brake pads?... help me choose

[97&02camryleI4]

I'm looking for a simple brake upgrade for my 1997 Camry LE i4. Fronts are rotors and rears are drums. I am not sure what type of pads/shoes I have on right now because my dad took it to an independent shop to have the brakes done so this is the first time I'm doing the brakes. I looked on TireRack and they have different brands (Akebono ProACT ceramic, Satisfied Pro Perform OEM [oem compound], Satisfied Pro Ceramic, EBC Greenstuff, and Hawk HPS Street pads). The EBC Greenstuff and Hawk HPS Street pads use a composite material so is that better/worse than ceramic pads? I've read some threads about the Hawk HPS Street pads and heard many praises but I still want to know how it compares to the other pads TireRack has for sale.

What I'm looking for is minimal brake dust/noise and better stopping power/force. I know usually you have to give one up for the other but a balance of both would be best. Please give me any input and advice on these brake pads. BTW.... anyone know why TireRack doesn't have brake shoes on its online catalog? Thanks.

[woshiagni]

I'm using the EBC Greenstuff. To be totally honest, I don't feel like the brake compound really makes a day and night difference. For better brake feel and stopping performance, there's no way around getting bigger rotors and more powerful calipers. For such a heavy car, I think Toyota underequipped the Camry... but anyways...

I don't know what TireRack's definition of "composite" means... I think the Greenstuff is advertised as a carbon kevlar pad... just marketing terms to me. Greenstuff pads I would only rate a so-so on the dust ... they do dust, but not as bad as the TRD pads. Mine started making squealing noises about 2000 miles after I put them on, although that could be my calipers (not enough compound).

Most people seem to be happy with Hawk and KVR on this forum... try their pads out. You can also try Porterfield R4-S pads, those will probably be my next set. As for brake shoes... I think the "performance market" for drums is non-existent... if they even exist I doubt Tire Rack would carry it because their sales volume would be so low.

[Aussie Ed]

if you wanna upgrade your brakes and to improve braking performance, as woshiagni said bigger disc rotors and calipars are the way to go.

i'm not sure what out there in the overseas market, but i reckon, if you want a real big jump in braking performance, go for a set of mk4 and up supra disc rotors and calipars. that's if you can afford it.