Which GM Brake Pads?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Derry NH
Which GM Brake Pads?
My car is a 99 with stock brakes (as in, every component is from the factory, the car has 27k miles), I am going to replace my pads, and maybe even pick up the AC Delco drilled/slotted rotors.
Gene has two pads that I could choose from, the C5 Z06 pads or GM Ceramic pads. Help me make the performance minded choice. I am open to aftermarket opinions, but I am not doing all new brakes at this time... I think I would like to stay within GM, due to past experiences with other cars. (especially with rotors)
Gene has two pads that I could choose from, the C5 Z06 pads or GM Ceramic pads. Help me make the performance minded choice. I am open to aftermarket opinions, but I am not doing all new brakes at this time... I think I would like to stay within GM, due to past experiences with other cars. (especially with rotors)
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 1
Ceramic is not a good performance choice. From what I read, if you are going to track the car then drilled rotors aren't really the best choice because it weakens the rotor. There are some pictures on the forum that show some cracked drilled rotors on all four corners.
Last edited by RespondsWithGif; Feb 6, 2008 at 08:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
If you are going to track the car, I recommend NAPA Solid rotors and Z06 pads. Z06 pads dust a lot, but perform.
If you are just going street use, I would use DELCO Ceramics (I have), they dust very little and most is light colored dust. They will lock up your wheels for an emergencey stop (can't get any better performance), but will fade under repeaded high speed use (such as at track). For street you can use any rotors. Drilled rotors are just for looks, they do not improve performance and will crack under track use.
NAPA and GM both have some cheap slotted and drilled rotors that are fine for street use. Make sure to paint the top hats, vents and holes, before you put them on as it will prevent them from rusting. Use rusteleom high temp (1200 degrees) paint.
If you are just going street use, I would use DELCO Ceramics (I have), they dust very little and most is light colored dust. They will lock up your wheels for an emergencey stop (can't get any better performance), but will fade under repeaded high speed use (such as at track). For street you can use any rotors. Drilled rotors are just for looks, they do not improve performance and will crack under track use.
NAPA and GM both have some cheap slotted and drilled rotors that are fine for street use. Make sure to paint the top hats, vents and holes, before you put them on as it will prevent them from rusting. Use rusteleom high temp (1200 degrees) paint.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
I have GM ceramics and even have drilled rotors (Non GM) and they seem to work good. I ran my car once at a HPDE, and they seemed to work OK. I was able to ride peoples azz, but I was in the novice group. They didn't fad, but I could tell that they was reaching there limit of about to. I think they would be OK if you are just out there for fun, and not too serious about tracking. I made my rotors turned blue and peeled the zinc plating off the edge of the center hub. So I was working them. But I didn't see any stress cracks. I think if I did it much more, I would. I am going to get some cheap NAPA rotors and different pads for tracking. It doesn't take that long to change out the brake rotors and pads, and I don't do this very often. The ceramics are great if you like clean wheels.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Derry NH
Sounds like I will leave the stocker rotors for now and go for Z06 pads. The car never goes many miles between washings, so the dust is no problem.
I will be tracking the car, more and more as time goes on. My car has the base suspension, with the exception of Z06 sway bars, so after I am happier with my brakes I will move on to some suspension upgrades. I am lowered, I think I will raise back to stock before I go for my first trip.
I have to get my car inpsected (for the track, not the state) and I know that the brake fluid and pads need to be taken care of before I try to get my inspection.
I will be tracking the car, more and more as time goes on. My car has the base suspension, with the exception of Z06 sway bars, so after I am happier with my brakes I will move on to some suspension upgrades. I am lowered, I think I will raise back to stock before I go for my first trip.
I have to get my car inpsected (for the track, not the state) and I know that the brake fluid and pads need to be taken care of before I try to get my inspection.
