Pad material is a huge issue! Most EBC pads up to and including yellow, just have a narrow temp band. Ferrodo and Hawk pads of more racing nature are suited to the V8. The Brembo setup is adequate, but good brake fluid and pads are required to get excellent braking. I have Brembos on my 99 and with Hawk HP Plus pads up front and EBC yellow on the rear, my seat belt will choke me from 120mph when depressed suddenly. The idea that you can only get stopping power from more Pistons is not accurate. Yes, it can improve the clamping force but improvement in pad material is a giant leap forward when it comes to friction developed for stopping. If you are having issues getting stopping power from your Brembo equipped car, try Hawk HP Plus or Ferrodo or even a Carbotech pad. Stainless lines, new fluid and a proper flush will have your braking much improved. Also, don't discount the performance improvement that can be made by ensuring the rear brakes are sliding properly on the slider mechanism as well as the pad material being applied to the rear. Using more aggressive pads will result in more dust, but I would rather be cleaning dust off my car and wheels than towing the car home with a damaged front end from lack of stopping power. Additionally, PNM offers some braking improvement kits retaining the stock Brembo calipers but increasing the diameter of the discs. This is a very easy and relatively inexpensive way to increase brake torque that will improve your stopping power. They offer standard disc type kits with solid discs for front or rear or 2 piece. I have ordered the 2 piece rear upgrade as I needed new rear rotors anyway so I will post a write up on installation when the kit arrives in the coming weeks. I will also be installing the 2 piece larger front kit as well with soon thereafter. Just thought I would add some context here to this constantly circulating myth that even the Brembo brake V8's don't stop well.....
By by the way, the part number for the front Hawk HP Plus pads for the Brembo equipped cars is:. HB194 N.570
Artie
99 V8