xp800

My photos were two views of the same "swipe" after about 200 miles of driving. The closeup vs. the far away shows that you can see it when looking closely but from a normal distance the dust is far less noticeable.

I don't have any photos (that I kept) of my Carbotech dust accumulation unfortunately. I am making the comparison entirely from memory (and washing...).

I do believe, from my experience so far having had both types, that if a person already had the Carbotechs installed and feels there is still too much dust, then I do feel these Powerstops would offer a significant decrease from even that level. I have not noticed any difference in brake performance from OEM when I installed either the Carbotechs or the Powerstops.

INTHERED

Your photo that shows the finger swipe if you swiped that same entire area with a paper towel how would it compare to the photos of the paper towel that I posted ?
I think that black wheels make the dust problem more noticeable.

Leadrope

Any update on the use of the OEM Non-Z5 pads? Is it worth switching the Z51 pads out to get away from the brake dust?

INTHERED

I just purchased a set of the Power Stop Z26 extreme pads off of Amazon (xp800 has them on his car now).
I have not had a chance to install them but I was very impressed with the fact that they came with lube and new brake pin springs.
Right now I have the OEM non-Z51 pads on the front and OEM Z51 pads on the rear.
If it ever warms up I plan on replacing the OEM non-Z51 pads on one of the front wheels with the Z26 pads so I can do a direct comparison.
Even if it warms up here in Maryland I can't go for a drive until all of the salt is off of the roads.
I will let you know how it goes but its supposed to snow tonight.

xp800

Sorry, I missed this question. Hard to answer, but I think it would be less than the swipe from the non-Z51 OEM pad.

My plan is to get my silver wheels powder coated black before the spring. And I agree that the real test of the brake dust is on black wheels. I had black on my 2014 Z51, and ANY dust was apparent. We will see in April or so...

The other thing that I have forgotten to mention is that the barrel of the wheel no longer gets extra dust 'flung' on it. My wheel cleaning regimine uses a long wheel brush to clean the barrel. Don't really even need to do that now. I just clean the wheel face and Sonax the calipers (that's just since I can't reach the nooks and crannies).

bob guzzy

I installed TRW front pads on my c7 my, front wheels stayed perfectly clean, while my rears with the factory pads got more black with every use.

I never did find rear pads made by TRW, I traded my car but before it left I put the stock pads back on.

I'm sure most modern ceramic pads are the same I would buy the TRW's again if I saw them offered.

4XLR8N

Didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this has already been said, but I treat my wheels with Rejex. Doesn't eliminate dust but makes clean-up a one minute per wheel exercise after driving.

Leadrope

Any updates on the dust situation on @ different brake pad...please report. Thanks

JerryU

Guess it depends on how you value your time but rather than switching to OEM non Z51 pads it's just as easy (perhaps easier since they are a bit thinner and probably no need to press the pistons back in the caliper) to switch to a quality ceramic pad, Carbotech 1521's!
I lived with the Z51 OEM pads for a year and had to clean my black wheels every ~100 miles. If I didn't, the dust was hard to get off! I waited a year too long to switch! Spent a lot of time cleaning wheels.

The Carbotech pads were slightly thinner than the OEM Z51 pads with a years wear. Since their wear rate is less no issue with life. They just slipped in. They produce 80% less dust and stop at least as good and in fact when cold better IMO. I now wash my wheels when I wash the car and any dust washes away.
The Carbotech 1521's have made no noise since I installed them 1 1/2 years ago.

Trying to save a few bucks with OEM non Z51 pads over the Carbotech 1521's is not worth it IMO.

xp800

FWIW, I continue to be impressed with the Powerstop Z26 pads on my Z51. Having had both the Carbotech 1521 and now the Z26, I can say without a doubt that the Z26 produce FAR less dust than the 1521 on my car. With the 1521, the dust was brownish rather than black, but I'd still need to wash the wheels maybe weekly rather than daily... With the Z26 I've gone almost a month and haven't washed the wheels...and they're still fine. Not that the dust is completely gone, just almost non-existent. And I can't really tell any differences in street braking performance between OEM, 1521, and Z26.

Standard disclaimer...this has been my experience and YMMV.


My original post on the Z26 in this thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591205375

BJ67

Put on the standard stingray GM brake pads, no dust at all. If your tracking the Z51, this advice is void.

Fcal

Next time let the Armor All dry overnight. Mine lasts for at least a month.

hanks10GS

That would certainly be the least expensive. He would save on gas too!

BJ67

The best thing you can do, absolutely. No dust on the OE GM non Z51 pads. I lived with the OE pads on my 08 Z06, what a PITA to keep the wheels and tires clean. I have a Chrome wheel ZF1 pkg base stingray now and what a huge difference. For spirited aggressive street driving
The OE non Z51 pads do a wonderful job and the wheels/tires always look good.

redGS12

Reading the complete blog I think I'm going to try the OEM non Z51 pads on my 2015 Z51. Just really tired of the dust like most. I do have a question. I have 7000 miles on my car, going to these pads would require no rotor prep work as opposed going to ceramic which would. Is that correct'

BJ67

Just put the pads on and test the brakes like any other car. No break in, burn in or any other rotor prep other than maybe a clean up of the rotor with a 220 grit emery cloth to put some scratches on the shiny contact area of the rotor.

Leadrope

I asked this question while attending The Ron Fellows Spring Mountain class and they said they use Hawks.....said "you've been braking on them for the past 2 days and you didn't see any major dust issues did you?" Actually, I didn't notice much brake dust at least nothing like what I see on my Z51 black wheels. Not sure if they detail the cars each night so not sure how many miles of brake dust I was looking at.

VETTEKEDC7

New convert here. Have a new C7 on a road trip. Replaced OEM pads at 850 miles because my silver painted wheels looked like they had never been washed after a 150 trip. Have now put on 900 additional miles with very little dust. Actually have to swipe my finger across the wheel to tell if its dirty. Only one episode of squealing at a low constant speed through a parking lot. Once I hit the brakes a bit harder - it stopped. I paid approx. $150 for all four direct from Power Stop. Highly recommend trying these. Now watching total life of pads.

ErnieD

Do you have any opinion yet on rotor friendliness of the Z26 pads? I'm considering the Z26's over the Carbotech's, as the other issues such as price, low dusting, and max operating temperature all favor the Z26's.

Thanks,
Ernie

xp800

Ernie,

I do not have any strong thoughts one way or the other WRT rotor friendliness. I probably have less than 1500 miles on the pads. I'll try to take a pic of my front rotors tonight and post. But I don't remember what they looked like before the pad swap.

Another thread on the Z26 here, maybe ask the same question there for others' thoughts:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rake-pads.html