"Ceramic" brake pads

[philip_sloper]

In an earlier thread in this section discussing EBC pads & discs, Paul P of Oakham praised the performance of some "ceramic" front pads that he had from Kelvedon Motors (01775 725457).<br><br>Paul was so enthusiastic that I thought I would try them. The pads are Pagid Blue Spot part number E9521 RS4-2, and this is what the Pagid UK distributor says about them:<br><br>“I understand this vehicle (Elan SE) uses a GM caliper, PAGID pad number is E9521.  This pad is manufactured in only 2 PAGID compounds RS4-2 (Blue) and RS19 (Yellow).  Both of these compounds are designed as a full competition pad, but due to a wide operating temperature both can be used successfully on the road but the best results will not be realised unless used on a race circuit.  Out of these 2 compounds RS4-2 will be best suited to your application, the major difference you will notice compared to EBC compounds is a tremendous pedal feel and improved control under heavy braking.  The compound is easily modulated and can be taken to the edge of wheel lock and held there.  However due to much more lengthy development processes, more sophisticated raw materials and much more complex manufacturing process the PAGID product is much more expensive.<br><br>If the initial price does not deter then the difference is vast, but dependent on the temperatures achieved and level of performance required you may not see the full potential.”<br><br>Paul Wilkinson<br>Competition Braking Products<br>Tel: 01748 821500<br>Fax: 01748 829593<br>E-mail: paul@racepads.co.uk <br><br>When he says "if the initial price does not deter" he is referring to a typical price of about £100 for a set of fronts.<br><br>After fitting a set I agree completely with Paul's opinion - they are a big improvement over the EBC Greenstuff that I had fitted before. They deserve serious consideration by anyone wanting to improve their brakes and are worth considering as an alternative to fitting Hi-Spec 4 pot calipers. The only downside so far is that they throw off more dust than the Greenstuff, and I can't comment on their wear rate or trackday performance (Pagid class them as a race pad, so they should perform on a trackday). But on the road their performance is excellant, even when the pads are cold.<br><br>In addition to Kelvedon other possible sources are Performance Braking (01600 713117) and www.motorsportworld.co.uk<br><br>Full credit to Paul for a great find!<br>

[rod]

Just wanted to add a huge thumbs up for Pagid (you *will*find the last much longer than other pads, and oddly they don't appear to wear discs as quick as other pads either - must be some sort of black magic).<br><br>Also a HUGE thumbs up to John and Gill at Performance Braking, they have literally bent over backwards many times to help me out, and their prices are very keen too (they get supplies direct from manufacturers in Germany).  Be prepared for a lengthy phone call with John though, as he will want to be sure he is giving you what is best for your use of the car.

[bunglin]

I too have had this upgrade and have to say that the results are pretty good.<br><br>There is a downside hoever - these pads seem to squeal a lot.  I have yet to take the pads off and treat them to a good dollop of copper slip - however I will be surprised if this cures the problem completely.

[Sy V]

It'll cure the squeel if you put it on the braking surface.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Don't try this at home kids!  

[Paul.P]

I must say, after having these pads fitted for couple of weeks, they started to squeel ( only during mild braking, not under heavy ), but 6 months later, that seems to of gone. You do get quite a bit of brake dust, just a case of washing once a week, & apparantly they wear the same as any other pad.

[bunglin]

"It'll cure the squeel if you put it on the braking surface."<br><br>yeh and instead of braking - i`ll get breaking - does copper slip cure this too  ;D

[Paul.P]

Gary, no idea, you would need to speak to Pat Thomas, but havn't spoken to anybody who thinks original discs give good braking ! :-/

[philip_sloper]

I have not yet experienced any squealing.<br><br>Update 20.2.05<br>Faint squeeling under light braking today.<br><br>8.3.05<br>Gone again

[Paul.P]

How long you had them on Phil ?, mine started to squeke almost immediately, but it has now stopped, have you got the turbo discs as well.<br>Gary, thinking about it, they should fit original discs, whether or not they will improve your braking, i dont know ?

[philip_sloper]

[quote author=Paul.P link=board=suspension;num=1094668951;start=0#9 date=09/27/04 at 12:54:57]How long you had them on Phil ?, mine started to squeak almost immediately, but it has now stopped, have you got the turbo discs as well.<br>[/quote]<br><br>I have had them on about 5 weeks. I already had EBC Turbo Groove discs fitted, so I just changed the pads.

[Mike_H]

 I spoke to the people at Motorsportworld today and they told me that their supplier said that Pagid pad E9521 was now no longer available for the Elan ?<br>    <br>        Mike.<br>

[Paul.P]

Mike, spoke to Gerald Turner at GST Performance ( lotus specialist ), yesterday, about these pads, & he said he was now stocking them. If you want to give him a ring its 01638 742946, Mob. 07788140750, or try Kelvedon Motors, thats where i got mine originally.

[Mike_H]

I received this Email from Paul Wilkinson today <br><br>Thank you for your interest in PAGID RS Brake Pads, unfortunately we do not retail the pads but sell through a network of distributors.  Although PAGID produce pads in up to 7 different compounds as this is not a particularly popular pad it is only produced in RS19 compound which is a top level endurance racing pad.  If your vehicle is used mainly for normal road use then the RS4-2 compound would be better, which was produced earlier but is no longer part of the production plan.  You may be able to find a set on the shelf of one of our major distributors.  I will give you details of our 4 main distributors based in order of stock quantity held.<br><br> <br><br>Performance Braking – 01600 713117<br><br>Grand Prix Racewear – 01327 855585<br><br>Questmead - 08707 450584<br><br>Motorsport World - 01357 529 291<br><br> <br><br>Retail prices for the 2 compounds<br><br> <br><br>E9521 RS4-2 @ £108.89 + VAT<br><br>E9521 RS19 @ £136.13 + VAT.<br><br>      Mike.

[Mike_H]

      Spoke to Gill at Performance Braking today and she told me the same thing , that Pagid were no longer making the RS4-2 pad anymore. <br>     Anyway she decided to phone Pagid about this and due to popular demand they are going to put this pad back into production . ;D<br>     I think the popular demand was probably just me phoning and Emailing every distributer that I could think of . <br><br>      Mike.<br>    

[Paul.P]

Nice one Mike, will have to try that one myself

[philip_sloper]

[quote author=Mike_H link=board=suspension;num=1094668951;start=0#14 date=10/07/04 at 10:49:57]       Spoke to Gill at Performance Braking today and she told me the same thing , that Pagid were no longer making the RS4-2 pad anymore. <br>     Anyway she decided to phone Pagid about this and due to popular demand they are going to put this pad back into production . ;D<br>     I think the popular demand was probably just me phoning and Emailing every distributer that I could think of . <br>[/quote]<br><br><br>Performance Braking now have them back in stock, at £116.06 incl VAT & delivery. Telephone 01600 713117 and ask for Pagid E9521 RS4-2 Blue<br><br>If you are using Greenstuff, and haven't tried these pads then you don't know what you are missing!<br> ???

[TStevens]

These apparently are less hungry when it comes to disc munching than the greenstuff, and work like 'standard' pads when cold, unlike the greenstuff that can leave you out in the middle of a junction  :-[<br><br>Redline Motorsport also stock these, as well as the Ferodo equiv (which is half the price) 01606 737500

[Avonvilla]

Fitted some today with the standard discs and a general clean up and bleed. I'm only bedding them in but it feels so much better, some may be down to the service but i think a lot is the pads, impressed so far, cant wait till there bedded a bit  :)

[Paul.P]

Let us know Steve, what there like when bedded in, will be interested to know if they make significant difference with standard discs ?