Here's what I'm doing. With the car about 6 weeks old, I had a track weekend. Instead of attempting it with stock pads, which, from experience, I find make more heat for the same stop then a proper track pad.
I like Pagid pads because they are very easy on rotors. The ones to get, for us mortals, is RS29. Yes, they're pricey, but they will last the casual track-rat the life of the car (probably). They're endurance pads...Yellow. Don't confuse them with RS19, also yellow. The 19s don't work well at all until hot. They're downright dangerous on a cold morning...say, second day on the way to the track. That's trick #1. You spend a little more on pads but save a ton on rotors...and labor.
Now, for everyday use, get some Hawk ceramic street pads. They stop decently for the street but really aren't able to deal with extreme heat of track days...
There just isn't a single pad for all things...except stock pads, which make soooo much dust! German regs don't allow asbestos and demand that the brakes work for hard stops on autobahns and in Alps. The only thing that works and still gives good performance in cold weather and doesn't squeal like a pig...usually. In Japan, speed limits are really low, so they use ceramic pads. That's why you don't see Hondas with black front wheels.
I've tried both Hawk and Akebono Euro ceramics. I think the Hawks have a little more bite. They can make a little noise now and then, but overall, for a Porsche doing Porsche things, the extra bite is worth it. They still require a little more pedal pressure than the stock pads...but NO DUST...OMG...That is so nice.
Next trick is to get at least the ceramics while rotors are young. Mark each pad with L or R and IN or OUT so you can replace them in the same position. When you change pad compounds, spray both sides of the rotors with Windex and wipe down with paper towels. It's not difficult to get 80% of the dust off...That's enough. Some pads don't play well with other pads, so it's really good to do this and it only takes a few minutes. I know Pagid Orange pads are prone to making some sticky stuff that bonds to the rotors if you mix too much of other compounds with the Pagid. Since that happened to me (I thought the rotors had warped terribly...It was violent.), I have done this and it's prevented any more problems.
I plan to keep my stock rotors for quite a long time....Wish me luck!
Also...3 grand for a brake job???? ...Ha!
I just have to figure out these new front calipers...They have to be removed to change the pads...Hmmmm.... Looking for a video.
-TB
