I've done a search and there's just so many different opinions that it's hard to come to a decision.

I just went through my AC Delco pads on Lordco (local parts store brand) rotors in about a year. (Not sure if that's reasonable or not... but it surprised me.) I was never impressed by them.. my brakes never seemed very "crisp". May not have been the pads though.

I'm looking for a pad that doesn't dust quite so much (it's a royal pain to clean those formula wheels), is quiet, easy on rotors, and is good for some spirited driving. It's my daily driver.

The Performance Friction pads I don't think I want because they need a bit to warm up from what I read.

EBC Greenstuff seems to have a good reputation, but I've read several posts from a couple people who didn't like them and gave some well thought out reasons why, so I think I'll pass on those.

One member on here raves about Stillen pads/rotors, but I haven't heard from many others about them.

Bendix Titaniums seem very well liked. I've only heard a couple of people mention dusting being an issue with them, But they're supposed to stop decently, and be quiet. How are they on rotors?

Does any one have any other recommendations?

 

I run the Bendix brake pads on mine.

Back in the day when I had no idea about my car (3 years ago) I had a local place replace the pads and rotor. The rotors are more than likely cheap ones from a parts store.

They are still in great shape and I have went through 1 set of pads from autozone (no idea), and 2 sets of bendix pads. Rotors and still fine...no noise. They dust of course but it isn't bad.

4 sets of pads in 3 years may sound bad but I never let them get but maybe halfway worn before I change them. Plus I get a nice disocunt at advance anyways. So I change them every so often.

I think before summer is out I'm gonna get a set of calibers...they are 12$ a piece lol. PLUS 20% discount.

 

The Bendix TI pads are very rotor friendly. I've run them for years. AutoCrossing, Hillclimbs and street use. They cover it all. Very little dusting. Great stopping , cold or hot. You can't ask for more out of a pad.

A lot of the top Autocrossers out here run them in the Big Cars.

 

I guess I'll give the Bendix a whirl and see how they go. Does anyone have the part numbers for Bendix Titaniums front and rear for an '89 Formula? I called the local parts store, and the guy wasn't sure which Bendix pads were the Titaniums or not. Also, if anyone has the part numbers for Bendix rotors, that'd be cool too. I wouldn't mind pricing them out in case I need them as well.

 

The Bendix TI std front pad p/n is MKD-154, should cost $30 - $35.

 

My Car will soon be recieving the Power Slot Slotted Rotors with Hawk Performance Brake pads and Stainless steal braided brake lines. I just put that set up on my buddies Turbo Application and the braking feel is now awesome, haven't noticed much dusting at all. I get these parts at a discount too, so even better.

john

 

It will be about double that price in Canada

The Rear Pads are MKD-413. Last time I bought them they cost $70.47 CDN wholesale. Rear pads more expensive than front.

Well worth the money though...you'll love them Give them a couple of days to bed in. The Titanium coating really helps with the bedding in process. Don't expect miracles untill you've fully bedded the pads though. No special process required...just a couple of days of normal stop and go driving should do it.

 

I wouldn't expect miracles from our stock brake system. Hell the stock stuff sucks...unless you have a 1le car. I would like to do a brake upgrade someday but I don't have the money right now.

 

Sorry...I disagree. Another myth about F-bodies. Choose the right components...quality components and throw in an adjustable Proportioning valve and the J65 brake package will pop your eyeballs out under braking.

I've run Autocross ( argueably the fastest ESP car in Canada ), Hillclimbs ( Knox Mountain SP3 record holder ) and even run Track days ( with some special mods ) all on 10.5" front disc's and the 1LE rears.

Ther J65 package can be made to work.... just as well as the 1LE package.....and very cheaply. Pad choice is critical!! . I've tried many different brands and the Bendix TI for a performance and street pad cannot be beaten.

I've recently changed to a full WilWood setup with 12" x 1.38" front rotors and Superlite 4 piston calipers. The only reason I did this was because of Track days. At these the small front rotors simply could not take repeated laps at racing speeds....well actually they could....with Massive air ducting, Carbon pads, Synthetic brake fluid and tons of water cooling ( Water sprayers ). Even had to run synthetic grease in the front hubs as brake temps were running about 1,000 deg F.

The Wilwood setup doesn't stop any faster on the street or Autocross. It will, however, last for days at the track.

Point is: The J65 package can be made to work very well, and cheaply with the proper choices. Two things are critical.

1: The proper pad choice ( IMHO Bendix TI can't be beaten for street use and Autocross ).

2: An adjustable proportioning valve. The rear brakes simply don't do their share of the work with the stock valve.

 

Just got back from the shop having the Bendix pads put on. I've noticed a fair bit of squealing with them already. Is this what I can expect from them? Or is it just while their being "broken in"? Or is there some shim or something the shop may have not put in? (I thought I had seen a post regarding that last bit... can't find it now though.)

Also, I noticed the rears weren't the Titaniums. They don't make the titaniums for the rears? Not that it matters too much. After seeing the size of them, I see better why people complain about the rear brakes in these cars. :P

 

I've never tried the Titaniums so I'm not sure if they are available for the rear, but it's possible the shop didn't install them due to the parking brake.

Our parking brake was designed to use standard OEM brake pads. Anything like Carbon Metallic, Titanium pads ...etc, usually don't hold well when the PB is applied. They will grab when they're hot, but as soon as they cool they will no longer hold the car.

 

Let me clarify... when I got the pads from the store, I noticed the box for the rear pads (MDK-413) didn't have "TitaniuMetalic" anywhere on it. As far as the car, they did put them on the car.

Sorry for the confusion on that.

 

I'll have to check my boxes...but the rears may not be available in the " Titanium" compound . Doesn't really matter, as the rear pads ( MDK-413 ) are an " FF " rating ( Industry standards). An
"FF" compound is extreme duty, such as Police packages. You can't get any higher rating pad short of a racing pad.

The squeeling should bo away in a couple of days...once the front pads have bedded in. In it doesn't, then something is wrong. Those pads doen't squeel once they are bedded.

 

I'm running my 91 Formula with the stock brakes, the entire setup is all stock. PBR's on the back, standard issue Delco calipers on the front, aftermarket replacement master cylinder, etc... nothing special. About a year ago I put on a set of like new used Delco rotors, and generic parts store brake pads. Last week I installed Prafke SPQ154 brake pads on the front, to match the Prafke SP413's on the back, and no joke the car stops better than any thirdgen I've ever driven. I can stop the car about 7 times faster than I'd ever want to.

But then again, I drive my 6cyl Firebird with the rear drums nearly completely shot and warped oem rotors (150,000 miles) and used brake pads on the front, without any problems... so what do I know. I run the car till they squeel (usually 6 months to a year), spend half an hour to swap on a set of junk used pads from one of my better cars, and go another 6 months to a year without touching them. Works for me.

 

Does anyone have the part numbers for the front (titanium) and the rear Bendix pads???

Some people mention MDK-413 and MKD-413 for the rear pads. I assume it is MKD-413 (found part number online).

And for the front pads is it MKD-154 or MKD-154FM (part numbers also found online).

Thanks for the help,
Harry