greetings, and first post!

its time to replace some brake pads on my 2008 c6. ive only ever bought brake pads for 4x4s and things like accords and camrys before, so ive always just picked them up from pep boys. i did have a set from pep boys that i installed on a 01 z71 in jan of 2003, and they were still on there with no visible wear in the fronts when i sold it in 2010.

so are pads from pep boys acceptable if i get the nice ceramic ones, or do i need to order in the factory parts? any recommendations would be appreciated!

thanks!

 

Welcome to the Forum. This is a good question, I dont know if GM offers OEM Ceramic Brake parts. I have seen where the Hawk and Carbotech names have been discussed. I think its important to be particular in order to keep as long life as possible into the system. I myself want to get a good price, not just the cheapest price. I am thinking about going to a GS but its all the mods that need to be made every time I trade. My first mod will be the Brake Pads as the Brake Dust is just not acceptable to me anymore. I really wish Chevrolet would have an option of Ceramic Pads when ordering the car.

 

Mr Goodwrench does have ceramic pads and I see ads around here to have a set of 2 installed for $99 at dealer. A forum member frequently has a deal on them here also.

 

check out Akebono
http://www.placeforbrakes.com/produc...r=2008&avail=1

 

Check out the carbotech Bobcat 1521 pad, this pad is a low dust performance street pad. F $144 R $124 less 7% Contact me at 216-780-8825.

We are also using industry leading NRS technology. If you're not familiar with NRS technology it gives molded pads up to 8 times stronger sheer strength vs. conventional molded brake pads and riveted pads. NRS technology also helps in reducing noise and vibration of the brake pad inside the caliper as well as aiding in longer wearing pads. We use NRS technology on all C6 & C5 front and rear brake pads.

Here is a link to explain further what NRS technology is exactly: http://www.nrsbrakes.com


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, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. 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. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

 

what about the actual changing of the pads themselves, ive if done pads myself in the past and if im "mechanically competant", should there be anything unexpected to worry about for the first time i do this on my vette? or is it pretty much like changing the pads on any other vehicle? (just wanna make sure)

 

There is nothing special you have to do.

 

There is a DIY in the C6 General FAQ sticky. How many miles do you have on your Vette? If you don't drive hard and have less than 50k the pads are probably in really good shape. When I changed over to GM ceramic pads at 30k on my 05 the pads had a TON of life left. If you are changing to go to ceramic then its worth the change but I bet if you are just going back with the OEM pads yours probably have a lot of life left unless you drive the car a lot. You can get a good look with just a flashlight. I do really like my ceramic pad due to the less dust but if you drive hard I wouldn't go with them. To make my self clear to one of the above posters GM does make ceramic pads for the vette and thats what I am using. I got them for $50 for all 4 from a someone selling on the forum bc they sold their vette and never installed the pads. I would've prob went with carbotech or hawk if I was buying at retail.

 

I just replaced the ceramic pads(were noisy) in my 08 vert with Hawk HPS. They are very quiet (so far) and stop better than the stock pads and easy to install.

 

You will need a large "C" clamp to compress the brake cylinders on the rear calipers

 

I use the 1521's on my 08 - highly recommended