Ceramic Brake Pads
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Joined: Mar 2014
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Ceramic Brake Pads
Has anyone installed ceramic brake pads on their C 7 to reduce that annoying brake dust?
I remember back from my Prowler days, it seemed like many of the owners did that!
Thoughts? If so, which brand?
I remember back from my Prowler days, it seemed like many of the owners did that!
Thoughts? If so, which brand?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Lansing Michigan
Did it back in the CTS-V days too and more recently in my Mini S days. I plan on doing the same with my C-7. I always ran Hawks and I expect that their's will be on the market shortly. I don't plan on tracking my C-7, so the dust issue is most important to me.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 10
From: Cumming GA
On order: Torch Red Z51
Only have 6700 miles but with the black wheels I'll be ready when they wear out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 899
Likes: 166
From: miami, florida, usa
Is the brake dust issue just a Z51 problem or a general C7 problem? I have a non Z51 and don't have a brake dust problem. In fact, compared to my C6 Z51 I have no brake dust on wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
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From: CHOCOWINITY NC
A very fine dusting of Tan dust would be the giveaway..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,832
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From: Rochester New York
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 9
From: Melbourne FL
On my C6 Z51 I had a dust problem so I changed to the GM ceramic pads and it practically eliminated it. Now on my C7 Z51 I do notice some brake dust but I'm not sure that GM has a ceramic replacement yet. The ceramic pads will increase your braking distance though so it's not really a good idea if you plan on tracking the car.
I also have used Hawk ceramic pads on a BMW that we use to have, as BMW's are notorious for brake dust, but didn't notice a big difference in brake dust after installing the Hawk's.
I also have used Hawk ceramic pads on a BMW that we use to have, as BMW's are notorious for brake dust, but didn't notice a big difference in brake dust after installing the Hawk's.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 960
Likes: 40
Ceramic brake pads will probably have some minor brake groans and noises during light use. They will probably not last as long as semi-metallic pads. But the actual braking performance should be about the same as semi-metallic pads.
But in either case of ceramic brake pads or semi-metallic brake pads, for street use just get high-performance street pads. Race pads probably won't work very well unless very hot
.
But in either case of ceramic brake pads or semi-metallic brake pads, for street use just get high-performance street pads. Race pads probably won't work very well unless very hot
.
Last edited by B Stead; Mar 22, 2014 at 10:43 PM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
If you don't plan on tracking the car take a look at the Carbotech 1521 compound below. If interested contact me and I will get an order placed for you.
F $170 R $173
Carbotech™ 1521™
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
F $170 R $173
Carbotech™ 1521™
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
F $170 R $173
Carbotech™ 1521™
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 960
Likes: 40
Well, I'm still researching ceramic brake pads.
The Hawk ceramic brake pads are a street pad compound.
EBC has Greenstuff and Redstuff for street pads, Bluestuff for trackday pads, Yellowstuff for trackday pads with notes of actual race car use, and Orangestuff for full race pads.
http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/ceramic-brake-pads/
And then Yellowstuff and Orangestuff are not low dust. Orangestuff is not designed for bringing a car to a complete stop while Bluestuff is. So it looks like Greenstuff and Redstuff are the low dust pads. I don't know about Bluestuff.
But I am testing Greenstuff on a car
.
The Hawk ceramic brake pads are a street pad compound.
EBC has Greenstuff and Redstuff for street pads, Bluestuff for trackday pads, Yellowstuff for trackday pads with notes of actual race car use, and Orangestuff for full race pads.
http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/ceramic-brake-pads/
And then Yellowstuff and Orangestuff are not low dust. Orangestuff is not designed for bringing a car to a complete stop while Bluestuff is. So it looks like Greenstuff and Redstuff are the low dust pads. I don't know about Bluestuff.
But I am testing Greenstuff on a car
.
Last edited by B Stead; Mar 23, 2014 at 06:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
I ran them on my 427 580RWHP C5 and they worked well. They are also easy on the discs. I tried the GM ceramics and pulled them after a couple hundred miles. I hated the sound and fell of them.