• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Good combo?, Powerslot Mustang Rotors + Hawk HPS

  • Thread starter Thread starter hotdog71
  • Start date Start date Mar 26, 2008
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

hotdog71

Member
Dec 8, 2004
427
0
16
Seattle, Eastside
Mar 26, 2008
#1
  • Mar 26, 2008
  • #1
Hi All,

I need to change my Pads and disks very soon they are at or just below 2mm already according to Ford when I had my care serviced a couple of weeks back.

Anyway I wanted to find out if anyone is using Powerslot rotors with Hawk HPS and or what does everyone else recommends?

Thanks
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Mar 27, 2008
#2
  • Mar 27, 2008
  • #2
No personal experience with them. However, ive heard the Powerslots are nice rotors but I have heard some complaints about the Hawk pads.

I replaced my front (only) brakes with Summit Racing cross drilled and slotted rotors ($60/rotor) and used EBC Greenstuff ($70ish) pads. I was really suprised how much improvment there was from just the fronts alone.

If you are looking to save a little $ I would reccomend that setup. The brakes look great, quality is good in my opinion, and they stop well.
 
G

GettinThere

Member
Jul 29, 2005
553
1
19
Central Texas
Mar 27, 2008
#3
  • Mar 27, 2008
  • #3
BurningRubber said:
...I replaced my front (only) brakes with Summit Racing cross drilled and slotted rotors ($60/rotor) and used EBC Greenstuff ($70ish) pads. I was really suprised how much improvment there was from just the fronts alone.

If you are looking to save a little $ I would reccomend that setup. The brakes look great, quality is good in my opinion, and they stop well.
Click to expand...

Do the EBC pads dust much more than stock?
 
J

Jbauer

New Member
Jan 20, 2008
506
0
0
Mar 27, 2008
#4
  • Mar 27, 2008
  • #4
The hawks are THE best. I've never heard anything bad about Hawk pads, one of the few I haven't heard bad things about. I've heard lots of bad things about EBC Mintex, i've used Hawks in everything i own and won't use anything else.
If you must use something other than plain, the powerslots are your best bet. I think you'll be very happy with this combo.
 

hotdog71

Member
Dec 8, 2004
427
0
16
Seattle, Eastside
Mar 27, 2008
#5
  • Mar 27, 2008
  • #5
Thanks for the feedback

I think I am going to try the Powerslot and Hawk pads.

thanks again peps.
 
D

darkside03gt

Member
Feb 19, 2007
851
8
18
Sacramento CA
Mar 27, 2008
#6
  • Mar 27, 2008
  • #6
I have run that setup before and its horrible. I couldnt stop for s*&t with that combo I think it was more the rotors then the pads. I have also run ebc green stuff pads with ecb slotted and dimpled rotors and they were by far the best setup i've ever run they seemed to need a little heat to stop properly though.
 

joshheat25

Member
Nov 8, 2004
871
0
16
Delaware
Mar 27, 2008
#7
  • Mar 27, 2008
  • #7
As far as slotted rotors go all they do is help dissipate the heat! Now there rotor material may be different too, but thats still less surface area. If you want to notice a braking improvement go with the mach 1 brake upgrade kit for 350. Not only does it brake faster but the pedal is firmer b/c of ss brake lines. you get new calipers and a better look behind a 17" or larger wheel. IMO get the mach1 or Cobra brake upgrade kit!
 

AdRock

Member
Nov 13, 2003
521
1
19
South Texas
Mar 28, 2008
#8
  • Mar 28, 2008
  • #8
I would suggest getting the powerslots from this place http://www.frozenrotors.com/ you can also buy the Hawk pads from them. I had some Cryo treated, slotted rotors from them in my last car.

The things that sold me on using them again were:

I was using the Hawk racing pads and even after being on the car almost a year the rotors looked like they had been turned within a week prior.

I was told that the rotors, once treated, are very good against warping. So I did a bunch of panic stops and then hosed them down at the carwash. I did this about 3 times over a month. They steamed like hell but never warped.

They didn't seem to rust as quick as untreated rotors.
 

dlascoskie

New Member
Jun 1, 2006
95
0
0
Mar 28, 2008
#9
  • Mar 28, 2008
  • #9
Not sure if you purchased them yet, but I road race on Powerslots and Hawk pads and love them! First off, let me say that I run the HPS pads on the rear, but up front I run the HP Plus pads. They're an excellent upgrade on the stock pads. However, they're are some downsides to street use. They are very, very sqeaky. They are also very, very dusty. I don't really care about either of those two things, cause I want hooks, not looks. You have to decide for yourself how you will be using them. As for people who did not like their performance......I haven't tried any other pad but stock, so I can't compare them to anything else. That being said, it is imperative that you bed the pads to the rotors correctly, or no pad will stop the way they are intended to. And finally, I recommend at least checking with www.tirerack.com first, to compare prices...they've always been the cheapest that I could find. Good luck.


**PS** I agree that the Cobra or Mach 1 upgrade from http://buyfordracing.com/ is the best bang for the buck. Lines, 2-piston calipers, and pads.......good stuff.
 
J

Jbauer

New Member
Jan 20, 2008
506
0
0
Mar 28, 2008
#10
  • Mar 28, 2008
  • #10
If the stopping was a problem- it was the rotors not the pads. Slotted rotors cut down on surface area- thats less are for your pad to bite. Plain rotors offer the best stopping distance, but slotted look pretty sharp. If stopping power is on the top of your list, get zimmerman brembo or a reputable brands PLAIN rotors.
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Mar 28, 2008
#11
  • Mar 28, 2008
  • #11
use plain brembo blanks. Hawks can be squeaky, but thats do to installer error, not a problem with the pads. they either did not lubricate properly, or they did not bed in properly. now a full porterfield or ferrodo race pad will squeal, will dust, and will not work when cold. but when hot oooo baby.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Mar 28, 2008
#12
  • Mar 28, 2008
  • #12
GettinThere said:
Do the EBC pads dust much more than stock?
Click to expand...

Sorry it took so long to reply but no, they give off VERY minimal dust on my car. That is one of their claims for those pads as well.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,944
224
Massachusetts
Mar 29, 2008
#13
  • Mar 29, 2008
  • #13
joshheat25 said:
As far as slotted rotors go all they do is help dissipate the heat!
Click to expand...


No they don't. Nothing on the rotors surface actually cools the rotor. The main cooling is done internally with the vents. Air is sucked in the backside of the rotor and centrifigal motion flings the air outwards drawing more air in. It's a centrifigal pump.

The slots and drilled holes do not cool. They arent even in the correct orientation to do much.

Drilled holes are for pads which expell gases under high temperatures. These are usually race pads. Very few street cars come with high-performance pads which expel gas (porsche, ferrari, etc)

Slotted rotors help "wipe" off excess brake dust from the surface of the rotor. They just give the dust a channel to escape from. Pads can sometimes create more dist due to the ridges of the slots cutting into the pad on each stroke.

But other than that they do nothing for cooling. The biggest thing for cooling is the mass of the rotor. It's why plain non-drilled rotors offer the best performance overall. They have the most mass, and the most pad swept surface area.

For those of you with 13" Cobra brakes, you will notice that after driving around, if you touch your rotors they will still be very cool (unless you were just stopping from 80MPH+). That's the mass of the rotor spreading the heat all around and cooling it.

I recommend normal Brembo blank rotors. They are cheap, well made and quality rotors. Pads are up to you. I've had hawks and they can be slightly noisy. On a street car i usually say stick with Ford OEM (not motorscraft). They are usually made by PBR on the newer stangs
 
J

Jbauer

New Member
Jan 20, 2008
506
0
0
Mar 29, 2008
#14
  • Mar 29, 2008
  • #14
The man above speaks the troof. Pads today don't need drills or slotts to vent, as a matter of fact, all front rotors for the mustang are vented in the middle.
Slotted will do nothing, slightly better bite when first applied but thats about it and the cons outweigh the pros. drilled will hurt you alot more than it helps you, i say helps because the drills will dissipate heat to an extent, but the track i race at twice a year won't even let you run drilled rotors! they run the risk of cracking. slotted/drilled combo is suicide for your braking distance.
 

BurningRubber

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2004
1,865
24
58
Mar 29, 2008
#15
  • Mar 29, 2008
  • #15
I dont know about it being suicide for breaking distance.

The pedal feel, grip, and feedback was greatly improved by switching my rotors and pads. I used Summit Racing's cross drilled and slotted rotors. They look good and seem to do their job well.

I cannot disagree about the larger brakes offering better cooling abilities, as well as more bite as they have more surface area to grip... but I do feel that a combo like mine is pretty good for stock sized brakes. The best? No... but on a budget it sure made me happy.
 
J

Jbauer

New Member
Jan 20, 2008
506
0
0
Mar 30, 2008
#16
  • Mar 30, 2008
  • #16
Being happy is all that matters.
In all reality, the fact that the rotors and pads are new are what gave you better pedal feel. The 'feel' and grip would be better on plain rotors, but really, if your happy when you look at them, then so what.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,260
17,944
224
Massachusetts
Mar 30, 2008
#17
  • Mar 30, 2008
  • #17
BurningRubber said:
The pedal feel, grip, and feedback was greatly improved by switching my rotors and pads.
Click to expand...


Anytime you change from used rotors and pads to brand new stuff, you are always going to have improved response.

You could take powerslots and hawk pads off and swap on Autozone $20 rotors and $9 pads and the initial biting power will make you beleive you have improved performance.

As the brakes bed in and miles go on them, poor quality parts will begin to show their weaknesses.

Not saying powerslots and hawks aren't poor parts. They are good stuff, but EVERYONE notices improvement after a fresh brake job no matter what they use.
 

hotdog71

Member
Dec 8, 2004
427
0
16
Seattle, Eastside
Mar 30, 2008
#18
  • Mar 30, 2008
  • #18
Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies

I think I am going to go with the Mach1 upgrade since I like the look of the bigger rotors and the red calipers with the pony on them plus think they would offer a little better braking power.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/01bullitt-mach1-brake-conversion.html

I have nothing against the other stuff but I like the look of this set up more.

:SNSign:
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Mar 30, 2008
#19
  • Mar 30, 2008
  • #19
thats the bullitt kit. mach one calipers are black and the same size as cobra and bullitt. also invest in braided stainless brake lines. they are not that expensive, the ones in your kit you see there are rubber.
 
J

Jbauer

New Member
Jan 20, 2008
506
0
0
Mar 30, 2008
#20
  • Mar 30, 2008
  • #20
600 bones, whoo!! thats gonna bite out the charger fund.
Looks nice though.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Need MIL Eliminators?
  • crazyone64
  • May 18, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
163
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech May 21, 2026
GOvert
G
A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
464
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
H
Ongoing Battle With Hydraulic Lifters
  • hailer06
  • Jun 8, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
292
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 9, 2026
Noobz347
G
Expired 2013 Ford Mustang V6 (Grabber Blue) 3:55 gears... Excellent Condition.
  • Grabberblueguy77
  • Nov 19, 2025
  • S197 Mustangs For Sale (2005-14)
Replies
2
Views
468
S197 Mustangs For Sale (2005-14) Mar 11, 2026
Grabberblueguy77
G
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
900
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?