For twenty one years now, EBC (European Brake Company) has been the dominant force in motorcycle brakes all over the world with a list of national and world championship winners using EBC products, looking like the who’s who of racing. In 1998 alone EBC Brakes claimed over 50 USA National Championships plus the British 600 Supersport Championship and the World 600cc Supersport title.

Off road EBC continues to dominate with Arena Cross US Champion with Buddy Antunez clinching the title in 1998 using EBC Brakes and World Champion Joel Smets signing up in 1999 for a third successive year with the EBC product, due to its quality and performance.

EBC launched its AUTOMOTIVE range of Kevlar Disc Brake Pads in the late 80’s, and their rise to success in the European market has been nothing less than meteoric.  In the U.S., EBC has just started distribution of their world-famous brake pads. Based on this well founded history of championship winning quality and know-how in disc pad manufacture, Toysport is happy to present another world-class product.

THE PRESENT

“Greenstuff” is the name coined to describe our current sport automotive pad. A high friction Kevlar based organic pad with very low metallic content that comes on strong from first application of the brake pedal, without disc damage or UNSIGHTLY BLACK DUST.

Greenstuff clinched the Ginetta Championship in the UK in 1998, the Formula 600 Championship in both 1997 and 1998, and went on to be spec. on the SEAT Ibiza Rally Car of former world rally champion Roger Clark’s son’s car, Oliver Clark.

“Redstuff”, our semi metallic high performance race material made a flying start in saloon car racing, having clinched the Slick 50 Saloon Car Championship with the Honda of Ian Mitchell in 1997.  Going into the 1999 race season many race teams, including the Porsche 924 Championship cars, the European Citroen Saxo and BMW class racing extensively use the Redstuff.

“Yellowstuff” is the name for EBC’s latest high durability full race formulation, which is currently being used on heavier cars in race use in Europe and debuts in the American racing scene in the year 2000.

TYPICAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

SPORT COMPACT Users Guide to the BRAKE GALAXY

Why Kevlar?

This world famous Dupont fiber is used in bulletproof vests and the space shuttle. I is very expensive but an excellent binding fiber, low abrasive, non-metallic and therefore, cleaner and easier on rotors.  Kevlar fiber is six times as strong as steel when used in a brake pad in matrix form. Kevlar pads are never the cheapest but often the best.

What causes Brake Dust?

As lower cost brake pads wear or carbonize (at temperatures found in braking), dust is released.  Many pad manufacturers use materials that cause dust in their pads.  EBC’s Greenstuff contains NONE of these, hence pads run cleaner.  Plus pads do not surface carbonize until 900-1000°F.  So in normal street use dust is almost entirely eliminated.  Any dust that is generated in performance use is easily wiped/washed away without damage to alloy wheels.

Note, “EBC Greenstuff won the 1999 UK “Autotrade Magazine” INNOVATION AWARD for its clean running, high performance features.”

Brake Fade Explained?

All pads contain some organic (living) materials.  Resins that bind pad compounds together are organic ­petro-chemical products.  As these overheat, the resins revert to gas and cause the pads to “aquaplane” on a gas film, which is called fade. Some pads only fade once or twice and then settle down (Green fade or bedding in fade).  Other, cheaper pads suffer from continual dynamic fade, sometimes at surprisingly low temperatures.

Brake Temperatures?

Temperatures between the pad and disc do not normally exceed 700°F even in heavy street use.  In race use 900-1200°F is common on smaller cars and in Championship Cup race temperatures can shoot up to around 1500°F where discs will glow red or orange.

ALWAYS CHOOSE A PAD ADEQUATE FOR YOUR NEEDS.  NEVER just choose a race compound because you think you’re a hot shot. Many/most race pads need “warm up” and don’t become effective till 350°F.  This is NOT ideal for a stoplight situation in urban traffic.

EBC’s Greenstuff is effective from cold and needs no warm up.  Even so, EBC’s Green feels stronger as you use the brake harder. We call that progressive braking.

Which Rotors to use?

Knowing where rotor castings come from, not just where they are machined is a major problem for consumers.  There is a wide range of qualities on today’s world markets.  Not all are equal.  A good quality cast iron rotor, with or without slots or grooves will work well with EBC’s Greenstuff.  Just don’t try to buy the cheapest or you may end up with a poor brake or a “warped” rotor.

Brake Squeal / Noise?

EBC’s Greenstuff pads exhibit ZERO brake squeal…  period.  If they do, send them back, HOWEVER, when using any pad on a slotted rotor during “bed-in” a purring or aeroplaning noise sometimes occurs.  After 200-300 miles, this will disappear. Do not remove or return pads for this initial use reason.

Pad Lifetime?

On sport compacts up to 3/4 ton and 2.5 liter in street use 10-20,000 miles is common.  It depends a lot on how you drive and slotted rotors will reduce this lifetime.  EBC’s Greenstuff is a sport pad for people who want brake improvement.  If you want a longer lasting pad either upgrade to EBC’s Redstuff or Yellowstuff (a race compound) or give us a call.

Front or Rear pad usage?

EBC’s Greenstuff can be used both front and rear but DO NOT fit to rear unless also using Green on the front to avoid possible rear wheel lockup.

Friction Level Explained

Typical friction levels of original Street pads vary from 0,25 up to 0,35 friction factor.  EBC’s Greenstuff has a  0,46 friction factor and users will in most cases  notice an immediate improvement in braking.  Remember friction level m is only an “indicator” not a guarantee of brake “torque”.  However, many independent tests in Europe have shown EBC’s Greenstuff to be one of the most grippy compounds on the market today.

Rotor Condition - Old or Worn Rotors

Be real careful on this.  Scored rotors can extend bed in times by hundreds of miles, plus braking will be severely reduced during break in. Renew or skim scored rotors, don’t take risks.  EBC’s warranty does not cover use on heavily scored rotors. Reduced contact area of scored rotors will cause fade and can cause loss of brake.  See a professional installer or mechanic for advice.

Servo or Non Servo Systems

If there is one great way to improve your brakes on older Non Servo systems it is to replace them with EBC’s high friction Greenstuff pads.  Be sure the rest of the system is working effectively by brake bleeding,  inspection for rotor condition, and general effectiveness of the hydraulic systems.

Weekend Warriors / Track Days

Many people use the EBC Greenstuff in their street cars and at “Track Days”.   ALWAYS take a spare set of pads, maybe even some EBC’s Reds in case you need to upgrade at the track for longer life, and CHECK YOUR PADS BEFORE THE DRIVE HOME for wear limits.  Replace if less than 1/8" friction material remains on the steel backplate.  EBC’s Red can be used on highways but is less responsive than Green, until warm and will feel more like standard original brakes with a friction level of around 0,32.

Spongy Brakes

Pedal often feels soft for a while after fitting new pads - Allow time for pads to bed in, especially if rotors are scored.  Firmer pedal will return after a period of driving.  Exercise caution during break in, and CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL if brake does not feel firm and responsive after 50-100 miles of CAREFUL driving.

Choosing Ideal EBC Compound Grade

STREET = Always Green
STREET and TRACKDAYS = Green then possibly Red

TRACK USE ONLY (Sport Compacts) = Red

TRACK USE ONLY (Race Cars) = Red or Yellow

Do Grooves or Slots in Rotors Help?

They have several advantages. They break down surface gas films as and when pads overheat, keep surfaces of pads clean and scrape away burnt carbon deposits on pad surface.

Oversize Brakes

If you have $2000 to spend without doubt go for an oversize kit and multi piston caliper. You can never have too much stopping power. Oversize kits can upgrade stopping by 40-50%. Don’t forget though, just by installing EBC’s Greenstuff pads you can upgrade your standard set-up by 25-40% for around $100. Without a doubt there are value for the money and a simple first step to better brakes.

EBC’s Green/Red or Yellow pads are also available for most upgrade after market calipers.

Gold Coated (Zinc Finish & Gold Passivate) Rotors

They look great and prevent corrosion in areas not swept by the pad.  But… Take 600-1000 miles to bed in. Until ALL the gold is removed from the brake surface, stopping power will be poor and you may experience vibration. As the coating wears off, some “streaking” or lines may appear during bed-in.  These will also dis­appear within 300-400 miles. Take this into account when using gold coated rotors.