Yeah, I know this is an old post. Given the lack of activity on this forum, I figure any post is a good post at this point.
I've been buying Performance Friction pads for all my recent brake jobs. "Carbon Metallic" material. Made in USA. Not "horribly" expensive, I get 'em on Amazon. They're $35 a set for the fronts. Haven't worn out any of them on any vehicle I've put them on; so I have little idea on service life. Seems to be pretty good (so far.)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EJBUV0...v_ov_lig_dp_it
The only ceramic pads I've used were from a LONG time ago (15+ years. Maybe 20+ years ago.) I HATED them. Poor stopping power. They wore like iron, though. They're the only brake pads I ever owned that I wanted to wear out quickly, so I had an excuse to replace them. They were installed on the front of my '88 K1500.
Poor stopping power?
Verify the brake booster is operating correctly. I had (have) two Luminas that had poor stopping power, both were fixed with replacement boosters. Both had a firm pedal, both boosters held vacuum. The boosters failed internally, they didn't "boost". Well, they did boost but not as much as they should have.
Partially-seized calipers; or out-of-adjustment rear calipers are another possibility. The "first-gen" rear calipers have a bad reputation; they've been JUST FINE on my vehicles.
Use the park brake now 'n' then to keep 'em adjusted.