Hawk Performance Brakes for the Mazda RX-7: Which Parts Fit

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

Hawk Performance makes several brake pad compounds that fit the Mazda RX-7, and the right one depends on which generation you own and how you drive it. For a second-generation (FC) or third-generation (FD) car that sees street miles, Hawk HPS or HP Plus is the usual pick; Blue 9012 and DTC-60 are race compounds meant for the track. Below is what fits, what each compound is built to do, and what to replace at the same time.

Which RX-7 Generations the Hawk Parts Cover

The RX-7 ran through three generations in the US market, and the brake parts do not carry across all of them. The parts we stock group into three fitment families:

• 1981-1985 (first generation, FB): a rear pad set in the Blue 9012 race compound. Not every early car left the factory with rear disc brakes, so look at your rear axle before ordering pads.
• 1986-1992 (second generation, FC): front pads in the HB155 family and rear pads in the HB158 family. The HB155 front pad is listed for a wide spread of FC trims, including Base, GXL, GTU, Turbo, 10th Anniversary and Convertible models.
• 1993-1995 (third generation, FD): the same HB155 front pad shape carries over to the FD, including R1, R2 and Touring trims, and the HB158 rear pad is listed through 1995.

Because one front pad shape covers most FC and FD cars, the real decision on an RX-7 is compound, not part number. Always confirm your exact year and trim against the listing: some front pads are listed only for certain suspension packages, such as the HPS 5.0 set we carry for the 1990 GXL with electronic adjustable suspension.

Hawk Compounds Compared

Hawk marks the compound with a letter inside the part number: F is HPS and B is HPS 5.0 in Hawk's own street lineup, and the listings pair N with HP Plus, E with Blue 9012 and G with DTC-60. Here is how Hawk rates each compound's optimal temperature window:

The reason this matters: a pad below its working temperature has less grip. A race compound that only comes alive above several hundred degrees will feel weak on a cold morning commute, while a street compound pushed past its top number on a road course will fade. Match the pad to the hottest your brakes actually get.

HPS: the street default

Hawk describes HPS as delivering 20 to 40 percent more stopping power than standard replacement pads, with less dust, gentle rotor wear and long pad life. For an FC or FD that is driven on the street and occasionally hard on a back road, this is the pad most owners should start with. We carry the Hawk HPS front brake pad set for the 1993-1995 RX-7 and the matching Hawk HPS rear pad set for 1986-1995.

HPS 5.0: more bite, still a street pad

Hawk rates HPS 5.0 for aggressive torque and high deceleration rates, with a slightly wider temperature window than HPS. It suits a modified car or a driver who wants a firmer initial grab without moving to a track compound. See the HPS 5.0 front pad set for the 1990 RX-7 GXL.

HP Plus: street and autocross

HP Plus sits between the street and race lines, with an optimal window of 300-600 F. It has noticeably more bite than HPS, and the tradeoff is more noise and dust. It works well on a car that is driven to autocross events or light track days. Options include the HP Plus front pads for the 1993-1995 RX-7 and HP Plus rear pads for 1986-1995.

Blue 9012 and DTC-60: race only

Hawk lists Blue 9012 as a medium torque race compound with intermediate initial bite, and DTC-60 as a high torque race compound with very low abrasive rotor wear. Both need heat to work and are the wrong choice for a street car. Choose them for a dedicated track car, or swap them in for an event and go back to a street pad afterward. See the Blue 9012 front race pad set, the Blue 9012 rear race pads for the 1981-1985 RX-7 and the DTC-60 front race pads for 1986-1995.

What to Replace at the Same Time

Rotors. New pads bed best against a fresh or freshly machined rotor surface. Hawk's installation guidance calls for machining the rotors and washing and drying them before new pads go in, and it confirms its pads can run on slotted or cross-drilled rotors. For the FD front, we carry the DBA 4000 Series T3 slotted front rotor for the 1993-1996 RX-7. If a rotor is under the minimum thickness stamped on it, replace it rather than machining it. More choices are in our brake rotors collection.

Brake hoses. RX-7s are old cars, and original rubber hoses swell and age. A braided stainless line kit firms up the pedal. The Russell street legal braided brake line kit for the 1986-1992 RX-7 covers the FC. For street use, check that any hose assembly carries the DOT marking: federal standard FMVSS 106 sets labeling and performance requirements for brake hose assemblies, with the stated purpose of reducing brake failures caused by hose rupture.

Fluid and hardware. Flush the fluid whenever you install hoses, and bleed it after hard track use. Use the fluid type printed on your master cylinder cap or listed in the owner's manual. Replace worn clips and pins, and put anti-squeal lube on the pad backs as Hawk recommends. Our brake hardware kits cover the small parts.

Bedding In New Hawk Pads

Bedding lays a thin transfer film of pad material on the rotor so the pad grips against its own material rather than bare iron. Hawk calls this important to getting quality braking over the life of the pad. For street pads, follow the bedding steps on the Hawk instruction sheet in the box: a series of moderate stops that warm the pads, then a few firmer stops, without dragging the brakes or holding the pedal at a stop while the rotors are hot, then let everything cool. For race compounds, use Hawk's motorsport bedding procedure, which is done at higher temperatures.

If you switch from one compound to another, clean or resurface the rotors first. Leftover film from the old pad can cause vibration and uneven bite until it wears off.

How Hard Is the Job?

Pad replacement on an FC or FD is a normal home-garage job: lift the car safely, remove the wheels, remove the pad retaining pins or caliper as the design requires, push the pistons back, and install the new pads and hardware. Rotor replacement adds removing the caliper and bracket. Torque the caliper bolts and lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual. Hose replacement means opening the hydraulic system, so plan on a full bleed. If you are not comfortable bleeding brakes, have a shop do that part.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Hawk pad for a street-driven RX-7?

HPS is the usual choice. It gives more stopping power than standard replacement pads with low dust and gentle rotor wear, and it works from cold.

Do FC and FD RX-7s use the same front brake pad?

The HB155 front pad shape is listed for most 1986-1995 cars, covering both the FC and FD. Some compounds are listed only for certain years or suspension packages, so check the listing for your exact trim.

Can I run Blue 9012 or DTC-60 pads on the street?

They are race compounds that need high temperatures to grip well. On the street they stay cool, feel weak when cold, and are noisier. Use them for track events only.

Is HP Plus too noisy for daily driving?

HP Plus makes more noise and dust than HPS because the compound is more aggressive. Many owners accept that for autocross and track day use, but HPS is the quieter choice for a commuter.

Can Hawk pads run on slotted rotors?

Yes. Hawk confirms its pads can be used with slotted or cross-drilled iron rotors. They are not for carbon ceramic rotors.

Do I need new brake lines when I upgrade pads?

Not always, but on an older RX-7 the original rubber hoses are often aged. Braided lines give a firmer pedal. Choose a kit that carries the DOT marking for street use.

Sources

1. Hawk Performance - Street Compounds - HPS and HPS 5.0 temperature ranges, compound codes F and B
2. Hawk Performance - Motorsports Compounds - DTC-60, Blue 9012 and HP Plus temperature ranges and torque levels
3. Hawk Performance - HPS - 20-40 percent more stopping power, low dust, gentle on rotors
4. Hawk Performance - FAQs - bedding purpose, rotor prep, anti-squeal lube, slotted rotor compatibility
5. JCE Racing - HB155F.580 fitment - 1986-1995 RX-7 trim coverage for the HB155 front pad
6. 49 CFR 571.106 (FMVSS 106), Cornell LII - brake hose labeling and DOT marking requirements