I installed the PowerStop K7002 kit which is their Z23 carbon fiber ceramic brake pad with their drilled/slotted/coated rotors on my 2015 big turbo FiST. Overall the kit looks good and the rotors are good quality. Along with stainless steel lines the kit was an easy install without any issues.
Comparison to stock - Overall braking performance is definitely under stock levels of performance. The carbon fiber ceramic pads just don't compare to the grabby metallic compound stock pads (my 2015 came with the early very grabby/dusty oem pads) in either initial bite or under heavy braking. Overall I am having to push the brake pedal down further and harder than I would with the stock. I feel that it is too much of a compromise for reduced dusting, and affects the overall feel of the car waaaay too much. One a positive note, the pads are dust-free so far when I would have for sure expected to see the dark colored brake powder on my white painted wheels by now.
Conclusion - I would continue to buy the rotors, they are good quality and look great and are not a large price increase over stock. I would not buy these Z23 carbon fiber ceramic pads ever again. They are just not anywhere near the feel of the stock pads. They feel like any other non-performance OEM pad you would expect to find on a base model sedan. The stock ST pads are worlds above in initial bite and overall stopping power. I would never ever use these on the track or autocross, while the stock pads are known to hold their own when pushed. I will either be switching to the stock pads at my earliest convenience, or I may go with an EBC offering (still doing research).
ETA: Apparently the pads had glazed, perhaps from being to soft on them during the bedding procedures, which these pads have a very specific procedure to follow from the manufacturer....
OK just got done sanding the pads and it made a difference for sure. Overall stopping power is on par with stock once you slam on the brakes where as before the car took more time to stop. These will take some adjusting since I am used to the strong initial bite of the stock pads, this definitely doesn't have anywhere near the bite even after the sanding. I am not sure if I would use these on the track or autocross, as they are going to take some time for me to get used to as I already mentioned.
New Conclusion for the pads: These are an acceptable replacement for stock pads if you are looking to maintain the same overall full-press stopping performance, with reduced initial bite/grab and less dust. IMO they change the feel of the ST too much from what you would be used to if you have been using the stock pads like me. The stock pads definitely stock quicker and with less pedal pressure, you really need to slam on the brakes to get these pads to grab like the stock, but they eventually do grab. You will need to change the way you brake, which for some may not be what they want. I think I may be one of those people but I will see how things go over the next months with these pads and post an update.
Comparison to stock - Overall braking performance is definitely under stock levels of performance. The carbon fiber ceramic pads just don't compare to the grabby metallic compound stock pads (my 2015 came with the early very grabby/dusty oem pads) in either initial bite or under heavy braking. Overall I am having to push the brake pedal down further and harder than I would with the stock. I feel that it is too much of a compromise for reduced dusting, and affects the overall feel of the car waaaay too much. One a positive note, the pads are dust-free so far when I would have for sure expected to see the dark colored brake powder on my white painted wheels by now.
Conclusion - I would continue to buy the rotors, they are good quality and look great and are not a large price increase over stock. I would not buy these Z23 carbon fiber ceramic pads ever again. They are just not anywhere near the feel of the stock pads. They feel like any other non-performance OEM pad you would expect to find on a base model sedan. The stock ST pads are worlds above in initial bite and overall stopping power. I would never ever use these on the track or autocross, while the stock pads are known to hold their own when pushed. I will either be switching to the stock pads at my earliest convenience, or I may go with an EBC offering (still doing research).
ETA: Apparently the pads had glazed, perhaps from being to soft on them during the bedding procedures, which these pads have a very specific procedure to follow from the manufacturer....
OK just got done sanding the pads and it made a difference for sure. Overall stopping power is on par with stock once you slam on the brakes where as before the car took more time to stop. These will take some adjusting since I am used to the strong initial bite of the stock pads, this definitely doesn't have anywhere near the bite even after the sanding. I am not sure if I would use these on the track or autocross, as they are going to take some time for me to get used to as I already mentioned.
New Conclusion for the pads: These are an acceptable replacement for stock pads if you are looking to maintain the same overall full-press stopping performance, with reduced initial bite/grab and less dust. IMO they change the feel of the ST too much from what you would be used to if you have been using the stock pads like me. The stock pads definitely stock quicker and with less pedal pressure, you really need to slam on the brakes to get these pads to grab like the stock, but they eventually do grab. You will need to change the way you brake, which for some may not be what they want. I think I may be one of those people but I will see how things go over the next months with these pads and post an update.
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