I'm looking for replacement alternatives for my front and rear brake pads. I have the "typical?" drag-race medium duty .350" rotor dual piston dynalite calipers. Should I use a different pad for the front than the rear? What to buy? Where to buy? etc...3000lbs car and driver 160?mph.

I would look at Hawk pads. We have had really good service with them. Summit carries them.

Excellent, thank you.

I just put Wilwood front discs on my dart and do not like the feel of them. Would a softer pad give more holding power at the starting line? If so which part # would you recommend?

Are you talking about foot braking a car and creeping in the staging beams at the track? That's the hardest part of foot braking without a chip IMO. You have to push down hard on the pedal to hold the car and it negates a lot of reaction time. Some classes that allow it guys use a 4 wheel line lock. Clutch cars kind of need them.

I assume these are 4 piston calipers. I would look at the bore size on the calipers. I've seen some of their stuff with smaller bores than what the Strange and others use. Makes a difference in clamp pressure and MC size needed. Got caught with that years ago, once.

As far as pads, drag race stuff is usually formulated to work well cold since brake temps are not an issue, as opposed to road race/oval/street applications. Strange recommends a soft metallic for best holding capacity on a drag race front brake.

Thank you for all the feedback guys, I just called Hawk and their tech seemed competent with direction, mentioning typical 'cold' brakes. Their recommendation was the DTC-30 compound for both front and rear (big tire). FWIW a 'set' consists of '4' pads.

We have run the DR97 compound stuff and been happy. Been using them on the dragster and ran them on the Cuda with great results. I am sure you will be happy with them

It was late and I didn't see that questions had been asked about multiple cars. On the OP's car...a dual piston caliper medium duty kit (on the front I assume) on a 3000# car at 160 is asking a lot if it's not a big tire car with substantial rear brakes. The DR97 pad is drag race specific. I haven't used the DTC-30 and would think it may be a more dual purpose friendly pad.

Now you guys are steering me toward the dr97's. Based on your wording Al, I thought you meant I'd be happy with the 30's/Hawks in general, but I read it differently now. Is this 2 votes for the 97? If so that's what I'll order.

I am a fan of the Hawk stuff for sure. My only experience is why the DR97 stuff. I would assume the guy at Hawk made his suggestions based on his knowledge of what you were looking for. Just stating for me its always been the DR97 stuff. Probably 6 sets on the Cuda over the years and maybe 4 on the dragster. Seems the boy and I use both pedals rather liberally

I'm very hesitant to disagree with the recommendation of a tech person for the company making the parts. There may be a piece of information I'm missing. Maybe you don't need the holding capability on the starting line. Maybe he thinks there needs to be a higher temp window for your application. Ask them why they prefer this over the drag pad. Again, if this car is driven on the street occasionally, that may be the rub. But the DR97 is a drag race pad and the DTS-30 is a mid-range aggressive material designed for dirt track racing, per the Hawk web site. Try them. Not like you can't change them out.