Hawk Performance Rear Brake Pads Subaru WRX 15-21/Liberty GT 10-14/Forester 13-18/BRZ 12-21, 22+/86 GTS

Hawk Performance Brake Pads

Hawk Performance brake pads are engineered for drivers who expect more from their braking system, whether the vehicle is used for daily driving, spirited road use, supersprints, time attack or dedicated circuit competition. With a broad range of friction compounds designed around different temperature windows, torque characteristics and driving environments, Hawk allows the braking package to be matched closely to the intended use of the vehicle.

Rather than treating every performance application the same, Hawk offers compounds that progressively increase in bite, temperature capability and braking torque. This makes the range suitable for everything from a performance street car requiring low noise and predictable braking through to high-downforce race cars operating at sustained rotor temperatures.

Hawk Performance brake pads are designed for use with conventional iron or metallic brake rotors and are **not compatible with carbon ceramic rotors**. ([Hawk Performance][1])

### Performance Ceramic – Z Compound

Hawk's **Performance Ceramic**, commonly identified by the **Z compound code**, is the street-focused option for drivers wanting an improvement over standard replacement brake pads without introducing the compromises normally associated with more aggressive performance compounds.

The Z compound is designed around quiet operation, low brake dust and consistent friction characteristics, making it particularly well suited to daily-driven performance vehicles, European vehicles with large wheels and vehicles where brake cleanliness is a priority.

Hawk lists an optimal operating temperature range of approximately **100–450°F**, with an operating range extending from approximately **100–650°F**. The compound provides stable friction output while remaining relatively gentle on brake rotors. ([Hawk Performance][1])

**Best suited to:** daily driving, performance street vehicles, modified road cars and drivers prioritising low dust and reduced brake noise.

For customers wanting a clean, refined street pad with improved braking performance over many conventional OEM-style materials, the Z compound is an excellent starting point within the Hawk range.

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### HPS 5.0

**HPS 5.0** takes a significant step toward serious performance driving while remaining designed primarily around street use.

It offers higher braking torque and stronger deceleration characteristics than a typical road pad while retaining smooth pedal response and predictable modulation. This makes HPS 5.0 particularly attractive for modified street cars where additional power, larger wheels, performance tyres or increased vehicle speed have begun to exceed the capability of the original braking package.

Hawk specifies an optimal working range of approximately **100–550°F**, with an operating range extending to approximately **750°F**. The compound is designed to provide strong braking torque while maintaining good pad and rotor wear characteristics. ([Hawk Performance][1])

One of the major benefits of HPS 5.0 is its progressive pedal response. Rather than delivering an abrupt initial hit, the compound allows braking force to be controlled through pedal pressure, making it suitable for performance street cars where drivability remains important.

**Best suited to:** high-performance street cars, tuned vehicles, mountain driving, fast road applications and occasional low-intensity performance use.

For many enthusiast vehicles, HPS 5.0 represents an excellent balance between increased stopping capability and everyday usability.

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### HP+

Moving further toward motorsport use, **Hawk HP+** is a substantially more aggressive friction material developed for drivers who regularly participate in autocross, supersprints, hill climbs and other short-duration performance events.

HP+ uses Hawk's high-performance Ferro-Carbon friction technology and delivers considerably greater braking torque than conventional street compounds. Hawk lists an operating range of approximately **100–800°F**, with an optimal working range of approximately **300–600°F**. ([Hawk Performance][2])

The increased temperature capability and fade resistance make HP+ particularly effective in applications where repeated heavy braking would overwhelm a conventional street pad.

HP+ also provides a noticeable increase in initial bite, giving the driver a more immediate response when the brake pedal is applied. This characteristic is particularly useful during autocross and sprint events where braking zones are short and aggressive.

The trade-off is increased noise, dust and general motorsport behaviour compared with compounds such as Performance Ceramic or HPS 5.0.

**Best suited to:** autocross, supersprints, hill climbs, aggressive weekend driving and vehicles transitioning from street use toward regular motorsport participation.

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## Hawk DTC – Dynamic Torque Control

Hawk's **DTC – Dynamic Torque Control – range** is designed for dedicated motorsport applications.

Unlike street-focused compounds, DTC pads are engineered to operate effectively at the elevated temperatures generated during sustained competition braking. The compounds are differentiated primarily by braking torque, initial bite and operating temperature range.

This allows the braking system to be tuned according to vehicle weight, tyre grip, aero load, brake size and driver preference.

### DTC-30

**DTC-30** is the most approachable of the DTC compounds covered here.

It delivers medium braking torque with particularly smooth and controllable characteristics. Hawk lists an optimal temperature range of approximately **100–800°F** and an operating range extending to approximately **1200°F**. ([Hawk Performance][3])

Unlike more aggressive race compounds that require substantial heat before becoming effective, DTC-30 also provides useful cold effectiveness. This gives it considerable versatility for motorsport environments where brake temperatures fluctuate significantly.

The compound provides smooth engagement, predictable torque development and good release characteristics, allowing the driver to transition cleanly between braking and corner entry.

**Best suited to:** club-level motorsport, lighter race vehicles, rear axle applications, rally, autocross, lower-temperature circuit applications and vehicles requiring a controllable race compound rather than maximum braking torque.

DTC-30 can also be useful when brake balance requires a lower-friction rear compound paired with a stronger front pad.

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### DTC-60

**DTC-60** moves firmly into serious circuit racing territory.

Designed for vehicles generating high deceleration rates, DTC-60 delivers high braking torque while maintaining excellent modulation and release characteristics. Hawk specifies an operating range of approximately **400–1600°F**, with an optimal range of approximately **700–1100°F**. ([Hawk Performance][4])

DTC-60 is particularly well suited to lightweight and medium-weight competition vehicles running high-grip tyres and substantial braking hardware.

Despite its high torque output, Hawk has engineered DTC-60 to provide strong control during brake release. This becomes extremely important during trail braking, where abrupt changes in brake torque can upset vehicle balance during corner entry.

Hawk also notes relatively low abrasive rotor wear for the level of braking performance provided. ([Hawk Performance][4])

**Best suited to:** circuit racing, time attack, GT cars, sports sedans, open-wheel vehicles and high-performance track cars.

DTC-60 can also be paired with DTC-70 in split-compound configurations where different friction levels are required between the front and rear axles. ([Hawk Performance][4])

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### DTC-70

At the upper end of the range sits **DTC-70**, developed for vehicles demanding extremely high braking torque and aggressive initial bite.

DTC-70 is intended for cars capable of very high deceleration rates, including vehicles with substantial tyre grip, aerodynamic downforce and large competition braking systems.

Hawk specifies an operating temperature range of approximately **400–1600°F**, with an optimal range between approximately **800–1200°F**. ([Hawk Performance][5])

Initial bite is considerably more aggressive than DTC-60, allowing the vehicle to generate substantial braking force immediately upon pedal application. Despite this aggressive response, the compound is engineered to retain good modulation and release characteristics once the driver begins reducing pedal pressure.

This makes DTC-70 particularly effective in high-speed circuit environments where braking zones are short, speeds are high and maximum deceleration is required lap after lap.

**Best suited to:** time attack, high-downforce race cars, GT competition, sports sedans, slick-tyre vehicles and dedicated circuit racing.

For vehicles requiring different front-to-rear braking characteristics, Hawk specifically identifies DTC-70 and DTC-60 as compounds that can be combined in split-friction setups. ([Hawk Performance][5])

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### Choosing the Right Hawk Compound

The correct Hawk compound should be selected according to the **actual operating environment of the vehicle**, rather than simply choosing the most aggressive material available.

For predominantly road-driven vehicles, **Performance Ceramic Z** provides the most refined experience, while **HPS 5.0** offers a substantial increase in braking performance without moving fully into motorsport territory.

Drivers participating in occasional competition or short-format events can move toward **HP+**, which provides considerably greater bite and fade resistance.

For dedicated motorsport applications, the DTC family provides progressively greater capability. **DTC-30** prioritises smooth, controllable braking and lower-temperature operation, while **DTC-60** provides high torque for serious circuit applications. **DTC-70** sits above this again, delivering extremely aggressive braking performance for vehicles capable of generating very high deceleration loads.

Selecting the correct compound allows the braking system to work with the vehicle rather than against it, providing the appropriate combination of initial bite, modulation, temperature capability and brake balance for the intended application.

**Important:** Hawk Performance compounds are designed for use with iron/metal brake rotors and should not be used with carbon ceramic rotors. Motorsport compounds may also generate considerably greater noise, dust and heat than street-oriented brake pads and should be selected according to the vehicle's intended use. ([Hawk Performance][2])

[1]: https://www.hawkperformance.com/compounds/street?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Street | Hawk Performance"
[2]: https://www.hawkperformance.com/compounds/motorsports?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Motorsports | Hawk Performance"
[3]: https://www.hawkperformance.com/dtc-30?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DTC-30 | Hawk Performance"
[4]: https://www.hawkperformance.com/dtc-60?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DTC-60 | Hawk Performance"
[5]: https://www.hawkperformance.com/dtc-70?utm_source=chatgpt.com "DTC-70 | Hawk Performance"