Which pads ??

[random hero]

I need some new front pads for my car but i'm unsure of which to buy. My front calipers are medium blacks and were once on john sims car if that helps. I need to know what cars they would be fitted to as standard so i can order the right ones .

 

[John Sims]

Hi,

Sorry I didn't get back to you from your e-mail. It got a little lost in a vast heap of rubbish trying to encourage me to increase my already magnificent manhood.

Any road up:-

Medium blacks were fitted to 928 S4's, late 250 Turbos and M030 option 944's.

 

[random hero]

Cheers john,and i though it was just me who got that type of emails !!!

 

[333pg333]

What do you use the car for and that will give us a clue as to which ones to recommend?
I'll be first to say that if you track it, PFC's are my current pad of choice, but lots of folk also like Pagids.

 

[appletonn]

I'm also looking for some new pads and, yes, I do intend to track it!

What are PFCs and how do they compare to EBC and Pagid's offerings?

So far when asking around, I seem to be getting totally conflicting advice!!

Thanks
Nick

 

[edh]

Nick

I'm guessing that new pads will improve your pedal travel - seems to make a lot of difference on 944's. Mine always firms up nicely with new pads.

As for pad choice - avoid EBC (IMHO of course [] )

The OE Textar pads are pretty good performers compared with most OE pads & will stand up to some track work. A "cheap" track capable pad is the Mintex 1155 (around £90) - I've got some PFC 97's waiting to go on in the new year - but they are nearly twice the price. Both of these pads will generate lots of corrosive dust - make sure those wheels are well protected []. With your extra power, and sticky tyres, I'd certainly look at getting some extra cooling in there. If you have late (968 style) lower arms at the front, there is a very effective kit that bolts on for around £50

 

[sawood12]

I've got EBC Yellows and although feel pretty comptetent to me but I can't help thinking there must be better perfromers out there given the size of my discs and calipers. I really do think OEM pads are pretty hard to beat for all round performance for a street/odd-trackday car and are often discounted because they are 'standard' (which in Porsche terms is not exactly bad), especially if you've got good fluid. I'm almost inclined to suggest that it is pretty pointless debating the pro's and con's of all the various aftermarket performance pads and invest your money in making sure your calipers and other braking compontents are in top notch nick, and then invest in top notch fluid, like Castrol SRF, and stick with OEM pads and discs. You'll save yourself a hell of alot of brainache and expensive fruitless experimentation trying to suss out the best combination for you and are unlikely to stumble accross it - life is too short. It seems to me the PF pads are the best but offer too many problems for people who use their cars as daily runners. It's were i'm getting to at least.

 

[appletonn]

Edh, my car is a March '91 car, so I guess the air ducts would fit - where do I source them from?

Are you saying that Mintex 1155 pads would 'eat' my wheels - is it the metallic particles in the pads that cause this?

Which Pagids are the ones that combine reasonable cold road performance with better than standard track performance?!

Thanks all
Nick

 

[Hilux]

Performance friction pads arent cheap but they are truly awesome (and I`ve messed around with unservoed systems in cars I`ve built and those cars could really stop believe me) and I rate the PF pads with progressive retardation as among the best I`ve driven.

They build up heat and grip so well you find yourself backing off the brakes as the car slows progressively ie: with a set pedal pressure the car brakes more as they get to work as if you were pressing the pedal harder. Its almost like an unservoed system. The hum from the brakes is fantastic and gets really loud when you brake hard [8D]

Note however they will totally knacker your wheels particularly if you track it as the hot metal melts into the lacquer/powder coating and will not come out and then rusts [&o]

I`m now going down the route of (possibly) standard pads or Mintex for road on my Cup 1`s (as I dont drive like I stole it anymore on the road) and and PF for track on my D90`s. Ultimately I`ll powder coat the Cup 1`s Anthracite so it doesnt show as life`s too short to swap pads all the time.

Edited to say that if you value your lower door and wing paintwork then they arent for you either [&:]

 

[edh]

the air ducts are 968 parts - have a chat to Exeter OPC parts dept for pricing. Best bet is to get a copy of PET (Porsche parts catalogue) & you'll see exactly what I mean

You need the wishbones with the bolt hole to accept the air deflector.

my thread about this is here
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=320297

 

[appletonn]

edh, thanks for the pointer.

Got the PET CD, so will get the details and ring the OPC.

Thanks again
Nick

 

[333pg333]

I'll just add that I had EBC Yellows and thought that was how my car braked. I then got the PFC's at Fen's suggestion, and realized that I had been using substandard equip. for the track. They were ok for the road and didn't require as much cleaning. My intentions were to change them out, but I grew to love the PFC's so much and I do still drive pretty hard on the street, so I just put up with washing my wheels down almost every day. Takes 5 mins and to me the good far outweighs the bad. I've also heard Pagid Blues are a good road/track pad.

 

[Diver944]

Yes the Performance Friction 97's are very good cold and feel like an anchor once they warm up.

They are not a problem with damage as long as you wash the dust off when it's visible, BUT if you allow the dust to get wet it seems to set like concrete and etch it's way into the surface. Perfectly useable as a road pad if you don't mind constant rinsing.

 

[appletonn]

Hmm, so PFs are fine for road use as long as you stay on top of the brake dust/wheel scenario!

Pagid Blues also get a vote.

Need to sort the brakes this next week, as that is the only thing that is letting the car down - otherwise it is fab!

Think I'll ask John at Unit 11 to flush out the old fluid and get some Dot 5 stuff in there as a first step whilst I investigate pads some more! Hopefully the fresh fluid and full bleed will imporve things considerably. I have got one of those 'one man bleeding kits', but on this occasion, I think i just want it sorted..!!



Thanks again
Nick

 

[Guest]

Porterfield are great but a bit difficult to get over here. I use them on mine!

 

[Hilux]

I concur, I nearly bought a 951 with Porterfields and it was absolutely superb, progressive with little noise, good pedal `feel` and good when cold.

I forgot about them (thanks for the prompt) and am looking for alternatives to the PF pads I currently run as they are too aggressive for my road wheels having ruined my old D90`s [&:] so I`m going to use them for track only.

Are the Porterfields wash/wipe off each trip like the PF`s or are they less aggressive.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Hilux

I concur, I nearly bought a 951 with Porterfields and it was absolutely superb, progressive with little noise, good pedal `feel` and good when cold.

I forgot about them (thanks for the prompt) and am looking for alternatives to the PF pads I currently run as they are too aggressive for my road wheels having ruined my old D90`s [&:] so I`m going to use them for track only.

Are the Porterfields wash/wipe off each trip like the PF`s or are they less aggressive.

Paul,

For road usage they do not imprgnate themsleves like some pads. I had some expensive Pagids on before and they were terrible for the wheels and squeeled like piggies!!!

cheers
Tom