10,000 Miles On Stillen's Metal Matrix
 

When I bought this car, Infiniti was not warranteeing the brakes. Now they are. So when I saw the brake dust problem, I looked for a solution and bought the Metal Matrix pads to keep the dust down. Well I swapped back now 10,000 miles back to the original stock pads to take advantage of the warranty coverage. My opinions/findings:

Metal Matrix pads produce less dust, are easier to modulate (more linear brake pad feel), are not as good for stopping at low speeds (<60), brake much better from high speeds (60 on up to 140 or so), have almost a negative fade (they stop better as they get hotter if your brake fluid is up to par--I use DOT5.1.). They are cheaper by about 15.00 per set too. In 10,000 miles I used exactly the same amount of front rotor (little less than 1 mm) with the metal matrix as I used with the stock pads for the first 15,000 miles. Brake pad wear was much much less on the Metal Matrix pads. As metal pads they don't like the cold weather, but still stop better than other cars I have owned when cold just not as good as the G's stock brakes.

The stock brakes are NIGHT AND DAY better for panic stops from less than 60 mph but do fade, so after several hard stops the metal matrix are as good as the stock brakes at low (<60 mph). The stockers are also much harder for me to modulate, and seem to be pretty much two mode: on and off

My recommendation, since they are cheaper and only wear the rotors a bit more, is that for racing the metal matrix are a good brake pad. If you can keep em hot, they will stop over and over again better than the stock pads. But for traffic, the stock pads are much better. If you only hit the brakes hard once or twice a day, the stock pads are the better choice, plus they are warranteed.

Some background on how I drive: I have no brake rotor warping, no runout at all on a dial indicator, I bleed my brakes every 5000 miles when I rotate my tires, I drive hard, and have done many many mountain trips. I don't deal with any traffic except for trips to Phoenix (once a month or so). 8500 miles (i.e. zero brake usage) of the first 15,000 miles with the stock pads were two roadtrips to Florida from AZ, so the rotor wear is closer than indicated by my measurements.


Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit

Re: 10,000 Miles On Stillen's Metal Matrix
 

Sounds like you have had good luck with Metal Matrix. Thanks for letting us know about their traffic short coming, that may turn some people off to them.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Prem/Winter/Aero/Tint/Rims
69 Chevelle Hard Top BB/4.11's/Posi

Re: 10,000 Miles On Stillen's Metal Matrix
 

It is not a shortcoming, you just have to keep em warm and even when cold they will still stop loads better than a taurus or other sedan.

when I come off the freeway, i brake in several stages to make sure they are warm while on the off ramp. I do the same thing for the first two or three starts in the morning.

But yes you do have to remember they are there. You can't "forget about em until you need em".

Yes, I have had good luck with them and I will keep the set around until my warranty expires and use them then.

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit

Re: 10,000 Miles On Stillen's Metal Matrix
 

We sold a TON of these pads before Infiniti started offering the limited warranty replacement. The feedback I heard was always good and pretty much exactly what you said. Great pads, usually takes one stop to warm up on a cold morning, but after that they're fine. They don't dust as much and don't fade nearly as easily as the stocker either.

While someone's in there I'd also recommend Motul RBF600 fluid to anyone looking to upgrade their brakes, that stuff kicks ***! I've been running it in my car for a few years now and it's held up to every track day, sprited drive, etc.. and just keeps on going. You usually have the best luck finding this stuff at motorcycle/bike shops and will occasionally see it at performance/race shops too.

Hope this helps!



Justin McClanahan
Heavily Modified 95 Infiniti G20
Working on a G35 Coupe
www.InfinitiPartsUSA.com -&gt; www.EverythingG35.com

Re: 10,000 Miles On Stillen's Metal Matrix
 

Just be careful. for the Motul 600 you have to change it frequently as it is more hygroscopic than the Motul 5.1. I highly recommend the 5.1 for daily driver's. It will not absorb as much moisture as the 600.

The Motul 600 cannot be beat for track capabilities, but over the period of a few months it will degrade to less than the capabilities of the 5.1 IF: 1) you live where it is moist (east coast, southeast or Pac Norwest) 2) you cannot completely evacuate the system of moisture laden air when you put it in. 3) It will still be better than the DOT 3 we are currently using stock.

And the difference you feel from changing the fluid will easily be matched by changing to SS brake lines (Goodridge has a set coming out any day for the sedan ~199.00 MSRP).

Better Life thru Chemistry
Black on Black 03.5 Sedan 6MT - Custom Catback, Custom Intake Tube, HyperGround Kit

Re: 10,000 Miles On Stillen's Metal Matrix
 

I would have to somewhat disagree, the RBF 600 does not require frequent bleeding. I've had experience with it on many street cars, track cars and everything in between and compared to the other fluids I've tried/tested the RBF600 is the best all around fluid. While the 5.1 fluid may not absorb as much water, RBF600 has a much higher wet boiling point, so I don't see how it would require frequent changing.
Synpower, Ford Racing and other "high performance" brake fluids I have had to bleed much more frequently, like between sessions on track.

Justin McClanahan
Heavily Modified 95 Infiniti G20
Working on a G35 Coupe
www.InfinitiPartsUSA.com -&gt; www.EverythingG35.com