The Hawk HB249N.575 is a front pad set in the brand's HP Plus (HP+) compound, sized to the 0.575-inch thickness in its part number and sold for 1998-2002 Camaro and Firebird applications. Some race pads are designed for maximum performance at lower optimal operating temperatures, and Hawk's HPX and HP+ fall into this category. That means the pad can bite on a street car at autocross or track-day pace without needing race-level heat first. Owners on user forums say the HP+ did not fade in cases where the HPS street pad did, which is the main reason to pay more than a generic replacement pad for repeated hard stops.
Confirm fitment before ordering, because listings show different year and engine coverage for these pads. Bedding is required before hard use. The manufacturer's procedure starts with six to ten moderate-pressure stops from roughly 30 to 35 mph, then two or three harder stops from 40 to 45 mph, followed by about 15 minutes of cooling. Used rotors need to be cleaned with fine sandpaper or steel wool and rinsed before bedding. Long-tail searches for this part include "HP Plus front brake pads 98-02 Camaro Z28," "Firebird autocross brake pads," "Hawk HP+ bedding procedure," and "HB249N.575 vs HPS."
Owners on user forums report that the stock shims may not fit these pads, and some owners removed the shims from their sets.
Yes. The manufacturer says the pads must be bedded in against the rotors they will use. Do not drag the brakes during the break-in, avoid badly worn or damaged rotors, and let the system cool fully before racing.
Fitment listings vary across year and engine combinations for the 1998-2002 Camaro and Firebird, so check your exact vehicle with the manufacturer before ordering.
Front pad replacement is a common DIY job, but I could not confirm the install difficulty rating or caliper torque specifications from the manufacturer's documentation, so follow your factory service manual for those values. After installing, seat the pads and apply the pedal a few times before driving. Then perform the manufacturer's bed-in sequence: moderate stops from 30 to 35 mph, harder stops from 40 to 45 mph, no dragging, and a 15-minute cool-down. Owners on user forums warn that stock shims may not fit, so check the fit before reusing them.
