Miata Mailing List: April 1998, Message #216

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In a message dated 98-04-01 14:50:05 EST, EricGoforth@compuserve.com writes:

> I need new front pads for my '91.  I can get OEM ones for about $80, high
>  performance Dealer Alternative street/race ones for $65, or Raybestos
>  lifetime ones for $20.  Does anyone KNOW how much worse the Raybestos ones
>  would be than the other two?
>  
Yes!  I tried to save a few buck last year by buying a set of Raybestos for
the front of my Miata.  On the street they were not bad except that they
rattled in the brake calipers because they did not fit tighly.

At a PCA driving school in January they felt very weak when slowing for the
first corner after the main straight.  When I pushed in the peddle it felt
firm but the pads simply did not sweeze the rotors enough. 

After talking to my instructor about this, (he is a SSC Miata driver) he
recomended stock pads up front and any "performance" pad in the rear.  This
will move some of the brake bias to the rear to combat the Miata's tendency to
lock its front wheels.  (which mine has always done)

I have stock pads up front with new slotted rotors and Axxis pads in the rear.
On the street the brakes feel much stronger.  I am going to another PCA school
at the end of April.  I have a lot of confidence in my set up this time
around.

Ken Hill