Jeff Carver

For normal "daily driving" purposes, is there any compelling reason to upgrade my C5's brake pads? I put on better pads for autocross and HPDE/PDX events, but I'm reluctant to spend extra money to replace the OEM pads for street use.

FX VETTE

The OEM pads create a lot of dust on my rims, I switched to ceramic pads in hopes of getting less brake dust. But I haven't driven the car enough yet since then to see a difference yet, so the jury is still out. Other than that, I was happy with the OEM stopping power.

Vetteman Jack

I run the OEM brake pads on mine and haven't noticed an excess of brake dust on the wheels and the stopping power is just fine. I did however put on a set of Hawk HPS pads on the '00 I had and they did seem to cut down on the brake dust a bit and the stopping power was just as good as the OEM pads.

Gordy M

For street use a stock pad or a ceramic pad will do. In you case you might consider a second set of rotors and pads for autocross/HPDE. The Z06 pad is more aggressive than the standard pad and for autocrossing but will often experience fading near the end of a HPDE session. Also you should mate the pads to the rotors to optimize stopping power, that is why I have two separate sets.

racebum

oem z06 pad was my favorite. available under the delco part numbers and inexpensive on amazon. under 200 a set front and rear shipped. the z06 pads are more aggressive. they do dust and have occasional low speed squal though. very good pad with excellent modulation though

above is true about possible fading at the end of an HDPE especially if it's a fast track or you use sticky tires. it's a good street autocross pad and or HPDE on street tires pad. HPDE + sticky tires and late brake points will overheat them

gimp

I like the Hawk HPS 5.0 pads. I can drive through mountains and twisties without fear of fading the brakes.

If you're just puttering around town, nah, stock is fine.