Last Word on Brake Upgrade, I Hope

[billh]

I am getting ready to do the '96 brake upgrade on my '94ATX car. I know that there is a number of posts on this subject, but I still have a question

I have the '96 caliper brackets. I plan on buying a couple of new '96 rotors and use the stock, 94 calipers. I was going to buy a set of PFC carbon metallic brake pads. Which ones do I need? I have been told that the 601's are incorrect and I need 598's ?????
Anything better than the above mentioned brake pads? I can put up with some dust, but the greatest pads in the world are worthless to me if they make noise.
Thanks
Bill

 

[snake396]

i've found that they only make a little noise when cold, but after they warm up, the noise is gone and you can bruise your sternum on the seatbelt! i just tripped the ABS at 55 earlier today. as for the size or number, i don't know. just goto autozone and ask for PFC pads for a '96 SHO. when you do the upgrade, make sure they're bigger than the pads your taking off. the gen3 slo's had the same size rotor's as your '94.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I used the PFC's before I did the '96 upgrade and was very pleased with their performance, although they seemed to be the dustiest pads I've ever used.

In any case, PFC doesn't make a correct size pad for the '96 upgrade. You want size 598 pads, not the size 601 pads that the 94-95 SHO's use. Now, you can use the 601 pads with the '96 brakes, but you're negating much of the effect of the larger brakes since the 'swept area' of the pad to the rotor doesn't change from the original '95-'95 setup.

I went with the Raybestos Quiet Stop ceramic pads (PGD598QS is the P/N, about $75 at Pep Boys) and they are fantastic. Very quiet, VERY little dusting, and even soaking wet they still do a great job.

<small>[ October 03, 2002, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: SHOooo ]</small>

 

[billh]

SHOooo:
I used the PFC's before I did the '96 upgrade and was very pleased with their performance, although they seemed to be the dustiest pads I've ever used.

In any case, PFC doesn't make a correct size pad for the '96 upgrade. You want size 598 pads, not the size 601 pads that the 94-95 SHO's use. Now, you can use the 598 pads with the '96 brakes, but you're negating much of the effect of the larger brakes since the 'swept area' of the pad to the rotor doesn't change from the original '95-'95 setup.

I went with the Raybestos Quiet Stop ceramic pads (PGD598QS is the P/N, about $75 at Pep Boys) and they are fantastic. Very quiet, VERY little dusting, and even soaking wet they still do a great job.

I'm confused. Should the above message read "Now you can use the 601" pads with the '96 brakes" instead of the 598 units? Also, when buying rotors, do I order the '96 slo or SHO rotors? Do not have Autozone or Pepboys here. Will have to get this stuff on the 'net, unless I want to pay through the nose for it.
Thanks
Bill

 

[Mr Anonymous]

billh:
I'm confused. Should the above message read "Now you can use the 601" pads with the '96 brakes" instead of the 598 units? Also, when buying rotors, do I order the '96 slo or SHO rotors? Do not have Autozone or Pepboys here. Will have to get this stuff on the 'net, unless I want to pay through the nose for it.
Thanks
Bill

Yup, 'twas a typo that I've corrected! Sorry!

For the rotors, save yourself a LOT of hassle and order rotors for a '96 Lincoln Continental. (They are identical to the '96+ SHO rotors, but for some reason a lot of stores seem to have a problem getting the right rotors when you specify the SHO. The '96+ SLO rotors are the same as the '94-'95 SHO rotors.)

Even without any of the big chains nearby, you should still be able to find Bendix or other aftermarket rotors at a local autoparts store at about 50%+ off of the Ford rotors. Do you have NAPA?

P.S. If you order the rotors on the net, I recommend going with Josh at SHO Nut and making an order of over $200 to get free shipping. Rotors are pretty heavy, and cost almost $25/pr to ship ground. If you can find aftermarket rotors close to home, that would be your best bet.

<small>[ October 03, 2002, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: SHOooo ]</small>