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I think I'm actually gonna go ahead and start to prep my SAAB for racing. However I can't afford any kind of caliper upgrade so I'm going to have to make due with my stock binders. Unfortunately, this will probably be a game of "what's actually available for a SAAB?" For example I think the most aggressive stuff Hawk makes is HPS pads. So what would you guys suggest I look for?

EDIT: What's the consensus on EBC pads? I can Yellowstuff for all four corners.

If it's a track day car with occasional drives around town or to meets, you'll want an aggressive pad. The Yellow stuff is your basic weekend warrior replacement. Look at the Blue/Orange for a track car. I'd also throw PAGID Blue, Porterfield R-4 (I ran the 4S compound on the STI), Racing Brake, and StopTech in the same league, depending if they make pads for the Saab.

Other things that you should change out if you haven't for track use:
Stainless Steel lines all around.
High temp brake fluid (I use ATF Super Blue, but anything rated high will be fine).
Think about getting titanium shims for the back of your pads and bearings. Both prevent the transfer of heat to your bearings, which can be costly to replace!

Well EBC Yellow stuff is as good as they make with my car. I can't figure out PAGID's website so they're out. Porterfield makes the R-4 and the R-4S for my car. Racing Brake and Stoptech both make nothing for a SAAB.

So it's down to EBC Yellow and Porterfield R-4 or R-4S. This car probably won't be a track only car, it'll probably see more autocross. I'd like to be able to rock up and do a track day without having to change my pads. I'll probably go for the R-4 pads, they seem to perform about the same cold according to Porterfield's documentation and handle heat better than the R-4S. My 9-5 is a very heavy car so those pads will see a lot of heat.

I have braided steel lines, I just need to install them. I was planning on using Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid, or should I opt for something more serious?

A set of Hawk HPS pads are a good choice as well, and they will likely have pads for the Saab. They can take the weekend abuse and be completely livable day to day.
Valvoline makes a DOT 3/4 Synthetic Brake fluid that has about 90% the temp threshold of Super Blue but is very inexpensive. Advanced Auto sells 16 fl oz. for $4 and 32 fl oz. for $8.

I'm still inclined to lean toward more pad than I need than less. My 9-5 is a 3600+ lb car. It's only got 308mm vented discs up front so they're gonna get hot. The wider rubber I'm looking at getting will only push those brakes harder.

OK, go with the Hawk HP PLUS. Again they will have a wide range of sizes. The Saab will likely be there.
What are you thinking for tires?

Some kind of wide summer rubber. The cheaper the better.

Look into the Sumitomo HTR Z III (235/45ZR17 for $105.00.)

drwrx wrote:Look into the Sumitomo HTR Z III (235/45ZR17 for $105.00.)

GREAT tire for the price. Next step up will cost you at least twice as much!

I have those.
Not bad in of themselves. The price makes them much better.
But take my input with a grain of salt; my all-time fav performance tire for the money were the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712. I wish I had bought more of them.

drwrx wrote:Look into the Sumitomo HTR Z III (235/45ZR17 for $105.00.)

Thanks for the tip, and they're non-directional. If I can't do a front-back-across tires rotation my saab will eat a set of tires in no time.