EBC Greenstuff Disappointment...Considering Wilwood Big Brake Upgrade...

[dclgreer]

I keep reading that no one ever overheats their Mazda2 brakes, even while tracking or racing. I have also read a lot of positive comments about EBC Greenstuff pads for street driving. About a year ago I switched out my pulsing stock rotors for EBC GD rotors and EBC Greenstuff pads. The pads have been great, and I do abuse them frequently. However, this morning I decided to see if I could push them into overheating (hey, morning commute was getting boring, what can I say?). I did an emergency stop from 80-0, accelerated back up to 80 and then did another emergency stop. On the second stop, my Greenstuff pads started to slither around and lost friction. Mind you, the pedal remained solid (Motul RBF600 fluid and braided stainless lines), but the pads were out for the count! I was a bit surprised at how quickly they gave up. I realize that an 80-0 stop isn't going to happen frequently, and certainly not two times consecutively. But I don't feel real great with such a narrow margin of safety. I can imagine that a downhill canyon run would cook them rather quickly if one wasn't very careful. Anyone else experience this with Greenstuff or any other pads?

Now that I'm mostly over the disappointment, I'm seriously considering the Wilwood Big Brake Kit for the Fiesta. Has anyone done the Wilwoods on their 2 yet, and if so, how are they performing? It's worth mentioning that I will probably be turbocharging the 2 in the next year, so braking will obviously be even more important with a 50% bump in horsepower and a flat torque curve.

Finally, EBC GD rotors suck. They're loud as hell and I'm not convinced they contribute much, if anything, to braking performance. Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.

 

[TURBOJ1]

I've had those pads on my protg with slotted rotors and after repeated high speed stops the don't grip half as well, but if I'm not mistaken this is a "street pad", so BEFORE going with a BBK ($$$) try a different pad?.....I'm NO EXPERT HERE, just my experience with those pads. I have to say tho, theres no better feeling than have a BBK!! especially with good tires night and day difference!!

 

[George Patches]

I've heard very mixed things about the colorful brake pads. I'd try a different pad first. My friend with a STi that has something stupid like 500 hp recommends Porterfield R4-S pads. He drives like a freaking lunatic so I'm inclined to take his advice on brake pads. They make pads and shoes for the 2.

 

[zps2004]

I have helped with a bunch of brake pad testing on a Sonic where we do repeated stops from 70-0 and see how long the stops are each time and see how many stops before they fade, and how bad they get. The greenstuff wasn't that good. Basically the same as stock for the Sonic. I have never been happy with them. I have tested the 2 doing the same thing and the 2 did more stops with the stock pads than the sonic did with stock, EBC, or Hawk HP-S. I like the HPS and the HP+. Carbotechs are great as well but they dust a lot.

Oh and I just have to mention that a turbo doesn't mean anything for your brakes unless you are actually going faster. Not saying you won't depending on your driving, I just hate when people make that assumption. Stopping from 80 is stopping from 80. Unless you plan on doing 120 stops on the street it doesn't matter. I have a 240WHP Turbo Miata and with HP+ pads it stops just fine even on a mountain run. Track is a different story of course, but even on the 2, good pads with fluid like you have will be fine. Cooling would be next before large brakes.

 

[BigBlueDart]

I just noticed that Corksport has their own offering for brake pads for the 2. I knew that they sold the Hawk stuff, but this is new to me. Has anyone tried these out?

 

[eyeballs]

ferrodo ds2500. I thought I saw these were available now for the 2. Awesome pads. Will take a couple stops/brake stabs to get up to operating temps though.

 

[CorkSport]

I just noticed that Corksport has their own offering for brake pads for the 2. I knew that they sold the Hawk stuff, but this is new to me. Has anyone tried these out?

They are a good street pad and we did give them a shot on the track. I ran 7 race weekends (21 sessions on the track) with them and they held up great. The initial bite was less than the DTC pads but I could beat them and I never ran into a problem. Street driving them is good, they don't dust much and we run the same compound on the Speed 3 pads we offer.

That being said they are made for the street. The race track was to see what would happen if someone did run them and how long would they last.

-Derrick

 

[BigBlueDart]

Sounds good to me. At that price point I expect I'll probably pick up a set. Would these be a good option for a casual autocrosser?

 

[CorkSport]

Sounds good to me. At that price point I expect I'll probably pick up a set. Would these be a good option for a casual autocrosser?

Auto crossing on them would be no problem.

-Derrick

 

[Joker2]

The EBC Green pads are an improvement on some cars or bikes that have aweful factory fitments. Mazda uses the Akebono pads for the Miata MX-5 and probably for the 2. They are better than most OEM stuff and some aftermarket stuff. On my NA Miata for autocross nothing beats the OEM pads up front. I use PFC at rear to bias the brakes for easier rotation during trail braking. The only problem with the Mazda2 front pads is that they tend to deposit on the rotors leading to pulsation unless cleaned up properly. I used a micrometer to check and there is minimal runout after a track day. The EBC Yellow may give you better results but again, the main issue is: what problem are you trying to fix? There are a few of us here that drive on the spirited side, some more than others, and we have had good results with the OEM stuff. I parked the EBC Green pads for the Miata in the trash bin.

 

[Minimazda]

I really love my OEM brake pads. I will probably end up getting the CS ones when I need new ones just because I love me some CS parts but I am still kinda partial to the OEM.