New Performance Friction Brake Pads

[Deaver]

Just as a public service announcement, Performance Friction has released a new series of brake pads for our beloved rides. They are a Ceramic compound verses Carbon mettalic. Said to be "silent and dustless". I purchased a set for my D30 for $45.00 at my local AutoZone and still with a ?Lifetime Guarantee?

The Part Number is 477C - 477.80 for the D30

I could not find any info on PF's website though

[Jerry Bransford]

Watch your rotors with ceramic pads, they are very hard on rotors and will cause faster rotor wear.

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Jerry Bransford
Watch your rotors with ceramic pads, they are very hard on rotors and will cause faster rotor wear.

Jerry, I used to hear about the same thing with the Carbon Metallic pads until I measured some with 20,000 miles on them and they had less than .005 wear on them. The ridge at the edge of the rotor was barely discernible by the thumbnail test.

So, you have piqued my curiosity with your statement about the ceramic pads having the same characteristic. How can we prove this to be true?

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally posted by mrblaine
So, you have piqued my curiosity with your statement about the ceramic pads having the same characteristic. How can we prove this to be true?

Prove it? Well I guess that would involve installing a set of ceramic pads on one side and conventional pads on the other, running them for 25000 miles and measuring the rotor wear afterwards. Sounds like something good for someone (besides me) to try.

But... after doing more research beyond what I was told when I bought my last set of brake pads, it looks like I was wrong spreading the rumor that ceramic pads wear rotors faster. It looks like ceramic pads are actually "kindler and gentler" on rotors than I had been led to believe they were.

[Deaver]

Jerry
I also heard that about rotors. But, if only if you "weld" them on


j/k

[Deaver]

I did some more research about Performance Friction Bake pads after reporting that they released a new version using a ceramic compound and noting Jerry?s concerns. It turns out Performance actually now has three versions total.

1) Silent Ceramic
2) Carbon Metallic
3) ?Z? Rated

The characteristics and comparison of each are as follows

The ratings are from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best

Quietness

Silent Ceramic - 5
Carbon Metallic - 4
?Z? Rated - 5

Stopping Power

Silent Ceramic - 3
Carbon Metallic - 5
?Z? Rated - 5

Prevention of Pulsation

Silent Ceramic - 4
Carbon Metallic - 4
?Z? Rated - 5

Pad Life

Silent Ceramic - 3
Carbon Metallic - 5
?Z? Rated - 5

Rotor Life

Silent Ceramic - 4
Carbon Metallic - 4
?Z? Rated - 5

No Mushy Pedal

Silent Ceramic - 2
Carbon Metallic - 5
?Z? Rated - 5

Low Dusting

Silent Ceramic - 5
Carbon Metallic - 3
?Z? Rated - 4

Fade Resistance

Silent Ceramic - 3
Carbon Metallic - 5
?Z? Rated - 5


The Part numbers for Stock Calipers on a Dana 30 are as follows;

Silent Ceramic - 0477.80
Carbon Metallic - 0477.20
?Z? Rated - 0477.10

[Wind_Danzer]

then the other 2?

This is a new one to consider. Thanks.

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Wind_Danzer
then the other 2?

This is a new one to consider. Thanks.

WD- typically "Z"-rated stuff is above 130 mph or some higher than normal number like that.

Z rated tires are similar and used for the vehicles capable of higher speeds. Corvettes, Cobras, Camaros, and cars of that ilk typically are using the Z rated components.

[Deaver]

WD
Blaine is correct about Z ratings in general ...tires etc

I think that PF is using the Z Rated as a "Brand or model" designator however, they may be following the same rating concept.

The ZRated has the best ratings in all catagories above except Low dust in which the ceramics have a better rating. The trade-offs for low dust verses the other catagories are not worth it in my opinion. I am sure the ZRated version are more expensive.

I am not sure my ride would do 130 MPH except falling from a cliff

What was that formula? massX 32ft /sec X 32/sec

[Wind_Danzer]

Just wanted to make sure.

Decisions, decisions...

[kranky_kel]

I called my local Auto Zone and checked AuotZone.com; I found these prices and part numbers:

According to my local AutoZone the Silent Ceramic are not available.

The Carbon Metallic is PN 04774 @ $38.99 and in stock.
The?Z? Rated are PN 0477Z @ $51 - Out of stock, special order. The Zs are available online, ship in two days.

Just an FYI

In further research, I found on another forum board a discussion about the Zs. According to those chaps, the Zs do not have anything over the Carbon Metallic in normal street driving. They mentioned that the only time you will see any difference is in short track racing. (I wish I could copy/past the board, but I cannot find it now.)