I am currently running Akebono EUROŽ Ultra-Premium ceramic brake pads, I like the low/no dust feature of these ceramic pads, but I want a pad which offers more initial 'bite' and stopping power. The system has been bled using both suction and pressure methods, so I am confident all air is out. Plus I've installed stainless flex hoses at all four corners to minimize the bulging of rubber hoses. And I am not interested in upgrading calipers to Brembo or aftermarket alternatives.

I've looked at Hawk, but they don't spec a rear pad for this application.

EBC has both front and rear in various grades. I looking at the Red vs Yellow pads. Anyone have experience with either? Ot maybe another brand someone might wish to suggest another brand pad that grips quicker and has more stopping power?

 

Grodo, you will think I'm cheap, but I put these on my Jeep Laredo and the stopping improved greatly. I will be using them on the XK8 when needed. The investment is not so great is I don't like I can easily replace.

Duralast Gold Semi-Metallic Brake Pads DG1701

The Fronts are DG394, all four corners for under a $100. Might have to order them.
I tried a ceramic but just don't drive hard enough to make them work on any street cars I own.
Your driving conditions may be different, but these gave the Jeep instant pull down and firm pedal.

 

The choice is really only between metallic and organic pad materials. And while metallic pads work well, the sintered metal eats away at the rotor surface faster than organic pads... Which is the main reason they do work so well.

I was all day online w/ a few brake specialty shops. We don't have a large choice among upscale/ performance pads. It actually boiled down to EBC Reds or Yellows; and I decided to go with the Red Stuff. About $200 for a set shipped. I'll post back on this thread my impressions.

I also learned that term ceramic, as it relates to pads, is actually a more of a generic categorization defining them as a non metallic type pad. While ceramics are used in the pad, the principle binding agents in most non asbestos metallic pads are aramid fibers, not ceramics.

 

Your results would be helpful to all of us. Thanks for coming back with your choice.

 

These are the choices I found for NON-TRACK pads for the XK8 NON BREMBO applications. Sometimes I see the designation MY96-98, so there might be a change for cars outside this model range. Also, there are strictly OEM replacement pads from companies like Wagner and other aftermarket suppliers which I chose to ignore.

EBC
Yellowstuff
Front EBC Brakes DP4689/2R $101
Rear EBC Brakes DP41198R $105

Redstuff
Front DP3689/2C $101
Rears DP31198C $105

Akebono
Euro Ceramic Pads Currently Installed
Front Part #: EUR394A $65
Rears Part #: EUR688A $70

Centric
Posi Quiet Semi-Metallic Pads $32 (fronts only?)

Stoptech- (Fronts only?)
Street Pads Part# 308.03940 $57
Sport Pads Part# 309.03940 $85

 

Worth mentioning here that you should pay attention to the specs on the pads you buy. Not all of them that fit the XK8 are the same thickness.

More about that here.

 

I noted that my MY97 pads spec'd fitment for years 96-98? So that very well could be related to the pad thickness. Good find, I mean how many of us would even think about the thickness of a rotor or pad once we found the correct fitment for these parts?

 

Think that is probably DP31198C on the rears for both 97-99 and 00-03. Been looking myself.

 

Yes, you are right. I made the correction to my post to reflect the proper P/N for Red Stuff -Rears
Thx.

 

Even though my application is different as I have an XKR 100 with Brembos, and I made the upgrade for track days. I have found that Yellowstuffs work amazing on the track, and street, and they seem to be fairly clean. FWIW
Bill

 

I've been using the ebc redstuff for many years on other sporty / muscle cars. They have never disappointed me. By my standards, the dust is no issue. I've had them on my '02 XKR for about 36,000 miles. I replaced the rotors when the redstuff pads went on. For anything but a dedicated track car, I think they are about the best I've encountered.

Z