EBC Brakes new generation disc pad materials tests and reviews
22 July 2010, 03:53 PM
#32
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This test sequence had to be closed out at 34 test drivers, thats a lot of pad sets given out and I need to see how these go before considering any further testing.
Please follow this thread for at least the next two weeks
Please follow this thread for at least the next two weeks
22 July 2010, 06:10 PM
#33
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EBC Greenstuff - Honda Accord update
Fitted the new compound Greenstuff a week ago, now covered 300+ miles since fitting. They bedded in quickly and gave good grip and feel straight away, and have got better, they where excellent (literally) straight out of the box and now they are even better. Also very little (if any) brake dust on the wheels.After my real disappointment many (10) years ago with greenstuff i am now a big fan and will use them in future in any sub 200BHP car(s) and recommend them to anyone in the same situation. Forget the old greens, the new ones are completely different and so much better!
If you run a Sport or a Forester then give the Greens a whirl
Nice job EBC and no, i do not have any connection with EBC whatsoever, other than i may have met Andy many, many, many years ago - just an impressed punter
Last edited by The Zohan; 22 July 2010 at 06:12 PM.
23 July 2010, 05:37 AM
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This is a re-post of feedback I left on another thread, but since this is an accumulation of feedback for new generation EBC pads, I thought I would chime-in with my experience with their new yellowstuff pads. I'm currently campaigning a 2009 WRX here in the U.S. with the Sports Car Club of America competing in Solo/autocross races. The car is 3102lbs and 265 HP.
Prior to changing the pads, I would say that poor brake performance was the weak link in the car. I've had the yellowstuff pads on my car for 4 months. They were simple to install (dropped right in). They have improved the braking performance of my car dramatically! I can drive deeper into corners and brake with confidence lap after lap. In Northern California, they helped me win six out of the last six races. At the National Tour event in San Diego, they helped me climb onto the podium in third place amongst a field of top national drivers. They certainly make more dust than my factory pads and squeak slightly when slowing at a traffic light, but all in all they are a tremendous improvement.
Though the season is not yet over, I am projected to win the SCCA regional championship series thanks to the performance of my yellowstuff pads.
I just received a set of bluestuff pads and look forward to dropping them in in the next week and will provide my impressions soon.
As a side note, I think it speaks volumes about EBC as a company for having such confidence in their products that they are putting them in the hands of racers and driving enthusiasts, allowing them to beat the snot out of them, and using the feedback to improve their already outstanding products.
Here is a picture of my car at the Western States Championship in Wendover, Utah.
Alan Jung
SCCA Regional Autocross Champion 2006, 2008, 2009
Porsche Club of America-Autocross Driving Instructor
Prior to changing the pads, I would say that poor brake performance was the weak link in the car. I've had the yellowstuff pads on my car for 4 months. They were simple to install (dropped right in). They have improved the braking performance of my car dramatically! I can drive deeper into corners and brake with confidence lap after lap. In Northern California, they helped me win six out of the last six races. At the National Tour event in San Diego, they helped me climb onto the podium in third place amongst a field of top national drivers. They certainly make more dust than my factory pads and squeak slightly when slowing at a traffic light, but all in all they are a tremendous improvement.
Though the season is not yet over, I am projected to win the SCCA regional championship series thanks to the performance of my yellowstuff pads.
I just received a set of bluestuff pads and look forward to dropping them in in the next week and will provide my impressions soon.
As a side note, I think it speaks volumes about EBC as a company for having such confidence in their products that they are putting them in the hands of racers and driving enthusiasts, allowing them to beat the snot out of them, and using the feedback to improve their already outstanding products.
Here is a picture of my car at the Western States Championship in Wendover, Utah.
Alan Jung
SCCA Regional Autocross Champion 2006, 2008, 2009
Porsche Club of America-Autocross Driving Instructor
23 July 2010, 03:16 PM
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As we all know oversize rotors bring with them a lot of extra costs and considerations and are beyond the budget of many whereas a bolt on size for size floating (two piece) disc can stop vibrations, improve braking and costs a third of the price of an oversize kit.
Will let you all know when we have done our homework
Thanks Andy
23 July 2010, 09:25 PM
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Andy, thanks for the response to my PM, I'm looking forward to trying the Bluestuff pads on my Spec C. 
I have quite a few runs with other Impreza owners coming up shortly including the Brecon Beacons inc the Black Mountains, a mid Wales run and a run up to North Wales inc the Evo triangle which should be a good test for the car and braking system.
I have quite a few runs with other Impreza owners coming up shortly including the Brecon Beacons inc the Black Mountains, a mid Wales run and a run up to North Wales inc the Evo triangle which should be a good test for the car and braking system.
25 July 2010, 12:18 PM
#37
FTAO ANDY FREEMAN
Fitted the new blues and ebc grooved and dimpled discs many thanks for sending them out so quick. after the toil of removing one of my discs and snapping a caliper bolt and having it drilled out by an engineering shop alls fitted and bedding in nicely and looks good too. being honest thay didnt feel much different from the ones i had removed at first and after approx 100 miles thay are starting to get better but dont yet give that awesome stopping power i am looking for but as they are new discs they may need a little more bedding in, they dont give off loads of brake dust which is good and work the same hot or cold as far as i can see at the moment give it a week or so and i will update when bedded in more.
26 July 2010, 06:02 PM
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Test set final deliveries
For those of you who have NOT yet received your test sets the factory confirms that 68 sets front and rears of the latest Bluestuff have been drawn down from the first July production batch of the relevant numbers for you and that they will be at our Northampton distribution center this THURSDAY and will be shipped to everyone the same day.
So 99% of you will get them during this Friday the 30th.
If there are any address changes I need a PM please urgently
NEXT IMPORTANT ISSUE
====================
One driver has asked, are the Bluestuff street legal and will using them on the street invalidate my insurance. the EBC official position is that these are for track use only right now until we get (or get refused) ECE R 90 certification. Within the EEC there is a (silly) new law called R 90 limiting pad friction to similar levels to OE parts. As far as I am aware NO MANFACTURERS RACE OR TRACK COMPOUNDS conform to this regulation, if they do they will have an E number in a circle stamped on the back of the pad and on the box and an 8 digit number after it. Look and see if any race or sport pads you have used or are intending to buy have this and I think you will see they DO NOT.
So EBC is doing nothing unusual here, just advising you the official position.
Yellowstuff and Redstuff (reminding you all once again RED is NOT for track use) are 100% street legal. Thats why we sell yellowstuff and some of you might find the BITE of competitors sport pads a little more than Yellow, we are simply NOT ALLOWED to ramp up the bite of Yellow any higher or it would not be street legal.
So the position is
1) If you want a street legal sport and race pad - Use EBC yellowstuff (lifetime in track use is less than Bluestuff)
2) If you want a track pad that has good bite from cold but does NOT have R 90 street approval and is for use in trackday driving and longer races then go for the Bluestuff.
Cheers Andy
For those of you who have NOT yet received your test sets the factory confirms that 68 sets front and rears of the latest Bluestuff have been drawn down from the first July production batch of the relevant numbers for you and that they will be at our Northampton distribution center this THURSDAY and will be shipped to everyone the same day.
So 99% of you will get them during this Friday the 30th.
If there are any address changes I need a PM please urgently
NEXT IMPORTANT ISSUE
====================
One driver has asked, are the Bluestuff street legal and will using them on the street invalidate my insurance. the EBC official position is that these are for track use only right now until we get (or get refused) ECE R 90 certification. Within the EEC there is a (silly) new law called R 90 limiting pad friction to similar levels to OE parts. As far as I am aware NO MANFACTURERS RACE OR TRACK COMPOUNDS conform to this regulation, if they do they will have an E number in a circle stamped on the back of the pad and on the box and an 8 digit number after it. Look and see if any race or sport pads you have used or are intending to buy have this and I think you will see they DO NOT.
So EBC is doing nothing unusual here, just advising you the official position.
Yellowstuff and Redstuff (reminding you all once again RED is NOT for track use) are 100% street legal. Thats why we sell yellowstuff and some of you might find the BITE of competitors sport pads a little more than Yellow, we are simply NOT ALLOWED to ramp up the bite of Yellow any higher or it would not be street legal.
So the position is
1) If you want a street legal sport and race pad - Use EBC yellowstuff (lifetime in track use is less than Bluestuff)
2) If you want a track pad that has good bite from cold but does NOT have R 90 street approval and is for use in trackday driving and longer races then go for the Bluestuff.
Cheers Andy
27 July 2010, 11:35 AM
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Andy,
If you do yellow stuff for the KSport 8pots I'd be more than happy to test, I can put the pads straight on and can even collect from the Northampton distribution centre 
There must be quite a few users of the KSport calipers on here and we would welcome a more cost effective alternative to the Ferodo DS2500's and PF pads.
Matt
If you do yellow stuff for the KSport 8pots I'd be more than happy to test, I can put the pads straight on and can even collect from the Northampton distribution centre
There must be quite a few users of the KSport calipers on here and we would welcome a more cost effective alternative to the Ferodo DS2500's and PF pads.
Matt
Last edited by Neanderthal; 27 July 2010 at 11:37 AM.
27 July 2010, 01:49 PM
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ScoobLou I am sending you BLUES not yellow, going out this Thursday
Sean will add you, PM me your address and do you want Blues or yellow, remember, yellow for fast street and ECE R 90 street legal with limited track day anbd short duration race use or BLUES for more serious track work, OK on the street but NOT yet ECE R 90 approved.
Neanderthal, dont have apps for the K sport series yet, I have asked Tech to sort this out, meanwhile if you had a pad outline and e mailed to andy@ebcbrakes.com we could short cut this for you
Cheers
Sean will add you, PM me your address and do you want Blues or yellow, remember, yellow for fast street and ECE R 90 street legal with limited track day anbd short duration race use or BLUES for more serious track work, OK on the street but NOT yet ECE R 90 approved.
Neanderthal, dont have apps for the K sport series yet, I have asked Tech to sort this out, meanwhile if you had a pad outline and e mailed to andy@ebcbrakes.com we could short cut this for you
Cheers
27 July 2010, 01:58 PM
#45
Andy forwarded on a PM which said yellows for me as car doesn't go on track?
ScoobLou I am sending you BLUES not yellow, going out this Thursday
Sean will add you, PM me your address and do you want Blues or yellow, remember, yellow for fast street and ECE R 90 street legal with limited track day anbd short duration race use or BLUES for more serious track work, OK on the street but NOT yet ECE R 90 approved.
Neanderthal, dont have apps for the K sport series yet, I have asked Tech to sort this out, meanwhile if you had a pad outline and e mailed to andy@ebcbrakes.com we could short cut this for you
Cheers
Sean will add you, PM me your address and do you want Blues or yellow, remember, yellow for fast street and ECE R 90 street legal with limited track day anbd short duration race use or BLUES for more serious track work, OK on the street but NOT yet ECE R 90 approved.
Neanderthal, dont have apps for the K sport series yet, I have asked Tech to sort this out, meanwhile if you had a pad outline and e mailed to andy@ebcbrakes.com we could short cut this for you
Cheers
27 July 2010, 04:31 PM
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Neanderthal, dont have apps for the K sport series yet, I have asked Tech to sort this out, meanwhile if you had a pad outline and e mailed to andy@ebcbrakes.com we could short cut this for you
Cheers
I'm sure you already have the pad shape for the Ksports 8Pot but you have it down as D2 8 POT, This is the same caliper but used by diffent companies, I used a set of yellows in my old Ksport 8 Pots using DP4032R. A perfect fit but the Pad has 1mm less thickness, i think the standard set up is 17mm thick and the yellows were 16mm. Just means they are a little easier to change.
Loving the blues so far, Having new front discs made at the moment so once these have a few miles on them I'll give you more feed back. if you want me to try your discs on the rear and give feedback on those, i'm more than happy to do so.
Last edited by DannyBoy007; 27 July 2010 at 04:35 PM.
27 July 2010, 05:13 PM
#48
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NO MORE TEST SETS GUYS, WE HAVE TO MOVE ON . TOTAL CARS ON TEST NOW 38 ON THIS FORUM ALONE
27 July 2010, 07:06 PM
#51
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My pads arrived today, opened the box, little surprised.
My pads arrived today, opened the box, little surprised.
As an apprentice my mechanic used to get me to file down the edges of brake pads and then place a hacksaw cut down the middle, 50% of the way through the pad before fitting.
I’m sure it was not legal and I’m sure the asbestos was/is doing me no good, but it made him happy as he thought the pads performed better. In those days not every car had disc brakes at the front let alone all round.
The EBC pads look remarkably similar but yellow, the sensor wires look robust, the pads have two black areas on the back, grandly called ‘noise reduction shims’ its been a long time since I have seen shims on pads, let alone ‘built in shims’. Other than that, Brake pads.
Now the punch line or lines,
Everybody I have spoken to has said the same, you must bed in performance brake pads, so imagine my surprise to find no such instructions, a reference on the box to the ‘Brake-in surface coating’ that amongst other things ‘Helps pads bed in fast’ but no actual bedding in instructions. There are instructions on the web site, but to look for them you must know you need them.
Now while I am sure 90% of people reading this forum know you need to bed performance pads in, there is clearly some that do not.
This bedding in issue is also clouded as the EBC Blue brake pads are sold ‘pre bedded in’ so it’s no longer a case of everything having to be bedded in.
Punch line 2
More importantly No reference to ECE R90 approved, why worry about another bit of European red tape? Well it’s the bit of red tape that makes your pads legal to use on the road.
A quick look at other pads (via Google); Mintex 144, Ferodo DS2500, PFC and Pagid Race also failed to find any mention of ECE R 90 approval. Please note, I am not suggesting any of these are illegal for road use or does not have the relevant approval just I could not find it with a quick look around.
Type ECE R90 into Google or in ‘VCA speak’ http://www.vca.gov.uk/additional/files/vehicle-typ...
I put these items to Andy at EBC
Andy has agreed the point re bedding in and is now looking at inserting an additional leaflet with the pads.
With regards the Legality of the pads, Andy’s reply and I quote ‘100% of EBC Yellowstuff pads are street and track legal 100% of Redstuff are street legal Many Bluestuff will shortly be street legal’.
So it’s game on: just need a break in the weather and I will have a go at fitting the pads.
Sean
PS: I am a little short of time at the moment to fully check out the other pads, but If anybody can confirm the ECE R90 status of any of the other pads mentioned it would be great to try and keep everybody up to speed.
As an apprentice my mechanic used to get me to file down the edges of brake pads and then place a hacksaw cut down the middle, 50% of the way through the pad before fitting.
I’m sure it was not legal and I’m sure the asbestos was/is doing me no good, but it made him happy as he thought the pads performed better. In those days not every car had disc brakes at the front let alone all round.
The EBC pads look remarkably similar but yellow, the sensor wires look robust, the pads have two black areas on the back, grandly called ‘noise reduction shims’ its been a long time since I have seen shims on pads, let alone ‘built in shims’. Other than that, Brake pads.
Now the punch line or lines,
Everybody I have spoken to has said the same, you must bed in performance brake pads, so imagine my surprise to find no such instructions, a reference on the box to the ‘Brake-in surface coating’ that amongst other things ‘Helps pads bed in fast’ but no actual bedding in instructions. There are instructions on the web site, but to look for them you must know you need them.
Now while I am sure 90% of people reading this forum know you need to bed performance pads in, there is clearly some that do not.
This bedding in issue is also clouded as the EBC Blue brake pads are sold ‘pre bedded in’ so it’s no longer a case of everything having to be bedded in.
Punch line 2
More importantly No reference to ECE R90 approved, why worry about another bit of European red tape? Well it’s the bit of red tape that makes your pads legal to use on the road.
A quick look at other pads (via Google); Mintex 144, Ferodo DS2500, PFC and Pagid Race also failed to find any mention of ECE R 90 approval. Please note, I am not suggesting any of these are illegal for road use or does not have the relevant approval just I could not find it with a quick look around.
Type ECE R90 into Google or in ‘VCA speak’ http://www.vca.gov.uk/additional/files/vehicle-typ...
I put these items to Andy at EBC
Andy has agreed the point re bedding in and is now looking at inserting an additional leaflet with the pads.
With regards the Legality of the pads, Andy’s reply and I quote ‘100% of EBC Yellowstuff pads are street and track legal 100% of Redstuff are street legal Many Bluestuff will shortly be street legal’.
So it’s game on: just need a break in the weather and I will have a go at fitting the pads.
Sean
PS: I am a little short of time at the moment to fully check out the other pads, but If anybody can confirm the ECE R90 status of any of the other pads mentioned it would be great to try and keep everybody up to speed.
Last edited by 4x4disco; 27 July 2010 at 07:10 PM.
27 July 2010, 08:18 PM
#53
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EBC pads for Discovery
Although not really intended for this site for Subaru drivers we have supplied Landrover Discovery pads for this driver.
Shims chamfers and slots he mentions are a major topic on brake pads.
All EBC pads except Blues that are square sided have edge chamfers, some round edged pads work better without chamfers.
Most pads have centre line expansion slots if the pads are above a certain surface length. Bluestuff have wide vee grooves to catch dirt dust and debris, also to provide venting and resist expansion cracks. Quite expensive to do but sets Blues apart in the pad manufacturing industry. We do not edge chamfer Blues, racers say this takes away useful wear material.
On shims we shim all pads EXCEPT Bluestuff as this is a performance only pad, fairly quiet anyway and noone cares much about aesthetics of a race pad. If you do want shims (once we get R 90 nand IF we get R 90 for these which is by no means guaranteed and want a quiet road pad ) we can supply them for pennies to quieten down the Blues in low speed traffic.
On bedding in
1) Blues are pre bedded so once they are mated to the discs there is no chemical bedding. Blues do NOT have our red abrasive surface coating.
2) All other EBC pads use the trademarked EBC red surface prep called brake in (tm) which speeds up bedding and once this is worn off after about 100 miles, the pads need a dozen or so stops from 60 to 30 on a quiet road if discs in decent nick and they should be right there. Depends on the compound, Yellows bed in faster for example and the best test of when bedding is achieved is when the brake feels right and the pedal has come up to a firm and fairly high position. You will get some odours from the brakes, maybe even a little smoke and thats quite normal in bedding.
On a track the Blues will only need 2 laps intermittent braking AGAIN IF THE DISCS ARE FLAT and the yellows 4-5 laps as they are not (as until now anwyay) surface cured or pre bedded.
Cheers guys
Andy
Shims chamfers and slots he mentions are a major topic on brake pads.
All EBC pads except Blues that are square sided have edge chamfers, some round edged pads work better without chamfers.
Most pads have centre line expansion slots if the pads are above a certain surface length. Bluestuff have wide vee grooves to catch dirt dust and debris, also to provide venting and resist expansion cracks. Quite expensive to do but sets Blues apart in the pad manufacturing industry. We do not edge chamfer Blues, racers say this takes away useful wear material.
On shims we shim all pads EXCEPT Bluestuff as this is a performance only pad, fairly quiet anyway and noone cares much about aesthetics of a race pad. If you do want shims (once we get R 90 nand IF we get R 90 for these which is by no means guaranteed and want a quiet road pad ) we can supply them for pennies to quieten down the Blues in low speed traffic.
On bedding in
1) Blues are pre bedded so once they are mated to the discs there is no chemical bedding. Blues do NOT have our red abrasive surface coating.
2) All other EBC pads use the trademarked EBC red surface prep called brake in (tm) which speeds up bedding and once this is worn off after about 100 miles, the pads need a dozen or so stops from 60 to 30 on a quiet road if discs in decent nick and they should be right there. Depends on the compound, Yellows bed in faster for example and the best test of when bedding is achieved is when the brake feels right and the pedal has come up to a firm and fairly high position. You will get some odours from the brakes, maybe even a little smoke and thats quite normal in bedding.
On a track the Blues will only need 2 laps intermittent braking AGAIN IF THE DISCS ARE FLAT and the yellows 4-5 laps as they are not (as until now anwyay) surface cured or pre bedded.
Cheers guys
Andy
27 July 2010, 10:48 PM
#54
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Nuts,missed out on this. Looking to replace my current Yellow pads on my car. Not sure how much the compund has changed since 2007/2008?
Would the pads not be different from one disc to another? Myself I am running Brembo Sport discs all round with the Yellow pads with DOT 5.1 AP racing fluid & braided lines all round.
Steve
Would the pads not be different from one disc to another? Myself I am running Brembo Sport discs all round with the Yellow pads with DOT 5.1 AP racing fluid & braided lines all round.
Steve
28 July 2010, 02:07 PM
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i have had the ebc blue pads put on today be wary when the pads are cold seem to work a lot better stopping at higher speeds they still need to bed in so i can properly comment
28 July 2010, 02:28 PM
#56
28 July 2010, 04:09 PM
#58
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just fitted my yellow stuff pads to my impreza and then did a few miles around the block,i will wait untill i have done some more miles on them and will report back
28 July 2010, 04:43 PM
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Nuts,missed out on this. Looking to replace my current Yellow pads on my car. Not sure how much the compund has changed since 2007/2008?
Would the pads not be different from one disc to another? Myself I am running Brembo Sport discs all round with the Yellow pads with DOT 5.1 AP racing fluid & braided lines all round.
Steve
Would the pads not be different from one disc to another? Myself I am running Brembo Sport discs all round with the Yellow pads with DOT 5.1 AP racing fluid & braided lines all round.
Steve
