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Did they deny the warranty? If so did they deny it for a reason other than running the car on track? I have had some performance issues on track and the dealership bends over backwards to solve the problems and all charges have been covered by the warranty.
I have no Qualms over them denying a warranty claim if I blow the engine on track. I blew the engine on my 08 C6Z while on track and GM gave me a new engine under the 5 year power train warranty.
Sure it takes them a while to approve the claim while they make sure you didn't mod the engine (during which time the dealer is non committal about coverage) but they do cover the claim after going through their process which can take several weeks. My daughter had the V6 engine on her 09 Pontiac Torrent fail about a year after the LS7 died and used the same dealership for her claim. Same process and same amount of time consumed before approval came through.
Bill
Nope. no official reason. After the initial denial, it spent weeks at the dealership with them doing things like checking the car, downloading computer information, and finally opening the engine. The found nothing (there was nothing to find) and then simply denied the coverage. I have to assume its because of track use from some of the things I was told that was going on, but nothing official. I've also never been told the root cause of the failure (because, I'm sure, they don't know and don't care to find out).
Now, the repair has been completed for almost 2 months, I still have no paperwork indicating what was done or why, or even a receipt for the money I paid or so I have documentation for new engine that's in there. Its a good thing the dealer let me have the car before the paperwork was complete or it would have sat there for at least two more months (FYI, the dealer has been great and doesn't understand what GM is doing either).
And they do this to a customer of 30 years. So be warned, buy this car at your own risk.
I was at the track this weekend and a C7 GS owner told me he put an AP brake kit on the car because he was not getting many track days on discs and pads. Obviously it depends on the driver, but how many track days is everyone normally seeing with pads and discs? What pads and discs are folks running? How are the GM stock discs ? Is it correct you can only get these from GM? (I heard they are about $700 each).
I was at the track this weekend and a C7 GS owner told me he put an AP brake kit on the car because he was not getting many track days on discs and pads. Obviously it depends on the driver, but how many track days is everyone normally seeing with pads and discs? What pads and discs are folks running? How are the GM stock discs ? Is it correct you can only get these from GM? (I heard they are about $700 each).
I run the Wilwood kit, the consumables are far less as are the pads. The H compound race pads work great. I have done multiple days at COTA and not seen much pad degradation. Compared to the stock Brembo's night and day difference, incredible pedal feel too.
My pads are lasting 6 days and my rotors 4 days. The cheapest I've found stock rotors was $450 each. I'm going to try DBA replacement rings next as they can be had for $350ish. The stock brakes with just pads and fluid are simply amazing!
Last edited by rb185afm; Nov 13, 2017 at 12:11 PM.
My pads are lasting 6 days and my rotors 4 days. The cheapest I've found stock rotors was $450 each. I'm going to try DBA replacement rings next as they can be had for $350ish. The stock brakes with just pads and fluid are simply amazing!
I am normally doing 10 weekends (20 days) a year so this would be $9K in just discs. I can see why folks are going to Wilwood or AP Brake kits. My understanding is that the Wilwood/AP discs and pads will last 15-20 days, but I am hearing this second hand.
I am normally doing 10 weekends (20 days) a year so this would be $9K in just discs. I can see why folks are going to Wilwood or AP Brake kits. My understanding is that the Wilwood/AP discs and pads will last 15-20 days, but I am hearing this second hand.
I'd highly recommend AP or StopTech over Wilwood, based on my experience with them.
DBA rotor rings are a major improvement. They're directional, cool much better, and have a bit more mass, too, handling heat much better. I think DBAs alone could solve your longevity problems for cheap, and I have a feeling that Wilwoods could be a downgrade, even if they cost cheaper in long term.
DBA rotor rings are a major improvement. They're directional, cool much better, and have a bit more mass, too, handling heat much better. I think DBAs alone could solve your longevity problems for cheap, and I have a feeling that Wilwoods could be a downgrade, even if they cost cheaper in long term.
Have you tried the DBA rotor rings with the C7? Any idea how many track days people are getting with the DBA rotor rings? What pads would you recommend with the DBA rings and any idea how many track days people are getting with these pads?
Have you tried the DBA rotor rings with the C7? Any idea how many track days people are getting with the DBA rotor rings? What pads would you recommend with the DBA rings and any idea how many track days people are getting with these pads?
6th gen Camaro SS 1LE (3750 lbs) comes with the same brakes as we do (but different hats), and a close friend of mine owns one. He's had brake fade issues at the track, and we decided to try DBA rotor rings on his car, even though they were only sold for C7 Z06 (iron) brakes. He no longer has the fade issue, so the thermal capacity/cooling is definitely increased. Actually, the vendors notified DBA that it works for Camaros, too, after our experiment : )
Considering our cars have less weight with the same HP, it should work even better for us. I was going to try it as well, but then I decided to try the Girodisc 2-piece kit up front and rear. The rear kit is an amazing 16.7 lbs vs. 24.8 lbs of the stock setup (due to not having iron hat for the rear hand brake like the OEM), but the front is 22 lbs vs. 23 lbs, so the front is not as light.
Anyhow, I'd highly recommend DBAs. It will be a marked improvement over OEMs, especially due to much improved cooling with the directional vanes.
Vic, I wouldn't get the carbon ceramics and if you want something that will minimize ongoing maintenance/consumables get the AP Racing kit. The guys at Essex refer to me as their "worst case scenario" when it comes to abusing brakes and I get at least 12 days on their rotors and 5 days on pads. You'd probably get a lot more than that.
I'd start by just going with some quality track pads on the stock iron brakes. See how you like them and they hold up for you. I am really happy with the Ferodo DS 1.11 pads.
My Ferodo DS 1.11 from a 2,700 pound track car, with no response to my inquiry from Ferodo!
Been using Raybestos since...no issues what so ever.
Did you contact Ferodo or Essex parts? The Essex guys have been very responsive and on this forum. I've run probably a dozen sets through my C7Z and the first couple did crumble a bit on the edge but it didn't impact performance. They changed their bonding process a while back to address it.
Vendor I bought them through tried to contact their supplier several times to even get a credit towards the next Ferodo purchase and there was no response.
Have had several other Ferodo pads chunk along the edges, but never so badly. Needless to say that was the last time. Not a very confident inspiring thought when brake pads chunking and falling apart while reaching the end of the straights.
Raybestos may be more expensive than others (due to being custom cut for C7Z/GS), but not only they perform better, and last longer, but also much easier on rotors. Added bonus is they don’t squeal on public roads if bedded properly.
I'd agree with the C6 GS, but not because the C7 GS isn't sorted.
I tracked mine a few times already and it's by far the most fun car I've tracked. Mag ride is great, +650hp worth of cooling, and great feel. The e-diff does wonders. With that said, it's probably about $25k more than a comparable C6 GS. For a dedicated track car, there definitely isn't $25k worth of upside in the C7. Plus the C6 is lighter.
With regard to your concern (durability), I don't think either has any major problems, nor is one going to be inherently more reliable than the other. If you're going to keep it mostly stock, a C7 would have a warranty, which is nice.
Last edited by village idiot; Nov 16, 2017 at 01:31 AM.
I'd agree with the C6 GS, but not because the C7 GS isn't sorted.
I tracked mine a few times already and it's by far the most fun car I've tracked. Mag ride is great, +650hp worth of cooling, and great feel. The e-diff does wonders. With that said, it's probably about $25k more than a comparable C6 GS. For a dedicated track car, there definitely isn't $25k worth of upside in the C7. Plus the C6 is lighter.
With regard to your concern (durability), I don't think either has any major problems, nor is one going to be inherently more reliable than the other. If you're going to keep it mostly stock, a C7 would have a warranty, which is nice.
Yes, other than the brakes, I will keep it stock. With GM's current incentives of 20% off the MSRP it is it is hard for me to justify going with a C6, even if it would be $20-25K less, when the lower mileage, 5 year drive-train warranty, etc. with the C7 are factored in.
I'm surprised you need better brakes. My rotors look new after 5 or 6 track days, and my home track is the hardest track on brakes I've ever heard of. The first two days were light rain though. I think the problem is running stock pads. Yeah, you're going to eat through those, but a nice set of race pads will do great.
I am normally doing 10 weekends (20 days) a year so this would be $9K in just discs. I can see why folks are going to Wilwood or AP Brake kits. My understanding is that the Wilwood/AP discs and pads will last 15-20 days, but I am hearing this second hand.
Longevity Depends on your pace and driving style. I push as hard as I can on slicks pretty much every lap. So I tend to run through consumables at an alarming rate. I have not seen anyone running a fast pace with Willwood brakes, in my neck of the woods. In fact, I would say the stock GS/z06 iron brakes are better than anything wilwood can offer for our cars. At least roadracing. AP is solid, but the stock brakes are so good, I see no reason to buy them. I would put a good pad on the stock system before investing money. Everyone who has taken a ride in my car on track, is amazed at my brakes. Even other fast guys in great cars! The carbotech XP24 endurance pad is amazing and is lasting. I’m doing day 5 on them soon with lots of pads left.
In my experience, if running a hot pace, AP rotors might get you an extra two days. So 6-8 instead of 4-6. At least, that is what I saw on the Gen 5 1LE’s.
Last edited by rb185afm; Nov 16, 2017 at 12:44 PM.
I'm surprised you need better brakes. My rotors look new after 5 or 6 track days, and my home track is the hardest track on brakes I've ever heard of. The first two days were light rain though. I think the problem is running stock pads. Yeah, you're going to eat through those, but a nice set of race pads will do great.
Actually, I still don't have the C7 GS, but did put a deposit on one. I will see how the stock discs/pads do and will then likely try DBA discs and some better race pads. Based on what others are telling me, I will likely want to upgrade to the AP or Stoptech brakes, but if stock will work, this would be fine with me.
Longevity Depends on your pace and driving style. I push as hard as I can on slicks pretty much every lap. So I tend to run through consumables at an alarming rate. I have not seen anyone running a fast pace with Willwood brakes, in my neck of the woods. In fact, I would say the stock GS/z06 iron brakes are better than anything wilwood can offer for our cars. At least roadracing. AP is solid, but the stock brakes are so good, I see no reason to buy them. I would put a good pad on the stock system before investing money. Everyone who has taken a ride in my car on track, is amazed at my brakes. Even other fast guys in great cars! The carbotech XP24 endurance pad is amazing and is lasting. I’m doing day 5 on them soon with lots of pads left.
What discs are you running and how is the longevity on these?
