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Ford Mustang GT 1996-2014: Brake Pad Reviews

If you are interested in upgrading the overall performance of your Pony, don't forget about stopping power. Use this article to help narrow your search for finding the perfect brake kit for your Mustang.

By Neftali Medina - October 9, 2015
Contributors: MustangForums, AutoAnything, American Muscle

This article applies to the Ford Mustang GT (1996-2014).

Everyone is always concerned with making more horsepower, but what about stopping power? There are many different types of brake combinations available for your Mustang. All of which offer different levels of braking power, rotor size and pad lifespan. Higher quality aftermarket brake pads aim to use better compounds, which heat up slower and help increase stopping power. Larger rotors provide a wider stopping surface, and two-piston calipers help prevent brake fatigue. This article highlights four of the most popular brake kits available for your Ford Mustang.

Brake Kits

Prices subject to change based on model year.


Brembo
Hawk Performance
EBC Green
Power Stop
Price
 $1,800 $338 $200 $300
Size

14"/11.8" Rotors

12.4"/11.8" Rotors

12.4"/11.8" Rotors

12.4"/11.8" Rotors
Performance
 Excellent 30-40% Increase 20-25% Increase 20-25% Increase
Lifespan
 60K Miles 60k Miles 60k Miles 60k Miles
Warranty
 2 years limited Lifetime 1 year/10,000 miles 3 year/36,000 miles
Best Quality: Brembo

Best Value: Hawk Performance

Brembo

Price – $1,800

Size – 14"/11.8" Rotors

Performance – Excellent

Pad Life – 60K miles

Warranty – 2 years

If you are a car enthusiast, Brembo should be considered a household name. This brand is synonymous with providing high quality brake kits, along high quality prices. Brembo makes kits for all types of Mustang models, but the one listed here is primarily for the 2007 to 2014 models, which was offered as a factory upgrade. The kit featured 19" wheels, larger 2-piston calipers, and 14" rotors. As this is an OEM upgrade package, it is easily adaptable to Mustangs that didn't come with this equipment originally. Larger rotors offer superior cooling and better sustained performance. Recommended for its reputation.

Hawk

Price – $338

Size – Stock

Performance – 30-40%

Pad Life – 60K miles

Warranty – Limited Lifetime

Hawk HPS are a street-performance brake pad, known to be a step up from the OEM equipment in terms of handling heat and maintaining performance through continued abuse. The trade off is increased noise and additional cost over the OEM brake pads. The kit discussed here includes the brake pads and dimpled rotors. Recommended for its better performance over OEM equipment.

EBC Green

Price – $200

Size – Stock

Performance – 20-25%

Pad Life – 60K miles

Warranty – 1 year/10,000 miles

EBC rotor tech is slightly higher priced than the competition, but if the literature is to be believed, it is money well spent. The included rotors are dimpled and slotted, which offer incredible durability due to the proprietary coating process that EBC uses on their rotors.

The "Greenstuff" brake pads are like the Hawks, a step up above OEM equipment in terms of heat tolerance. The Greenstuff is largely known for being very street friendly, with good manners (low noise) and less dusting than stock. Recommended for its sound and reduced dust.

Power Stop

Price – $300

Size – Stock

Performance – 20-25%

Pad Life – 60K miles

Warranty – 3 years/36,000 miles

Power Stop offers a budget-friendly solution for people who need replacement braking parts for their Mustang. The included rotors are drilled and slotted. The brake pads are not a performance pad, but rather intended directly to be an OEM equipment replacement. If performance is not your ultimate prerogative over pricing, than these may be your solution. Recommended for its price.

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