I recently did stoptech pads and am not really happy with them. They have what seems like no initial bite but decent high temp performance.

What's the best pad for initial bite and thermal performance? I don't mind dust, I have dark wheels. I also don't mind cold noise or some squeaks but don't want something that just squeaks all the time no matter what. I don't want noise and dust to keep me from a pad I otherwise love.

Also, most of my driving is tight canyon type driving so I am pretty hard on the brakes. I do plan at least 2 track days this year.

To make the selection even more difficult, I would love it if the pad had great bite cold and hot.

I recently picked up a set of new high-carbon rotors that will go on at the same time.

 

Forgot to mention, pad and rotor life are also not a priority, I work from home and only drive the EVO for pleasure.

 

One of most frequently asked questions & one w/so many unsubstantiated opinions (including mine)

Pads w/good cold & hot bite. Ummm? Is there such an animal?

Have you read through this thread? This is a good place to start

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ct-thread.html

For me the ST's (sport) have always worked very well on the street but when I track, I changed over to a true track pad (CarboTech 12 & 10's/not recommended for the street)

 

I always felt the stoptech street lacked bite. Hot and cold. And I was able to over heat them at autocross on street tire's.

I really like the setup on my car now for street use. Racing brake XT910 up front, and ET900 for the rear.

 

I run Project Mu HC 800 +, work terrific on the track and on the street. Mind this is not meant to be a real race pad, but perfect for trackdays

 

Ferodo DS2500. Great street/track pads. They are even quiet. https://www.maperformance.com/produc...8-9-x-frp3067h

 

Everyone will have a different opinion on which brake pad is best. Too many variables, tires, driving style, tolerance for noise, tolerance to bite, advanced level driver, intermediate level driver, etc...

So here's my opinion based on what you said, loud as fxxk but trade off is so worth it
Raybestos ST43's fronts
DS2500 or Carbotech xp8 rears

 

Hawk hps

 

ST43's should not be regularly street driven. They destroy rotors when they are not used at proper (racing) temp. And they absolutely do not work when it's cold. Bad idea.

 

ferodo ds2500

 

I can also vouch for the Ferodos ds2500, they can perform double duty. So OP, which compound are your going to try? Also a competing rally team in my area run some Endless compounds, surprisingly using them for a whole season. If you are willing to $$, Endless have a very wide menu that would certainly fit every desired application (will not be perfect though, as MinusPrevious has said)

 

Now that I've read some other reviews of the ferodo ds2500 I think I'm going to try them. Most people who didn't like stop-techs seem to like them.

 

I am on my second set of Stoptech Street's. I will agree that they don't have fantastic initial bite, but I'm rarely ever in a circumstance where that's an issue as it's a street-driven car. Even driving twisties I don't push the car so I don't need that very predictable, very instantaneous initial bite

They bite exactly as I would expect a street pad to bite. I replaced my last set with 50k miles on them and they hadn't quite hit the wear bars yet, that should give you some idea as to how not-hard these get used

All in all, Stoptech street are a decent pad, but definitely don't have fantastic initial bite. They're better when warm, but they stay true to their "street" name