Miata Mailing List: December 1999, Message #411

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Scot Zediker wrote:

> JMHO, but I'm not sure high-performance pads will help
> much on an autocross course.  Most of them seem to
> need some heat to really work well; when cold, they're
> no better than stock pads.  And when you're
> autocrossing, you're not out there for long.  On a
> really cool day, your brakes may not even get warm,
> much less hot.
>

I agree 100% if you are talking about dedicated track pads,
such as Hawk Blues or Porterfield R4 pads.

But there are plenty of pads out there that offer better
performance for the street without needing any warm up
time.

Most OEM pads are a compromise. For example, my
track car is a Integra GS-R. The OEM pads are fine, but
not nearly the initial bite as the Porterfield R4-S pads I
choose to run with.

I don't personally have experience with OEM miata pads,
but I have heard from fellow racers they are better
then average when compared to other OEM pads.

However, many still choose to run with MetalMasters,
Hawk, Porterfield Street, etc...over OEM.

YMMV, but if you are not a hard core racer, Scot's
recommendation of sticking with OEM (they are
not expensive) may be wise.

As for Track events, that is a whole different
ball game. It depends on the track, how hard
you run, and what you want to accomplish. In many
cases OEM and light street pads are fine. In others, you
will need a Race pad to have any chance of not fading,
and when you move to race pads, be prepared to replace
rotors more frequently and such.

cheers,

- b



>
> I just use regular OEM replacements on my car.
>
> Scot
>
> --- Will Erickson <TwinTurboRX7@webtv.net> wrote:
> >      Hello all, I need to replace my brake pads on
> > my 93 (non-abs, if it
> > matters), and I'm curious what the list consensus is
> > for brake pads (my
> > brakes are stock). The car is primarily my daily
> > driver, but I also plan
> > on some autocrossing and track events next year and
> > if I can get better
> > pads than stock without risking destroying the
> > rotors, I'd like to go
> > that route.           Thanks in advance, Will
> >
> >
> >
>
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--
Brian P. Van Lieu
95 Frost GSR Coupe - Philly Region SCCA ST1 #88
92 Sunburst Miata #1035 - Not CS legal anymore <grin>
Visit Tatjana at http://home.eclipse.net/~magnum/miata
Visit GeeSeR at http://integra.vtec.net/geeser

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