Do all Z51 and GS C7’s come standard with the dusty brakes or is that an option? I like not having to do much wheel cleaning on my base Stingray. Have found a Z51 and GS in an option and color combo I really like but have no plans to ever do any track use. Would prefer the cleaner pads without having to retrofit them. Is that possible?

 

Many of us have swapped our oem brake pads for aftermarket ceramic because of the excessive brake dust. Two of the most popular seem to be Powerstop and CarboTech but there are many others.

 

I've got Power stop Z23 pads on my Z51 and there is no dust or noise. They don't bite as hard as stock pads but are perfectly adequate for daily driving. I will swap them out for performance driving when the time comes. Installation was easy and no browning of the rotors. Paid $85 shipped for all 4 pads.

Power Stop Z23-1474A Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Pads
Power Stop Z23-1718 Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Pads

 

Z51 and GS pads are different size but contain the same material. Yes, they are a performance pad and will have a lot of dust you can solve that issue by swapping pads. I prefer the Carbotech 1521 pads.

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


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.

 

Does my base (unmodified) Stingray have factory installed ceramic style pads? If so, can they be had from the factory on a Z51 or GS?

 

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No, they are just normal, not racing pads. As you asked initially, the high performance racing type pads come standard in the Z51, Grand Sport and Z06. We didn't order a special "dusty pad."

All reports say your pads are relatively "excessive dust free." The opposite with the others.

On my 2015 Z51 I was cleaning my wheels every 100 to 200 miles or they not only looked bad the dust was causing pits on my black wheels. I switched to Carbotech 1521 ceramic street pads and washed my wheels only when I washed the car. What little dust was there did not pit my wheels.

Switched to ceramic pads when I got the GS home from the dealer. I also have Carbotech 1521's on the GS and the initial bite with cold pads is great! When hot they are just as good as the OEM pads. I don't Track so the pads are not getting to 1400 to 1500F. If you are going to race you'll need the OEM pads and live with the dust or change pads when Tracking etc. With Carbotech you can use one of their 3 or 4 race compounds and switch back to 1521 street pads without cleaning the rotors.