Hawk Performance Street versus Hawk Ceramic....which do you prefer?

Old 04-19-2012, 04:12 PM
  #1  
colburs
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
colburs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hawk Performance Street versus Hawk Ceramic....which do you prefer?

I'm in the market for new pads for my G37S Akebono's. Debating between Hawk High Performance Street (HPS) and their Performance Ceramic compound. It's a daily driver so I'm not interested in anything more agreesive than that. Anyone willing to offer first hand experience?

Thanks.
Old 04-19-2012, 04:21 PM
  #2  
Black Betty
Lexus Defector
iTrader: (60)
 
Black Betty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,148
Received 2,087 Likes on 1,267 Posts
I have the Hawk Ceramic and I love them. Very low dust, no noise at all. I can't compare them to the HPS personally because I've never had those but I'd buy these again in a heartbeat.
Old 04-19-2012, 04:25 PM
  #3  
colburs
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
colburs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the input. How do they compare to the OEM pads?
Old 04-19-2012, 04:30 PM
  #4  
Black Betty
Lexus Defector
iTrader: (60)
 
Black Betty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,148
Received 2,087 Likes on 1,267 Posts
Much better bite.
Old 04-19-2012, 05:28 PM
  #5  
devil2k
Registered Member
 
devil2k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 336
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I had HPS on my Mazda 3. The brakes became less responsive when pressed initially, but stepping on it hard, it will eventually brake a bit harder than stock. I prefer the responsiveness of stock pads more. My calipers & rotors were stock BTW.
Old 04-19-2012, 07:44 PM
  #6  
blackhawksfan81
Registered User
 
blackhawksfan81's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Chicago
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I always replace brake parts with OEM or equivalent. More than adequate for street driving.

Unless you're driving on a racetrack, or chasing noise/dust issues, brake upgrades are almost always a waste of money. Nothing more than jewelry for your car.
Old 04-19-2012, 10:37 PM
  #7  
6mtg37s
Registered Member
iTrader: (1)
 
6mtg37s's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,232
Received 13 Likes on 11 Posts
HPS dusts too much, if you don't overheat the brakes, get the ceramic hawks or the Akebono proACT ceramics. If you do want a better performing pad, go for the stoptech street performance, it is much better than the HPS with no noise, but it does dust.
Old 04-20-2012, 01:39 AM
  #8  
sammy917
Registered User
 
sammy917's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
replaced rotors and went with hawk hps because that's what was in stock. tough to compare because of new rotors too, but they're a bit noisy when coming to or starting from a stop. other than that and a crazy amount of dust, they're great lol.
Old 04-20-2012, 05:13 AM
  #9  
JcbyFong
Registered User
 
JcbyFong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The brakes became less responsive when pressed initially
Old 04-20-2012, 08:29 AM
  #10  
Rochester
Administrator
iTrader: (8)
 
Rochester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,860
Received 4,569 Likes on 3,422 Posts
Originally Posted by blackhawksfan81
brake upgrades are almost always a waste of money. Nothing more than jewelry for your car.
That's funny.

On my previous car, I first had Hawk Ceramic pads. After they wore out, I went with Hawk HPS. Between the two pads, I preferred the HPS. The Ceramics were noisier, and even though the grip was great, the HPS pads felt like a smoother, more controlled experience. Of course, this is all very loose and subjective. And it's not like I tried these pads back-2-back on the same day. Also, these were on a 2003 Maxima with OEM calipers and Centric rotors.

I had no issues with dust with either set of pads. None at all. But that's because I keep all my rims regularly cleaned and treated with Wheel Wax.

For whatever it's worth, that's my opinion. And when it's time for new pads, I'm going with HPS again.

Last edited by Rochester; 04-20-2012 at 09:22 AM.
Old 04-20-2012, 09:08 AM
  #11  
botlfed98
Registered Member
iTrader: (11)
 
botlfed98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,114
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
Originally Posted by blackhawksfan81
I always replace brake parts with OEM or equivalent. More than adequate for street driving.

Unless you're driving on a racetrack, or chasing noise/dust issues, brake upgrades are almost always a waste of money. Nothing more than jewelry for your car.

nice logic!
Old 04-20-2012, 09:18 AM
  #12  
Kidcane
Florida G Club
iTrader: (7)
 
Kidcane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Tampa
Posts: 8,105
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Had the HPS and they are better than stock. Now I have Posi Quiet pads and they are my favorite so far.
Old 04-21-2012, 12:18 AM
  #13  
cy7878
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
cy7878's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
what about costs?


I think the OEM pads are almost twice the cost as the Akebono or Hawk ceramics.
The last time I checked on Amazon, the Akebono pads are like $40 for the rear and $70 for the fronts. The dealer part is like $100.

Anyone with inputs?
Old 04-21-2012, 12:22 AM
  #14  
JSolo
Just say no!!!!!
iTrader: (14)
 
JSolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: People's Republic of IL
Posts: 6,105
Received 589 Likes on 492 Posts
I think the problem with many performance brake pads is the heat needed to get them biting well is not attained during normal street driving.

I had hawk HPS on my camaro, and unless repeatedly braking hard, the pads had very poor bite (initial and otherwise).

There's another thread on here reviewing the stoptech street performance pads (https://www.myg37.com/forums/brakes-...rake-pads.html). From that review, it sounds like it would make for a good street pad.
Old 04-21-2012, 12:30 AM
  #15  
6mtg37s
Registered Member
iTrader: (1)
 
6mtg37s's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,232
Received 13 Likes on 11 Posts
I haven't felt fade from the stoptechs, and last time I ran them hard the disk was glowing red. They are great for performance street use imo

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Hawk Performance Street versus Hawk Ceramic....which do you prefer?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:33 AM.