C8 Z51 Brake Pad Replacement?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 4
Likes: 12
C8 Z51 Brake Pad Replacement?
I am awaiting delivery of my new (to me) 2023 C8 Z51. I am reading lots of nightmare posts on brake dust with the stock pads. I am thinking I might want to trade them out for a better pad with the objective of reducing dust but also keeping quiet operation as I have heard some replacements are noisy (clicking). I will only be using the pads for street use.
I looked into Carbotech 1521 based on some solid recommendations but they are quite pricy here in Canada - $940 Canadian (just over $700 USD).
I am wondering if people have other pads they have had positive experiences with. As well, if people think the dust issue is overstated or if replacement is a must do.
Thanks.
I looked into Carbotech 1521 based on some solid recommendations but they are quite pricy here in Canada - $940 Canadian (just over $700 USD).
I am wondering if people have other pads they have had positive experiences with. As well, if people think the dust issue is overstated or if replacement is a must do.
Thanks.
Popular Reply
Mar 27, 2024, 11:00 AM
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,557
There's a ton of bad info on the OEM pads. They're actually pretty awesome in that they can work on the street in all conditions and survive an advanced trackday. Yes they make some dust, and yes in some scenarios you can get some noise (this is why they have sticky backs, to prevent the vibration we hear as brake squeal), but people who say they're "bad" pads don't really understand anything other than the brake dust.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
PowerStop Z26 pads for sure; I've had them on my C7 & C8 Z51s. The stock pad dust is just as horrendous as everyone claims! I actually just posted this elsewhere earlier this morning:
The below are for all 2020-2024 C8 Stingrays (with links to avoid any confusion):
base
front pads: Z26-8007 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=508)
rear pads: Z26-8008 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=509)
front rotors: AR82200XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=549)
rear rotors: AR82201XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=548)
Z51 package
front pads: Z26-8009 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=511)
rear pads: Z26-8010 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=510)
front rotors: AR82202XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=550)
rear rotors: AR82203XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=551)
I have personally installed this exact setup on 2021, 2022, & 2023 C8 Z51s, and the 2020 & 2024 model years are no different.
base
front pads: Z26-8007 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=508)
rear pads: Z26-8008 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=509)
front rotors: AR82200XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=549)
rear rotors: AR82201XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=548)
Z51 package
front pads: Z26-8009 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=511)
rear pads: Z26-8010 (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1684&jsn=510)
front rotors: AR82202XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=550)
rear rotors: AR82203XPR (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=1896&jsn=551)
I have personally installed this exact setup on 2021, 2022, & 2023 C8 Z51s, and the 2020 & 2024 model years are no different.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,557
There's a ton of bad info on the OEM pads. They're actually pretty awesome in that they can work on the street in all conditions and survive an advanced trackday. Yes they make some dust, and yes in some scenarios you can get some noise (this is why they have sticky backs, to prevent the vibration we hear as brake squeal), but people who say they're "bad" pads don't really understand anything other than the brake dust.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,768
Likes: 2,514
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
The Brembos do have better braking power, but the dust sucks. I moved to Powerstops as most of my friends have as well. I can now drive through a tank of gas with very little dust. Brembos dusted bad at even 50 mi. The P26 pads are an excellent compromise with excellent braking power still.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 10,274
From: Garden Valley CA
There's a ton of bad info on the OEM pads. They're actually pretty awesome in that they can work on the street in all conditions and survive an advanced trackday. Yes they make some dust, and yes in some scenarios you can get some noise (this is why they have sticky backs, to prevent the vibration we hear as brake squeal), but people who say they're "bad" pads don't really understand anything other than the brake dust.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
I haven't seen anyone with a C8 and Z26 pads complain about cold bite. Perhaps any reduction in performance of Z26 pads on the street is masked by the "brake by wire" system in the C8.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 356
Likes: 386
Why all the hate on Z51 brake pads?
I mean, personally, I love getting down on my knees every few days to scrub brake dust from every nook and cranny of my wheels. It brings me closer, almost one with my car. It’s part of the ownership experience!
Okay, maybe not so much. PS or CT pads it is! lol!
Any recommendations on rotors?
Okay, maybe not so much. PS or CT pads it is! lol!
Any recommendations on rotors?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 1,608
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I am awaiting delivery of my new (to me) 2023 C8 Z51. I am reading lots of nightmare posts on brake dust with the stock pads. I am thinking I might want to trade them out for a better pad with the objective of reducing dust but also keeping quiet operation as I have heard some replacements are noisy (clicking). I will only be using the pads for street use.
I looked into Carbotech 1521 based on some solid recommendations but they are quite pricy here in Canada - $940 Canadian (just over $700 USD).
I am wondering if people have other pads they have had positive experiences with. As well, if people think the dust issue is overstated or if replacement is a must do.
Thanks.
I looked into Carbotech 1521 based on some solid recommendations but they are quite pricy here in Canada - $940 Canadian (just over $700 USD).
I am wondering if people have other pads they have had positive experiences with. As well, if people think the dust issue is overstated or if replacement is a must do.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,069
Likes: 4,152
From: Bergen county NJ
Remember to post up those z51 pads up for sale down the road. I daily my c8 z51 and I like the stock z51 pads. With 30k miles on my corvette I don’t find the dusting issue much of anything since I usually wash the car once a week anyway.
the heavy dusting happens for the first thousand or so miles and then as the miles roll on the dusting becomes less of an issue.
ill stick with the z51 stock pads and so in 10k miles or so I’ll buy a set of inexpensive takeoffs …
Good luck with your new car and don’t worry so much about the dust and if you do switch out to a new pad…just mark down the mileage you pulled them and sell them off for an extra 100 or 150 to put in your pocket.
everybody makes out.
i found in previous vettes I’d change the pads every 40k or 50k miles.
remember there is a special protocol for removing and replacing brake pads so if you are doing it yourself or paying someone make sure they are well versed in swapping out brake pads in a c8. (Disconnect battery etc)
the heavy dusting happens for the first thousand or so miles and then as the miles roll on the dusting becomes less of an issue.
ill stick with the z51 stock pads and so in 10k miles or so I’ll buy a set of inexpensive takeoffs …
Good luck with your new car and don’t worry so much about the dust and if you do switch out to a new pad…just mark down the mileage you pulled them and sell them off for an extra 100 or 150 to put in your pocket.
everybody makes out.
i found in previous vettes I’d change the pads every 40k or 50k miles.
remember there is a special protocol for removing and replacing brake pads so if you are doing it yourself or paying someone make sure they are well versed in swapping out brake pads in a c8. (Disconnect battery etc)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 264
Likes: 180
There's a ton of bad info on the OEM pads. They're actually pretty awesome in that they can work on the street in all conditions and survive an advanced trackday. Yes they make some dust, and yes in some scenarios you can get some noise (this is why they have sticky backs, to prevent the vibration we hear as brake squeal), but people who say they're "bad" pads don't really understand anything other than the brake dust.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
Carbotech ceramics will not stop the car as well as the OEM pads; period. But they do produce less dust. Another option is to ceramic coat your wheels and the dust mostly falls off.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 10,274
From: Garden Valley CA
Because GM didn't allow for an option of buying a Z51 without track capable pads and there isn't a way of getting the other Z51 components without getting the Z51 package (other than NPP). The Z51 brake pads are required for the brakes to hold up to track conditions but there are other good pads for cars that will only be driven on the street. I haven't heard anyone that put aftermarket non-track pads on their car say the street braking performance was compromised.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 494
Likes: 124
From: Albany NY
It appears that the hats on the powerstop rotors are unpainted. How have they held up to having a rusty appearance? Thanks
