EBC Redstuff Ceramic Pads - Review

[Edin430]

Ok, thought I would do a quick review of the new brake set up that I just had fitted.

I done a lot of website searching and looking about all the usual Lotus forums and could only ever find people saying what they had heard about EBC Redstuff, only actually managed to find one or two people who had physically had them on their Lotus and could personally comment on the feel/quality/comparison etc. And even then I don't even think they were talking about the Ceramic pads I have, I think it was the older version they had... But anyway....

Now I know everyone will be different in what set up works for them and I'm sure there are "better" pads out there (Pagids maybe although I've never tried them) but me personally - absolutely LOVE them....!!! So many people mentioned them being very dodgy when they are cold and/or brand new but I've only had them on for 60miles and I honestly can't believe just how good these cars brake From freezing cold in the middle of the night last night they had squashed into my harnesses when I took them for a test. And then they only got better and better more I drove.

I had Mintex 1144's on before and hated them to be perfectly honest. They felt good, but not great. Just a good normal road driving pad. But (and yes I may get flamed but, this car is mostly about the looks for me) the brake dust was horrendous on them.... Brown sh!te coloured dust all over the wheels and impossible to clean off properly on the Exige Y spokes. One drive to the shops and they were covered again, drove me mad! The Redstuff ceramics on the other hand are, well, unbelievable. They have the Mintex bite from COLD and a million times better bite when warm (and by warm I mean 5 mins of driving). And... I'm not exagerating when I say, I went into the garage tonight and after the 60 miles driving and pretty much all day of "testing" my new brakes, there was not a single drop of brake dust to be seen.. Not a bit! Couldnt believe it!

I'm not stupid - I KNOW they will be harsh on my discs. But I don't grudge buying new discs (especially at the extremely good deal that I get them at) and will quite happily sacrafice a few thousand miles of disc wear for the convenience of the lack of brake dust and the sheer quality of these pads.

As for stopping on the road, well I never measured it, but on the way to and from getting them fitted we done a simple test with the Mintex and EBC's and can honestly say the EBC's stopped us in what seemed like a lot shorter distance.... For anyone wondering or about to comment on the difference, the Mintex pads and discs that I had on had around 4 thousand miles on them and obviously the new discs and pads were, well, new obviously..

Another factor i'm sure will be the new brake fluid, although it was the same that was already in it (MMC's Dot4 I believe?) as we flushed it all out and got 2 full bottles of new clean fluid in it. That coupled with the new great looking discs (nice new shiney, multi drilled (porsche style)) and I'm sure this is another reason why the car feels better when stopping, won't deny that for a second!

I did buy myself a big brake caliper set through the US but there was a huge mix up between size, wheel clearance and other issues I wont bore you with but just caused to many problems for what they were worth. I am glad however that this was the case as I really feel like I dont need it now I've changed, perfectly happy with the set up I have, mostly down to the Redstuffs.

Another bonus is I gave the wheels a quick scrub inside and out (even though they are getting re-powdercoated on Thursday) and with the new discs/pads the car looks brand new again.

There are times when I do fall out of love with the Lotus and I have been seriously considering an upgrade (I'm still considering tbh but now not actively looking anymore), but this just goes to show that little changes/tweaks then a nice long drive can make you fall in love with it all over again.

If anyone wants pics etc or if anyone is considering new brakes and wants to feel the difference please say.

Hopefully this may help someone make a decision around buying them in the future rather than reading all, IMHO, the bullsh!t that seems to be on the forums about what people have heard about them.*



L

*I do appreciate some people on here may have tried them and just never mentioned it.... If you disagree please also share, the more opinions the better to be honest

[dezzy]

Lewis, where are you getting your wheels powdercoated? You changing the colour or do they just need re-vamped?

Cheers,
D

[Edin430]

Getting them done at a place called Newlife Tyres in Edinburgh (Duddingstone Business Park).

Powdercoat, including tyres on and off, balance allign etc for £190 all in (which I believe is made up of £150 for powdercoating and £10 per corner for the tyres on and off)... Oh and it's a same day service, drop off at 8am and pick up at 4pm.

I'm going to go with Gloss Black all round rather than Satin. I like the shinier look personally and my spoiler/pods and splitter are going gloss black so should tie in nicely

Lewis

[dezzy]

That's a good price. Would be interested to see photos of them when they're finished. Can't really picture them in gloss black, so would like to see what they look like.

Cheers,
D

[Edin430]

Will get some pictures up when I'm home on Thursday (weather permitting that is!).

L

[gorrie]

Lewis... the EBC pads all have a 'Brake-In' coating, which is the rough pinky/brown colour.
My Yellow Stuff R's had the same & the initial bite & feel during this brake-in period is fantastic. However, during that period you are not going to be down to the proper pad/friction material.
I'd take a guess that you aren't using the ceramic friction material yet (after 60 miles)... so it would be good to hear your thoughts after, say 1000miles... to see how it compares then.

I do concur that my yellow stuffs were brilliant straight after fitting though (as it was using the same coating that you will be using right now)... but that feel/initial bite differed once through the brake-in coating.

I wouldn't be surprised if, even after your bed in period, you still like the pads... I think EBC have come on leaps & bounds since I tried them about 6yrs ago. IIRC, the Red-Stuffs are pitched below the Yellow Stuffs from a performance perspective... so I personally would probably choose yellow over red... but, the yellows do cause powder. I don't think you track your car, so Reds are probably just fine for spirited road use, and less mess to clean off the wheels if that's a concern.

Andy

[mwmackenzie]

Cleaned my car and wheels yesterday, they were spotless!! went to KH and they're black now (Pagid RS14) don't buy them if clean wheels is high on your list....

Gorrie what are the yellows like now?? did you track the car with them on? Do they fade, eat discs and what are they like from cold?

Cheers Mark

[Edin430]

Good point Gorrie.. I'll update once I have done a little bit more running around in them. Never thought about that

Not sure of the comparisons between yellow/red/green/blue but I've heard the yellows are also great, just as you say produce more dust.

Wasn't expecting everyone would see eye-to-eye with the no dust comment but I'm not going to lie and say that I don't care, as I do! I'm a young guy who doesn't track the car and I drive it mostly for pleasure and looks. It was a huge factor when buying the pads as I wanted a pad with as little dust as possible but still something that will stop me as it should. I'm not stupid enough to buy a pad on that factor alone, as brakes are probably the most important thing on the car So I obviously did my research into performance as well

[Modena Scotland]

I am currently using the red in the CR. It is ok but nowhere as good as, say the RS42. Having said this, the discs need skimming so the braking performance should improve after that. If you don't track the car, red should be fine though.

I've used the yellow pads in the 360 but they lasted only 1 TD. I actually called EBC to talk to a rep about it......

[tut]

I have used green, red and yellow, and have the partly used remains of all three in the garage.

Never again.

tut

[Edin430]

Tut/Mass,

Are you guys using the new compound? Which IIRC was introduced beginning of 08...... I think!

I think I'd like to try pagids one day. Or at least feel just how good they are!

[Modena Scotland]

I got the brand new ones towards the end of last year.

Tut annd I track so its a different story from your use.

[Edin430]

Thanks Mass

Still good to know I think for other people who are thinking of getting them! Can base their decision on road and/or track driving.

[Modena Scotland]

Lewis, BTW I do understand your point of less dust. I hate cleaning wheels after runs/TD.

[Andy H]

Bought a set of Eliseparts Ali Bells at Donny, but not pads.

Looked at the usual info availbe and read this post with interest, only to get more confused.

I looked at the Pagid RS42, but having never tried them, can't believe they can be that good to justify the cost ?

Good to meet up with more of the team.

Andy H