SILVERWATER, Australia — Having led the market in producing high quality brake rotors for decades, Disc Brake Australia (DBA) more recently has also become synonymous with OE-replacement and performance brake pads. In this article the company examines the current Performance pads range offered by DBA, before looking at the latest addition to its offering – RACE PERFORMANCE – a high-end track pad for the most demanding of applications.
As with its brake rotor program and setting DBA apart from other players in the market, the company has created an easy to understand, somewhat self-explaining system of product tiers, being STREET PERFORMANCE and XTREME PERFORMANCE. (For completeness’ sake one should also mention the STREET SERIES line of pads, which sits underneath the Performance range and offers an OE-replacement option for virtually every vehicle in the Australian market.)
Across its entire range, DBA is committed to offering the best possible pad design, including friction material, to best deliver the required performance properties.
Here is a look at the different brake pads offered:
STREET PERFORMANCE is the entry level to DBA’s range of performance pads. They are aimed at drivers seeking notably improved braking characteristics over traditional OE brake pads. Forming the next step up, they were developed to provide an immediate and effective friction response to pedal application, exclusively using a semi-metallic formulation. Like their Street Series counterparts, they feature application-specific NVH shims, slots and chamfers for less vibration and noise. They also undergo thermal scorching for extra durability.
Next level up is XTREME PERFORMANCE. These pads are recommended for drivers seeking high initial bite and friction consistency from low to high temperatures. The range is best suited for heavy duty applications, where higher friction levels are required to safely brake under extreme conditions. Exclusively using a semi-metallic carbon fibre composition, these pads are likewise scorched for extra durability and feature application-specific slots and shims.
Finally, RACE PERFORMANCE is the new kid on the block, aimed at the track, sprint and circuit racing, where temperatures consistently reach 350ºC or higher. The friction material is enhanced with carbon fibre for high strength and offers stable, prolonged performance at extreme temperatures.
With a limited application release and available through selected dealers only, this high-end, high-performance pad will withstand the most gruelling race situations. Due to its temperature requirements as well as its ‘bite characteristics’ it is not suitable for street driving.
An interesting and rather helpful feature is that the signature colours of DBA’s performance brake pads (Street Performance = green, Xtreme Performance = orange, and Race Performance = red) align with the THGP paint markings on DBA’s 4000 Series and 5000 Series performance rotors. It is recommended to choose the DBA performance brake pad matching the respective rotor paint marking equivalent to the temperature threshold of your driving style.
For more information on the colour coding of our THGP paint markings please click here.
All DBA brake pads have been designed from the ground up as the perfect match with DBA’s long-established and trusted range of brake rotors, providing the same level of quality, performance and safety.
The exhaustive pads range covers over 95% of vehicles on Australian roads and offers options to suit all driving needs, from daily drivers to four-wheel drives and days out on the track. As a result, DBA is able to offer a pad and rotor combination to suit driving needs.
