Review of Performance Friction pads (with Telemetry)

[jwyatt]

Originally Posted by Trailbraker

Have you ever used the more extreme Perfromance Friction "PF01" stuff James?
(These are the performance friction race pads).

I'm afriad I don't know the precise nature of the ones I used, they were resold by Caterham as their "race" pads and beyond knowing they were carbon-metallics of some sort, worked amazingly, and spewed out sparks that were pretty harmful to the alloys (bearing in mind this car did more track than road miles) I can only assume they were something like the ones you mention.

I did track three VX220's on the same day, one on standard, one on EBC greenstuff, and one on Pagid Blue pads, all with the same callipers, and the Pagids stood out head and shoulders above the others for retardation and feel - even from cold. The difference was very much the same as my caterham on carbon metalics vs standard or AP pads. The EBC-equipped car was by miles the worst, it was bl**dy awful for retardation and feel!

[GeoffDixon]

Nice to find you on here, James! I still have those Race Pads on the Caterham we're driving on Saturday - though for the front only to make up for my Caterham not having a brake bias adjuster (the Sprint GT is having an adjuster fitted thanks to Alfaholics advice)

[GTAFAN]

Thank you so much for the info TB.
Nice work , and some very serius info here.
I would like to see if they have something for my front calipers.
I was looking for DS 2500 but maybe these worth the try.

On the rear Im using the ceramic pads from GT3 . They came with the calipers . So I let them with the iron disks and they are fantastic.
But for front I'm using the OEM from Lambo 8piston calipers.
They are good for everyday use but soft for fast driving.

I found this also Carbotech: Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone tested ???

[Trailbraker]

I think a friend of mine might use Carbotech in a race car, I'll check. Will report back on impressions if he does.

[ABYSS]

Since we mentioned a bit on Brake fluid and Mine is due to change. I have done some research.

Castrol Super Dot 4 : Dry 286 Wet 184
Tutela Top 4 : Dry 270 Wet 180
Tutela Extreme 5: Dry 300 Wet 200
Motul 5.1: Dry 270 Wet 185
Motul 600: Dry 312 Wet 216

It looks like the original Tutela is not bad at all. Also the Castrol looks like good stuff too.

Hope it's not too off topic.

[GTAFAN]

Thanks TB. Can you see if Performance friction have pads for my 8 piston calipers? It must be a set of 8 pads.
About fluid Im using motul 5.1 is realy very good. I never had problems. The big diameter of the disks (365mm) helps also.

[shiny_car]

Originally Posted by ABYSS

It looks like the original Tutela is not bad at all.

^^^ is this what alfa service departments use (in australia)?

[Autolusso]

I can look in to it for you, e-mail me and I will sort it for you. ned@autolusso.co.uk

We are now offering Performance Friction pads to all of our customers. They give better on track stopping as well as better road safety, we charge less to fit these to a GTA than our local dealer charges for a set of pads and discs on a 2.0 TS.

Alfa Romeo Tuning UK - Auto Lusso - Tuning and aftermarket add-ons for your Alfa Romeo

Ned

[Trailbraker]

FYI basically Ned from Autolusso ordered some from the States and shipped them over to me directly as a free tester since he thought the forum might be interested in the results.

I would be happy to help but I actually haven't established any contact with suppliers, so don't have any useful details, although
Demon tweeks in the uk do sell them for some cars including Alfas, so perhaps check them out, otherwise some googling might be called for

Performance Friction Brakes

Also remember that my review was for the Z-rated ones not the extreme outright race pads like PFC01, which given your setup would probably tear strips in the tarmac

[EDIT: Ned beat me to it ]

Originally Posted by GTAFAN

Thanks TB. Can you see if Performance friction have pads for my 8 piston calipers? It must be a set of 8 pads.
About fluid Im using motul 5.1 is realy very good. I never had problems. The big diameter of the disks (365mm) helps also.

[ABYSS]

Originally Posted by shiny_car

^^^ is this what alfa service departments use (in australia)?

Yup. LD do stock the Selenia Tutela Top4 but not sure about Extreme 5.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Getting these done on our GT along with a service & the diff at Autolusso tomorrow

Can anyone tell me if the pad wear indicator function gets retained

Cheers,

I'm getting mine done in 2 weeks plus braided brake hoses. Q2 and new clutch to follow in the forseeable future....

Hope you have fun tomorrow.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Trailbraker]

Due to time constraints I didn't fit these myself this time, but I don't remember seeing any wear sensor cable on the pads in the box, so I would guess not..

Personally I find it is fairly easy to see the wear on the big 330mm calipers even without removing a wheel - specific alloy choice may impede easy line of sight though I suppose.

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

Getting these done on our GT along with a service & the diff at Autolusso tomorrow

Can anyone tell me if the pad wear indicator function gets retained

Cheers,

[Squadrone Rosso]

Cheers TB. What happens if you don't join the wear indicator up then (false alarms etc)?

[OperationAlfa]

nah mate.. you just wont get any warnings. Maybe a shreak when they are gone completely

I dont have the wear indicators connected on my fast road pads.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Moved to tuning & upgrades

[Pud237]

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

Cheers TB. What happens if you don't join the wear indicator up then (false alarms etc)?

Like OA said, not a bean, no warnings or nothing. When they're really low they'll squeal like a stuck pig though

[Squadrone Rosso]

The PF pads on the GT which initially squealed like a stuck pig have now settled down. Braking power is amazing Stops like it's going backwards

[Trailbraker]

Only saw the question about wear sensors now, no issues arise.

You do want to replace the pads though before they are down to the backing to avoid scratching the discs

If you cant see the amount of pad through the spokes (I can on std GTA teledials) then just take a wheel off and look at the pad thickness after a year of normal road use, or after track days.
I'm sure you would get a fair few track days out of them though, I wouldn't bother checking after one given the very low level of wear I have experienced.

Its a good idea to check both pads since the wear on any pads can be asymmetrical especially if you do track days (the inside wheel on cornering cant be braked as much).

Cheers,
TB

What Simon said. I now have the PF pads (and braided hoses and better fluid) on my GTA with the 305mm brakes. Amazing difference, thanks TB for testing and thanks Ned for getting them in and fitting them.

Cheers,

Nigel

[Cuore_Sportivo_155]

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

I now have the PF pads (and braided hoses and better fluid) on my GTA with the 305mm brakes.

Got the part number handy for the PF pads? I got the 305mm brakes as well...

[Squadrone Rosso]

Just a minor word of caution (really, no big deal), the brake dust off the PF pads seems quite aggressive so a weekly wheel wash is a must (not cleaned ours since the pads got fitted a few weeks back) and they were a swine to clean. That'll teach me for being lazy

[izzy]

Awesome review

[Trailbraker]

Cheers Izzy

[bacon]

Amazing review TB, I dont think I need to do any more research on which pads to get cos youve done it all for me. Brilliant.
I'm gonna order some on monday. Ned, you'll be getting a call!
Cheers
B