[randywebb]

"I didn't notice anything different..."

- Once the stock pad deteriorates it will not dampen noise anymore. The inards turn to dust before you notice anything wrong except at the very edge.

The newer stock pads are said to be better made and to save about 4l bs. over the older stock pads.

If you put a shiny metallic pad in, you gain that beloved blingy look, and you are doing an experiment on adding heat to the engine. The amt. of heat added may or may not be significant, but my feeling (besides the nasty bling issue) is: "why do I want to add ANY heat to the engine?"

So, do whatever .... but those are the issues - one is subjective and the other objective and of unknown quantity.