C6 Brake replacement
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
C6 Brake replacement
Hey Gang-
I've done extensive searching for this topic, but am having a hard time making a decision. I need to replace my pads, and plan on driving the car mostly street, with a few track events here and there in the next couple of years. I'm leaning toward replacing the pads with Hawk Ceramics, mostly due to the comments I've read that they are quiet on the street but perform well on the track. Anyone have any other suggestions?
I've done extensive searching for this topic, but am having a hard time making a decision. I need to replace my pads, and plan on driving the car mostly street, with a few track events here and there in the next couple of years. I'm leaning toward replacing the pads with Hawk Ceramics, mostly due to the comments I've read that they are quiet on the street but perform well on the track. Anyone have any other suggestions?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
The newest option that is getting great reviews here are Carbotech (Forum vendor) ceramic pads. They are pricey but appear to be really good and very importantly very rotor friendly. Here are some threads with info and reviews. Good luck. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1570821792-post10.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...rake-pads.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...pads-help.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1570821792-post10.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...rake-pads.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...pads-help.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
You're not wanting to run Hawk ceramic's on the track, as I know a guy that tried it and almost made it one full lap before losing all his braking. Everything just glazed over from the excessive heat. Not only did it ruin his track day, but the next day too taking everything apart and sanding off all the glaze. Also, never changed out pad's on a C6, but did on my C5 and the rear caliper bolt's were something else. Gave everthing I had on a big breaker bar and even broke the socket. Finally got it with a spare socket, but wasn't easy.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz CA
You need to make a decision between low dust ceramic (street) pads and something more suitable for the track (more dusty). The stock Z51 brake pads are a pretty good compromise between street and track. I had 4 track days along with about 24K street miles and the brakes looked good when I replaced them (no cracking and had perhaps about 3K-5K of street miles left). The stock Z51 set are a little dusty, but no different than stock BMW, Subaru STI, or Porsche pads (actually I think they are less dusty than those). They were never noisy on the street and never faded on the track.
The pads I replaced them with are Porterfield 4S. I have used this pad on several cars and I have been very happy with it. It has been the pretty good with respect to dust (your rims will still get dirty, but it takes an extra week before it gets bad) and can handle light track (HPDE) use and are pretty friendly on rotors. They are not cheap and are more difficult to find, but I really like them.
I just put them on my Vette about a week ago and will take them to Infineon on Tuesday. Based upon my previous experience with the pad I expect good things. It will be good to see how they compare to the stock Z51 brakes.
Good luck with your search.
The pads I replaced them with are Porterfield 4S. I have used this pad on several cars and I have been very happy with it. It has been the pretty good with respect to dust (your rims will still get dirty, but it takes an extra week before it gets bad) and can handle light track (HPDE) use and are pretty friendly on rotors. They are not cheap and are more difficult to find, but I really like them.
I just put them on my Vette about a week ago and will take them to Infineon on Tuesday. Based upon my previous experience with the pad I expect good things. It will be good to see how they compare to the stock Z51 brakes.
Good luck with your search.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
I know that you are looking for pads, but take a look at these guys when you need some new rotors. Their two piece rotors are very lite and last a long time.
http://shop.performanceafx.com/C6-Z51-Corvette_c15.htm
http://shop.performanceafx.com/C6-Z51-Corvette_c15.htm
Good Gals Drive It Hard
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 17
From: Boca Raton FL
2010 GS OEM pads worked great, but I could not take the brake dust issue.
Extensive research, so many opinions, so many testomonies... it was a difficult decision.
A few months ago I went with the CarboTech Bobcats. Initial impression: good breaking, minimal dust, I was pleased. After a few months, some squealing. Last week I took the Vette to a world certified GM Vette shop to have the squeak fixed. The service tech immediately found that all of the Bobcats were rusting!! Literally, rust marks dripping from the pads onto the other brake components. Go figure.
Last week I purchased a full set of Hawk Ceramics through Mr. Culley at GM Warehouse. Good price and very timely delivery. In the morning, the new Hawks are being put on and I'll give a comparison between the OEM, Hawk Ceramics, and Bobcats.
Extensive research, so many opinions, so many testomonies... it was a difficult decision.
A few months ago I went with the CarboTech Bobcats. Initial impression: good breaking, minimal dust, I was pleased. After a few months, some squealing. Last week I took the Vette to a world certified GM Vette shop to have the squeak fixed. The service tech immediately found that all of the Bobcats were rusting!! Literally, rust marks dripping from the pads onto the other brake components. Go figure.
Last week I purchased a full set of Hawk Ceramics through Mr. Culley at GM Warehouse. Good price and very timely delivery. In the morning, the new Hawks are being put on and I'll give a comparison between the OEM, Hawk Ceramics, and Bobcats.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,659
Likes: 828
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
if you are only dealing with the dust issue for street driving a good solution is plain old delco ceramics. i changed them on my F55 - end of story. i think that the set was $140+-. you can spend more money if you like.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Hey Gang-
I've done extensive searching for this topic, but am having a hard time making a decision. I need to replace my pads, and plan on driving the car mostly street, with a few track events here and there in the next couple of years. I'm leaning toward replacing the pads with Hawk Ceramics, mostly due to the comments I've read that they are quiet on the street but perform well on the track. Anyone have any other suggestions?
I've done extensive searching for this topic, but am having a hard time making a decision. I need to replace my pads, and plan on driving the car mostly street, with a few track events here and there in the next couple of years. I'm leaning toward replacing the pads with Hawk Ceramics, mostly due to the comments I've read that they are quiet on the street but perform well on the track. Anyone have any other suggestions?
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
You need to make a decision between low dust ceramic (street) pads and something more suitable for the track (more dusty). The stock Z51 brake pads are a pretty good compromise between street and track. I had 4 track days along with about 24K street miles and the brakes looked good when I replaced them (no cracking and had perhaps about 3K-5K of street miles left). The stock Z51 set are a little dusty, but no different than stock BMW, Subaru STI, or Porsche pads (actually I think they are less dusty than those). They were never noisy on the street and never faded on the track.
The pads I replaced them with are Porterfield 4S. I have used this pad on several cars and I have been very happy with it. It has been the pretty good with respect to dust (your rims will still get dirty, but it takes an extra week before it gets bad) and can handle light track (HPDE) use and are pretty friendly on rotors. They are not cheap and are more difficult to find, but I really like them.
I just put them on my Vette about a week ago and will take them to Infineon on Tuesday. Based upon my previous experience with the pad I expect good things. It will be good to see how they compare to the stock Z51 brakes.
Good luck with your search.
The pads I replaced them with are Porterfield 4S. I have used this pad on several cars and I have been very happy with it. It has been the pretty good with respect to dust (your rims will still get dirty, but it takes an extra week before it gets bad) and can handle light track (HPDE) use and are pretty friendly on rotors. They are not cheap and are more difficult to find, but I really like them.
I just put them on my Vette about a week ago and will take them to Infineon on Tuesday. Based upon my previous experience with the pad I expect good things. It will be good to see how they compare to the stock Z51 brakes.
Good luck with your search.
There may be examples of pads, but I've not seen anyone recommend ceramics for track usage. Of course, I'm willing to be shown an alternative logic.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 728
Likes: 24
From: san diego/NYC cali/NY
I literally had my credit card in hand ready to order a set of carbotech. I did a search to find the part # and i came across this post, so now it's back to the drawing board. 
Thanks for the post.
Would be interesting to know why this is happening.
Thanks for the post.
Would be interesting to know why this is happening.
2010 GS OEM pads worked great, but I could not take the brake dust issue.
Extensive research, so many opinions, so many testomonies... it was a difficult decision.
A few months ago I went with the CarboTech Bobcats. Initial impression: good breaking, minimal dust, I was pleased. After a few months, some squealing. Last week I took the Vette to a world certified GM Vette shop to have the squeak fixed. The service tech immediately found that all of the Bobcats were rusting!! Literally, rust marks dripping from the pads onto the other brake components. Go figure.
Last week I purchased a full set of Hawk Ceramics through Mr. Culley at GM Warehouse. Good price and very timely delivery. In the morning, the new Hawks are being put on and I'll give a comparison between the OEM, Hawk Ceramics, and Bobcats.
Extensive research, so many opinions, so many testomonies... it was a difficult decision.
A few months ago I went with the CarboTech Bobcats. Initial impression: good breaking, minimal dust, I was pleased. After a few months, some squealing. Last week I took the Vette to a world certified GM Vette shop to have the squeak fixed. The service tech immediately found that all of the Bobcats were rusting!! Literally, rust marks dripping from the pads onto the other brake components. Go figure.
Last week I purchased a full set of Hawk Ceramics through Mr. Culley at GM Warehouse. Good price and very timely delivery. In the morning, the new Hawks are being put on and I'll give a comparison between the OEM, Hawk Ceramics, and Bobcats.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
This post is not correct rust has nothing to do with noise. I have never seen a brake pad rust. There is no fluid that would drip does not make sense. I would love to see pictures. We have sold thousands and thousands of brake pads and never herd of this. Im guessing instilation era.
Last edited by Carbotech Adam; Oct 19, 2010 at 11:29 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
2010 GS OEM pads worked great, but I could not take the brake dust issue.
Extensive research, so many opinions, so many testomonies... it was a difficult decision.
A few months ago I went with the CarboTech Bobcats. Initial impression: good breaking, minimal dust, I was pleased. After a few months, some squealing. Last week I took the Vette to a world certified GM Vette shop to have the squeak fixed. The service tech immediately found that all of the Bobcats were rusting!! Literally, rust marks dripping from the pads onto the other brake components. Go figure.
Last week I purchased a full set of Hawk Ceramics through Mr. Culley at GM Warehouse. Good price and very timely delivery. In the morning, the new Hawks are being put on and I'll give a comparison between the OEM, Hawk Ceramics, and Bobcats.
Extensive research, so many opinions, so many testomonies... it was a difficult decision.
A few months ago I went with the CarboTech Bobcats. Initial impression: good breaking, minimal dust, I was pleased. After a few months, some squealing. Last week I took the Vette to a world certified GM Vette shop to have the squeak fixed. The service tech immediately found that all of the Bobcats were rusting!! Literally, rust marks dripping from the pads onto the other brake components. Go figure.
Last week I purchased a full set of Hawk Ceramics through Mr. Culley at GM Warehouse. Good price and very timely delivery. In the morning, the new Hawks are being put on and I'll give a comparison between the OEM, Hawk Ceramics, and Bobcats.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Bobcat 1521 maintains the highly praised release and excellent modulation, rotor friendliness, and 100% non-corrosive dust that have made all Carbotech compounds so successful.
Last edited by Carbotech Adam; Oct 19, 2010 at 11:44 AM.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,597
Likes: 1,712
From: Converse TX
I currently run the Hawk Cermanics on my C6 and ran the Hawk HPS pads on my C5 before I upgraded to C6Z brakes. My thoughts on the Cermanics on our C6, for a daily driven non tracked Vette these work perfect and minimal dusting and they do not squeak. The HPS pads I used on my C5 worked and stopped me at the Texas Mile from 180mph within the 1/2 you have to stop with no issue, they dusted like stock pads, but they did stop better, especially when I had to get into them hard like at the mile. So if I was to track my C6 I would have two sets of pads one for the street and one for the track
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I've never had a problem with excessive brake dust or squeaking with any brakes or brake pads on my C6. I think a good pad for street use and occasional track use is the Performance Friction C5 Z-compound pad.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
I changed out my pads to GM Ceramics over a year ago and have found them to be great non-dusters for street use. If I was to track the car I would probably reinstall the stock Z51 pads that I removed.
Good Gals Drive It Hard
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 17
From: Boca Raton FL
I'll ask my hubby to take a few pics and post them. The pad material has what seems to be rust in it. Further, around the bottom / edges where the material meets the metal backing, definitely a rusty appearance.
At first I thought that it would be from the calipers which can get a bit orange after being washed and not driven. Thing is, the car was driven a few days after being washed and before it was serviced. It did not rain nor was it exposed to water.
Two days now and the Hawk "Performance" Ceramic pads seem to work great. The Vette stops just fine and thus far, I don't see any difference in stopping ability. Perhaps a slight bit more pressure is needed on the pedal but after the first drive, it is not noticeable. There is NO squeal (yet), no dust, and the brake feel is more linear than the Bobcats and far more than the OEM pads. By saying linear, I mean that the OEM really catches hard and the Bobcats catch not as hard. The Hawk Ceramics are not as catchy. Make sense?
BTW: I'm not saying that the Bobcats are bad, just what my observations and experience has been.
Hope this helps. DTG
At first I thought that it would be from the calipers which can get a bit orange after being washed and not driven. Thing is, the car was driven a few days after being washed and before it was serviced. It did not rain nor was it exposed to water.
Two days now and the Hawk "Performance" Ceramic pads seem to work great. The Vette stops just fine and thus far, I don't see any difference in stopping ability. Perhaps a slight bit more pressure is needed on the pedal but after the first drive, it is not noticeable. There is NO squeal (yet), no dust, and the brake feel is more linear than the Bobcats and far more than the OEM pads. By saying linear, I mean that the OEM really catches hard and the Bobcats catch not as hard. The Hawk Ceramics are not as catchy. Make sense?
BTW: I'm not saying that the Bobcats are bad, just what my observations and experience has been.
Hope this helps. DTG
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"