walker3

Is it worth it to change the stock brake pads with ceramic pads? what is the benefit - if car is NOT tracked?

have read where people have done this - and thinking about it - so if it is worth it what is the name of the pads I should purchase

devnull

The near complete and total removal of brake dust is the main reason... If you don't track, do it!

Now for the real debate over CarbonTech 1521's or PowerStop Z26's

go...

KCV

owc6

That is exactly what I found.

Frank_Nesta

Trouble maker!!! PowerStop Z26. Dust reduction 76%- 86% percent!!!

Make your choice the dust reduction is sooo worth it.

Maxpowers

chronage

For street duty changing to ceramic on Z51 or higher trims is a must IMO. Less dust, less noise. I used to clean my wheels once a week. Now I dont give them any special attention.

SilverGhost

The second best mod I made, after the Range AFM. I am almost ready to venture back to chrome wheels again, thanks to the near dustless ceramic brake pads. The first time you leave Brembo brake dust on your rims too long and it etches the chrome, you will seek the ceramic solution. Brand? Cheapest one for me Powerstop A26's. 1500 miles so far and stops normally, firm pedal, no squeal, no visual dust. No fade problems with rural mountain roads where the speed around the hairpins can be 15mph and your vette wants to go MUCH faster!

Iconic

I did the same exact thing with 5 miles on the odometer. Swapping out front and rear pads is so easy.

devnull

haha, true.

I’ve used both before, and the reality is that both are awesome! I like the 1521’s a little better for the Vettes, but the price difference is a little insane IMO.

You really can’t go wrong with either though

RUSTYNKL

The ? is WHY NOT! Much less dust, easy peassy cleaning. I used powerstop 16's, do not track. Wal Mart was the place of purchase.

JerryU

If you have a Z51, Grand Sport or Z06 big benefit IF YOU DON"T TRACK- not if you do! Those cars come with racing type pad compounds for Tracking that produce a lot of dust! It you have the Base C7 no need you don't have excess dusting pads!

DETAILS:
I was cleaning the wheels in my September 2013 built Z51 every ~200 miles oR the excess brake dust not only looked bad it was pitting my black wheels. Did that for 6 months! Then got smart and installed Carbotech 1521 ceramic pads that are designed for Street Use. They have 3 or 4 other pad compounds if you Track. One big advantage for those that Track is you can swap any of the Carbotech ceramic pads without cleaning the rotors.

I got about 85% less dust and most important what dust was there did not pit my wheels. Cleaned my wheels only when I washed the car (as I do now.) Had those for 3 years then when I bought my Grand Sport bought cheaper Chinese pads. Removed them after ~900 miles as I found although they had low dust they did not stop as well when cold. I had been used to Carbotech excellent linear pedal modulation on a cold stop from 50 to 65 mph in traffic on the highway at the end of my street when turning on to a rural road. Switched to Carbotech pads and was stopping as I had been used to for 3 years, perhaps a bit better with the much larger 6 piston caliper GS front pads..

My situation is a bit unique in that I am turning from a 4 lane highway with traffic traveling ~65 mph into a narrow rural road soon after I enter and no shoulder to slow down. With traffic behind I apply the brakes very aggressively so I can make the turn without requiring cars and trucks behind me to slow down. Especially if there is a car waiting on that narrow rural road to enter the highway, it leaves little room and need excellent brake control. There was also an issue with the start of rotor staining but the cold braking was my key reason for the switch. As someone mentioned, the decision is cheap Chinese pads or more expensive, made in US Carbotech 1521 pads. They are about the same price as Hawk preference ceramic street pads. This is a PDF of my install and the info I found: http://netwelding.com/Ceramic_Pads.pdf

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

Yes, if you are not tracking the car. You will eliminate the brake dust.

For a high quality low dust aftermarket pad I recommend the Carbotech 1521 pad 100% made in the USA. 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: https://www.nrsbrakes.com/about/

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. or call me direct at 216-780-8825

Base/Z51 Part numbers.
F: CT1001
R: CT1718

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

Adam Adelstein

Amp’D Autosport.com
Internet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads.

PH:216-780-8825.

Email: sales@ampdautosport.com

Web Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/

All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.

Check out Promo code:z28

bjones7131

Suggestions on best place/price for 1521's for 17 GS, do not track the car? Thanks

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

We have plenty of Carbotech pads in stock all compounds. Use promo code z28 at check out and save $$ or call us direct at 216-780-8825 and save $$.http://ampdautosport.com/brake-pads/corvette/

Adam Adelstein

Amp’D Autosport.comInternet's largest retailer of Carbotech Performance Brake Pads. PH:216-780-8825.Email: sales@ampdautosport.comWeb Site & Direct ordering http://ampdautosport.com/

All major CC and Pay Pal accepted.

Check out Promo code:z28

Kracka

I'll throw another choice into the mix. Powerstop Z23. Same pad material as the Z26, but with a rubber coated steel shim rather than the Z26's stainless steel shim. Neither will give you any noise and both are plenty for street use, but the shim difference saves you a nice little chunk of change vs. the already cost-effective Z26.

devnull

Hey Adam,

When will you folks have these for the Camaro ZL1 1LE??? THANKS!

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

I have them call me at 216-780-8825 or send me a PM.

devnull

woohoo! Thanks as always Adam!

dfettero

Just put on a set of DBA SP500 Street Performance Pads. Love the consistent pedal feel.

Used the XP650 Track/Heavy Load Performance Brake Pads earlier this week at VIR - no fade, aggressive bite.
http://www.dbausa.com/dbapads/

I have the DBA 4000 slotted rotors