Part or Product:
Hawk HPS and Ferodo DS2500

Vehicle Used:
MY06 WRX
Relevant parts: SS lines, DBA 4000 slotted rotors, AP Racing 5.1 fluid

Rating:
5/5

Overall Thoughts:
I think the DS2500 is designed to straddle the line between street behaviour and track durability and suitability. From their PR, the ideal operating temp is approx 1000F. Friction coefficient is 0.5. These were recommended to me after I over heated the Hawk HPS. Actually, these were recommended to me by the vendor and I failed to listen to him. Learned my lesson.

The packaging is race-oriented. It describes details for bedding the pads based on race environments. There are no low pad warning clips as on the HPS pads.

I only installed the Ferodos on the front. The rears remained HPS.

Immediate, after the install and even before the bedding in process, the pedal feel was much firmer. In fact, I would say this switch of pad from HPS to DS2500 made a bigger difference in pedal feel than switching to SS lines. I couldn't believe it as I didn't expect that kind of difference. The initial bite was much quicker than the HPS. This brake pedal feel difference is real. After I switched back to HPS pads in the front after track day, the pedal felt much softer and the initial bite was softer.

It was difficult to judge braking performance as far as stopping distance goes. I was not able to compare the pads based on the same track. I used the HPS on Dunnville's track and the Ferodos at TMP. There was fade and overheated HPS pads at Dunnville. I did not notice any fade with the Ferodo's at TMP. I changed my driving style between the two track days so it's difficult to really compare; earlier braking at TMP but I suspect I was carrying faster corning speeds and finding the line easier. At Dunnville, I was fighting understeer as I was braking too late.

As for dust, yes, there's dust. I don't think it's any worse than HPS pads.

As for noise, there was some squealing at very very slow speeds; such as rolling gently to a complete stop. But nothing really annoying.

Pricey. But worth it.

Additional Comments:

For individuals who use their car as a daily driver and would like to take the same car to the track, but don't like switching out pads for track day, I would recommend going with the Ferodo's, particularly for the front pads of a WRX. They improved pedal feel tremendously as well as the initial bite and resisted fade much better than the HPS. I'm still dumb-founded by how much they affected the brake pedal feel. The HPS is a great street pad but not a good track pad (as they do not recommend using them for the track). However, with the WRX's weight and balance, the HPS are ok in the back but not the front on track days.