Welcome to the ultimate showdown in automotive safety—ACDelco vs Raybestos brake systems.
In this comparison, I’ll dive deep into their performance, quality, prices, pros, and cons, to answer the million-dollar question: Which brand stops you in your tracks, literally and figuratively, with the best value?
Buckle up, because this brake battle is about to get heated!
ACDelco vs Raybestos – Brand Comparison Table
| ACDelco | Raybestos | |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1902 |
| Made In | mostly in China | mostly in China |
| Founder | William C. Durant | Arthur H. Raymond and Arthur F. Law |
| Parent | General Motors | Brake Parts Inc |
| Overall Quality | great quality when it comes to brake pads & shoes products | high-quality with good friction rating |
ACDelco Gold vs Raybestos Element3 Premium Coated Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Gold and Element3 Premium Coated from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, durability, performance, stopping power and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| ACDelco | Raybestos | |
| Series | Gold | Element3 Premium Coated |
| Material | Cast Iron | High Carbon |
| Coating | Black E-Coat | Grey fusion 4.0 zinc coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Durable and has high-quality manufacturing that ensures smooth operation | Original equipment design, vane configuration, and weight |
| Performance | Provides reliable and consistent performance | Unmatched stopping power, corrosion and rust-resistant finish, reduced brake fade for high performance |
| Price | $19.45 – $343.00 | $19.00 – $307.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
ACDelco Gold Ceramic vs Raybestos E3 Performance Brake Pads Comparison
In the following section, I’m going to compare the most renowned Brake Pads series from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, performance, stopping power, brake dust accumulation and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| ACDelco | Raybestos | |
| Series | Gold Ceramic | E3 Performance |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic, Organic |
| Performance | ACDelco Gold Ceramic Brake Pads excel in performance, delivering superior quietness and durability when compared to semi-metallic alternatives in the market. | Engineered for smooth and quiet operation, these brake pads are designed to outperform stock options. They incorporate EHT Enhanced Hybrid Technology and professional-grade formulations, ensuring optimum performance and reliability for an enhanced braking experience. |
| Price | $17.60 – $155.85 | $14.00 – $53.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24-Month/Unlimited Mile Warranty | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| Dust Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Dust) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
Differences
1. Overall Performance and Quality
From the reviews and takeaways of customers, it’s clear that both ACDelco and Raybestos offer high-quality products with a solid customer base.
Here’s a performance and quality comparison between the two:
ACDelco:
- Users find them reliable, with some having installed hundreds of sets of brake pads without any issues.
- The brake pads come with clip hardware, seat in well, and operate quietly.
- Their Gold rotors are praised for being quiet and smooth, providing excellent stopping power for sudden stops.
- ACDelco Advantage rotors and Gold disc brakes are perceived as high-performing and durable, with customers recommending them for their smooth operation even after 5k miles.
Raybestos:
- Raybestos is recommended by users for their coated rotors and Centric Posi Quiet ceramic pads.
- Users acknowledge the brand’s quality control, despite some concerns after the company’s move overseas.
- The Element3/EHT brake pads are highlighted for their biting power and even performance as they warm up. They have shown good results in different vehicle types, from trucks to small cars.
- The brand is recognized as reliable and reasonably priced.
In conclusion, both ACDelco and Raybestos have their strengths. ACDelco users appreciate the reliability and smooth performance, while Raybestos users value the brand’s range of products and consistency.
2. Rotors and Brake Pads Prices
I’ve gathered some interesting information regarding the brake rotor prices for both brands. You can take a look at them in the table below:
| ACDelco Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | ACDelco Silver Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $6.25 | Raybestos R-Line™ Brake Rotor goes from $14.74 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | ACDelco Genuine GM Parts Front Driver Side Brake Rotor goes for $4,082.84 | Raybestos Specialty Street Performance Slotted 1-Piece Rear Brake Rotor goes for $236.02 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for ACDelco and Raybestos below:
| ACDelco Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | ACDelco Silver Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.12 | Raybestos R-Line Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.49 |
| Most Expensive Pads | ACDelco 171-1254 – Genuine GM Parts Organic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $758.28 | Raybestos Street Performance Specialty Metallic Rear Brake Pads go for $146.86 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
ACDelco
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good all-around performance | ❌ Users report that ACDelco brake pads may produce high amounts of dust |
| ✔ ACDelco offers a range of brake products in three tiers: Advantage, Professional, and GM Original Equipment | |
| ✔ Most of their lineup is relatively affordable |
Raybestos
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ High-quality brake rotors | ❌ Some customers are experiencing noise issues with their pads |
| ✔ Reputable brand in the brake system market | |
| ✔ Durability |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Considering the customer feedback and pros and cons of both brands, it’s a close call.
However, ACDelco seems to get slightly more positive reviews for its consistent performance and excellent stopping power, despite the dust issue.
Raybestos is also great, but has a few noise complaints.
Therefore, I’d declare ACDelco as the better pick overall.
