2) Pads: I'm running Axxis Ultimates. Very pleased with their cold performance (while driving to work of course) as well as autocross/light track duty (not that it matters in your case but just FYI). They do dust like hell but the dust is very easy to get off. A matter of rinse and wipe. Hawks HPS or even HP+ are comparable but I've heard they produce just as much brake dust that is much harder to clean off your wheels.

I personally wouldn't bother with AEM pads...not that big of a difference over the stock pads.

Shingo