so i'm going to replace my front oem pads with new ones from cardinale way mazda's online site http://www.buyourmazdaparts.com/inde...duct_list&c=81

I was curious which ones i should get and what the differences between the two choices are. The parts guy said both would fit my 2004 mt GT, but he didn't know the difference between the two or what constitutes "hard suspension" on #F1Y4-33-23Z.

Anyone know the answer?

 

F1Y4-33-23Z are for cars with the 18" wheels

F1Y2-33-23Z are for base RX-8's with 16" wheels

 

thanks expo. i specifically asked him that, but he said "no difference." what would i do without you guys? haha

 

If i were you i would buy some aftermarket pads and not oem mazda ones. Hawk HPS and Hawk Ceramic Brake Pads are good choices and cheaper than mazda's. Here is some info on the pads http://www.hawkperformance.com/.


Hawk HPS $75 http://raceroots.com/index.php/produ...front-set.html

Hawk Ceramic $90 http://raceroots.com/index.php/produ...front-set.html

 

If he just uses his car as a daily driver and no tracking or autocross, he should just go with the OEM pads. Hawk pads will eat up his rotors more quickly and possibly squeal when cold. OEM pads stop the car very very well. I'm not saying anything people don't already know but he seems to be a noobie.

 

Much less brake dust with hawk ceramics

 

Please do some research.

Hawk HPS Ferro-Compound Features:

Increased stopping power
High friction/torque hot or cold
Gentle on rotors
Extended pad life
Low dust
Virtually noise-free

 

Do you know that it is empirical fact that they are gentler on rotors AND last longer than the stock pads?

What is the price compared to stock pads?

 

Wow, I thought I missed something since 2004, like these were some new Hawk pads I wasn't aware of. But no, they're the same ones that people on this forum and elsewhere (e.g. Tire Rack) were discussing since 2004 or 2005.

They're about $15 more than OEM pads per pair. The Tire Rack owners reports are inconsistent for the highest performing cars (Honda Pilot wouldn't be considered high performing car).

Many recent brake pad threads in addition to the ones from way back in 2004, and you know what? THE SAME TESTIMONIALS. For autocross and tracking, RX8 owners prefer going with HP Plus pads over HPS Street pads. And even comparing HP Plus to OEM for track, preferences are inconsistent. When comparing HPS Street pads to OEM for tracking AND street use, the majority of opinions in threads in this forum prefer OEM.

This is the exact same pattern of opinions as back in 2004-2005 threads.

SaveFerris, try searching for Hawk brake pad threads and brake pad threads in general on this forum. I think you'll come to the same conclusion as I did for myself since back in 2004: OEM pads for street use.

 

oem pads are excellent for street use. they typically last about 30K miles if driven normally. there is a tsb regarding squealing front brakes and can be found here: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-06-1568.pdf

 

I have the hawk hps pads and they work awesome, and well out lasted the oem mazda pads

prices from http://www.finishlineperformance.com

OEM Front Pads $120.95
OEM Rear Pads $54.95
Total 175.90

Prices from Race Roots

Hawk HPS Front $75
Hawk HPS Rear $70
Total $145.00

Hawk Pads $30.90 cheaper

 

Well it's great that the HPS Street pads are working well for you and lasting longer than OEM.

However, your prices on the OEM are not what you can get them for. Rosenthal Mazda (aka finishline performance) does not have the best pricing. Try Mazdatrix.

You can get OEM front pad set for $57 (without hardware) and rear pad set for ~$48. So for four times I've had to change my pads since 2004, I called my local Mazda dealership parts department and asked them to price match Mazdatrix and/or finishlineperformance (their brake pad quoted prices used to be lower). Occasionally they'll ask me to bring a printout as proof of the prices I want them to match.

 

Everyone is entitled to there own opinions

 

Yes, but as you said, it needs to be based on adequate research, not on a list of characteristics that Hawk provides.

 

Yes and many people do like the hawk hps pads and my hawk pads are lasting longer and performing better than the oem pads also less noise

 

wow, this thread really ran away huh? ya, i've been on here for about 2 years so i've seen all the hawk threads. it's just a DD thus my reason for going oem.