Brake Pads

[CBass2288]

I'm sitting around 28,500-29,000 miles currently. 2017 GT Performance Pack with the Brembos. I have never changed the brake pads. I bought the car with 10,000 on it so I guess it's possible that they could've been changed before I bought it but I highly doubt it and I for sure have never changed them. So far nothing in terms of brake fade or squishy brakes. I have driven the car pretty dang hard through some long canyons but never on the track. How long did your guys' pads last for?

When I do change the pads, any recommendations for an upgrade? Or does stock seem to be the best? I like the bite of the stock pads and would like to keep that feel, so if any has recommendations on a different pad that performed better than stock I'd love to hear it, otherwise I'll probably just stay with the stock pads.

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[StangTime]

The OEM pads are good ones, they do create a ridiculous amount of brake dust though and I found them to be a bit too grabby as you slow to a stop. If those are not issues for you, stick with OEM or go with Powerstop Z23 for street use, or Z26 if you do laps on the track.

 

[CBass2288]

The OEM pads are good ones, they do create a ridiculous amount of brake dust though and I found them to be a bit too grabby as you slow to a stop. If those are not issues for you, stick with OEM or go with Powerstop Z23 for street use, or Z26 if you do laps on the track.

Yeah the brake dust is an absolute pain in the ass. Especially with the PP wheels, they're already almost impossible to clean. Wheels are literally maroon after 2 days of driving after a wash.

I've seen that Powerstop eliminates a lot of the brake dust. Have you used them?

How would you compare Z23 vs. Z26? I rarely track the car but do drive hard every once in a while, but have never had a problem with brake fade with the OEM pads. Would the Z23 be adequate?

 

[Labradog]

Z23 and Z26 are the same pad material, the only difference is the metal vs rubberized backing plate. They are both street-only pads.

 

[CBass2288]

Z23 and Z26 are the same pad material, the only difference is the metal vs rubberized backing plate. They are both street-only pads.

What kind of difference does the varying backing material make?

 

[Roadway 5.0]

I use Z26 pads daily—they are far from a track pad but are perfect for day to day use. No noise, almost zero dust, and decent grab.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have the Z23's. I got tired of the squealing and dust of the OEM's.

 

[Mustangpursuit]

What kind of difference does the varying backing material make?

For the black PP rear caliper, the Z23 blends better since its a black rubber plate, otherwise you see the xtreme wording etched on a bright silver metal plate with Z26, might contrast with some rear caliper colors if anyone cares.

 

[Dana Pants]

25k miles and autocross here. Pads will probably last forever at this rate.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

I swapped mine for Z23s at about 15k miles, and they looked brand new. I'm somewhat amazed at how little wear the PP brakes show. My 2006 GT needed pads at 30k miles, and they were BAD.

The Z23s have been on for about 30k miles now. I just checked them (popped them out of the front caliper and removed the rear caliper), and they're in remarkably good shape.

My comparison of the Z23s and the stock PP pads is lower initial bite, comparable overall bite, very good stopping power, way less dust. With the stock pads, I found that pedal travel was completely non-existent, and it was near impossible to get my foot into a position to heel/toe downshift. After installing the Z23s, I get a little more pedal travel, because of the lower initial bite. Combined with the $2 throttle pedal spacer mod, my foot is in a perfect position for heel/toe. I also installed the Steeda clutch spring, Steeda braided clutch line, and Steeda clutch to master cylinder upgrade, and my brakes and clutch feel great. I'm going to do braided brake lines at some point, but I have a few other goodies that I need to get installed first.

JR

 

[CBass2288]

I swapped mine for Z23s at about 15k miles, and they looked brand new. I'm somewhat amazed at how little wear the PP brakes show. My 2006 GT needed pads at 30k miles, and they were BAD.

The Z23s have been on for about 30k miles now. I just checked them (popped them out of the front caliper and removed the rear caliper), and they're in remarkably good shape.

My comparison of the Z23s and the stock PP pads is lower initial bite, comparable overall bite, very good stopping power, way less dust. With the stock pads, I found that pedal travel was completely non-existent, and it was near impossible to get my foot into a position to heel/toe downshift. After installing the Z23s, I get a little more pedal travel, because of the lower initial bite. Combined with the $2 throttle pedal spacer mod, my foot is in a perfect position for heel/toe. I also installed the Steeda clutch spring, Steeda braided clutch line, and Steeda clutch to master cylinder upgrade, and my brakes and clutch feel great. I'm going to do braided brake lines at some point, but I have a few other goodies that I need to get installed first.

JR

Awesome, thanks for the opinions!

 

[DivineStrike]

Stock brembo pads are a variant of ferodo. I just recently replaced mine around 50k and I’m pretty hard on my brakes when daily driving. Car only saw a handful of autocrosses, and no track days. I decided to give the actual ferodo branded version of the OEM brakes as replacements, they don’t seem to be quite as grabby but that could also just be I need to change my fluid as I’ve never done that, although that may have been done when I had my clutch changed.

 

[HectorC978]

I just changed my stock pads out at 36k Miles. When I pulled them to check I was also surprised how much life they had left. Decided to swap them out anyways due to all the break dust and all the noise. I Replaced them with Z26. Cleaned the wheels and took them for a ride yesterday and it was so nice to not have all the noise when breaking and the break dust was reduced by what seems 1000%. I usually tend to keep my car pretty clean so feel as I should have done this a lot sooner.

Like most are saying Initial breaking bite is not as stock pads but overall breaking seems great.

 

[dn1984]

on my last Mustang I had Stoptech pads. Same amount of brake dust but a GIGANTIC improvement over stock in fade and bite

 

[el-guapin]

I too run the Z23 pads. Very happy with them!

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