BACKGROUND: Well folks, I think we might have a winner. I read quite a few reviews of on the internet with mostly favorable results but didn't find any reviews of carbon ceramic pads on any LX/LY based platforms. I have tried Posi-Quiets on my SRT8 in the past and just didn't like the braking I felt as though I was giving up for low dust so I always went back to Brembo or Bendix pads. HISTORY: Formula 1 developed carbon ceramic brakes for their race cars. Since then, Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Corvette ZR1, and Porsche are among those currently offering carbon ceramic braking systems. REVEW: After installing the pads I properly bedded them in (see below). That by itself with my Bendix or Brembo pads will turn my rims black. They were clean as a whistle afterwords. I let the car sit overnight and drove it to work this morning in San Diego traffic (40 round miles). After work I drove out to my favorite test area the Eastlake Proving Grounds and put them through some un-scientific tests consisting of 20 miles of twisties with long straights with high speed braking from 70-90 mph. Initial thoughts; they have great stopping power without grabbing and are very progressive to foot pressure. They have an early and consistent brake response. They are normal under normal use, but when you need it they can perform. When repeatedly pushed hard they resist fading. And to the best part: When I got home I was expecting to see a good amount of brake dust on the wheels and there was next to none. I could barely see the remnants of dust with a finger swipe. Great....stock equivalent...braking with minimal brake dust....who would have thunk it? LOL BEDDING IN PROCEDURE: Step 1: Make 10 stops from 30 mph (50 kph) down to about 10 mph (15 kph) using moderate braking pressure and allowing approximately 30 seconds between stops for cooling. Do not drag your pads during these stops. After the 10th stop, allow 15 minutes for your braking system to cool down. Step 2: Make 5 consecutive stops from 50 mph (80 kph) down to 10 mph (15 kph). After the 5th stop, allow your braking system to cool for approximately 30 minutes. This completes the break-in of your pads to the rotor surface. During Steps 1 & 2, a de-gassing process occurs which may produce an odor coming from your pads as they complete the break-in cycle. This odor is normal and is part of the process your pads must go through to achieve their ultimate level of performance. The odor will go away after allowing your braking system to cool for approximately 30 minutes. As with any new set of pads, do not tow a trailer or do any hauling during the break-in period. Full seating of your new brake pads normally occurs within 1,000 miles. EDIT: Momo and I took our cars out to the Eastlake Proving Grounds for some more unscientific tests. Jason has the Bendix pads (Brembo OEM compound) and me with the Satisfied GS-6 pads. We drove each others cars to see if there were any big differences. After several laps of high speed runs (30-80 mph) with frequent threshold braking (every 15-20 seconds or so) we came to the conclusion that the GS-6 stopped every bit as good as the OEM. The pedal feel was smoother without being heavier with the GS-6's. The OEM pads still had more initial bite. I would normally say I like having more initial bite. But that was compared to the heavy footed feeling of the Posi-Quiets (compared to OEM). "I" would characterize the braking as smoother, more consistent and controlled than the OEM pads. Not necessarily better....but just as good! And the best part....I never thought I'd say this about a pad that produces virtually no dust.....after more than 150 miles of HARD driving I pulled up to Momo's house and said lets take a look at the dust. I did a swipe of the front wheel and we both had to look hard to see where I had swiped!!! Momo said "what the fuck...I have to clean my rims after driving to the freaking gas station".
Tirerack: $213 delivered. I did some looking but didn't look hard enough because BMC has them for $224 and should have purchased from them.
I put new OEM rotors on last summer. Matt Robertson informed me that it is more cost effective to just get new ones. So....when Matt speaks....Rick listens! :grin:
Thanks Rick. I'll put these on the list. How are they supposed to be on rotor wear? You should mention that following step #2 you should avoid even coming to a full stop. Even with your foot off the brake. Best to find some side road out somewhere with easy immediate access to the freeway and try to give them 10 minutes without the wheels coming to a stop.
Dave - I copied this from an article I read. Although the GS-6's are Carbon-Ceramic, I'm confident the partial ceramic composition translate to less wear on the rotor. "HOW CERAMIC PADS DIFFER FROM ORDINARY PADS One of the main differences between ceramic-enhanced friction materials and semi-metallic brake linings is that ceramic pads contain no steel wool or fibers. Steel provides strength and conducts heat away from rotors, but it also makes pads noisy. Steel also acts like an abrasive and causes rotor wear. Substituting ceramic materials and copper fibers for steel allows ceramic pads to handle the high brake temperatures with less heat fade, to recovery quickly, to experience less wear on both the pads and rotors, and to virtually eliminate noise. Ceramic pads also extend brake life compared to most conventional lining materials. Akebono and Raybestos both say their durability testing has shown significantly longer life with no sacrifice in noise control, rotor life or braking performance when ceramic pads are used compared to other friction materials."
I installed a set (front and rear) last weekend. Rotors looked to be in good shape, so I just cleaned them real well with brake parts cleaner. I've got a little more than 100 miles on the GS 6's, but so far so good -- no noise or vibration; good pedal feel; and almost no dust.
I will add one thing about the pads. When they are cold they need two or three easy stops to get heat in them. For me, it takes one city block and three right hand turns...no drama.
Bud...thanks for the write-up. Once my Posi-quiets are gone, I'll get some of these...but it will be a while since I don't use up the brakes that fast.
Brake Dust: Having my cake and eating it too!!! Momo and I took our cars out to the Eastlake Proving Grounds for some more unscientific tests. Jason has the Bendix pads (Brembo OEM compound) and me with the Satisfied GS-6 pads. We drove each others cars to see if there were any big differences. After several laps of high speed runs (30-80 mph) with frequent threshold braking (every 15-20 seconds or so) we came to the conclusion that the GS-6 stopped every bit as good as the OEM. The pedal feel was smoother without being heavier with the GS-6's. The OEM pads still had more initial bite. I would normally say I like having more initial bite. But that was compared to the heavy footed feeling of the Posi-Quiets (compared to OEM). "I" would characterize the braking as smoother, more consistent and controlled than the OEM pads. Not necessarily better....but just as good! And the best part....I never thought I'd say this about a pad that produces virtually no dust.....after more than 150 miles of HARD driving I pulled up to Momo's house and said lets take a look at the dust. I did a swipe of the front wheel and we both had to look hard to see where I had swiped!!! Momo said "what the fuck...I have to clean my rims after driving to the freaking gas station".
Outstanding. This is sounding better and better. I really don't like that initial (european style) grab. (yea, yea, I know, you were comparing to the posi-quiets where you kind of need braided lines). I would also expect the dust to drop off even more after a few weeks. Buwahahaha. Tell him it's for the safety of his family and he shouldn't even consider deviating from stock. Besides, that would be a MOD right?
Being that I was there, I have to fully agree with Rick. His pads were just as good as mine, but brake dust? What's that?!?!
gentlemen, sorry I never conveyed this info to the masses. I ran the GS-6's for 17 months back on 9-2007 to 2-2009. I racked up 24,252 miles on them. Never had one problem. These are the pads to have on an SRT8. PERIOD. Sincerely, Chris aka cbutler32
Chris....mine and many others lower backs say "FUCK YOU!!!" hmmm give you some info of my personal experience with the pads and how well they performed and how many miles I got out of the pads and that's the love you show? Thanks! still trying to figure out the "lower backs" though...
