Like a lot of you, I usually look at modern upgrades whenever I have to replace parts. So, when I needed new pads for my 69, I bought front and rear pads from Performance Friction. I did do a lot of research and they seemed to be a modest upgrade, expecially for high temp mountain driving.
Skipping all the drama and back and forth contact, they are HORRIBLE!!
They are super hard and DO NOT grip. They do work a little better when warm, but are much less grippy then even the cheapo pads. Actually dangerous on the street, as I cannot even come close to locking em up.
I contacted a engineer at PERFORMANCE FRICTION and he told me that they had changed the pad composition (but not the part #) a couple of years ago and that I might have got the strip composition. He would check on this and get back to me. Well 5 days later when I called, I was told that Rick was out for a few months with scheduled back surgery. The start of great customer service. I talked to 3 different people, including the receptionist/customer service rep., and basically,
I'm just out about $140.
I can't send them back because "we don't have any way to keep track of them once they get to the warehouse".
They only have 1 part # for C3 brakes, so I don't know if the current ones are street or strip. But with the poor customer service, why take a chance?

 

I call B.S. on that. If you sent a box with $1 million in it...I am sure that would not loose track of it.

I would not stop until you get either money back or 'something'. Did you pay with a credit card???? Dispute the charge and maybe someone will pay attention to you and your concerns.

The only reason I am writing this is I run my own shop...and when I encounter companies that try to 'play games' and not get things corrected when I have an issue....I get nasty...really fast. I play it like baseball....3 strikes and your OUT...so they have 3 tries to get it right...and if not....I think you have the idea.....and I spend the time and waste their time. It is a matter of principle. And 'those companies' often times count on the fact that you will loose interest and not spend the time because you are busy and want to 'move on'...but yet they still made the $$$...BE RELENTLESS!!!!

Somebody there has the POWER to make things happen.

DUB

 

I'd find the best set of pads that fit your intentions for the vette.

If I recall correctly, I installed the 'Best' (Good, better, best) set of pads recommended for the C3 for my intentions. Essentially, a set that suits street driving with plenty of grip to bring it to a screeching halt after locking up all four corners for nearly 40 ft (wife-tested). They bring the car to a stop easily and I have no fears of losing control at any speed.

The rotors are not drilled or slotted. Essentially, what Van Steel recommended/installed. I have Van Steel stainless sleeved calipers on the back and not sure about the front... fronts were installed before I bought it back in '97.

 

Like I said, it's a long drawn out story. Their c3 pads were only available direct through them or through OReileys. O'Rs were back ordered 6-8 wks. so I ordered over the phone direct. They were delivered promptly. The 1st person (the engineer) after telling me that I probably had the wrong pads, asked for sales info. I told him that it was a credit card phone sale about a year ago. Unfortuneately, the car was under restoration and I didn't really get to work the pads for a year or so. He said that they do not keep records of direct sales. But he would check and call me. Then out for back surgery.
The pads only came with a shipping label, which of course, I no longer have. My fault, no doubt. The 2nd person who said "I can help you" turned out to be one of their marketing people. She suggested that I send pictures of the pads. So I took pictures and tried to send them to here, but I got a automated response that they were too large to be accepted. I'm not a super computer nerd here, so I called her to ask about this. She then told me that she was going to turn me over to someone else. This was the receptionist/customer service girl. She said that they only respond if there is a sales slip and that pictures wouldn't help, but that I should be on 1 of 2 lists that they keep. She could not find anything.
So, yes, the cc statement might be the way to go.
My view, they sent me a incorrect part. Their fault, not mine.
I should have a reciet, but I don't. They should be able to take the pads back and verify that they are track pads, or at least look at the pictures and verify that they are thier pads and send the correct ones. Getting a statement from a card that I don't use anymore may be hard, and being a year later, probably not a good claim.
I've researched this company, and they do have a good reputation for race and commercial pads, but they also have some negative issues. The owner seems to be a intresting guy, but I have no way to contact him.
I now have Hawk HPS pads that work well. Still haven't gotten a high temp run in yet, but they are suposed be a upgrade to OEM pads.
Stay away from exotic parts. For the most part, we don't need them or the company's that push them for street use.

 

They do not keep records of 'direct sales'...and I guess they do not have to answer questions if they go through and AUDIT...and I know they are supposed to keep records for at least 7 years.

Your credit card company can have the info if you plan on pursuing it further.

DUB

 

Lesson learned the hard way.

 

Wow! I have used PF pads for many years on all my cars including my C3 since 2001. I currently have them on my 2001 Grand Prix, 2008 Chrysler 300 with Hemi Brakes, and a 94 Mustang GT with Cobra front Brakes in addition to the C3. They are by far the best pads I have ever owned. Check this out as well:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...rake-pads.html

A couple of thoughts come to mind:

1. Did you bed the pads in correctly according to PF?
2. You may have the PF Z rated brake pads for your C3 that require more heat to work.
3. You may have on older set with a different formulation.

Something does not seem right.

One aspect of the pads that I have noticed over all these years is that the braking is very linear (no giant initial bite like OEM pads that fade with heat) and PF pads work better the hotter they get (the opposite of OEM type pads) and do require more pedal effort. My PF pads are terrific in panic stops.

Interested to know how you do and what you find out.

 

The PF pads are not a fault, the rest of the crappy system IS, however....I bought my '72 in '95, it already had SS lined calipers on all 4 wheels, after my second set of lip seals, I went with O ring pistons/rings and no springs, great improvement, but still too much pedal travel, about 4" worth to get brakes, and even then push it to the floor easy enough, but with size 13 shoes and ~225 lbs, it was easy for me.....I just lived with it until the Hydroboost system was talked about, so I finally gave up some 75 bux off ebay, and plumbed it in...the the thing is the way to go, vacuum boosters suck, never seen one worth a damn.....with the pads/seals/pistons, and a set of brake hoses, and the HB, my car will stop secure with about 2" of pedal travel and solid as hell.....

 

I believe that the pads ARE at fault. The crappy customer service doesn't help either.
The pads are super hard. There was no info supplied on breaking in the pads. I couldn't find anything on their web site. I first tried a gradual break in as recommended by other manufactures. Didn't help. So I removed the pads and lightly sanded them to remove any possible glaze. Also cleaned and lightly sanded the rotors. Then I did a agressive break in. They did work slightly better when hot, but still did not work well. The new Hawk pads work very well.
I talked to the sales person extensively before I purchased these pads. I belive that I did everything I possibibly could. I think their marketing for the C3 pads is total BS.
JB-if you have PF pads from '01, perhaps you have different pads than what I got. They only list 1 part number, but according to their engineer, there are different pad materials. They have added "Z rated" to the part # since I got mine.
They cannot confirm which material anyone may have, only that they changed them a few years ago. The pads themselves are not marked in any way.
They market these pads as street pads that have more grip. Well, they Don't--bottom line.
I don't know if you are connected with this company or have just had good luck with them, but I did buy these pads partially on your recommendation, and the company's reputation. I now find out their real reputation. They WERE a well respected company, but there has been alot of talk at the trade shows about them the last few years. They seem to be losing market share. They really aren't a big player in the C3 market, and they apparently don't care.
Per PF, there is nothing they will do. I may eventually try to locate a cc transaction reciet, but to tell you the truth, I doubt that even this would help, considering my many phone calls and emails that didn't help at all. Different answers from different people. Sounds like mass confusion there or just trying to weasle out of their responsibilities.

 

I have absolutely no connection with PF, just a corvette/Car enthusiast and C3 owner for 32 years!

I was just thinking what the issues may be with your particular set of PF pads. Clearly myself and many others have had good performance from PF pads. These pads are also used in Racing, Police applications, and the in the case of the 300 and GP, daily drivers. I am not defending PF or your experience with the company but it seems very odd that you have had such a bad experience.

The 2001 Grand Prix has had PF pads literally from day one when the car was new-I brought the car home from the dealership and changed the pads at all 4 wheels. This car currently has 160,000 miles on it and is currently on its 3rd set of PF pads-last set was put on at 105,000 miles and is driven daily. The 78 is still on the PF pads that I put on it in 2002-2003. I general pay 50$ per axle for all the cars for their pads.

Sorry to hear that you were not happy with the result and good luck resolving the issue.

 

Yes, it is a shi++y situtation. I'm really mad at myself for not keeping the shipping reciet.
I agree that the issue is with my set of pads. But, they only list 1 part #, and are not willing to accept them back for tests, so whats to do?
With the many options out there, and their poor customer service and apparently mass confusion, high prices, I will never deal with them again.

 

Carbotech pads will fit your need. Take a look at the 1521 compound if you need more we can discuss.

Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

 

Thanks Adam, but I already installed some other pads. I'll check you out next time.

 

Plain old organic pads on my '76 will lock all fours with my original rotors, leak free, lip sealed SS calipers, for 26 years of ownership and over 90K miles. Not sure why others have so much trouble with their brakes.

 

I am with you less the organic pads. Changed to SS calipers in 1985-regular lip seals for 30 years now, with Semi metallics from 1985-2001 and PF pads up to today on the OEM rotors. Had the car out today and the car stops like right NOW. Perplexed as well.

 

What is the part number you got? Is it 0008.10 or 0008.20?

The 20's are the Carbon Metallic and those are what I have on my C3 and probably the same ones jb78L-82 is talking about as I also think they are one of the best street pads out there. They have a great balance between a standard street pad and a high performance pad.

The 10's are their Z-rated pad and need more heat to work. Probably a good strip/racing pad but to high performance for the street. The 10's are also the only thing I see on their site so I am guessing you got those.

What I would do is go to advance auto and get a set of Wearever Gold pads and put those on the front. Leave the Z-rated pads on the rear. That should even it out for the street if you are not racing. Save the ones from the front for the rear when they wear out.

 

Got the 10's. The only part # listed. I DID talk extensively with the sales girl before buying to make sure that these pad WOULD agressively grab when COLD as stated in their online advertizing.
So, their sales girl was wrong, their online sales info is wrong, and their customer service stinks.
I'm out $140 and quite a bit of labor messing around with these pads and they don't care!!! So screw them!!
The Hawk HPS seem to be working well, even though I haven't had a chance to really heat them up on a mountain run.
With all the alternatives out there, why would any one deal with a company like this???

 

^

I am guessing maybe they were looking at the information for the 20 series. Since it seems they stopped making those for the C3 they really should update their material.

But if the pads don't have that many miles you can probably sell them here for someone that wants to try the higher performance pads or does track with their car.