I am careful when selecting brake pads. They are a lot cheaper then front end sheet metal. Even an expensive pad will be less expensive in the long run.
The minimum pad rating to use is an FF. This would be a mid to upper range semi-metallic pad. Such as a Raybestos pad from CarQuest. The FF will be printed on the side of the pad material or backing plate.
These pads have good initial bite, and a decent linear response. For a street pad they are at the higher end of fade resistance. In general this is the pad I go to.
However, with they way these cars move, I would (and did) go with a better pad in the GN. StopTech has their Street Performance pad. This is what is going on the front with the LS1 conversion. One down side to the LS1 brakes is a lack of pad selection.
Where, if you have the stock GN/Regal brakes there is other choices available.
The other pad I considered was the Raybestos Advanced technology Semi-metallic pad. About the same price as the Stop Tech's. I believe that pad is another good choice.
On the SO's stock '87 Regal it usually received the good semi-metallic FF Raybestos pads. As mentioned, good bite, good friction level, and decent fade resistance.
When it needed new pads they were out of stock on those. So I tried the Raybestos ceramic pads. Cost a few dollars more but I had heard good things about them.
Not the same as the semi-metallic. Low initial bite, and lower friction level. Took more pedal pressure for the same stopping rate. SO didn't like them either. She had no confidence in them.
I hope this helps with brake pad selection. There is nothing worse then not being able to haul a car down. Or the feeling in your gut when the brakes fade to nothing. It is bad enough that these cars are handicapped with little 10.5" rotors.
I can't see handicapping them further to save a few dollars on brakes pads.
RemoveBeforeFlight
