I use Praise Dyno brake pads & shoes exclusively. I recently ordered PDB's Stage I kit for my K10. The package arrived today. I wish I had a digicam. The integral backing plates and pad sides are lime green.
It kinda grows on ya.
The pads/shoes do work very well and last long while placing less wear on the rotors/drums. I think it's because they use kevlar in their composite which enables more sparing use of metalic particles. PDB emphasizes getting better braking performance from both front
and rear brakes. They claim that the wheel cylinders they sell have oversize bores. I will be sure to mic 'em when I swap out parts. I've had Praise Dyno's Stage I Disc & Drum kit parts on my K20 since '94. I like everything about them but the price.
If you want a trick brake set-up using oem-sized componets, Praise Dyno offers
cryo'd rotors and drums made from nodular iron, not plain cast like oem. Praise Dyno claims that their 4 wheel cryo sets perform better than many oversize brakes offered for 67-72s, but with no need for larger rims or non-stock replacement parts. I went with Stage I this time. One day, I hope to upgrade the K20 to 4 wheel discs with cryo'd rotors.
I found them very knowledgable and they've helped me dispell several misconceptions I had about high-end brake componets. For instance, SSBC offers their cool looking, aluminum,
Force 10 calipers available as upgrades to stock 1/2 & 3/4 ton chevy calipers. Praise Dyno tested them and found that a 4-piston
Force 10 caliper has only about 50lbs more clamping force than my K10's single piston calipers. That's little upgrade for the whopping price difference. Judge PDB's products for yourself. I use them because I like better braking than oem with oem replaceable parts.
Some examples:
Stage I (you use your rotors/drums)
Stage II Street Performer Kit (rear drums not included)
Stage II Disc & Drum Kit
Stage II 4-Wheel Disc Kit (My K20 upgrade)
Stage III (Bling Bling)