Brake Pads
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
Likes: 1,080
From: Under an IS F since 2008
FYI for All...
I don't know about you guys, but I have yet to see aftermarket brake pads that work better than the OEM pads. I know the OEM pads dust more than most like, but I'll take that if superior stopping power comes as part of the package. Our cars come with great brakes from the factory and most of the pads recommended for OEM replacement, including Hawk and Project Mu, are inferior to the OEM pads in terms of stopping power and initial bite.
But the Carbotech 1521's have a fitment problem.. They are "close" to OEM, but not quite..
On ALL 8 of my backing plates the pucks were in different places by 1-3 mm's
Till this day I doubt they fixed the issue. I gave them multiple chances to have the puck placement & size EXACTLY like OEM.
But they said they "could not do it at this time.." (almost 1.5 years ago)
- The OEM pads are spot on fitment, good daily street performance & light track duty.. But major dusting problem.
- My Project Mu pads also have spot on fitment, good for daily street driving.. Major dusting is NOT a problem.
BUT, I would not use the Project Mu street pads on the track what so ever..!!!
They do however offer proper race compounds as well.
~ Joe Z
- The OEM pads are spot on fitment, good daily street performance & light track duty.. But major dusting problem.
- My Project Mu pads also have spot on fitment, good for daily street driving.. Major dusting is NOT a problem.
BUT, I would not use the Project Mu street pads on the track what so ever..!!!
They do however offer proper race compounds as well.
~ Joe Z
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: va
I just ordered my Project Mu's today from Robert @ MVP Motorsports to go with the Raybestos front rotors I ordered from Rockauto. Should have them installed mid week next week. Looking forward to the results.
I just ordered the pads Sarge was referring to for 83.28 on advanced auto parts website, they offer 15% off on them if you enter the code MA101.
Can't wait to put them on all four corners, just rolled 30k miles today.
Can't wait to put them on all four corners, just rolled 30k miles today.
I just ordered the StopTech Street Pads for my IS-F...I recently put them on my Supra TT and they have a pretty good feel and initial bite. They are the pads that come with their big brake kits, and are approved for LIGHT track use also. Once I put them on, I'll provide some feedback...Darshana S...
I also just ordered a set of these... came out to $90 shipped after taxes. Thanks Sarge for the review on those...killer price! Lets just hope they live up to your review! lol
No problem. I know you will be impressed just the the Corvette guy that threw away his Hawk pads after using these. After a couple of days feel the diffrence in the rotor surface also.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Having had my Project Mu's for a year now, I am sad to say that they were disappointing. So I'm looking at alternatives, predominantly the StopTech pads.
While they don't squeal like the OEM pads, they are still prone to squealing under light pedal pressure. When the temperature is cold (winter) it does not squeal. But now that the temperatures have warmed up a bit, they squeal intermittently, and it drives me nuts. Surely, they dust way less than OEM which I really like, but stopping power is definitely less than stock.
I also have a crack in one of the pads, as told to me by my Lexus SA, which is extremely disappointing. I asked him if it needed replacement, he said not yet, but that is still unacceptable. I don't track the car, I'm not overly aggressive in my driving style so I don't know why that would happen.
I also get once in a blue moon this terrible random shuddering with the brakes with metal grinding noise, through the last year, this has happened 3 times, and I think it might have to do with the cracked pad.
Needless to say, Project Mu is not getting my business again.
If anyone has feedback on the StopTech pads that would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
While they don't squeal like the OEM pads, they are still prone to squealing under light pedal pressure. When the temperature is cold (winter) it does not squeal. But now that the temperatures have warmed up a bit, they squeal intermittently, and it drives me nuts. Surely, they dust way less than OEM which I really like, but stopping power is definitely less than stock.
I also have a crack in one of the pads, as told to me by my Lexus SA, which is extremely disappointing. I asked him if it needed replacement, he said not yet, but that is still unacceptable. I don't track the car, I'm not overly aggressive in my driving style so I don't know why that would happen.
I also get once in a blue moon this terrible random shuddering with the brakes with metal grinding noise, through the last year, this has happened 3 times, and I think it might have to do with the cracked pad.
Needless to say, Project Mu is not getting my business again.
If anyone has feedback on the StopTech pads that would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
I took off my StopTech and went with OEM. Stick with OEM and as for bonus, it has slightly less dust.
Having had my Project Mu's for a year now, I am sad to say that they were disappointing. So I'm looking at alternatives, predominantly the StopTech pads.
While they don't squeal like the OEM pads, they are still prone to squealing under light pedal pressure. When the temperature is cold (winter) it does not squeal. But now that the temperatures have warmed up a bit, they squeal intermittently, and it drives me nuts. Surely, they dust way less than OEM which I really like, but stopping power is definitely less than stock.
I also have a crack in one of the pads, as told to me by my Lexus SA, which is extremely disappointing. I asked him if it needed replacement, he said not yet, but that is still unacceptable. I don't track the car, I'm not overly aggressive in my driving style so I don't know why that would happen.
I also get once in a blue moon this terrible random shuddering with the brakes with metal grinding noise, through the last year, this has happened 3 times, and I think it might have to do with the cracked pad.
Needless to say, Project Mu is not getting my business again.
If anyone has feedback on the StopTech pads that would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
While they don't squeal like the OEM pads, they are still prone to squealing under light pedal pressure. When the temperature is cold (winter) it does not squeal. But now that the temperatures have warmed up a bit, they squeal intermittently, and it drives me nuts. Surely, they dust way less than OEM which I really like, but stopping power is definitely less than stock.
I also have a crack in one of the pads, as told to me by my Lexus SA, which is extremely disappointing. I asked him if it needed replacement, he said not yet, but that is still unacceptable. I don't track the car, I'm not overly aggressive in my driving style so I don't know why that would happen.
I also get once in a blue moon this terrible random shuddering with the brakes with metal grinding noise, through the last year, this has happened 3 times, and I think it might have to do with the cracked pad.
Needless to say, Project Mu is not getting my business again.
If anyone has feedback on the StopTech pads that would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 7
From: VA
Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for Carbotech. I've had them on my car for 11k miles now and experience very, verY, veRY, vERY, VERY low dusting and great break feel and modulation. Mike's one of the good guys for sure! Did I say I like the low dusting?
I'm looking for very low dust and willing to loose a bit of performance over OEM pads.
All the reviews contradict each other. Some people love Project Mu and now I'm reading this very negative review. Carontech is also getting reviews on opposite ends of the spectrum.
How about we create a poll for some of the pads?