Just bought my 2011 bet base model. Pads are squealing so going to take them off this weekend to check them out. If I need to change them which is better ceramic or original. I hear ceramic are cleaner but will they stop as well as original? Are they worth the cost?

 

I personally only use ceramic on my cars (Corvette or not). Ceramic is cleaner. Ceramic MIGHT require a little more pedal power until they heat up, but on a passenger car, not likely you'll notice a difference.

Hawk is a popular brand mentioned lots in this forum. I have them on mine. I've personally used Duralast Golds on lots of other cars and they are a superior (sleeper) pad. I also recall a couple of members on this site have put Duralast golds on their Corvettes and talk highly about them.

 

What will you be using the car for?

If you want a quality aftermarket pad take a look at the Carbotech 1521 pad. Low dust stops like OEM if not better and last longer. 100% non-corrosive dust will not harm your paint or wheels. This pad also contains NRS technology. Carbotech uses NRS technology on all C5, C6 & C7 front and rear brake pads.

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

If interested let me know I will be happy to help you.

Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ 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. 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. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

 

I highly recommend Brake Performance pads. They are priced much lower than a lot of brands I've seen. I have a thread about getting their Premium Semi Metallic pads for my Grand Sport ( https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-are-an-a.html ).
With free shipping & lifetime warranty on defects I haven't seen a better price/performance combination yet.

On a 2011 Corvette, this is what I found

For Premium Semi-Metallic: (front & rear) http://brakeperformance.com/brake-pa...brake-pads.php ($115-ish)

For Premium Ceramic: (front & rear) http://brakeperformance.com/brake-pa...brake-pads.php ($88-ish)

 

hawk HPS, screw the dust. if it wasn't for seat belts I'd have nose prints on the inside of the windshield. I want the car to stop when I step on the pedal, and my DBS 4000 series slotted discs are in great shape because of the pads

 

First question should be what are you going to use the car for,

Hence brake pads have a working temp range, and if you are using higher temp pads, they don't come on line until they heat up. If the other way, and you are running street heat range pads, will end up burning them up if you are getting the brakes too hot isntead,

 

I just put Hawk HPS on my C6 GS today so can't really compare yet but I used them on my 350Z and they cut the dust down about 90% and had better bite and fade resistance than stock. Expecting to get the same on the C6. Ceramics are the best low dust, low noise choice and many say they stop as well as OE but you can't use them for autocross or other high performance driving. I'm not into changing brake pads on a regular basis, don't want to have to stop when I get to the Tail of the Dragon and replace the ceramics with a high performance pad.

 

Akebono Ceramic - I use them on every car. Excellent stopping and basically 0% brake dust.

 

I use Akebonos on my Jaguars. Very satisfied with them.

 

I used these on my Mercedes.

I'll use them on my SS when/if they ever make them for that car.....

KW

 

For street / daily driving, I'll throw my vote in for the Carbotech Bobcats. Low dust, no noise, better stopping power than stock. I paired them with StopTech slotted rotors for a great combo.