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Brake pad suggestions?

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Old Apr 14, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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Default Brake pad suggestions?

Looks like after 20K miles my brake pads are just about done. I'm looking for another set of pads for my C6 Z-51, supercharged car; its a daily driver so initial bite is very important, and excessive noise and dusting are not acceptable compromises. The factory pads were OK for me, so I am looking for something a bit more agressive, but not a track pad (I'll swap pads at the track if I have to).
Rotors wise I will run the Z-51 rotors for a little while longer and then swap over to some two piece rotors. I already run stainless steel brake lines and Motul 600 fluid.
What do you suggest? I had a great experience with Carbotechs in 2 different cars and am considering running a set on the 'Vette, but I want to hear some more opinions first...
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Old Apr 14, 2009 | 10:40 PM
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PFC Z Rated. Good street pad with a little more bite.
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Old Apr 14, 2009 | 10:44 PM
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The Carbotech Bobcats are a good pad that I'm currently running. I've also run Performance Friction pads, but they were race pads. The were absolutely violent! I mean that in a good way.

San
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 09:36 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by carbotech adam
Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
Is that because you make better track pads? or Would the performance deteriorate below that of stock on the track? The question is asked in the context of a car that is primarily street with maybe 2 HPDE a year.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 12:39 PM
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HAWK HPS little more dust then stock and has the quality's you mentioned I love mine!
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by CMY SIX
HAWK HPS little more dust then stock and has the quality's you mentioned I love mine!
Those are great pads, but I went with the Hawk Performance Ceramic Street Pads... Very happy with them.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
Is that because you make better track pads? or Would the performance deteriorate below that of stock on the track? The question is asked in the context of a car that is primarily street with maybe 2 HPDE a year.
Bobcat is their street pad, Panther is their track pad. I'm sure they have others, but those are the two I'm aware of.

San
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 04:07 PM
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The Hawk HPS are great pads
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by oldmansan
The Carbotech Bobcats are a good pad that I'm currently running. I've also run Performance Friction pads, but they were race pads. The were absolutely violent! I mean that in a good way.

San

Where did you get yours from?
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 04:18 PM
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Just put some Hawk HPS pads on two days ago and I like them already. Doing an HPDE in a few weeks. We'll see how they do but I'm expecting good results. Front and rears for ~$180 from hawk pads direct.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by carbotech adam
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.

I have these (#1521) on my Brembo Gran Turismo's and they are great. No fade , very low dust, and tremendous stopping power.

BTW: They came with my Brembo's
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 06:21 PM
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I'm up for new pads too....Been bouncing back and forth between the 1521's and the Hawk Ceramic Streets also.....decisions, decisions.....

How would you rate the stopping power between the Carbotechs and the GM Ceramics....50% better, 100% better?

Last edited by Craigster05; Apr 15, 2009 at 06:28 PM.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Craigster05
I'm up for new pads too....Been bouncing back and forth between the 1521's and the Hawk Ceramic Streets also.....decisions, decisions.....

How would you rate the stopping power between the Carbotechs and the GM Ceramics....50% better, 100% better?
Yeah, yeah, Craig You will be happy with either. But you should look into Hawk pads as well.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by CMY SIX
HAWK HPS little more dust then stock and has the quality's you mentioned I love mine!
Stopped me from texas mile 201 down to 60 at the first cone turnoff, rotors are blue though
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 08:50 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Craigster05
I'm up for new pads too....Been bouncing back and forth between the 1521's and the Hawk Ceramic Streets also.....decisions, decisions.....

How would you rate the stopping power between the Carbotechs and the GM Ceramics....50% better, 100% better?
I had Hawk Ceramics on my Z06 stock brakes and they tended to fade after hard driving.
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Old Apr 15, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by PowerLabs
Where did you get yours from?
I ordered my Bobcats and Panthers from Carbotech. The Bobcats are on the WRX, not the Corvette. The Corvette is most likely getting a BBK.

San
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
Is that because you make better track pads? or Would the performance deteriorate below that of stock on the track? The question is asked in the context of a car that is primarily street with maybe 2 HPDE a year.
operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F
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