Ceramic pads? questions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 515
Likes: 42
From: Littleton CO
Ceramic pads? questions
Have 10K miles on my 2006 coupe. It's a street car and daily driver for my short commute. Looking to switch to ceramic pads for lower dust and noise. But don't want to sacrifice performance either. If I can improve of stock GM that would be nice. I have Z51 rotors.
Seems the AC/delco, Hawk and Carbotech (least expensive to most expesive) are the most common ones mentioned on the Forum and the local auto parts stores sells genrics, which are cheapest.
Any differences I should be aware of? Appreciate any recommendations.
Can I just slip in the new pads or do I need to get the rotors turned or something else done?
PS: I added headers, CAI, exhaust, etc. for power so I'm not looking to skimp on brakes. That said I'm not a fan of wasting money either.
Seems the AC/delco, Hawk and Carbotech (least expensive to most expesive) are the most common ones mentioned on the Forum and the local auto parts stores sells genrics, which are cheapest.
Any differences I should be aware of? Appreciate any recommendations.
Can I just slip in the new pads or do I need to get the rotors turned or something else done?
PS: I added headers, CAI, exhaust, etc. for power so I'm not looking to skimp on brakes. That said I'm not a fan of wasting money either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 940
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
I went with the AC Delco ceramics and are totally satisfied. I will say right up front that I am not hard on my brakes at all. That being said they make very little dust and absolutely no noise. I notice no difference in normal driving as to how the car stops. Yes, they can be put on your existing rotors without turning as long as the rotors aren't warped and don't have any deep grooves.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 49
From: Sun Devil Country
I went with the AC Delco ceramics and are totally satisfied. I will say right up front that I am not hard on my brakes at all. That being said they make very little dust and absolutely no noise. I notice no difference in normal driving as to how the car stops. Yes, they can be put on your existing rotors without turning as long as the rotors aren't warped and don't have any deep grooves.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Have 10K miles on my 2006 coupe. It's a street car and daily driver for my short commute. Looking to switch to ceramic pads for lower dust and noise. But don't want to sacrifice performance either. If I can improve of stock GM that would be nice. I have Z51 rotors.
Seems the AC/delco, Hawk and Carbotech (least expensive to most expesive) are the most common ones mentioned on the Forum and the local auto parts stores sells genrics, which are cheapest.
Any differences I should be aware of? Appreciate any recommendations.
Can I just slip in the new pads or do I need to get the rotors turned or something else done?
PS: I added headers, CAI, exhaust, etc. for power so I'm not looking to skimp on brakes. That said I'm not a fan of wasting money either.
Seems the AC/delco, Hawk and Carbotech (least expensive to most expesive) are the most common ones mentioned on the Forum and the local auto parts stores sells genrics, which are cheapest.
Any differences I should be aware of? Appreciate any recommendations.
Can I just slip in the new pads or do I need to get the rotors turned or something else done?
PS: I added headers, CAI, exhaust, etc. for power so I'm not looking to skimp on brakes. That said I'm not a fan of wasting money either.
I have to say it depends on your driving style. I switched to GM ceramics around 10k miles and they were great at first. When I finally got around to running the car pretty hard and doing a couple higher speed stops they faded pretty bad. I switched to the Carbotechs and have been happy ever since. I have about 8k miles on the Carbotechs and will use them again when I finally wear them out.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
I have sold 100's of sets of ceramic pads for C6's and haven't ever had any complaints. They are the best bang for the buck as well.
||--Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 153.03 shipped.
Note: The ceramic pads are for stock and Z51 applications
||--Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 153.03 shipped.
Note: The ceramic pads are for stock and Z51 applications
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
I have sold 100's of sets of ceramic pads for C6's and haven't ever had any complaints. They are the best bang for the buck as well.
||--Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 153.03 shipped.
Note: The ceramic pads are for stock and Z51 applications
||--Ceramic Brake Pads--||
88909667 – Front ceramic pad kit
88909668 – Rear ceramic pad kit
Both front and rear ceramic pad kits 153.03 shipped.
Note: The ceramic pads are for stock and Z51 applications
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I went with the AC Delco ceramics and are totally satisfied. I will say right up front that I am not hard on my brakes at all. That being said they make very little dust and absolutely no noise. I notice no difference in normal driving as to how the car stops. Yes, they can be put on your existing rotors without turning as long as the rotors aren't warped and don't have any deep grooves.
The pads are made by Raybestos, for what it is worth.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
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.