but once I put the project Mu pads and drive around with them for a bit..I will let you guys know how they perform...I just want something that has a better bite for those emergency stops lol..

 

I want to say that I did not need them for my brembo setup because they either came with them or I reused my old ones...you can just re-ruse the ones already on the car. If you want one new, it might be a dealer item as I do not see anything available other than hardware kits on Rockauto.com

I think racingbrake.com has their own available for the Z/G

 

I've had the Hawk HPS pads and idrive_md is right on about hawks crappy cold bite and its performance at operating temps. Keep in mind that I had to double pump my brakes to get the hps pads to bite.

I have project mu ns pads only on the rear on my akebonos and they are amazing. Better initial bite and better overall performance than the akeboneo pads that came stock with the car. There is little dust and I have zero noise in over 3k miles. Project mu's next step up is the B-force pad, which is made for street and some track. If you don't do any track days, stick with the NS pads.

I also looked into the Endless SSY pads as they also got good reviews. Don't get cheap brake pads b/c a $500 deductible will cost you so much more in the long run.