Front brake pads ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Front brake pads ?
I'm getting ready to replace the front pads on my 89, and I was wondering which is a better pad, Semi-metallic or Ceramic ? Let me hear you case for either ! THANK YOU !
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: South Dakota
Aklim's linked article is pretty basic, but it is a pretty good overview.
You should look at your intended use. The requirements for race vs good street performance vs longest life can lead you to different pads.
Since you didn't mention use, I am guessing that you want a solid performing pad for street use. My choice is for a ceramic pad. They can perform well, last a long time, and create very little dust. I have used several brands/models of ceramic pads and found them acceptable. I used ProStop evolution which is an inexpensive pad and it works well on my C5 and my Impala LTZ. I also used a cheap pad (under $10) when I was sorting out a brake problem on a C5. I tried Performance Friction ceramic pads. I was surprised that they stopped better than original GM (semi-metallic) pads and had a lot less dust. I had planned on getting better pads, but I wound up leaving those pads and they worked well for me.
If you are planning to track the car, ceramics may not be the best. You should probably be looking for a pad designed for racing. They can have better performance without fading as much. I had some semi-metallic pads that were more of a track pad on a '94 and it had poor street performance. They would not work as well until they warmed up. There was a noticeable difference between cold and hot. Cold they would not work as well even in normal driving the car didn't seem to slow as well. Just my impression, but they seemed hard maybe because it took more pedal pressure. They also created a lot of brake dust.
You should match your brake pads to the expected use. For me, I like the ceramics for normal street driving (even spirited street driving).
Good luck.
You should look at your intended use. The requirements for race vs good street performance vs longest life can lead you to different pads.
Since you didn't mention use, I am guessing that you want a solid performing pad for street use. My choice is for a ceramic pad. They can perform well, last a long time, and create very little dust. I have used several brands/models of ceramic pads and found them acceptable. I used ProStop evolution which is an inexpensive pad and it works well on my C5 and my Impala LTZ. I also used a cheap pad (under $10) when I was sorting out a brake problem on a C5. I tried Performance Friction ceramic pads. I was surprised that they stopped better than original GM (semi-metallic) pads and had a lot less dust. I had planned on getting better pads, but I wound up leaving those pads and they worked well for me.
If you are planning to track the car, ceramics may not be the best. You should probably be looking for a pad designed for racing. They can have better performance without fading as much. I had some semi-metallic pads that were more of a track pad on a '94 and it had poor street performance. They would not work as well until they warmed up. There was a noticeable difference between cold and hot. Cold they would not work as well even in normal driving the car didn't seem to slow as well. Just my impression, but they seemed hard maybe because it took more pedal pressure. They also created a lot of brake dust.
You should match your brake pads to the expected use. For me, I like the ceramics for normal street driving (even spirited street driving).
Good luck.
Last edited by QCVette; Oct 5, 2020 at 09:48 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
For a high quality low dust performance street brake pad take a look at the Carbotech 1521 brake pad 100% non-corrosive dust will not harm your wheels, paint or rotors. Carbotech brake pads are 100% made in the USA and can be ordered online here http://ampdautosport.com/brake-pads/corvette/ or call me at 216-780-8825. The part numbers you need are front CT412 and rear CT413. Use promo code z28 at check out to receive your forum discount.
The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
__________________
Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
__________________
Adam Adelstein
Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.
PH:216-780-8825.
Email: sales@ampdautosport.com
Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/
All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.
Check out Promo code:z28
