Brake Pads

[Edwardo]

Hey gang, I am starting to get a bit of squeal from my pads so it is time for new pads think.

I use the NSX as my daily driver so it sees a bit of street driving. Here is the breakdown:

99.9% Street Use (unfortunately)
00.1% Spirited

No track driving until I can modify my seat for helmet clearance. This is low on my list of priorities right now so pay little attention to this point.

Dealer: $150 for fronts
Performance aftermarket: $100+
Autozone: $40+

Given my usage, what do you guys think? I would love to go with the less expensive alternatives for obvious reasons but I am concerned about safety, squealing, and dusting. Do any of you folks have street experience with any of the two alternatives to stock? I have done some searching and it looks like most brake pad discussions are in the context of track usage.

Thanks

 

[NSX 3.0]

I use Hawk HPS for the street better than stock minimal dusting for around $60 for the front set.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I have them in stock if you need them. (HPS)

 

[TurboLexus]

I also use the Hawk HPS. Do get a bit of squeal occasionally but they have great initial bite which is what I like.

 

[fkong777]

I have Project-Mu. Street NS pad.. No sound and No dust. I think they work fine..

 

[Newman]

Dealer: $150 for fronts
Performance aftermarket: $100+
Autozone: $40+

If your brakes are 91-95 (or 97, I forget when they changed) check dealership prices for the 91-93 Acura Legend front pads. They are the samething and same size, but only cost around $40-$50 for the fronts. Unfortunatley the rears need to be NSX. I bought some 6 months ago but recently changed them out for some Project U pads since I picked them up at a great deal :smile:

FYI, some pads like PBR and Axxis on the NSX (that I've personally experienced) stop the car well but leave a lot of brake dust on the wheels. The stock pads and the Project U pads that I currently have do not leave any brake dust on my wheels now.

 

[ChrisK]

The Legend front pads will fit, but they are a different compound I believe and dust more than the NSX pads. In fact, many Legend owners go the opposite way and put NSX front pads on their Legends. Personally, as someone that owned a Legend for many years, I wouldn't use the stock Legend front pads on the NSX. The NSX pads are better.

Anyway, I've been using the Carbotech Bobcat street pads. They are much less agressive than that Panther pads, but appear (At least by the seat of the pants) to bite better than the NSX stock pads, don't dust too much at all, don't squeal (At least so far on my car), and doesn't appear to need much if any warm up at all.

 

[nsxtasy]

I would not use any brake pads that are worse than stock. That includes the Legend pads and the general-application pads sold at your local auto parts store. They simply aren't built to the performance capabilities of the NSX. And even if you never take your car on the racetrack, you don't want it to perform worse than stock. All you need is to be in an emergency accident-avoidance situation once, and your savings on cheap, crappy pads go out the window.

My suggestion is that you call the folks at Cobalt Friction to discuss your needs. They sell many brands of pad, including their own as well as Hawk and others, and they can tell you how the various pads compare. They are also extremely knowledgeable, particularly about the NSX (Andie, the owner, has owned an NSX for many years), and offer terrific prices and service.

FWIW, I am using the Cobalt Friction GT Sport brake pads. I consider them the perfect pad for street use on the NSX. Their performance is better than stock, they don't squeal, they don't need to be warmed up to be effective, and they're not all that expensive ($109 front, $89 rear).

 

[Edwardo]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys.

I sent a PM to Tom at RP Motorsports. I may just go with these Hawk Pads.

Is there any way to tell which pads are worn out? If there is no way I will just go ahead and purchase the fronts and the rears.

 

[TurboLexus]

Is there any way to tell which pads are worn out?

Thickness is usually a good indicator...

 

[nsxtasy]

Thickness is usually a good indicator...

For front pads on the '91-96, and rear pads on all years, you can look through the spokes of the wheels to see the thickness of the brake pad material on the top of the outer pad. It's not foolproof if the pads are wearing unevenly, but it gives you a good indication of wear.

This is easy, and you don't have to be a master mechanic to do it. Heck, you don't even have to touch your car! For instructions on how, check the NSX FAQ, under Do It Yourself - Checking and Changing Brake Pads.

 

[zoomnsx]

FWIW, I am using the Cobalt Friction GT Sport brake pads. I consider them the perfect pad for street use on the NSX. Their performance is better than stock, they don't squeal, they don't need to be warmed up to be effective, and they're not all that expensive ($109 front, $89 rear).

Does it dust less, same, or worst than stock?

 

[nsxtasy]

Does it dust less, same, or worst than stock?

In my experience, all pads dust, and none all that noticeably than others. But that may be the direct result of the fact that I track my cars, and track use creates dust.

if you really care more about dusting than other factors, you might want to stick with the stock pads...