Zimmermann Sport Rear Drilled Rotors & Hawk HPS 5.0 Initial Impressions

[Lbsigman]

Still trying to collect a few things before I do my Brembo BBK up front, so for the time being, I went ahead and did the rears using Zimmermann Sport rotors and Hawk HPS 5.0 pads. The rotors are made in Germany and are high carbon content. No Chinese brake parts on this car.

Haven't taken the car to the track, just a few spirited drives in the canyons.

All in all, the install wasn't terribly bad or much of a pain to do aside from trying to torque down the caliper bracket bolts to the spindle/hub assembly. I did purchase new bolt since they are stretch bolts. Found out that I really need to get a higher quality torque wrench with a smaller head. Car currently has 10,500 miles and the rear pads were worn about half way down compared next to the Hawk pad. Utilized all new brake hardware from Carlson part number 13489Q. Like the Carlson kit for 2 reasons: 1. Made in USA, and 2. The side that rests on the caliper bracket has a bonded ruberized coating much like the stock clips to reduce any noises and or squeals. Replaced the boots on the caliper bracket and regreased everything using Sil-Glyde for the caliper pins and brake pad sliding surfaces.

Used Carista APP to retract the parking brake and it worked flawlessly. For some reason it always throws a parking brake code that needs to be cleared out upon closing the parking brake module within the Carista App.

Pulling the car out of the garage, there were no funny noises or anything I could feel through the body. I started late in the day, so by the time I finished, it was around 10:45pm and the roads near my house are dead. Perfect time to bed in the brakes using Hawk's recommended method to a T. Went home, had a late night snack, cleaned up and then took it on the freeway to ensure there is no vibration or noises at highway speed.

First impressions are:

• Backing up, the brakes are not so darn sensitive. Hate that "on" & "off" feeling.
• Silent, no noises.
• Not sure about dust yet as my wheels are dirty.
• I can feel the rears actually grabbing now.
• Brakes feel more linear even though it's just the rear.

Will update when I get more miles on it.

Don't mind my dirty wheels.

[Lbsigman]

Quick update. Have clocked in about 150 miles and the pads still feel great. Washed my car on Friday and I already had some brake dust on the front wheels later that night. The rear wheels are spotless. When rubbing my finger across the rear wheel, I see no brake dust transfer to my finger at all.

[Rappydog]

Thanks for the update. I'll be needing brakes soon, and I'm starting to lean towards the Hawk 5.0.

[Deviruchi]

I have the same pads, front and rear along with JHM rotors.

I'm with you on the brake dust, HUGE difference between them and stock. The only thing I dislike about the HPS 5.0 is that there is less "bite" than the stock pads. Guess that's the price you pay for less dust though.

I don't think you'll notice much of a braking performance difference with only rears, looking forward to how the brembos up front work out.

[Vogz]

I have the same pads, front and rear along with JHM rotors.

I'm with you on the brake dust, HUGE difference between them and stock. The only thing I dislike about the HPS 5.0 is that there is less "bite" than the stock pads. Guess that's the price you pay for less dust though.

I don't think you'll notice much of a braking performance difference with only rears, looking forward to how the brembos up front work out.

The initial bite is something engineered into OEM pads to make the brakes "feel" stronger than they are. It's isn't linear or appropriate for a performance brake system. I have the 5.0s front and rear and the braking force compared to pedal force is now perfectly linear. That's the way brakes SHOULD perform.

[Rappydog]

Vogz, I seem to recall you mentioning in another thread you prefer the Hawk 5.0 vs Akebono for their ability to retain braking power when they heat up a little. I understand they're not track brakes, but maybe good for weekend fun, which is what I'm looking for. Can you expand upon that?

[amusante]

I'm waiting on my ECS Geomet Slotted front and rear with the HPS 5.0 pads. Really looking for to it

[Vogz]

Vogz, I seem to recall you mentioning in another thread you prefer the Hawk 5.0 vs Akebono for their ability to retain braking power when they heat up a little. I understand they're not track brakes, but maybe good for weekend fun, which is what I'm looking for. Can you expand upon that?

Put simply the Hawk 5.0s are performance pads while the Akebono Ceramics are not. HPS 5.0s have a larger optimal temperature range vs. Akebono ceramics and more resistance to fade. Definitely good for weekend fun. They would be great for autocross and could survive a track day at most tracks. I wouldn't recommend them as a track pad, but I've tracked on OEM pads and the 5.0 is a step up in all areas over OEM.

[Lbsigman]

Put simply the Hawk 5.0s are performance pads while the Akebono Ceramics are not. HPS 5.0s have a larger optimal temperature range vs. Akebono ceramics and more resistance to fade. Definitely good for weekend fun. They would be great for autocross and could survive a track day at most tracks. I wouldn't recommend them as a track pad, but I've tracked on OEM pads and the 5.0 is a step up in all areas over OEM.

I appreciate this feedback as well, and it instils more confidence that I made the right decision in my brake pad choice.

With that said, some may say that doing only the back brakes with the stock front brakes will not yield any difference in braking results, but I am willing to bet you will feel a difference in changing the rear pads. Until I get my front brakes squared away, I am really liking the feel of my new pads and rotors. The car feels much more balanced and much more linear.

[SDV325]

Has anyone had both the Hawk 5.0 and Stoptech Street pads?

Currently on the stoptechs (in the front and OEM rear) and not a huge fan of their performance at times. Would definitely like something that grabs more when needed.

[polynikes]

Curious how the brake dust difference is between the hawk 5.0 vs the Akebono ceramics?

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[Vogz]

Curious how the brake dust difference is between the hawk 5.0 vs the Akebono ceramics?

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The ceramics will have less dust. That said you are comparing two completely different pads. The HPS 5.0s are performance street pads while the Akebono Ceramics are economy street pads.


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[polynikes]

Any idea how the hawk 5.0 compare to ebc red stuff? I currently have the reds and am not the biggest fan, they are not bad but dust too much and don't have a lot of bit. They will stop fine when you lay into them, I just really hate dust rims but compromises must be made, if the Hawks dust about the same but have better initial bite that would be fine.

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[Vogz]

Any idea how the hawk 5.0 compare to ebc red stuff? I currently have the reds and am not the biggest fan, they are not bad but dust too much and don't have a lot of bit. They will stop fine when you lay into them, I just really hate dust rims but compromises must be made, if the Hawks dust about the same but have better initial bite that would be fine.

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I haven't run the reds so I can't compare. I will say that the 5.0s dust less than OEM pads and have fantastic linear braking action.


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[Lbsigman]

Curious how the brake dust difference is between the hawk 5.0 vs the Akebono ceramics?

Sent from my BTV using Audizine mobile app

I have never tried the Akebono pads, so I have nothing to compare to. I will say that in the back, with my HRE wheels, brake dust was clearly visible after a short trip on the freeway, especially in the front. With the Hawk HPS 5.0 pads, I have ZERO dust. I can wipe my fingers on the wheels and I see no dark dust transfer at all. I really love the setup in the rear. I really like how the holes in the rotors are smaller than your typical eBay special and even StopTechs; something about the look and the fact StopTech rotors are made in China really turned me off.

This past weekend, I went and did some canyon carving and the pads did great. Still no dust and no noises. Pedal feels great.

Within the next few weeks, I will be installing my Brembo GT (drilled) kit with Motul 5.1 brake fluid and StopTech SS brake lines in the rear; the Brembo GT kit comes with SS lines for the front only.