Upgrading Factory Brakes

The baseline testing was an understandably underwhelming affair, using factory brake pads and brake rotors all around. The braided-steel brake lines sent to us by Moss Motors were installed prior to this first series of tests, so we could be sure of consistent results throughout the testing. Try a set of braided lines and you will agree—the brake pedal has never been that firm. We found our average 60-0 mph stopping distance to be 187.98 feet. This is a greater distance than the standards set by professional drivers, but remember the test environment—just like that which you'd find on the street, everyday. This is what you'd do. The factory pads and rotors performed admirably and didn't heat up excessively during our test run, but they transmitted limited feel when pushed hard and locked up the tires too easily.


In the second group of tests, things became entertaining. The Hawk pads supplied by Moss Motors were quick to bite, and produced much more pedal reaction when braking at the limits of adhesion. Modulation of braking pressure was also easier—we could skirt the edge of lock-up, hovering just at the limit with greater regularity. The average stopping distance from 60-0 mph benefited as much as pedal-touch, netting us an average of 167.11 feet. Any competent driver can find better braking control with these Hawk Ferro-Carbon pucks, even if stuck using the factory rotors. Everyday cruisers will learn how a high-performance brake pad feels instead of the factory replacement, because the difference is obvious.


Our third stage of testing involved the high-performance Hawk Ferro-Carbon pads putting the squeeze to new slotted rotors from Moss Motors. The concept behind slotted rotors is simple—provide an escape route for pad heat, gasses and residue. As the brake pads clamp onto the rotor, the subsequent friction creates hot gasses and heat between pad and rotor face. The slotting allows the gas and heat to evacuate more quickly, prolonging pad and rotor life. It also averts the cushion-effect caused by that heat and gas between pad and rotor. Not surprising, the slotted Moss Motors rotors and hi-po Hawk pads combined to deliver the quickest stops of our testing day. The 60 to 0 stops in our Mazda Miata test car averaged out to 157.94 feet. That's about 30 feet shorter than with stock equipment, and 10 feet shorter than with just upgraded pads.


Notes: You don't want to install a new set of pads on grooved and/or heavily worn rotors. That rotor will almost instantly damage the pads. Whether using a high-performance pad or stock, be sure your rotors are in good shape. If a rotor happens to be lightly grooved or used, most brake shops can resurface and true it (cutting the rotor face smooth on a brake lathe) for you. Of course, you don't need to worry about that if you're going to high-performance rotors too, as we recommend. Also, always do brake work in sets, front or back. If you're going to replace the passenger-side front pads and rotor, do the driver-front too. Get it?

The Facts
What did this brake upgrade teach us? In general terms, the improvements to be had by installing high-performance bolt-on brake parts are readily apparent, even while reusing factory components like the calipers. We also learned that braided stainless-steel brake lines are a smart addition whether for performance or reliability, no matter what the application. You could spend $250-$300 (including brake cleaner, rags, lube and tax) more than it would cost to buy basic factory replacement parts, and net a dramatic increase in braking performance and feel. That's a cheap performance upgrade.

About the Author
Justin Fort is a freelance writer, test driver and PR flack living in Fletcher Hills with too many cars and a cat. You can email him at functionw@aol.com, or check garagehour.com as he gears up for his show on 1170AM-KCBQ, 6:PM Saturdays.