What's the Idea Behind More Aggressive Brake Pads ...

[Mako Koiwai]

... in back of Miata's, Vette's, etc ... that have ABS ?

[Eric Clements]

Pretty much all cars (from the factory) lock up the front first. By installing a grippier pad in the rear you get the brake bias closer to neutral.

[John Coffey]

It depends on what you mean by aggressive...

If you mean initial bite then they are generally used in situations where the pad may be cooler then optimum when the pedal is hit. If you mean a rapid ramp up of the CoF then those are generally used on cars with a lot of aero downforce or in odd balance situations like Eric describes above.

[Mako Koiwai]

... for a Z06 with stock front pads

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

Pretty much all cars (from the factory) lock up the front first. By installing a grippier pad in the rear you get the brake bias closer to neutral.

What he said. More rearward brake bias can result in a shorter stopping distance. Also some cars like the C5 can get ice-mode very easy, making the rear brakes do a little more work can make the fronts less sensitive to ice-mode.

fyi we have found that some rear pads need heat to work best, so driving from grid to the start on your first run with the parking brake handle engaged a few clicks will help. Just don't forget to turn it off before you start your run, and never set it hot in grid.

[Mako Koiwai]

Brian gave us a set of Ferodo pads that he had planned to try out and never did ... not sure which ones. He told me to go ahead and give them a try.

[Mark Duerst]

That's because he no longer has to buy the rotors.

The stock pads are good on the Z06.

If you get really aggressive pads you run the risk of over slowing the car. Even though it has plenty of power to get going again - unlike the stock miata.

[Jason Rhoades]

Mako, take this for what it's worth, but I wouldn't change a thing on Brian's car. It's a top 4 car at Nats. Odds of successfully making it better in first 6-9 months of ownership are extremely slim in my view, especially considering you and Karen are both somewhat new to this platform.

I know the urge to tinker is strong. Save that energy and $ for more of those big expensive tires, regular maintenance, and the inevitable things to go wrong - ABS computer, seat back mechanism, etc.

[Bob Pl]

That's because he no longer has to buy the rotors.

The stock pads are good on the Z06.

If you get really aggressive pads you run the risk of over slowing the car. Even though it has plenty of power to get going again - unlike the stock miata.

What Mark said, when I change pad compound I always have to retrain my feet to more/less pressure. I had a fresh set of HP Plus & rotors yesterday after using up some PBR's and if it were not for seatbelts, would have put Dave D (safety steward) thru the glass doing the safety run, sorry bout that Dave if you read this.

[Brian Peters]

Mako, the Ferodo's are DS2500's. I was running them all the way around but was getting early front lockup (the stiffer front bar wasn't helping), so went back to a set of stock pads for the softer initial bite.

Somebody more familiar with Corvettes than myself suggested that running a more aggressive rear pad would help. In theory it makes sense as it should allow the rears to do more work prior to the fronts reaching lockup threshold.

I suggested to you that putting the rear Ferodo's back in could be worth trying.

BTW, I personally don't see any reason to play with mixed pads on Miatas with ABS, yours worked just fine. Non-ABS cars definitely need an aggressive rear pad bias.

[Jeff Ringer]

ability to trail brake and set the car up for the next turn

if u have too much front bias you cant turn and brake very well

more rear bias allows you to place the car better under braking

in the es mr2 you cant turn and brake with stock pads all around. fronts will lock up real quick- not fun and makes driving fast tricky

[Bill Schenker]

...BTW, I personally don't see any reason to play with mixed pads on Miatas with ABS, yours worked just fine.....

I got good results by going to Hawk HP+s all way 'round instead of just in the front w/oem in the rear on my ABS-equipped Miata.

[Mako Koiwai]

Did you ever try it the other way around ... which is what this thread is about. ;)

[Mako Koiwai]

That's because he no longer has to buy the rotors.

Z06 rotors are amazingly cheap!?