Brake Pad/Fluid Recommendations
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Vestal NY
Brake Pad/Fluid Recommendations
Well its almost time to replace brake pads/fluid and am looking for recommendations. This is a daily driver and is not raced. I would like to take a pda or similar driving course for a couple days on a track so i am thinking up upgrading brakes but do not want to spend a fortune. The existing rotors are fine and do not pulse so I wanted to keep them for now. I know GM offers a ceremic brake pad which is supposed to be better with less dust but i heard the fade when hot. Also want to change brake fluid so i am looking for recommendations on that as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
You are correct you do not need to spend a lot of money to have great brakes on your vette.
Most ppl go to a DOT 4 brake fluid. Ford HD or ATE Super blue are the most common.
Pads. if you plan on doing a driving school or two do not use cermaic pads. Cermaic pads are to cut down the dust and noise at the expence of some stopping power. Performance Friction PFC-Z pads from autozone are a good choice. Hawk HP PLus, not the Hawk street. The GM ZO6 pads are fine too, Wilwood and Carbotech also make great pads.
Rotors most ppl use the Raybestos rotors from Rockauto.com or NAPA. Great rotors for under $25. Do not go with drilled and slotted as those are for bling bling only not performance stopping.
Next would be to upgrade to stainless steel brake lines to give your brake peddle a firm feel. Goodrich or Earl's
Last would be cooling. Brakes need air and lots of it too cool down. There is a great thread over in Autocross and Road racing about brake cooling and the DRM ducts and Mobil 1 home made brake ducts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=865819
Lots of great pics too.
Many of these questions you ask are over in Autocross and Road racing.
Most ppl go to a DOT 4 brake fluid. Ford HD or ATE Super blue are the most common.
Pads. if you plan on doing a driving school or two do not use cermaic pads. Cermaic pads are to cut down the dust and noise at the expence of some stopping power. Performance Friction PFC-Z pads from autozone are a good choice. Hawk HP PLus, not the Hawk street. The GM ZO6 pads are fine too, Wilwood and Carbotech also make great pads.
Rotors most ppl use the Raybestos rotors from Rockauto.com or NAPA. Great rotors for under $25. Do not go with drilled and slotted as those are for bling bling only not performance stopping.
Next would be to upgrade to stainless steel brake lines to give your brake peddle a firm feel. Goodrich or Earl's
Last would be cooling. Brakes need air and lots of it too cool down. There is a great thread over in Autocross and Road racing about brake cooling and the DRM ducts and Mobil 1 home made brake ducts.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=865819
Lots of great pics too.
Many of these questions you ask are over in Autocross and Road racing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,348
Likes: 3,319
The stock 2002+ Z06 pads are an excellent compromise street/driving school pad. Yes, the dust a little (but nothing like "real" performance pad) and there is no such animal as a low dust, high performance pad.
For fluid, ATE Super Blue and Motul are both excellent and readily available.
Have fun!
For fluid, ATE Super Blue and Motul are both excellent and readily available.
Have fun!
