[Tony B]

Hi All,

I saw in a post below that the EBC Greenstuff pads are not recommend by you folks.

I am concerned about possible rotor wear with the OEM ATE pads. These OEM pads are just too dusty as everyone knows. So, two questions: What pads should I use to replace my OEMs for good street and expressway performance? And, is this brake wear issue just a dealer thing to net some 'fish?'

My dealer has made no such statement at 20k mi, but I have heard from others that have been quoted with worn out rotors. I haven't measured mine yet, but I will soon.

As for tail pipes, has anyone cutout their front muffler in place of a straight pipe and added a Borla Turbo muffler to replace the rear muffler? If so, how different was the sound level? I'm looking for more growl and no buzz.

Thanks,

tony b
01 9³ SE Convertible 5spd

 

[markcanderson]

Hi,

Well i've done about 6 trackdays and 50,000 miles on my STANDARD ATE rotors.. and they're still good.. so I don't think wear is an issue.. also going for a more sporty compound will make for MORE dust, not less.

However, I've had excellent results with Ferodo's DS2500 pads on my 9000 2.3 Turbo.. but more dust.

Haven't done the exhaust thing... if the car documents say you need a cat here, you need a cat.. and they check.

 

[pyronerd]

I had EBC brake pads put on, but am actually taking them off soon (though they're fairly new) and going to Metal Master pads, which I've heard are better. Much less dust with the EBC's, but brake performance is noticeably lower. I've checked the rotors, and they're fine after 47K of hard use!

 

[pade900]

I use TarOx dics and pads on my gm900 -94 and they work really well both in normal driving and harder driving. I've been more than pleased with them

 

[SenTineL]

Anyone tried Mintex pads? I found this link written by a guy who owns an FTO and seems to get along to a fair few track days. He compares a few different pads and the Mintex set gets an impressive write up. He also claims they spit out very little dust

 

[billj]

Interesting link, Sentinel. Yes, I have used Mintex 1144 (not the 1155 this chap has used) and they're very good on the track and excellent on the road. Probably the best road pad I've used. On the track, I found I get less fade with the DS2500s. I might try the 1155s at some point. So how fast/heavy is an FTO compared to a 9000 Aero?

 

[Tony B]

Mark_A,

I definitely want to keep the cat. I'm sorry if my post was sketchy, but I want to have an exhaust similar to the SAAB Sports Exhaust at a realistic price. I have added a K&N and removed the 'snorkel' behind the right foglight. I'm mainly looking to improve fuel mileage. These improvements also bring along some nice benefits also, sounds and performance.

For me the SAAB exhaust would be well worth it if they did more than straight pipe the resonator section and add a free flow rear.

I'm just curious if anyone has tried Borla's Turbo muffler? I beleive I heard one on a Maxima this morning and it was simple ravishing. Ebay has 'em under $90US. $3 for some BBQ paint and I still have my sleeper.

Thanks for the info on the pads. I will be steering toward the Ferodo's with a peek the Mintex.

Thanks for your time,

tony b

 

[SenTineL]

Originally posted by BillJ:
[qb]Interesting link, Sentinel. Yes, I have used Mintex 1144 (not the 1155 this chap has used) and they're very good on the track and excellent on the road. Probably the best road pad I've used. On the track, I found I get less fade with the DS2500s. I might try the 1155s at some point. So how fast/heavy is an FTO compared to a 9000 Aero? [/qb][/b]

Yeah, the weight question did come to mind. Looking here it seems to be quoted at 1190kg, but it doesn't state which spec/level of trim that relates to.

I think it's only the manual GPX (and GR?) model(s) that are quick, but most seem to leave the factory with an auto box which slows the 60 dash by about a second.

Looking at the site, the performance figures seem to indicate 196bhp and 60 in just under 7 seconds for the manual.

BTW: Incase anyone is wondering, I'm not an FTO fan

 

[billj]

Originally posted by SenTineL:
[qb]BTW: Incase anyone is wondering, I'm not an FTO fan      [/qb][/b]

I reckon it's good to keep an interest in cars other than Saabs, though.

The guy does indicate that the FTO brakes are a bit undersized for the application. Given that a number of us have fitted or are considering fitting larger brakes for road or track use, his evaluation of different pads in an attempt to make the most of an "undersized" application is of direct interest.

 

[SenTineL]

Originally posted by BillJ:
I reckon it's good to keep an interest in cars other than Saabs, though..[/b]

Agreed. If I'm honest, I very nearly decided to buy a late 90's Mazda RX-7 instead of my current steed!

I finally realised, insurance would be a nightmare on an import car, it could be about three times what I'm paying now(!) and the car would probably be a magnet for every thievin' scumbag in the Bristol area. Fuel consumption figures of about 17-18 mpg are common The final clincher was probably down to me not knowing any specialist garages to look after it either.

/edit: ooops, sorry for going a bit off topic here.

The guy does indicate that the FTO brakes are a bit undersized for the application. Given that a number of us have fitted or are considering fitting larger brakes for road or track use, his evaluation of different pads in an attempt to make the most of an "undersized" application is of direct interest.[/b]

I'm giving serious thought to trying the Mintex 1155's he mentions, but if anyone beats me to it, I'd be really interested to hear their results

.

The idea of a high performing pad which is reported to produce very little dust is just too much to pass up!