14th March 2009: Well, the stock Toyota pads weren't up to the job. They were fine for normal driving, but once you started getting 'spirited', then the confidence wasn't there, and they didn't scrub off the speed fast enough. While the Carbotech pads are acknowledged as the best pads for the MR2, they create a lot of very sticky dust, and BOOSTY's wheels are not the easiest to clean. They're also ~£300 a set. I thought I'd try the EBC Yellow Stuff race pads, and bought a front and rear set.

They went on easily, the fronts come with some adhesive backed anti-squeal shims, which are slightly thinner than the Toyota shims, making fitting easy.

Within 3 miles, they were biting harder than the Toyota pads! After 10 miles, they're excellent, they inspire loads more confidence than the stock pads, they work well cold, and don't squeal (yet!). I can't wait to see what they're like once they've bedded in and are warmed up, I've a feeling I'll be getting through front tyres faster from now on...

19th April 2008: It was time to do the brakes. The old ones didn't feel that confident, plus I'd got my new discs back from the electroplaters so had all the parts ready to go.

The first caliper I took off (NSF) wasn't quite seized, but it was much stiffer than it should have been. I stripped it down, cleaned up the old pistons (which came up like new) and re-built it with a new Toyota seal kit. Before and after pics of the parts below.

The other 3 calipers were fine, just needing some light cleaning and re-greasing with Lithium Complex Soap (Millers DPEP2 Grease). The handbrake cables were all good too!

So, I fitted:
- Brakes International Discs, Electroplated in Zinc Yellow Passivate at S.M.F. Electroplating
- Goodridge Braided Hoses
- Toyota MR2 Turbo Pads F&R
- New Seal Kit, Slider Pins, Bolts and Clips
- Flush fluid with Motul RBF600 racing brake fluid

Pics of the finished brakes...

... and an excuse to polish up my exhaust again :)

The brakes are now superb, bite and stopping power is excellent. Time will tell if the Toyota pads are up to an extended period of spirited driving. I'll find out in July when I go to Scotland! As an added bonus, the zinc plated discs were a great idea, even after being on the car for over a month, they still look new, and rather than having rusty discs showing through my wheels, I've got nice shiny ones.