I switched to Z26 pads as well shortly after purchase. With my driving style (99% city and 25 miles back and forth to work so primarily stop and go), I do not miss a few feet of braking response. The Z26 pads feel every bit as good as the brembos did and have given me no reason to regret switching.

I also haven't touched my rims in over a month and they barely have dust on them and still look clean... this never happened with the stockers so for me it was a good choice. I'm still driving the vette here in late Nov almost daily (weather has been outstanding this year).

Everyone's situation will be unique so just decide what your really doing it for and you'll come up with a good compromise.

 

Lol - thought someone might get a kick out of it.

 

like minds think alike

 

Anyone try the Hawk Ceramic pads. I’ve been happy with Hawk over the years, but have stayed away from ceramic becasue I’ve heard they have a tendency to squeak. I’m not familiar with Powerstop or the other one mentioned. I have a 2016, Z06 i just purchased 6 weeks ago and the brake dust is driving me nuts.

 

If you want a quality aftermarket pad I recommend the Carbotech 1521 pad. A low dust pad that is rotor friendly and performs like OEM 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 C4, 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 I will be happy to help you out or you can order online here http://ampdautosport.com/brake-pads/corvette/ Use promo code z28 at check out for your 5% discount.

ZO6/GS part numbers.
F: CT1405
R: CT1718


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.

 

 

Agreed and looking at the same options with same questions.

The Carbotech pads sound great but look to be easily double the price of the seemingly equally highly regarded Z26 pads...

I hear the howls of "you bought a Corvette and complaining about XYZ cost?!" and my answer is yes! In my case, I managed to afford the car I wanted by not wasting money!


Allen

 

No, it’s the Track pads on the high performance C7’s! Was cleaning the black wheels on my September 2013 built C7, Z51 every ~100 miles. Switched to quality Carbotech 1521s and only cleaned wheels when I washed the car, 80% less dust. But as important, the small amount of brake dust was not pitting my wheels, which was happening with the OEM pads!

Tried PowerStop when I got my Grand Sport, after 900 miles put on Carbotech 1521s. As they had for 3 years on my Z51 they stopped even better than the OEM pads when cold. Very importance where I drive. Also had brown residue in the rotor slots. None with Carbotech 1521 pads with now several thousand miles. Note, they are Street only pads not for tracking. They have about 5 racing compounds depending on need.

 

One thing about Carbotech is they are 100% made in the USA and they do use the http://www.nrsbrakes.com.

Its not about the Corvette tax its about being a small business manufacture in the USA using material made in the USA and employing people to work in the USA. Some of you make me laugh about the so called Corvette tax. Do you think the Mustang guys go around talking about the Mustang tax or the Subaru guys or Camaro guys....

 

Have talked with folks who have used Hawk and Carbotech pads for racing. They like the Carbotech pads better as they have very linear modulation versus what they describe as more on/off with Hawk. I find that to be a major benefit of the Carbotech 1521 pads on the street. Also, when I checked prices, Hawk Street pads were a bit more expensive. Than Carbotech 1521 Street pads.

After 3 years of great performance with Carbotech 1521s on the Z51 but seeing many the positive posts about PowerStop and the very cheap price I put them on my Grand Sport when I brought it home.

After 900 miles giving them a chance, they did not stop as well as the Carbotech 1521 when the pads are cold. I make a quick, hard stop every day when I leave my house from 50/60 mph on a 4 lane divided onto a rural road. About that time a forum poster showed the brown rotors he had with PowerStop pads I noticed a hard brown residual in my rotor slots.

Bought and installed Carbotech 1521s and the stops with cold pads are back to being great. Never had one peep in 3 years in my Z51 and not any in the Grand Sport.

Granted the Carbotech are more than twice the price but IMO more than worth it. Your car your choice.

 

Any of the side pipe guys try this for touch ups? It's a spray on...wait 30-60 secs hose off then either wipe clean or even just hit the wheels with a leaf blower . I did make one error with Mothers spray using the Yellow Corvette labeled bottle on my C2 which caused discoloration. It was polished out. But once Mothers advised my old chromed Centerline wheels were better suited for the Blue Corvette label it's a quick spray, rinse, leaf blower.

Email: info@mothers.com
Phone: (714) 891-3364

Mothers

Meguirs also makes one called Ultimate Al Wheel Cleaner.