Since I'm getting my new Nurburgrings and Pilot Super Sports in the end of the week, after 8 yrs (43k+-)I thought it would be a good idea to get new pads and possibly rotors. After investigating and talking to Gene Culley, who recommended GM's ceramic pads (for my '07 Z51) which is a good price point compared to others, I ordered them yesterday.

I wanted to change rotors to zinc coated, cross drilled and slotted, but kindof limited for Z51, or so it seems. Came down to the StopTechs pretty much. However, only the non-directional, "cross drilled" is applicable. Since it's basicly the same oem rotors that is on already, I was wondering if it worth going to the trouble and expense. They are coated, which will help with rust and corrosion. Funny, Eric (at Baer) talked me out of getting theirs (basicly the same as StopTechs with a little less coating on the spindles) and just recommended slapping the pads on and leave it at that.

That's what I'm wondering now. I now have gone to WCC and see that they do have (Z51) "chromium" coated, slotted and drilled. Also in different colors (black, silver, etc.). Pretty pricey too, but they have um. Any thoughts, especially from those who have changed theirs, please chime in.

 

Phil,

Thank you for your business and for the forum mention. Certainly post pictures once you're done so we can see the results of the hard work and research!

Thank you,
Gene.

 

You just lost me since you are going one way with the tires, then other way with the brake pads instead.

Your sticking on tires that have more grip that the factory Z-51 OEM's, but using Base model brake pads that have less initial grip and feed back that came on the car to begin with instead.

Hence why are you not re-installing the J55 HD pads, or upgrading to an even better performance pad if you want less brake dusting instead?

Or, if your going to run the Gm Base model ceramic pads on the J55 brakes, then why did you not just go with the PS2 or A/S tires instead.


As for cross drilled, and slotted, bad choice. You want the just slotted zinc plated rotors instead.
The drilled rotors have problem with spider heat cracking at the drilled channels when the rotors are over heated instead.

 

You're very welcome Gene. Thanks for your help and still having to decide on the rotors. Looks like I need them .
Feels like taquitos and tequila to help me decide .

 

Thanks Dano for your input. This is my first time dealing with brakes and it's just as crazy as picking wheels and tires (for me anyway).

Alot of pads out there, to say the least. And have read alot of different opinions from guys who have tried various ones. My concern was mainly brake dust reduction of course, as well as stopping power. Seemed ceramic was the one chosen mostly tor brake dust reduction. After talking to Gene, who talked me out of spending more money on a few other name brands of pads (Hawk, Carbotech, etc.), he convinced me that the GM pads were just as effective. He's been doing this for a long time, so I trusted his expertise. As for the tires, again while reading/talking alot with others, the Super Sports were at the top of the list. I might have gone with the Hankook Ventus V12's, but was talked out of those. A lot of good tires to choose from.

The rotors, I can see your point on the possibility of cracking of drilled. However, my current Z51 rotors escaped that, it appears. And yes, zinc plating was part of my criteria. Or "chromium" plated, which supposedly last many times longer. Again, getting both sets to go in the correct direction on both sides seems to be an issue.

I'm happy with the decision of the tires (not so much the $$$$'s), as many others are as well. And as far as the pads, I am at the mercy of those who know alot more than me, hence all of my questions. Gene could have sold me any other, more expensive brands, but said there wasn't a reason to. No one mentioned that the Super Sports would need heavier duty pads for better stopping. And I thought that the ceramic pads were a better pad than the stock pads??? I would have thought Gene would have taken that into account when we spoke. I suppose that I could have insisted on Wolf, etc., but without knowing exactly what the very best were . . .

Again, thanks for you replying where most haven't, and I appreciate that Dano .

 

It really depends upon your intended usage of the car. If you plan to do track days, drilled rotors are not good as they will crack at the holes when they get heated up. If you are driving only on the street and dust is your greatest concern, then the ceramic pads are probably fine. You can still use the cornering grip of the PSS tires without upgrading the brakes if you are just driving on the street.

If you plan to do some HPDE or track days, you need to have non-drilled rotors and better pads.

 

Thanks for your input. Not going to track my car, but I do enjoy my Corvette . At any rate, I have the ACDelco Professional DuraStop ceramics and decided on cross drilled/slotted rotors. My only regret is my calipers aren't painted. Mike's (powdercoater) out until next month so I can't get them until then, which will mean taking them off after all of this or just clean them when everything's off.

 

I sent Mike an email a few weeks ago and he is no longer accepting new customers. I just ordered from TPS:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-shipping.html

 

Yep. I did also, 2 weeks ago.