Best brake pads for Mitsubishi 3000GT?

Question

Hey everyone, I’m currently in the process of refreshing my 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, and I’ve hit a bit of a crossroads when it comes to the braking system. The car is still running the stock sumitomo calipers, but the current pads are squealing like crazy and the brake dust is absolutely destroying my chrome wheels.

I use the car mostly as a spirited weekend cruiser, but I do plan on hitting a few local track days this summer. I’m looking for a solid 'all-rounder' pad that can handle some heat without fading on the third lap, but won't be a nightmare to live with during normal street driving. I’ve been looking into the Akebono ceramics for the low dust factor, but I’m worried they won't have the bite I need when I’m pushing it through the canyons. On the other hand, I’ve heard great things about the StopTech Sport pads and the EBC Yellowstuffs, though some people say the Yellowstuffs can be a bit noisy until they get some temperature in them.

Since these cars are quite heavy (the 'VR-4 weight' is no joke!), stopping power is my top priority, followed closely by noise levels. I’m willing to spend a bit more for quality, so budget isn't a huge constraint—I just want something that feels confident under my foot.

For those of you still dailying or tracking your 3S platforms, what have you found to be the best balance for this specific car? Are there any specific brands that play particularly well with the factory rotors, or should I be looking at a specific pad/rotor combo to get the best results? Looking forward to hearing your experiences!

hvzwenzhfu · Accepted Answer

Honestly, I had a pretty scary experience with cheap pads on my VR-4 last year—the fade was so bad I almost blew a stop sign. It really shook my confidence in the car's weight. Anyway, back to your question, I’ve found that EBC Brakes Yellowstuff 4000 Series Brake Pads DP4848R are a decent step up, though they definitely squeal when cold. If you’re worried about safety like I am, you should check out the technical specs on 3SX.com or Stealth316.com; they’re absolute bibles for our platform’s braking limits. I’m still searching for the perfect rotor combo myself, but definitely don't skimp on the fluid—I switched to Motul RBF 600 Factory Line Racing Brake Fluid and it helped with that 'mushy' pedal feeling after a few hard runs!

RichardSes · Answer

For your situation, I'd honestly skip the ceramics if you're hitting the track. The VR-4 is a heavy beast, and heat soak is real! I've had great luck with StopTech Sport Brake Pads 309.04840 for a 3S platform. They have much better initial bite than stock and don't fade nearly as fast as the Akebono Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pads. They'll dust a bit more, but they're way more confident in the canyons... hope this helps!

KineticKite · Answer

Re: "For your situation, I'd suggest checking out Hawk..." - honestly I totally agree that focusing on reliability is the way to go with these heavy cars. Unfortunately, reading this just reminds me of a total disaster my buddy had with his Stealth back in the day. He was so hyped for this big car meet, spent months prepping everything, but then he had this weird issue where his pedal just went straight to the floor right as we were leaving the driveway. We spent basically the whole weekend covered in brake fluid in his cramped garage instead of actually driving. It was super disappointing because the weather was perfect and we'd planned the route for weeks... just one thing after another went wrong with the lines and he never even got to test the new setup. Every time I see a VR-4 now I just think about that smell of old fluid and the frustration of a car that just wont stop when you need it to. Sucks when things dont go to plan like that.