Brake upgrade with EBC pads and braided hoses - will this I improve the brakes significantly?

[BMWZ4MC]

I use EBC Bluestuff pads (which are sold as a "race-only pad" as they're not ECE R90 approved), with braided lines, solid calliper guide bushings and supplementary cooling ducts. I've tried ATE Superblue (and its replacement), as well as Motul 660 and found the ATE fluid stands up better to heavy track use.
I prefer tight, technical tracks (which really test the brakes) and I'm very much the last of the late brakers, yet with this set up I get no fade or loss of braking effort. However, I do find that modulating braking can be difficult when the brakes are really hot and that there is a certain lack of consistency of peddle feel. This doesn't affect braking distances but does reduce my confidence when driving at the limit. Is fixing this worth £4K? I'm still undecided and I'm watching RedUn's Stoptech thread with interest.
Of all my mods, that which most significantly reduced braking distances was fitting coilovers. I think by eliminating pitching under heavy braking, the contact patch of all four tyres contributes more equally to braking, rather than most of the work being done by the front tyres. Of course, being able to carry more speed through the corners helps too.

 

[ga41]

I use EBC Bluestuff pads (which are sold as a "race-only pad" as they're not ECE R90 approved), with braided lines, solid calliper guide bushings and supplementary cooling ducts. I've tried ATE Superblue (and its replacement), as well as Motul 660 and found the ATE fluid stands up better to heavy track use.

I would bet money that the Motul fluid would outperform ATE! Interesting. Will look into that for next time.

 

[Fishy Dave]

Once my health returns I will be fitting Bluestuff NDX all round to my AP equipped car. I've been using Pagid RS29 since the brake swap which have been excellent on track but noisy as hell on the road plus are quite pricey to replace.
Some years back when I raced my Caterham I tried Mintex, Pagid and EBC Yellow Stuff. The EBC were the poorest but lasted forever and I just had to press the brake harder for the same level of retardation (the pad compound is really too hard for such a light car). I had no issues with quality and did like the feel they gave.
As mentioned above the green and yellow stuff are EU road legal, therefore cannot be more than 10% more effective than an oem pad, a stupid law in some ways http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/ece-r90-or-regulation-90-whats-it-all-about/. The Blue Stuff NDX in most sizes is not approved for road use as it has a greater level of friction, that suits me just fine. For the price I paid it's worth a try, I have a trackday at Anglesey at the end of the month and will report back.

 

[ga41]

For the price I paid it's worth a try, I have a trackday at Anglesey at the end of the month and will report back.

Please do. I know a couple here use Bluestuff on their cars but not sure if any are with a BBK.

 

[toplad]

I have experience on EBC redstuff pads and I changed them for performance friction on my M3.
The reasons,
The EBC pads faded quickly, felt just like normal road pads to me.
The brake pads left deposits on the disk and this induced steering wobble under braking, disks and pads where less than 8 months old.
Changed to PF, no steering wobble under braking and I haven't got them to fade yet

Unless your brake lines are faulty you will not notice any difference in the brake feel changing the hoses, I have changed them in the past and consider it a waste of money and could feel zero difference and I'm a very discerning individual
The fluid makes a big difference when you fit some with a a higher boiling point and if installed correctly the peddle will feel firmer

 

[hopz121]

Performance Friction Pads are a great budget pad, if money is no object the Pagid RS29's are amazing.

Braided hoses uprated fluid and new pads and you will get good improvements

 

[VRSteve]

personally EBC is imo.... one of the worst brake manufacturers out their.... they are the dacia of the brake parts world, cheap and cheerful and will let you down at some point.....

Is this speaking from experience or just an opinion?

I speak from experience.
They really are shite.

 

[Fishy Dave]

Whilst I continue to find the Bluestuff NDX excellent for the road and track for the money. Not suggesting they are the best, but for just over 100 pounds ive yet to get them fading, minimal dust, no squeeling and fit my APs perfectly. As mentioned above I believe they have had quality issues in the past.

 

[Beedub]

Dave I'm going to Try a set for the sake of that cost!!

i hope they sweep the hole rotor however.... the AP pads almost seem to over hang the disc slightly and their is no part that isn't touched

 

[afennell]

I would not use yellow ebc pads again, also thought they were dangerous when cold or wet.
When I removed mine the pad had started coming apart with bits missing, there were various other people reporting the same on my old forum!!!!!


Carbotech were amazing in comparison.

 

[bmwaddict]

Interesting, I've used Red Stuff for the last few years with no problems, although they do fade after very hard use, and was going to try Yellow, but may give the Blue Stuff pads a go after what I've read here.

 

[Fishy Dave]

I would not use yellow ebc pads again, also thought they were dangerous when cold or wet.
When I removed mine the pad had started coming apart with bits missing, there were various other people reporting the same on my old forum!!!!!

I used Yellow Stuff for a couple of years when racing Caterhams. Really they were too hard for such a light car, but they didn't come apart. EBC have seen the photo of my rear Blue pads missing the centre of the new BMW discs and have asked for more details as they say there is definitely something not quite right.

 

[afennell]

Unfortunately, I have deleted the pictures on my phone, but if googled seems lots of similar issues.
Carbotech are expensive but transformed the brakes on my old mr2.

 

[wspohn]

I decided to try some Porterfield R4-S on my car as I've used the R4 compound on the track before. I'll try to remember to post on the results.

 

[afennell]

Only heard good feedback about those pads, never used them myself.

 

[wspohn]

Only heard good feedback about those pads, never used them myself.

Kind of a toss up as I've used EBC and Porterfield, the former as a street pad and the latter for race and both served well. Never tried the Porterfield street version, but heard good things about it. We shall see.....