They have 3 grades. Should I get the cheap one of just get the best?? they also have some top-of-the-line pads that were special order, what about those?? Or, should I just GM brake pads??

Also, when I went into autozone to ask about the brake pads, they asked me if I have the "performance" one's, I said I don't think so. Am I right?? I don't have 1LE so I figured I had just regular 92 Firebird pads.....

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[This message has been edited by 92GTA (edited April 30, 2001).]

 

I can't stand Autozone because the people there are almost as stupid as the people that work at the emissions stations here. I went there this weekend to get a master cylinder for my truck and the guy barely knew what one was and to top it off he was really rude about it. Like I was waking him do what he is getting payed for. If it wasn't $18 then I would have walked out. Anyway back to the brake pads. Personally I perfer to use the GM pads on my cars, even my Cutlass. However the prices at autzone are real cheap and usually the least expensive pads are fine for everyday driving. I used Wagner once and they worked fine. I still have them after three years and they haven't worn out yet.

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82 Firebird with a 2.8

87 Chevy K20 4x4 TBI pickup

71 Olds Cutlass S My ongoing project. Olds
350 with a th350

 

the cheapest ones are really bad as far as their mid priced ones they are comparible with most others but are a little hard on your roters the only ones to use are part# 1554 (unless you have a 1LE car) yes the pricy ones but they are great and they are the last ones you are going to have to pay for anyway right? oh yeah those are the same pads GM and ford both put on the cop cars from the factory

 

the cheap ones suck BAD..had em for a day, nasty braking noises...went with some kragen brakes instead

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1989 Firebird
2.8 v6, t5 swapped in

Ram Hi-po clutch, Cold Air, 1.6 rockers (ready to install), Lakewood LCA's, Lakewood Lift bars, Wonder Bar, 3" y-pipe, Random Tech Cat, 3" I-pipe, Flowmasters, MSd 6a, MSD Coil (Fireball in future) Accel 8.8 wires, MSD Ignition Module, 4th Gen Seats (not front yet)

" I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT run at all ".

 

The cheap Ones, Are those the Semi Metallics, Or are those the better ones ?

I had heard those were good, So last time I just went and asked the guy for their semi metallics. Only been on a month or so But seem To be pretty decent. Lots of Dust tho (



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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver
Reader's ride -> My Ride

Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype

 

So if price was no issue, exactly what pads should I use???

 

I am using a mid grade right now and they suck extremely hard. I get screaching and grinding all the time. I think the brake dusr is building up in them. I haven't tried the expensive ones yet but I am going back to the cheap ones. $17 Canadian and I have never had a prob. I think you shoul dtry the good ones although I heard they were harder on the rotors. Can anyone verify this or shoot it down?

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91 Z28 Camaro
305 TPI
Flowmaster 3" exhaust
700R4 with 2000 Stall and shift kit
One sweet sounding system

 

I find the worst warrenty raybestos brakes I can find. Never buy liftime brakes, the friction matieral is so hard the car won't stop well. The last set I bought were $12 and at that price I don't feel all that bad if I hate them and change soon afterwards.

 

Actually, I think Autozone has three different grades of pads, and to tell you the truth, I haven't had a problem with any of them. This particular application of mine was a '91 B4C Camaro. They have the Albany pads, which are semi metallic, I've found these to work better than the Raybestos Premium Grade pads in my opinion, and they also have the Performance Friction Carbon Metallic, and Z-rated, both of which are very high quality pads. There really is no way to go wrong as long as you do the job right. This is just my $.02 worth.


Sean

Soon to be '91 B4C owner again hopefully.

 

I recently installed the Base PF carbon pads. And have been very pleased with them. very little brake dust and good stoping power.

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Black 90 IROC, L98, A4, 323 gear. SuperRamed 406 in the works!

 

I use autozones *carbon-mettalic all around,they are lifetime warrantied,so they are very hard. the trick is to beardown harder and get them to heat up. they are designed to heat up,so they will stop. it takes a little getting used to.
minimum brake dust and good wear,over two years on rear and pads and rotors still look new!

 

Thanks for all the input. I guess I'll be getting the carbon metallic pads then.

You say that I suppossed to get on them hard when I brake to heat them up??

 

The carbon metallics (they go for $27 at AZ in my area) are great pads. The only thing you might find hairy when you first put them on is the first few blocks of driving. You gotta stand on the brakes (more or less) the first stop sign or 2 to get some heat in them. After that they're absolutely great.
They're on both my cars now... I just changed the Formula's pads over.
The Z rated pads are overkill for a street car and from previous discussions I've had about them aren't well suited for street use. The Albany pads are just cheapies...

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'89 Formula - Thunderchicken - 355 Vette L98/T-5/3.45 9-bolt/black/t-tops - the fun car!
'90 GTA - The GTA - 5.0 LB9/TH700/3.27 9-bolt/black/t-tops/tan leather - the cruiser.