I ordered a brake package last year and they gave me Performance Friction Z rated pads instead of Hawk HPS pads (think they are supposed to be about the same ???). Anyway, my brakes sucked really bad. A few weeks ago I was trying to put some heat into my pads thinking that might be the problem, and ended up stopping halfway through the intersection (no one was around, I was in a remote area). So I figured that was it, and ordered Hawk HP+ pads. Before my ABS would never come on except in the rain, now if freaks out and I get rear wheel hop even (new torque arm to blame for that one). Anyway, I dont believe these are the pads they claim they are. They have NO markings on them. Do Performance Friction pads say anything, have any numbers, etc? I mean the old pads were a lot worse than stock.

Thanks!

--Kevin


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'96 Z-28
78k Miles
Toyo RA1 275/45Z17, SLP Coated Headers, SLP Clutch and Flywheel, G2 Coilovers (Bilstein and Eibach), LS1 Driveshaft, G2 PowerPulley, G2 CAI, B&M Ripper, G2 Pedal Covers, TB Airfoil, Borla 3" catback, G2 Panhard Rod (adj. w/ rodends), G2 Subframe Connectors, G2 Enginebay Brace (4 point), G2 Swaybars, Poly Trans Mount, Driver & Passenger Sparco Evo2 Seats, Powerslot Rotors w/ PFC Pads, Stainless Steel Brake lines, ACES SureShift2 Seq. Shift Light, Spohn Torque arm, LCA(rod/poly) and relocation bracket, McEwen White Gauge Faces.
On order: Autopower 'race' rollbar, Spacro 5 point harness, McCord Power Plate cutout, LG Spoiler and stripe, and ScanMasterLT1
Just a few parts away from my ZR-28

 

These sounded like the no name brand pads you could get from like Autozone or Murrays, they state Performance Friction Pads but are just mettalic brake pads, I would go with the brand name pads like Hawk, you are sure to get something with a reputation, anytime you buy some non brand stuff you are just getting the cheapest product with the "Performance" hoax. I hope our new pads are helping you out. I have the stock brakes on my new car and they have room for improvement as well.

 

The weird thing is that they came in a Performance Friction box when they shipped them.

 

I got PFC brakes for my '94 Formula from AutoZone. I didn't get the Z rated versions though. For autocrossing I didn't want a high temperature pad. I've also heard a lot of bad things about the Z rated pad. My normal PFCs are great for autocrossing and street driving. They are dead after a few hard laps on a road course though.

I think you did the right thing getting some Hawk HP+ pads, although I haven't tried them personally.


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Mike Taylor
'94 Formula
Holley cold air, Borla downpipe, Walker UltraFlo catback, BMR STB, BMR PHR, Ground Control coilovers, Bilsteins, 16x9.5 Rikens, Hoosier 275/45/16 A3S03, G2 Torque Arm, Torsen T2R

 

Wow, I had this exact same experience as you did. PF Carbon Metallics (and Z-rated) SUCK.
They Suck, they suck, they suck. I now have Hawk HP+ and I tell you what, I love 'em for autocross. The cold bite is everything the PF's weren't. I can lock my cold brakes up at 90mph (although I wouldn't recommend it, warping and all). For the longest time I thought the Camaro brake system was just crap. but now with these pads I know that PF pads SUCK!
If there was ever was a pad to recommend for auto-x and streeting driving..... HP+'s are it. Well worth the money. I don't have experience with these for extended road course exercises.

so are you saying you have problems with the hawks? I actually still run the PF pads in the rear, not as much bite so it keeps me from having a wheel hop problem.

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'94 Z28 MN6
'93 Vette ZF6
'87 MC SS
'86 Regal

 

I'd agree about the PFC-Z pads, but I've used their "Street" pad and it's very nice on the track and street, and folks use their other pads all the time. It's just the Z pads that are bogus, IMO.

Dave

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1997 LPE 383/n2o Camaro Z28 Convertible
12.39@112.2, 1.76 60' (na) 11.27@124.6, 1.76 60' (n2o)
LT1 Diagnostics, New to Nitrous? Northern California Racing Club

 

I have used and do use the PFC90's and the PFC carbon metallic's and I think they do an adequate job at the road course.

I haven't tried the Hawks yet, but when I upgrade them to the C5 setup I have I will be using the Hawk pad.

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96 Z28 M6-Lots of bolt ons!

Smitty's Speed Shop
My 1996 Z-28

Road Racing Pics

 

Thanks for the responses. Those pads were really worse than stock by quite a bit. Did any of for PFC pads have markings on them? These say nothing and I was wondering if someone ripped me off w/ some cheapo pads.

 

I don't have a set laying around to double-check, but I don't remember *any* of my pads being marked so that you could tell the vendor, or what compound they were.

Dave

 

If I recall, the PF pads had
"PFC XXXXXXXXX"
dot printed on them in white ink. i'm sure after a few days/weeks it faded. XXXXXXXX was just some alphanumeric combination, probably a part number.

 

I've been using the Performance Friction -4 pads all around on a 94 Z28 for about a year and half, with autocrossing, and they work pretty good, but seem to be wearing out. i think i'm gonna try Hawk HPs on the fronts and leave the rears as is for now.

also looking at getting the LS-1 front brakes. I know, i know, i should just step up to Baer or something, but it's more $$

took a ride in friend's 99 SS at the last autox and that thing stops better than mine. dual piston calipers and bigger disks vs. single piston

 

Baer GTP stopping power for a lot less money:

http://www.nashvillespeed.com/Fbody/...s/brakekit.htm



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Owner, Nashville Speed & Performance

1996 Trans Am WS6