GT5/GT5-S Brake Pad Updates?

I am into my third set of Porterfields. The first thing I noticed about them in comparing them side to side with a full original pad is that the liner is thinner then the stock pads.

That considered, I'm questioning the "most have shaved them down" comment for accuracy.

It is a false narrative here.

I will say that I also question the value on a street car.

Yes the r4s is the street compound but I don't see them as better in any way then your regular, run of the mill "semi-metallic" compound especially considering the differences in cost.

I don't see them as having better stopping distances and I don't drive hard enough apparently to use the heat fade properties.

Just my observations and there may be some advantages to using them if you are a serious auto-crosser that drives the car to the event.

I see Vintage Trans Am racers (which I am not) going through two or three rotors and pads just in practice sessions. So you can make your own judgements on that scenario yourself?

I can't run out and mic' the thicknesses for you but the stock pads in the shop are roughly 3/8" thick wearas the Porterfield's are roughly 5/16" thick out of the box.

Make sure that your pistons are fully seated. Sometimes internally they develop a ridge that stops the piston from fully seating. That will make the pads seem too thick new for sure. Been there...done that.

This grey hair and bumps on my head were earned by hard knocks. It isn't necessarily a universal requirement for others though?

Panteradoug, thanks for the reply. What year is your car?

I am confirming dimensions today on the FRP105 and GD557 pads.

I have the R4S on another car and like them. Good enough for spirited road use from my experience.

The Porterfield's are on both my 73 Pantera and 68 GT350.

So, I finally got around to doing something with the new R4S pads...from a year ago.

The front FRP-105 were 0.848" new in the box. I needed to cut them down to 19mm or approx 0.750" to fit my calipers.

The new rear GD557 fit without any modification.

As usual, Peter H. was correct and his info on these options is still valid.

Regarding the R4S, I feel they are good street pads but not made for track use. I will keep my very effective but heavy dusting track pads for more serious situations.

As an aside, my car has stainless lines and modern racing brake fluid. Combined with new modern tires, it stops extremely well.

A modern supercar snob friend of mine exclaimed when he hit the brakes from 100mph.

Not bad for a 40yr old car...

LS

Not to veer off the topic, I have been using R4S pads for the past 10 years and have always noticed some brake dust mainly on front wheels after only 30-40 miles of stop and go driving necessitating cleaning the wheels every time I drive the car.

OMG,  I have had them on another car for about the same time and have been very happy with that application.

I didn’t clean the wheels when I swapped Monday so I can’t say which pad left the dust.

I will find out Friday evening and I hope I don’t experience what you have!!

Thanks for the reply.

Dust Report

The R4S definitely does dust but nowhere near the amount that my track pads did.

Compounding my situation is that I have white wheels.

I do miss the initial bite of the other pads but I can live with the R4S...