I've experienced that with carbon metallic brake pads- They were weaker than stock when cold, but stronger than stock when they got hot (after a few hard stops). Like you say, 95% of the time my brakes were cold, so those pads were definitely not ideal. I can see how they would be good for racing though, which is really what they were designed for and why TRD sells them...

The Hawk HPS pads I'm using now are stronger than stock hot or cold, which I like, but they are really dusty.


My limited experience with smoking clutches is that they slip a lot more when overheated (and obviously heat up even more as they slip more). I can see how the ceramic clutch would be better in that situation. I just wonder how bad the "on/off" characteristic really is. If its as bad as that one user said, I don't think I'd like it for normal daily driving...

I also think there is a lot more to a friction material than just what it is made out of (base material). They can play with the friction vs. heat properties and make them act differently depending on the designed use like racing or street, etc.