OK, so I told you I was going to get in some samples of backing plates for the front of the track model and rear of (what I think is) the touring model, and I did.

Short story:
For the track model, we can make pads relatively inexpensively for you. I'm thinking in the $129-$139 for the track worth Panther Plus/Panther XP compound. For a high perf. street product, we can likely bring something to market for ~$110. As a comparison, Track compounds like Hawk Blue list for ~$170, and a good street material like Hawk HP+ lists for ~$130.

As for the base/touring model, as far as I can tell, the rear brake pad is ideltical to the rear of a 2002 Altima. I was just at the Nissan dealer today and stared at the rear brakes of a 350Z for 10 minutes and damn if I can tell a difference. I already know what the front of your car is (same as the Altima from 93-01) and we have that.

So what I need is feedback. Take a second to vote in this poll. The parts are readily availible but I'm not going to waste time/money getting them and stocking them if you guys don't care. So let me know what you want.

 

If you can offer pads with performance at least as good as the stock pads, but without the dust problem, I would probably buy them. If these pads are low dust and perform better, then there is no question I would be interested.

 

I dont swap pads unnescesarrily, but when it comes time to get new pads, I will buy whoever makes the best pads. simple.

 

Matt,

If you need a test mule, I'd be willing. In return, you would get my street and track commentary.

If you're interested, PM me. I have the Track Model.

Cameron

 

I won't change the pads before time, but when time comes I will most likely NOT use stock ones and try to find something with better performance, less dust, at a reasonable price.

I have never bothered with dust, until this car. Good lord! Day after the wash the rims are all black again...

In comparision, my Expedition goes a couple of weeks before you start to notice the dust build-up. And before somebody brings up there is a big difference, I know that. But I drive them both to work, around the same streets, around the same speeds, and the Expedition has a much bigger load/weight to stop...

 

Matt,
I called you and spoke extensively with you about primarily street/light track pads for my Track model. I would definately buy a pad with the above criteria especially if it performed better than stock but dusted less and wore well.

Count me in!

 

Like most others say, it's the dust that I hate.

Blackens the rim in less than a week.

Performance would be a factor too.

Great performance and no dust.

 

I hear you guys. Just wanted to interject that there is not such thing as a "dustless" pad. And if you find one, I garuntee it won't stop for ****.

Having said that, our new Bobcat appears to produce a much lower level of dust (read this next part carefully) compared to it's closest performance competition. I place our new street material on the same palying field as Hawk HP+, Axxis Ultimate and Porterfield R4-S in terms of performance. So when compared to those pads, I would definitely say the Bobcat will produce less dust. I simply do not know how good/bad the OE pads are, so I cannot make a definitive statement one way or the other in that regard.

Anyway, feedback seems positive. Looks like I'll be ordering some plates when we make our next big order. I will, of course, keep you guys posted.

Matt

 

I recently installed the Panther+ on the fronts of my Performance model in addition to some SS lines and motul 600 fluid. I can notice a huge difference in pedal feel, and it feels like i can stop shorter than I used to, especially at high speed. There is a fair amount of dust compared to oem, and a little squeal, but I feel it is worth the performance benefit. I will install the matching rears as soon as they are made.

 

Just wanted to clarify for everyone that Robert is talking about our track compound, which is a completely different line of material from our Bobcat. Panther does dust quite a bit when used on the street.

Robert, see you next weekend at VIR

 

Now I must clarify my statement. For me, I just want a brake pad that performs better than stock, is rotor friendly compared to similar performance competition, and also dusts compared to similar competition.

Yes, dust is a pain, but it's livable. I'll be waxing my wheels as I heard that that makes it much easier to clean the dust.