Brake Pad Choices

I did search the archive and most seem to be oriented towards track and DE events where Pagid proves to be a popular choice. For a street, albeit quite "aggressively" driven vehicle, any suggestions that don't break the bank? I have very good opinions about Mintex Red Box for about $100 for all 4 corners. I have very good experience with PBR Metal Master on my M Coupe for about $110 for all 4 corners. Any other ideas or suggestions? Any opinions on actual use of either of these two? Thanks,

What about the OEM Textar pads?

I don't like the soft feel of them as well as the incredible dusting they leave behind. Leaning towards the Mintex...

I hear the Hawk HPS works pretty good, but I have personal experience.

Pagid are great on the road and track. I use pagid yellow all the time. Not much squeaking, there is dust, but they STOP.

I have used the Mintex "Red Box" pads on most of my cars, they are great for street, almost no dust. I also just put a set of Axis pads on my M5, those are even better, not sure if they make them for P cars.

I use OEM for the street and Pagid Yellow for the track.

I learned that PBR and Axxis are the same thing. I have also found out that Steve Weiner, someone I respect, does not like the Metalmaster pads. Peter Zimmerman said the same thing (negative) about the MMs. Odd, I have them on my M Coupe and that sucker can stop! I am going to give the Mintex Red Box a try and see how it goes. Some new brake lines, fresh ATE Super Blue, new pads and I should be good to go. As is now, I have a "quasi-soft" pedal (air in the lines?) and not much deceleration. Odd thing is that I can invoke the ABS, but for some odd reason, the rate of deceleration feels like a regular school bus. I KNOW Porsche is famous for its braking abilities, just that mine (sat outside for a year before I got it) leaves A LOT to be desired in the braking department. I do have new Azenis RT-615 tires all around and those suckers grip! Thank you all for the suggestions regarding pads and if anyone has any idea as to why I am getting the lackluster braking performance, please let me know.

Wow...I have the Pagid Yellows on right now and agree they stop great and hold up well....but I can play a whole symphony with the proper brake modulation

Lol

Do pads that offer lower dust compromise braking?? If not, which is a recommended pad for spirited street driving? -Keith

Low dust pads are often much more agressive on the rotors (wear out the rotors faster). That's not necessarily a bad thing - on some cars the rotors are cheaper than high-end pads. For example, a set of Pagid track pads for a 951 cost much more than a set of front rotors. Personally, for street driving or beginner track work (first 2 years of track experience) I would stick to low-dust, low-squeal pads. You won't realize the benefit of expensive track pads so why bother, unless your ego forces you to have hard-core stuff. Also, I thought the Metalmaster, Axxis and PBR were all the same thing - made by Repco. I've used them on a fast 951 at the track and they're fine, although not quite as cool-running as Pagid or Hawk.

Squeal is often just a function of pad fitting technique. If you slap some goop, such as Copaslip (or a-n-other high temp product), on the back of the pads before slipping them into the calipers, the squealing is just a memory. Molyslip US Website The goop provides a good flexi bond that holds the pads in place, even as they heat up, stopping them vibrating and squealing when in use. Works on every pad I've ever used - so check it out. i think they might even sell a 'cheap' goop sachet at AutoZone and/or PepBoys... Not sure if it's as good as Copaslip, bt CS can be hard to find in stores in the US. My last tube came from NAPA I think...... Chris.

Does it reduce firmnss or response in the brake pedal?? Any other comments on this type of product? I thought some squeel came from the pad-rotor contact? -Keith

no - doesn't effect the feel at all. Simply stops the pad vibrating in the caliper under braking, and this stops the squeal. Has to be a product that maintains it's consistency at high temperatures, hence the high copper content in this version. Chris.

Now that Copaslip is a tip worth paying for. Thanks.

Anyone know if the rear calipers on a 996 are the same as the 2 piston ones from the 1990-1991 964 series?

The rear calipers on the 996 are 4-piston. On the early 90 964 C2 had 2-piston rear brakes. The C4 and later C2 964 had 4-piston rear brakes. The rear calipers on a 996 are very different than the rear calipers on a 964. The are monoblock (1-piece) construction with different sized pistons on a later rotor and using a different set of brake pads.

Where's the best place to buy the Mintex red box pads?

Thanks 02 Carrera. The person I was asking got confused as the last time I spoke to him about a 911 was when I was considering a 92 964 and did not realize I ended up getting a 996.