Maxie2U

This is for my fellow geeks out there.

Unlike the Z51 (& Z06) rotors which rust base model rotors do not. Have you ever wondered why? It's the base car brake rotor material

"General Motors engineers and developed FNC coating for C7 brake rotors. FNC stands for Ferritic Nitro-Carburizing, a chemical case-hardening process whereby nitrogen and carbon are diffused into the surface of a ferrous meta of the steel. This exclusive, patented process is being applied to the brake rotors of a number of GM vehicles. It not only reduces or eliminates corrosion, it results in a finish that is harder and stronger, thus increasing the life of the rotors. The FNC protection lasts for about 60,000 km in highly corrosive environments such as the east coast and up to double that in less severe areas such as the prairies. The initial testing of the new rotors was conducted in Atlantic Canada.

The process involves heating the rotors in special ovens the size of a tour bus at 560 degrees Celsius where they are exposed to a nitrogen-rich atmosphere for 24 hours. The nitrogen atoms bond to the surface of the rotor."

BJ67

I wondered why, I have a base corvette and a 2016 base Camaro. The Camaro is a daily driver, no rust on the front or rear rotors.

Walt White Coupe

And not only that, the base pads don't create any dust. At 10,000 miles the rotors still have a mirror finish.

Gearhead Jim

I'm guessing there must be some disadvantages to the process, or they would be using it on the Z51/GS/Z06.

The description sounds like the process that Glock uses on the barrels and slides of their guns, originally Tenifer (sp?) and now a similar process with a different name.
Also like Tuftride and some others.

LT4CMG

Are we talking about surface rust after washing? Wonder if the process is different because the rest are 2 piece rotors, while the base is 1 piece?

Gearhead Jim

Starting in MY2017, the Z51 rotors are one piece.

Foosh

Yes, the disadvantage is that they don't have the stopping power or fade resistance of the Z51 and higher, which are designed for occasional track use. For a pure street car, base brakes are fine.

Avanti

Yes, this has been posted before, along with the list of GM vehicles that use the process. A search here will produce a link to the SAE tech paper explaining the process in detail.

Foosh

Moreover, it's just surface rust, which isn't an issue if the car is actually driven. My '14 Z51 original rotors also still have a mirror finish.

As for brake dust, the more dust, the better stopping power of the pad, when you're running iron rotors. Ceramic rotors and pads offer a higher level of performance, don't fade, and don't dust much, but with a massive amount of extra cost.

The available aftermarket ceramic pads (Carbotech and Powerstop) on iron rotors don't provide the same level of performance as the OEM Brembo pads on iron rotors, but do also largely solve the dust problem if that's your primary objective.

LT4CMG

Ya, ceramic pads on iron rotors are the boulevard cruisers special. Didn't work out too well a couple years back on a track weekend for me. Luckily, the runoff saved me and my car from the guardrail. I'll take my dust producing Brembo pads any day of the week. Fade and squeal free

Walt White Coupe

Disadvantages? How about...

“We expect FNC will double rotor life from the current 40,000 miles, to 80,000 miles, before it needs to be ‘turned’ [machined to regain factory-spec lateral runout and surface finish],” Webster said. Other benefits include reduced brake dust accumulation on the road wheels and smoother brake-pedal feel over time.

The reason they don't use the process on Z51/GS/Z06 is that the more aggressive brake pad material of those 'dusty' pads would quickly wear through the 10-µm-thick transfer layer so it would provide no benefit for the increased cost of doing it.

http://articles.sae.org/10472/

BJ67

That is another plus with the base brake system, no awful dust. Clean wheels all the time. My 2016 base Camaro, same thing.

redandtan

I always wondered why my 2014 base did not have brake dust like previous vettes, now I know why. Thanks for the info.

3 Z06ZR1

BS the power stop pads have no dust and stop great no issues.
Everyone knows they are not a track pad! But a good pad for the street.
I shut from 150 with them with no fade. The stock pads just produce too much dust all over the under side of the car and under your doors and all over your wheels with in about 3-4 stops. They are crap pad for being on a new Corvette. Pay the shipping and I will send you a set free!

Foosh

Brake fade doesn't happen after one high speed stop, but after 10 or more in short succession. That's why it's generally not an issue on the street. And yes, any pad that fits will stop any car, but some stop them in a shorter distance than others. Even a couple of feet shorter can be the difference between a major accident vs. not a scratch.

Every car test includes brake stopping distances for a reason, and that's considered to be every bit as important an indicator of vehicle performance as 0-60 times.

LT4CMG

So you basically say what I said (ceramic pads and iron rotors not for track), but you call it BS? Ok. And as for 150mph to 0, try 130 to 25 on a sharp turns for several consecutive 20 minute heats, then tell me how they feel. And no, I wasn’t part of the “everybody who knew” when I first started road course runs several years ago. But I learned. Enjoy the ceramic pads on your car, nothing wrong with them on the street, but I like the dusty OEM pads.

Walt White Coupe

I agree with what you said except for this. What you describe is a panic stop. One stop. Once you bury the brake pedal and the car goes into ABS mode, the only thing that can make a difference in the stopping distance are the type of tires on the car not the brake pads.

Foosh

That's not accurate.

More dust means a "softer" pad, which is shedding material (e.g. dust), and will keep the ABS from modulating clamping pressure as often. Every time the ABS releases pressure to keep the brakes from locking, you're rolling further.

yeller z06

You are both right. The most important factor in stopping (or turning) are the tires. However, better pads will be more responsive and easier to modulate the brakes, be it by your foot or the ABS pump.

Now, let's all sing together.

Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya...


(thanks for the interesting factoid, OP)

Foosh

Kumbaya, but since we're essentially holding tire type constant, the variable under discussion was about differences in the stopping power of various types of brake pads.