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Manufacturer: Hawk Performance - http://hawkperformance.com

Product: HPS Brake Pads

MSRP: $55 for front, $45 for rear ($100 total - your application may vary)

Quick Rating: 5 out of 5 (Highly recommended)

"Hawk Performance HPS pads offer 20-40% more stopping power and higher resistance to brake fade than most Original Equipment or standard replacement pads. This makes them more responsive and durable than most standard original brakes and makes Hawk Performance HPS pads the first… and least expensive…way to increase the stopping power of cars and light trucks."

Lots more detailed information in the full post..

Hawk Performance is best summarized by their slogan - "race proven, street legal." Hawk brake pads are used by such racing organizations as NASCAR, CART, NHRA, and SCCA. This company has humble roots, however. Before they were a common name in international motorsports, they were a common name in grassroots autocross racing.

This heritage is the inspiration for such brake pads as the Hawk HPS and HP+. First, let me distinguish the difference between these two, since they are often confused. The HPS model is intended for both daily driving and light track use. There is minimal brake dust and noise, and the pads have excellent life while being gentle on rotors. The HP Plus, on the other hand, are intended for the serious racer, who doesn't mind quite a bit of brake dust and noise. These pads are branded as "autocross pads," so keep that in mind.

Personally, I decided to start off with the Hawk HPS line of pads for all four corners. Simply remove the bottom bolt of the caliper and swing it upwards, leaving the brake pads exposed.

As you're putting in your new brake pads, be sure to lubricate them with some sort of "brake lube" for any metal to metal contact. This will make the brake pads bed in better, and eliminate any rubbing noise.

Bolt the caliper back together, bleed the brake lines wherever you changed out the pads, and you're ready to break them in. Here are the exact instructions that Hawk recommends:

1. After installing new brake pads, make 6 to 10 stops from approximately 30-35 mph applying moderate pressure
2. Make an additional 2 to 3 hard stops from approximately 40 to 45 mph
3. Do not drag brakes!
4. Allow 15 minutes for brake system to cool down
5. After step 4 your new pads are ready for use

Although not mentioned by Hawk, I recommend finding a seculded back road for the bedding process, since it could be dangerous to other motorists by doing this process on a mainstream public road.

Even while bedding the new pads, I could immediately tell a huge difference over OE brake pads. The stopping power came hard and fast. Bleeding the brakes made the brake pedal extra sensitive, which added a nice touch to the new parts installed.

I would recommend these brake pads for anyone who autocrosses or just likes the occasional spirited drive. They are virtually silent, give off little to no brake dust, and have worn wonderfully so far, through many autocrosses. Speaking of racing, these pads (combined with the Brembo blanks) allow me to dive much deeper into turns, and therefore shaving bits and pieces of time at every corner. Next to tires, I would have to say that brake setups are the most crucial part to a car's success out on the course.