Brake Pads
 

We are running stock brakes, disc in front and drum rear. What is the best pad to use for holding the car for the burn out and stopping power at the high end?

Re: Brake Pads
 

I had to replace the front calipers and pads this spring as one was leaking. Got the cheapest stuff I could find! Advance Auto Parts stuff.... after a run or two to seat in, been outstanding. Left at 3,900 rpm once and 3,700 a couple times at Pageland this weekend, held no problem, and it doesn't lock up the fronts at the stripe, just stops.

Re: Brake Pads
 

Thanks for the info. Our car is 4260 # and I am having trouble in the burn out box. The car seems to be overpowering the front brakes even sitting in a puddle of water. I used a middle of the road Raysbestos metallic pad. The brakes are broken in but I have been struggling with this for a while. The line lock seems to be working ok. It is like there isn't enough pad surface area touching the rotor.

Re: Brake Pads
 

my experience has been that Mettalic brakes have to get hot in order to work---when cold they do not have the holding ability like when they get hot--ya might try driving to the line and thru the staging lanes with your foot on the brake pedal to heat em up a bit--also pump the pedal a few times til it gets real hard ya can feel it in your foot then do your burnout---can ya use a line loc if so that's yer answer--comp 387

Re: Brake Pads
 

Are you sure you have enough pressure at the caliper? ....If you converted from power brakes ,you will need to correct the pedal ratio to get proper pressure.... or possibly too large a master cylinder..........Tom

Re: Brake Pads
 

Tom you make a good point, our car definitely had power steering and brakes from the factory. I have no adjustable proportioning valve on it and manual brakes were on it when my brother and I bought the car. What about ceramic pads? It has a stock Chevelle style master cylinder on it.

Re: Brake Pads
 

Get the softest pads you can find. They don't last long, but for a "drag only" application, they are the ticket....

Re: Brake Pads
 

I use the bendix organic pad on mine(soft pad)about 28.00 works perfect
scott fifield

Re: Brake Pads
 

You shouldn't have problems in the burnout box with a line lock... make sure you whack the throttle quick initially to get the tires spinning. If you ease onto the throttle, you'll have a tough time getting them to break loose!

My Duster bracket car doesn't even have a line lock on it, just a brake proportioning valve. Never had a problem doing a burnout with it.

Re: Brake Pads
 

How is rear brake shoe life Michael?

Re: Brake Pads
 

NJK 53 I don't know if you caught what Tom was saying. I converted my Malibu to manual brakes when I pulled booster there was 4 studs going through firewall and master cylinder was mounted in middle to line up with push rod so I put holes there and mounted there car would stop OK but would'nt lock up tires no matter how hard you pushed,so later ended up with factory manual brake setup and seen the problem the master cylinder was located on top set of holes with pushrod moved up higher on the pedal,which of course give more leverage,changed master cylinder to top holes has alot more braking power.
metallic pads do take some heat to work but don't think it would to hold in water.
Have you considered your car just hooks so good that it even hooks in the water box LOL
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Brake Pads
 

Tried metallic brake pads on my '64 Dodge and they never worked as good as a set of organic pads. They are actually designed for sports cars and roundy round because they are in constant use and retain heat which makes them work better, it's just not possible to keep enough heat in them on a drag race car.

I would get some soft pads and bleed the brakes then see if the problem still exists.

JimR

Re: Brake Pads
 

Tom is correct. This could be your main problem. Jim

Re: Brake Pads
 

Rallye Bob or anyone else, do you know of anyone that manufactures a drag race only disc brake pad that fits the stock caliper? I was looking at the Hawk DR-97 pads but I could not find an application for stock calipers.

Re: Brake Pads
 

You said that "the car seems to be overpowering the front brakes" but you didn't elaborate on one piece of info. Have you had anyone watch the front tires/wheels to see if they are sliding or rolling when trying to do a burnout?

Cheap, soft pads are the way to go. I've even heard of some racers with "connections" have their automotive brake pads & shoes relined with material normally used for forklift brakes, which are suppose to be even softer.

Re: Brake Pads
 

I use the Hawk DR-97 pads on the front, but I have an after market (Aerospace) disc brake kit....
Contact Hawk and get a recommendation for your application.....