Very well written review. thanks!

I went with Cusco, but Chicago Burbs don't allow many chances for 120MPH driving.

I also had a B*tch of a time with those bolts, but my super-powers allowed me to brake them loose. Well an 18" breaker bar & multiple body contortions helped!

My track test is this Wednesday

What brake pads did you decide to go with?

 

Bruce,

I tried to talk to Matt, but actually spoke to Larry. That guy is fuggin' hilarious! We figured out the problem with the pad backing plates too. I mentioned your specs of grinding down to 5.16" and he looked up a couple of pads. the D327 which is recommended by StopTech AND is already 5.16" wide is not available in the States. The D447 (not sure on that number) is what we're getting instead. It is 5.18" wide and would fit if not for that brass abutement plate in the ST-40 caliper which was put in place to appease the crying, little, all-show, no-go bitches that were complaining about the pads clinking around in the caliper.

I was going to get Panther + all of the way around, but they were out of stock so I was offered the Panther XP up front instead with Panther + in the back for the same price. I haven't received my pads yet, but at this point I'm EXTREMELY pleased with Larry's customer service and knowledge. He definitely doesn't mind hanging around on the phone to make sure you're getting what you need and what you want.

BTW, I picked up a bench grinder at Lowe's today for only $30, so grinding my own backing plates will be a non-issue.

 

Larry's cool.....I just forgot his name...my bad......

I just swapped back to the Panther +, after the grinding, and my friend who came over to help bleed, could not believe how easy it was to swap pads.

Watch your outer radius of the pads.....mine were a bit large, so I ground a 45 degree bevel to remove. Not sure it's necessary, but I can't see a reason for the pad to be above the rotor.

Also, may I suggest wearing a "breathing" mask when grinding......my snot was black for a day or two after I ground mine.

Now, what did you say about the bars?

When are you coming north.....I need some AWESOME pics of MY car too......

 

did cusco sways get roid of the understear? what kidna of difference from them did you feel over stock?

 

I'll give another BRIEF review of the Cusco's:

Corners noticeably flatter. Rides only a bit firmer. On a couple clover leafs, I felt a little less understeer. I'm an wimpy old fart, so I don't drive hard enough on the street to get to the cars limits. I did feel that power-on corner exits, it hooked up better. Not as much wheelspin, which I'll attribute to the lessened body roll, keeping the inside wheel loaded. Corner turn in feels more precise with sharper accuracy.

This is all with OEM 17 in BridgeStone's and stock springs & shocks. I'll bet the Nismo bars perform the same.

I'll know a lot more after my HSDE PCA day at Blackhawk Farms Wednesday.