Carbon Ceramic Rotors
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 76
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From: Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina
Carbon Ceramic Rotors
I need to get some technical advice regarding Carbon Ceramic rotors and pads. I replaced the pads prior to a track event this past June. During high speed braking I experienced a slight vibration in the front end, The driving instructor that rode with me after the session inspected the front rotors and decided the pitting was causing the problem. I'm in the process of replacing the factory rotors, my question is, do I have to replace the new pads after being burnished and used for 6 30 minute sessions with new pads again or are the existing pads okay to use with the new rotors. I've gotten two opposing views from mechanics experienced in track cars and carbon ceramic brakes.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: North Texas
I don't know, but you're rolling the price of pads against the price of rotors. If it was me, I'd bite the bullet and get some fresh pads for the new rotors. If you find out later on that the used pads are okay, go ahead and run them.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Reusing the pads is OK. The pads are damaged by the rotors but the pads don't damage the rotors until they are down to the metal backing plate. When the rotors pock mark they eat the pads quickly due to the sharp edges of the pock marks shaving the pads. When my rotors pock marked I would go through a set of pads in one track day.
To save money I would suggest replacing the CCM rotors with Girodisc rotors. You can use a larger range of race pads and the replacement cost of the rotor rings is much lower than the $2K/each bite to replace the CCM rotors.
Even biting the bullet for the Essex/AP Racing Brake kits for front and rear will pay for itself within a couple of years based on rotor replacement cost reduction. When I swapped to AP I broke even on the rear brake setup the day I purchased it, but it took about 18 months to break even on the front set.
Bill
To save money I would suggest replacing the CCM rotors with Girodisc rotors. You can use a larger range of race pads and the replacement cost of the rotor rings is much lower than the $2K/each bite to replace the CCM rotors.
Even biting the bullet for the Essex/AP Racing Brake kits for front and rear will pay for itself within a couple of years based on rotor replacement cost reduction. When I swapped to AP I broke even on the rear brake setup the day I purchased it, but it took about 18 months to break even on the front set.
Bill
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 76
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From: Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina
Thanks Bill. I appreciate your knowledge of the correct solution. Once I replace OEM front rotors I'll probably track it one more time and then retire it. I have a 2025 C8 ZO6/ZO7 on the way. Your alternate solution for OEM brakes will be put on new track car and save OEM brakes and put back on when I retire it.
Bruce
Bruce
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 63
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From: Midwest, Southeast USA
Bill, is it worth keeping the CCB calipers and only switching rotors and pads? How much loss are we looking at in braking ability and getting them too hot when comparing the irons to CCB's?
Thank you,
- Alex
Thank you,
- Alex
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Yes you only need to replace the rotors and pads. They make special rotors that fit the larger ccb calipers. I wouldn’t swap calipers down to a regular ZO6 caliper. Just a waste of money and loss of braking performance.
if you swap calipers I would only do it for the AP kit. Allows you to run much thicker pads that will last a lot longer if you track the car.
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Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 63
Likes: 5
From: Midwest, Southeast USA
Yes you only need to replace the rotors and pads. They make special rotors that fit the larger ccb calipers. I wouldn’t swap calipers down to a regular ZO6 caliper. Just a waste of money and loss of braking performance.
if you swap calipers I would only do it for the AP kit. Allows you to run much thicker pads that will last a lot longer if you track the car.
if you swap calipers I would only do it for the AP kit. Allows you to run much thicker pads that will last a lot longer if you track the car.
