changing race pads
 

on the akebono caliper, do you need to keep that center shim/spring on the caliper or can you just use the long pin and cotter pin?

good question. I would think it would be ok without it, just a little noisy, but its not that hard to put it back in.

yeah I was just curious as I was changing the brakes last night. I have been using my race pads without the shim, I am seriously thinking about adding one in the back after seeing all the rubber booty melting off in every one of my car

It's just an anti-rattle spring. Race pads move around enough as it is so I would probably keep it installed.

He's not talking about the shims that clip on the pads. Those are unnecessary. He's talking about the retainer piece that the pad crossbars go through. I'd guess you're fine without it, but as Mike said it's very easy to install so I do so.

Yes, anti-rattle spring. Nissan calls it a cross-spring, just stops the pad bouncing up and and down (outwardly on the rotational axis).