does it make a difference if i buy the cheap brake pads or the "Z" rated pads? i paid ~$80 last time i bought pads for the front and i dont even know if it really made that much difference. anyone have any advice on what type or brand of pads to buy. and maybe where to buy them?

 

The Performance Friction "Z-rated" pads are just a brand of pad, like any other. There's no correlation like to z-rated tires or something.

That said, it's a pretty good street pad, as is their "Street" pad (which I liked better). Last I checked they had a lifetime warranty at AutoZone (buy them once, then just bring the old ones and your receipt back for exchange to new ones).

Dave

 

Autozone PFC Carbon's a great on my ride. Fourth set I've bought from them for 4 different Z's. No problems yet

 

I'm wanting to get the "green stuff" They are a kevlar composite. And have a higher coefficient of friction than normal pads. And the best part, since they are Kevlar, the dust isn't black.

 

that'd be nice (the no black brake dust part). so where did you see those?

 

I hvae the EBC green stuff pad. the dust is black, at least it seems black.
They do seem to stop pretty well though.
I have heard good stuff about Hawk pads.

 

I think that may be a little much. But you are right. They withstand heat better, but in the same respect need more heat to create friction.

 

If you are not auto-x 'ing your car or doing road race track events, try to get a pad that doesn't dust as much. I used the NAPA brand CERAMIX pads and they hardly dust at all and are pretty good performers.

I have a set of HP+ Race pads that I put on the fronts for track events only, they are noisey as can be and dust terrible, but oh boy do they grab. First time I put them on, I kept stopping 20 feet short of every stop sign. On the track they just keep working better, the hotter they get, the better they grab.

Yeee Haaa!

Aaron

 

Performance Friction pads are complete crap.
I went through 5 sets on 4 cars before I realized the error in my ways. I now have Hawk HP+ on the Z and HPStreets on the vette. much better than PF. HP+ are awesome pads, although they do dust like crazy and squeal. Even so, I leave them on for street, track, and autocross use.