Dynamic Friction Ultimate Duty Performance pads

[Oldswagon]

Has anyone ever used DFC Ultimate Duty Performance pads? I have limited brake pad choices for my vintage application and these pads seem to be the one of the few options that are more Performance oriented than stock type replacements, which sre mostly semi metallic pads. Hawk also makes an HPS pad that will fit but it is considerably more expensive (more than double the price) and hard to find in stock.

Any feedback on them is appreciated as I have never used Dynamiv Friction products.

 

[Jetronic]

What are the DFC pads made of. Semi-metallic are in itself a performance upgrade over ceramic, which is better than organic. But there's always trade-offs, noise and wear being obvious, but the true performance pads are horrible when stone cold, it's like someone put a brick under the brake pedal at times.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Does EBC make pads for your car? The EBC Ultimax2/Blackstuff pads are awesome

What kind of car is it?

 

[drtyler]

I have them installed on a Toyota truck for the past 15k miles. They perform better than the OE Toyota pads and make lots of dark dust, similar to traditional European pads. I do not have issues with noise, and fitment was fine when installed. They perform well, and I have no complaints. May try Powerstop Z36 next time but suspect that will be a couple years out.

 

[Oldswagon]

The DFC pads are listed as semi-metallic correction: Hybrid

https://www.dynamicfriction.com/details/1983-Ford-Bronco-brake-pads/NDk1OC0yMi0xLTE0MDAtMDA1MC0wMA==

As for EBC brakes, I had forgotten about them and there is some availability. EBC lists Yellowstuff pads or Ultimax pads (listed as organic). The yellow stuff seems to be the only option that is better than a stock style replacement pads. They are also most expensive option, more than the Hawk HPS pads.

I want a good all-around street pad that offers an increase in performance but not sacrifice cold performance and these seemed to fit the bill. This is an old car, so I am looking to improve the braking performance as much as possible with the old stock brake system. These DFC pads look to be a good option to offer increased braking and a reasonable price. But if they aren't that good, I will spend the money to get the Hawks or EBC yellow stuff pads.

 

[The Critic]

I just installed a front set on my 20 Ram 1500. Excellent bite and pedal feel, but as expected, the dust is horrendous.

Probably worse than a 1995 BMW.

Edit: here’s a picture of the wheel about 100 miles after install. Wheels were spotless before install.

 

[Oldswagon]

I have them installed on a Toyota truck for the past 15k miles. They perform better than the OE Toyota pads and make lots of dark dust, similar to traditional European pads. I do not have issues with noise, and fitment was fine when installed. They perform well, and I have no complaints. May try Powerstop Z36 next time but suspect that will be a couple years out.

What pad material are they for your application?

 

[drtyler]

The DFC pads are listed as semi-metallic.

https://www.dynamicfriction.com/details/1983-Ford-Bronco-brake-pads/NDk1OC0yMi0xLTEyMTQtMDA1MC0wMA==

As for EBC brakes, I had forgotten about them and there is some availability. EBC lists Yellowstuff pads or Ultimax pads (listed as organic). The yellow stuff seems to be the only option that is better than a stock style replacement pads. They are also most expensive option, more than the Hawk HPS pads.

I want a good all-around street pad that offers an increase in performance but not sacrifice cold performance and these seemed to fit the bill. This is an old car, so I am looking to improve the braking performance as much as possible with the old stock brake system. These DFC pads look to be a good option to offer increased braking and a reasonable price. But if they aren't that good, I will spend the money to get the Hawks or EBC yellow stuff pads.

Your link is for "Heavy Duty", which are semi-metallic. Your original post is questioning "Ultimate Duty".

Ultimate Duty link: https://www.dynamicfriction.com/details/1983-Ford-Bronco-brake-pads/NDk1OC0yMi0xLTE0MDAtMDA1MC0wMA==

DFC doesn't seem to classify the Ultimate Duty pads based on composition. They state they are for heavy duty use and towing. I'm sure they contain a little bit of everything. They work well, but I would think the semi-metallic pads would also work well.

 

[Oldswagon]

Your link is for "Heavy Duty", which are semi-metallic. Your original post is questioning "Ultimate Duty".

Ultimate Duty link: https://www.dynamicfriction.com/details/1983-Ford-Bronco-brake-pads/NDk1OC0yMi0xLTE0MDAtMDA1MC0wMA==

Thanks, I edited the original link. So, they are actually hybrid not semi-metallic pad material.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The DFC pads are listed as semi-metallic correction: Hybrid

https://www.dynamicfriction.com/details/1983-Ford-Bronco-brake-pads/NDk1OC0yMi0xLTE0MDAtMDA1MC0wMA==

As for EBC brakes, I had forgotten about them and there is some availability. EBC lists Yellowstuff pads or Ultimax pads (listed as organic). The yellow stuff seems to be the only option that is better than a stock style replacement pads. They are also most expensive option, more than the Hawk HPS pads.

I want a good all-around street pad that offers an increase in performance but not sacrifice cold performance and these seemed to fit the bill. This is an old car, so I am looking to improve the braking performance as much as possible with the old stock brake system. These DFC pads look to be a good option to offer increased braking and a reasonable price. But if they aren't that good, I will spend the money to get the Hawks or EBC yellow stuff pads.

Even the cheapest pads are better than whatever was OE on an 83 Bronco, which could've even had asbestos

The EBC Ultimax pads stop very good and feel good too. They are just what you are looking for. You don't have to spend the extra money on the Yellowstuff.

Also, whatever pads you get, pair them with coated rotors, preferably a Geomet-type coating. EBC's rotors are coated, but they are expensive. You can get cheaper coated rotors from Rock Auto or Parts Avatar.

 

[nthach]

My only experience with DFC is a set of four 5000-series pads and Geomet rotors all around on a 2018 Genesis G80 and the same but with their True-Arc shoes + “true machined” drums on a 2006 Fit. They seemed to work, if not remarkable. I would liken them to the “better” parts store(Duralast Gold/Elite, BrakeBest Select, Carquest Blue/Platinum) and “National” brands(Wagner TQ/OEX, Napa AdaptiveOne, Raybestos EHT).

 

[Tkonrr]

The DFC ceramic pads on my 2010 Honda Fit provide quick, silent stops. However, they change my alloy wheels from super clean to filthy looking (tiny black specks everywhere) like shown in post #6 after one week of regular use. The DFC rotors are already mildly warped despite being mounted on perfectly clean wheel hubs and having the lug nuts evenly torqued with a torque wrench. For an older car, these pads will definitely improve your braking performance. They bite great even when cold.

 

[edyvw]

I would say DFC is better than Raybestos.
But, not your top contender. I have their rotors in the back on BMW as that was only rotor that had normal pricing for Brembo set up and finish is not on par Zimmerman or ATE, but they do their job.
I used once their track pads and I set them on fire. I couldn’t do that to other pads.

 

[nthach]

I would say DFC is better than Raybestos.
But, not your top contender. I have their rotors in the back on BMW as that was only rotor that had normal pricing for Brembo set up and finish is not on par Zimmerman or ATE, but they do their job.
I used once their track pads and I set them on fire. I couldn’t do that to other pads.

I think there’s a vast difference between European and American(really, Asian since Centric/DFC work with Chinese/Thai/Korean suppliers. GM uses Mando or Akebono brakes now - Akebono also has Ford and Mopar business. AutoZone does business with Baofeng Brake or Denmark by way of India since MAT Holdings uses Dan-Blok for R&D and their Indian plants to make the actual product. ) brakes on either OEM or aftermarket levels.

Wirh First Brands maybe culling off the Centric and Raybestos brands, things will be different. DFC was founded by Centric people after First Brands bought them out. My experience with DFC “stock” brakes wasn’t anything to write home about, they did feel different in a good way. Nothing to go out of my way for.

 

[Oldswagon]

I just installed a front set on my 20 Ram 1500. Excellent bite and pedal feel, but as expected, the dust is horrendous.

Probably worse than a 1995 BMW.

Edit: here’s a picture of the wheel about 100 miles after install. Wheels were spotless before install.

View attachment 305221

Wow, that is a lot of dust for 100 miles of driving. I am okay with a little dust, but I do have a nice set of Magnum 500 wheels that are primarily chromed steel and I don't want coverd in dust all the time.

Even the cheapest pads are better than whatever was OE on an 83 Bronco, which could've even had asbestos

The EBC Ultimax pads stop very good and feel good too. They are just what you are looking for. You don't have to spend the extra money on the Yellowstuff.

Also, whatever pads you get, pair them with coated rotors, preferably a Geomet-type coating. EBC's rotors are coated, but they are expensive. You can get cheaper coated rotors from Rock Auto or Parts Avatar.

It's actually not an 83 Bronco, I just used that for the parts search as it uses the same pads. Some vendors won't list the correct pads uness I search the Bronco. It’s actually for a Ford Torino, and it does still have some ancient organic pads on it (aftermarket).

I want the best pads I can get as I do at times do some spirited driving and the organic pads are terrible once they get any heat in them. So I am okay paying more for good pads as long as I see a ROI.

I would say DFC is better than Raybestos.
But, not your top contender. I have their rotors in the back on BMW as that was only rotor that had normal pricing for Brembo set up and finish is not on par Zimmerman or ATE, but they do their job.
I used once their track pads and I set them on fire. I couldn’t do that to other pads.

So, how do they compare to EBC yellow stuff or Hawk HPS? These are my only options that are better than OEM replacement type pads. I assume the EBC yellow are probably too much of a track pad for a street car that never sees track use.

 

[The Critic]

Wow, that is a lot of dust for 100 miles of driving. I am okay with a little dust, but I do have a nice set of Magnum 500 wheels that are primarily chromed steel and I don't want coverd in dust all the time.

Dust level may go down after the pads wear-in but I wouldn’t count on it.

Pedal feel and bite are excellent, and so is cold performance. Can’t say that about many performance pads.

 

[Oldswagon]

Dust level may go down after the pads wear-in but I wouldn’t count on it.

Pedal feel and bite are excellent, and so is cold performance. Can’t say that about many performance pads.

So other than the dust, are you happy with the pads? I dont suppose you have used Hawk HPS pads before to know how they would compare?

 

[The Critic]

So other than the dust, are you happy with the pads? I dont suppose you have used Hawk HPS pads before to know how they would compare?

It has only been a few hundred miles so too soon to tell.

Last time I used Hawks was over 15 years ago.

 

[edyvw]

Wow, that is a lot of dust for 100 miles of driving. I am okay with a little dust, but I do have a nice set of Magnum 500 wheels that are primarily chromed steel and I don't want coverd in dust all the time.


It's actually not an 83 Bronco, I just used that for the parts search as it uses the same pads. Some vendors won't list the correct pads uness I search the Bronco. It’s actually for a Ford Torino, and it does still have some ancient organic pads on it (aftermarket).

I want the best pads I can get as I do at times do some spirited driving and the organic pads are terrible once they get any heat in them. So I am okay paying more for good pads as long as I see a ROI.


So, how do they compare to EBC yellow stuff or Hawk HPS? These are my only options that are better than OEM replacement type pads. I assume the EBC yellow are probably too much of a track pad for a street car that never sees track use.

Depends which OE pads. Are they better than Toyota or Honda? Yes. BMW pads or OEM BMW? No.
For track I used yellow pads on street and track. They are mild track pad. Far better than DFC. But I would not use them on street. They need some heat, they dust far more than OEM Euro pads like ATE, Textar etc. but don’t perform as good on street.
If going EBC, I would go Red Stuff or Green Stuff for street.
Hawk is ok. I used their HP+ on track. Never used their street stuff like HPS.
What is vehicle in question? What are your priorities?

 

[Oldswagon]

Depends which OE pads. Are they better than Toyota or Honda? Yes. BMW pads or OEM BMW? No.
For track I used yellow pads on street and track. They are mild track pad. Far better than DFC. But I would not use them on street. They need some heat, they dust far more than OEM Euro pads like ATE, Textar etc. but don’t perform as good on street.
If going EBC, I would go Red Stuff or Green Stuff for street.
Hawk is ok. I used their HP+ on track. Never used their street stuff like HPS.
What is vehicle in question? What are your priorities?

The application is Ford Torino, so the options are very limited. OEM is no longer available and likely not any good anyway. Most replacement pads are semi metallics but there are some heavy duty semi metallic truck/towing/fleet type pads since it uses the same pads as some Ford trucks. I am looking for the best possible brake pads for the factory discs that offer some semblance of performance. I do drive the car in a spirited fashion at times and would like the brakes to be able to keep up with the performance of the rest of the car. Right now the car has an ancient set of organic pads that are absolutely horrible as soon as they get heat in them. So. I am looking to maximize my braking performance for street use only for normal and occasional aggressive street driving. There is no track use.