BRAKE PAD POLL:::::Vote Here

[Taka Mizutani]

Brett-
If you have sheathed SS lines from a reputable manufacturer, this is
not an issue. Contrary to what you state, I have not seen those "cheap
made in China" SS lines to which you refer.

Running Aeroquip or Earl's lines with the proper fittings is far
better than any of the "DOT approved" lines, except for the
possibility that you might run into issues should you have a collision
and brake failure. The latest Earl's Aramid/Teflon line has none of
the abrasion issues that SS lines have, can withstand the line
pressures that brakes see and is also much more flexible than SS. That
would be my choice for lines, probably will get them for my car in the
near future.

As for what you say about pedal feel, IMHO, you're flat-out wrong. I
noticed a major improvement going from new OEM lines to SS lines.

If you're getting lines, make certain you get them in the proper
length- there are lengthy threads about this in the archives.

If you get SS lines, you need to replace them every 2 years at the
minimum, every year is ideal, same time as the fluid flush.

Better brake pads in terms of pedal bite may instill more confidence
in the car and also may induce better braking than you would normally
do, depending on the driver. I personally hate "grabby" pads as they
reduce modulation. Because of this, I do not select pads like this for
my cars- hence my Father's complaint that my Porsche-braked car has
lousy brakes, although he never braked hard enough in it to seriously
decelerate, nor has he taken it to the track. He felt that his stock
A4 brakes were better, little did he know.

I don't think we're talking about race pads for street use- I would
not condone this. However, there are plenty of good streetable
high-performance pads out there. These pads will not overheat or
disintegrate in hard driving, but are not really that great for
open-track use. Some suggestions, not in any order:

Pagid 4-2-1 "black"
Hawk HPS
Porterfield R4-S
Carbotech street compound
KVR street compound
Mintex C-tech (the mildest compound- the other two are not very streetable)

I've been running Hawk HPS on several cars and have been very happy
with them, overall. They will not hold up to track days (although I
got 5 days out of the set on the 200, with me  being a relatively slow
driver- died at the Glen, though). Dusting is not too bad, squeal is
not bad, I like the pedal feel and bit characteristics of these pads.
They're also fairly inexpensive- $100 per axle or so, about half of
the price of the Pagid.

Taka