Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes 98 SVT brake pads (E0)

Just curious. Are the 98SVT front pads the same as 98SE pads? I need new pads and was probably going to go with KVR but my second choice is Wagner semi metallic and last is ford as I heard their pads are not that great.

Just in case if the guys at the parts counter has no idea what an SVT is...maybe I can tell him I have something else like a 98SE or a 2000 Cougar..what ever uses the same pads (for the fronts)

Thanks guys (and girls)

Every parts store I have been to has known what an SVT is. They'll give me two choices, pre-5/99 and post-5/99. SE pads and Cougar pads are not the same as E0 pads.

You could always order from a retailer that specializes in Contours...

The best description of the difference in SVT brake pads is found in the BAT catalog. www.batinc.net

Be aware that the 5/99 changeover date is not accurate. It was much earlier. Perhaps as early as 2/98.

I would suggest you take the picture from the BAT catalog with you when you go shopping for pads to make sure you are getting the right ones. You should be able to see enough of the old ones even on the car to tell which one you have. Also the early style pads will nearly touch the hub of the rotor while the late style pads will leave a very noticable gap between the hub and the pad.

I beleive in the E0 brakes, you can use pads from a BMW E36 (not sure 325 or M3) but it will provide a larger swept area

Info courtesy of svtseth

Torquemonster check ur pm's

I'd like to hear more about these BMW pads...just did a search and can't find anything. Sounds like a sweet bang for the buck upgrade!

Since many european cars use ATE calipers it is very likely that there might be some other automaker that uses the same brake pad backing plate with a similar or perhaps even identical caliper. There are some Saab models that use the identical brake pad backing plate, but the clips that are attached to the backing plate that grasp the inner wall of the caliper piston is much smaller. It would take some effort to use the Saab pad and have it properly attach.

Personally, having had some experience around european cars, I would go out of my way to not use their brake pads. Although they tend to provide more initial bite, they wear fast, they wear rotors quickly, and they tend to be noisy.