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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 01:15 PM
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Default Brake dust

Why does the C7 Grand Sports brake pads make so much dust?
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 01:23 PM
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Nature of the beast. Pad compound is a combination of iron particles, carbon residue, and friction material. High performance cars generally utilize extremely soft compounds to enhance brake stopping power. It is this softer compound that allows the brake pads to grab and actually stick to the brake rotors, increasing stopping power. On the positive, this increases the gripping power of the brake pads to the rotors. On the down side, you have an increased amount of brake dust as a by-product.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Richardc7
Why does the C7 Grand Sports brake pads make so much dust?
because of Putin
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Crossed Flags Fan
Nature of the beast. Pad compound is a combination of iron particles, carbon residue, and friction material. High performance cars generally utilize extremely soft compounds to enhance brake stopping power. It is this softer compound that allows the brake pads to grab and actually stick to the brake rotors, increasing stopping power. On the positive, this increases the gripping power of the brake pads to the rotors. On the down side, you have an increased amount of brake dust as a by-product.
Thanks. These seem to be the dirtiest pads I have ever had on vehicle.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 02:01 PM
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I hate it!!!! Every couple days a clean them, and am amazed by the amount of dust.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 02:44 PM
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I spend 10 minutes a day cleaning my wheels. I tried the other suggested pads, but went back to the stock. The others I tried cut down on my braking ability. You can't beat the stock pads as far as I'm concerned. But if you don't have time to clean your wheels after every drive they can be a nuisance.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 03:04 PM
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Get yourself a California Duster, dedicated to your wheels... A couple of swipes and you're done! And you've avoided all the future braking racket and problems deviating from OEM... Don't fa.. fa.. fool with them brakes!

Last edited by c5arlen; Sep 15, 2022 at 03:12 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 03:12 PM
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If you are not doing HPDE's I would suggest swamping pads to the Carbotech 1521, The factory pad has a large amount of Carbon in it that helps the stopping power and cold bite.

For a high quality low dust performance street brake pad take a look at the Carbotech 1521 brake pad 100% non-corrosive dust will not harm your wheels, paint or rotors. Carbotech brake pads are 100% made in the USA and contain NRS Technology Here is a link to explain further what NRS technology is exactly: http://www.nrsbrakes.com


Carbotech brake pads can be ordered by calling me at 216-780-8825 Or order direct Here Ampd Autosport | One of the Largest Internet Retailer of Carbotech Per – Amp'd Autosport Use promo code z28 at check out for your forum discount.

Part numbers for C7 ZO6 and GS are below.

F: CT1405 $267.00 Less 5%

R: CT1718 $173.00 Less 5%

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.
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Check out Promo code:z28

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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 03:28 PM
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PowerStop Z26's will solve your problem and make driving enjoyable again. Unless you are tracking....you will be happy you did.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by c5arlen
Get yourself a California Duster, dedicated to your wheels... A couple of swipes and you're done! And you've avoided all the future braking racket and problems deviating from OEM... Don't fa.. fa.. fool with them brakes!

I like this idea. Thanks. Gonna give it a try. Love this site.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Richardc7
Thanks. These seem to be the dirtiest pads I have ever had on vehicle.
It is not unique to the corvette. A lot of European cars also used to have this same issue. I think some still do. I had a 2004 SAAB 9-3, the front wheels, which had aluminum finish, would become entirely dark brown in about 4 days of daily driving. Looked really goofy with brown wheels in the front and silver one in the back. Maybe the only advantage of having black wheels is that it does hide the break dust a little (Not starting the chrome vs black debate, I appreciate both) .

As others have said, the dust is a result of trying to get good break performance, and the Corvette breaks are phenomenal. However today, there are pads that produce less dust, they are not necessarily better for all applications, but they do produce less dust. If you got the ceramic break option when you got your car, the dust is far less, one may even say non existent compared to these, but that was like a 10+k option then.

I lived with the dusty SAAB then, because I love the better breaks, I can definitely live with these on my GS.

I do understand the frustration though, two days after a 2 hour careful and loving bath/wash, your wheels have turned a different color and you are even afraid to go near it.
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Old Sep 15, 2022 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rtv900
because of Putin
I would normally agree but I think this was put in the inflation reduction act just signed too.
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Old Sep 16, 2022 | 08:40 AM
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Get yourself PowerStop pads and you wont have any more brake dust to clean. I've had them on the last (4) Vettes - they offer amazing stopping power and the install on a C7 takes no time to install yourself.

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Old Sep 16, 2022 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ZO6LIFE
I would normally agree but I think this was put in the inflation reduction act just signed too.
good point, I totally forgot about that
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Old Sep 16, 2022 | 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by traronf
PowerStop Z26's will solve your problem and make driving enjoyable again. Unless you are tracking....you will be happy you did.
I totally agree. Yanked the Brembo's and replaced with the Z26 pads. 90% of the stopping power with 90% less dust. Clean my wheels monthly now rather than every couple of days.
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb2015
I like this idea. Thanks. Gonna give it a try. Love this site.
Hoping that some others who have tried this will post their results here...
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Old Sep 17, 2022 | 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb2015
I hate it!!!! Every couple days a clean them, and am amazed by the amount of dust.
Yeah, they dust a lot.
But we planned ahead and bought a Long Beach Red C7. The brake dust exactly matches the color of the car, even the tires themselves now match.
Looks great!
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Old Sep 18, 2022 | 05:18 PM
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Wash it off and go on.
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Old Sep 19, 2022 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
Yeah, they dust a lot.
But we planned ahead and bought a Long Beach Red C7. The brake dust exactly matches the color of the car, even the tires themselves now match.
Looks great!
I've never washed the wheel barrels. They are a nice consistent charcoal gray.
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Old Sep 19, 2022 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
Yeah, they dust a lot.
But we planned ahead and bought a Long Beach Red C7. The brake dust exactly matches the color of the car, even the tires themselves now match.
Looks great!
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