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For Immediate Release –
May 2006
Beginning with the
start of the 2006 Rally Racing season I've been testing the
EBC
Yellowstuff CERAMICS.
Most may have
heard that EBC pads at one time were considered to be less than
rotor / wear friendly pads, and that they earned a horrible
reputation. Especially EBC Greens which had an issue with leaving
massive pad deposits on the rotors and often caused “warping.”
Two years ago a
new owner, new ideas and many fantastic changes occurred at EBC.
I’ve been working with Andy Freeman - Managing Director Freeman
Automotive / EBC Brakes UK Ltd and CEO of EBC Brakes USA Ltd.
As per my commitment, I test the brake pads in TRUE, RACING
conditions. My goal is to provide feedback on – HONEST
feedback so let's get to it.
EBC Yellowstuff
R's are the "official" brake pad of the "Subaru Challenge" in the
UK. This fact alone has got to say something good about the beating
these pads are capable of. So I've decided to give them a go.
These pads are true full
race spec material and can handle higher temperatures than some
of the other options out there. EBC claims they offer good wear
life, and that the “bite” from cold is GREAT - - not many
true race/track pads can hold that kind of claim. Let's see what
I've come up with....
2002 Subaru WRX Wagon
PGT Rally car Brake set up:
- - OE
Subaru Rotors
- - OE
Subaru Brake Calipers
- - Goodridge
Stainless lines
- - Motul brake
fluid
These
Yellowstuff R pads have seen some very high speed, hard braking tarmac stages were I
really put the brakes to the test right away. Hitting speeds of
130mph and coming to a near stop for the next bend. My brake rotors and pads were literally
smoking - brakes well heated up.
I've found these pads to be
exceptional under extreme temperatures. Hotter they got, the better
they performed!
Braking
ability/Fade Resistance
– I've yet to experience brake fade! Extreme
temperatures, constant left foot braking, let's face it, I have been
nothing short of brutal on these pads. True that in between stages
they do get a chance to cool down a bit, yet on stage, they
performed better and better the hotter that I got them. For me, this
inspired nothing but confidence in the pad, brakes and car setup.
As with the EBC Redstuffs, pedal travel remained just where it
should, there was no extra travel at all. In racing terms, this
means that even though the pads were heating up, the heat was not
getting all the way THROUGH the pads to the point of fading.
Rotors showed zero signs or warping, or wobbling which meant that
the pads were not leaving damaging deposits onto my rotors.
Brake feel
– When cold, I was a bit concerned initially. The pads did not
provide a huge amount of feedback. Yellowstuffs would be decent for
highway travel - but perform better and better with each braking
application, inspiring more confidence. I will agree that this
is one true "track pad" that allows you to drive to the track,
compete, drive home from the track, all in one go and on one set of
pads. But for a daily driven "once in a while track/race" car, I
would still recommend the
EBC Redstuffs. Choose the
Yellowstuffs for your high powered track toy, race car, rally car.
Rotors
– Pads have
been very, very easy on my Rotors. Note that in my rally
classification, I am required to run factory original spec brake
rotors. These rotors can be subject to "warping" and damage with
incorrect applications. I've run 5 full days of racing/testing
at this point -- all ON THE SAME ROTORS without removing them
from the car once. They are still in great shape with not "warped"
feeling or heat stress to be seen.
Brake Dust
– I know you will have doubts, but trust me, there's very minimal dust
from these pads. No more than an OEM brake pad, and about 100x
less than that of the Porterfield R4’s I used previously.
Compared to my
previous pads?
– Again, previously I’d used Porterfield R4’s, and EBC Redstuff
Ceramics.
I’ve never had brake
fade with the Porterfields - yet, unlike the Porterfields,
the EBC Brake pads do NOT score my rotors, they do NOT emit extreme
amounts of dust and and they LAST. Typically, after 2 days rallying, my Porterfields were destroyed – worn to the point of being unsafe.
With EBC Redstuff or Yellowstuff I can run 3... 4.... 5.. full days
of rallying before I need to consider swapping pads. Much better
value and
performance to boot!!
Compared to the EBC Redstuffs -
Very similar comparisons.
Both are rotor friendly, light dust, no noise, and long lasting. The
benefit of the Yellowstuff over the Redstuffs? They can handle
higher temperatures. Although I've never had brake fade with either
compound, the Yellowstuff seem to hold themselves better the hotter
they get! I can feel it in the brake pedal, in the car and the
feedback from the car when under heavy/extreme braking. I
would have absolute confidence on either compound, but for "faster"
more aggressive racing events, you will find me leaning to the
Yellowstuff compound from now on.
In
Conclusion:
I would
recommend these brakes as a "decent" street pad - but most
definitely a full track, rally and race pad.
Street
Application:
You can run these on the street with a fair bit of confidence.
Be certain to follow the included instructions
and bed them in properly. Noise: These pads
come with noise reducing shims, and are surprisingly quiet.
Dust: There will be some, but it's very, very minimal.
Especially for a performance pad.
Value: I
feel these pads are an excellent value for
the money - a real bargain. Front/Rear EBC pads can be found
for ’s less than ˝ what I was paying out for the Porterfields
previously. When comparing them to other similar "performance" pads,
these are, in my opinion, the best value I've found. Again, 5
full race days, same pads, same rotors and I think I am probably
going to use them 1-2 more days before swapping out!
You can learn more about EBC,
download full catalogs/applications by visiting:
EBC's Web Site
STi, WRX, RS,
etc. EBC has replacement pads for
all Subarus!
Please contact
me if you have specific questions regarding EBC Yellowstuffs or
Redstuff Pads
Thanks and have
fun!
Jamie~ |
