Cheap brake suggestions: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Classic Motorsports

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March 16, 2010 4:06 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Alright, spring is here, and i need to re-do the brakes on the Escort.

I know it's got new rear pads, but i hate them. The rotors might be fine, but i'm probably going to replace them anyways while i'm in there so i don't have to worry about it.

Now, this car isn't used like the Celica is, so i have no intention of spending a crapload on brakes, but i also don't want to go with bottom tier Autozone crap, either.

So, i hopped on TireRack to see what they've got.

Two products jumped out at me for being cheap:

Satisfied Gransport 6 Pads $90 for both axles.
Centric Premium Rotors $112 for both axles.

Are these products any good? Is there anything else that you guys could recommend? I'm willing to pay more if it's really going to make a huge difference, just keep in mind that this is a street car. No racing.

I was originally going to go with Brembo Blanks and EBC pads of some sort, but that's looking like twice the cost.

Any input would be great. Don't want to cheap out, but i'm also not interested in paying the purchase price of the car itself all over again for brakes.
March 16, 2010 4:09 p.m. DaveEstey New Reader

I would check out RockAuto.com they tend to have excellent prices
March 16, 2010 4:26 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Man their site is confusing.

The rotors actually seem to be more expensive at Rock Auto, if i stick with the Centrics. I can get way cheaper, but i'm real leary of cheap rotors.

Axxis Deluxe pads are REALLY cheap, there, though. Like $22 for both axle sets cheap.

Anyone have recommendations on what to go with? I'm not used to shopping for cheap brakes.

1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)
March 16, 2010 6:02 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

centric is the parent company of StopTech -- bought them a few years ago IIRC. all of their brands are supposed to be pretty good, but I've never used them, just repeating what I've heard from a friend who owns a repair shop.

if you're gonna be a bear.... be a grizzly bear!
March 16, 2010 6:07 p.m. stumpmj Dork

I've used Centrics rotors on my 350Z a few times to repace the stock rear rotors. I've had 0 issues with them. I would definitely trust them to use on any daily driver. For pads, I like Axxis pads. Again, they hold up on the track without issue so I wouldn't worry about using the mon a daily driver.

So to summarize my experience, Centrics = good; Axxis = good.
March 16, 2010 6:37 p.m. WilberM3 New Reader

ive driven axxis deluxes on a lot of different bmws and they wear reasonably well, are quiet, low dust, and pretty good overall bite. for DD street cars they worked really well for the money.

we had a couple customers that liked the akebono ceramics too.

Dave
March 16, 2010 6:55 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Cool! I just ordered the Axxis Deluxes for $30 shipped for both axle sets.

I'll order the Centrics Rotors on payday.

1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)
March 16, 2010 8:16 p.m. Matt B Reader

Anybody know the difference between Centric's "normal" line vs. the C-Tek stuff? Specifically, rotors? I can't seem to find anything on their site that explains how this sub-brand is different. Also, the C-Tek rotors are a few dollars more than the Premium on one of my cars, but on the other the Premium is twice as expensive? Weird. I guess it might a production-run thing.
March 17, 2010 8:39 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Matt B wrote: Anybody know the difference between Centric's "normal" line vs. the C-Tek stuff? Specifically, rotors? I can't seem to find anything on their site that explains how this sub-brand is different. Also, the C-Tek rotors are a few dollars more than the Premium on one of my cars, but on the other the Premium is twice as expensive? Weird. I guess it might a production-run thing.

I'm wondering about this as well. And it's hard to tell on Rockauto's site which fronts match which rears. I'll probably just order the rotors from TireRack.

I wish they were running a closeout on the Brembos. I got all four Brembos for my MX6 for under $100 shipped.

1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)
March 17, 2010 8:44 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

The Stratus has Brembo blanks and Carquest house brand Ceramic pads up front. When the 18" tires were on it last fall I could stop hard enough to tell I had a bad tie rod end ;)

Internationally known as The Brown Stig
March 17, 2010 9:20 a.m. Bobzilla Dork

I use the cheapest rotors I can find on the Elantra (eats them regardless of cost) and the Swift. Been pleased with the cheapos from Napa for the last few years.
March 17, 2010 1:29 p.m. Matt B Reader

I called brakewarehouse.com and found out that the C-Tek stuff is Centric's economy line. The rotors do not have the rustproofing nor do I think the split-cast design. The reason I was seeing the Centric Premium as a couple dollars less on the 86 MR2 was because they no longer make the Premium casting for that car and it supercedes to the C-Tek rotor (price is a glitch). Bummer dude.