Brake pads
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
I've had my C8 Z51 for a few weeks and I'm looking to change pads and have viewed threads and looked up the different options from Powerstop and Carbotech. My driving is mostly aggressive runs in the mountains once a month, and i expect to do 1-3 track days next year. All of the powerstop and carbotech pads that im seeing do not recommend any track use. Sure i hate the extra dust from OEM pads, but i dont want to sacrifice performance when needed. less dust would be great though for daily use.
Any solid recommendations from others with some track days, spirited mountain drives, and daily use? My previous car was a ZL1 and i had EBD yellow pads on that. Was pleased with performance but a lot of dust.
thanks
Any solid recommendations from others with some track days, spirited mountain drives, and daily use? My previous car was a ZL1 and i had EBD yellow pads on that. Was pleased with performance but a lot of dust.
thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 181
From: NE OH
I ditched the factory Z51 pads because of the dust and installed Power Stop ones. Around town I drive like a normal person so the change in pads wasn't noticeable. I kept the factory pads in the event I want to go to the track. Super easy/quick to change the pads on our cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
The brembo pads don't last very long, make a ton of dust, and on the track they last even less time, a LOT less time.
NCM Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5,343
Likes: 4,288
From: Cunningham, TN
2021 Corvette of the Year - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Winner- Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '26
I very gently drove my 23 Z51 HTC home from museum delivery (90 miles) and was amazed at how much brake dust that was on my wheels.
I already knew this was an issue and had Powerstop Z26 pads waiting to install. Very easy to install and for normal street/highway driving I don’t notice any performance difference and I believe the primary source of dust on my wheels now is from the roadways. Very pleased.
Edit: Don’t recall the price, but purchased from Rockauto. Was the best deal I found at the time.
I already knew this was an issue and had Powerstop Z26 pads waiting to install. Very easy to install and for normal street/highway driving I don’t notice any performance difference and I believe the primary source of dust on my wheels now is from the roadways. Very pleased.
Edit: Don’t recall the price, but purchased from Rockauto. Was the best deal I found at the time.
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
i've delt with heavy brake dust for years so im used to it and dont mind. im not 'racing' , but HPDE track days 2-3 times next year plus aggressive mountain runs. what pads would you recommend then?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 722
Likes: 566
From: Northern Utah
I disagree with anyone who says the Carbotech pads reduce dust on the Z51C8. I have red aftermarket wheels that show dust clearly due to the color. I bought the Carbotech (waste of $500) pads and they made literally zero difference. I can't drive more than 60 miles without globs of black soot all over the wheels. Don't waste your money on pads. I'm looking at other methods of blocking that dust.
That's the last thing I'll ever buy from Paragon. Overpriced and overrated.
That's the last thing I'll ever buy from Paragon. Overpriced and overrated.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,796
Likes: 10,218
From: Garden Valley CA
The Powerstop Z23/Z23 pads significantly reduce the amount of dust (I installed the Z26 pads). I have heard that the Carbotech pads reduce the amount of dust generated but not to the extent that the Powerstop pads do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
I disagree with anyone who says the Carbotech pads reduce dust on the Z51C8. I have red aftermarket wheels that show dust clearly due to the color. I bought the Carbotech (waste of $500) pads and they made literally zero difference. I can't drive more than 60 miles without globs of black soot all over the wheels. Don't waste your money on pads. I'm looking at other methods of blocking that dust.
That's the last thing I'll ever buy from Paragon. Overpriced and overrated.
That's the last thing I'll ever buy from Paragon. Overpriced and overrated.
I saw a big difference. No, they aren't DUST FREE, but they also perform very well on the street. When I put my Z51 pads back on for tracking my car I noticed an immediate increase in brake dust. Probably twice as much brake dust with the OEM pads.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 608
Likes: 154
From: Gilbert, AZ
I've had my C8 Z51 for a few weeks and I'm looking to change pads and have viewed threads and looked up the different options from Powerstop and Carbotech. My driving is mostly aggressive runs in the mountains once a month, and i expect to do 1-3 track days next year. All of the powerstop and carbotech pads that im seeing do not recommend any track use. Sure i hate the extra dust from OEM pads, but i dont want to sacrifice performance when needed. less dust would be great though for daily use.
Any solid recommendations from others with some track days, spirited mountain drives, and daily use? My previous car was a ZL1 and i had EBD yellow pads on that. Was pleased with performance but a lot of dust.
thanks
Any solid recommendations from others with some track days, spirited mountain drives, and daily use? My previous car was a ZL1 and i had EBD yellow pads on that. Was pleased with performance but a lot of dust.
thanks
Navigator
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
Thanks and thats what im thinking i will do. do you have a recommendation for a good track day pad? everyone i see here is saying the z51 pads arent very good.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,384
From: NE South Carolina
I disagree with anyone who says the Carbotech pads reduce dust on the Z51C8. I have red aftermarket wheels that show dust clearly due to the color. I bought the Carbotech (waste of $500) pads and they made literally zero difference. I can't drive more than 60 miles without globs of black soot all over the wheels. Don't waste your money on pads. I'm looking at other methods of blocking that dust.
That's the last thing I'll ever buy from Paragon. Overpriced and overrated.
That's the last thing I'll ever buy from Paragon. Overpriced and overrated.
Put Carbotech 1521 street pads ton my 2017 Grand Sport with same excellent results. They quote as stopping fine from 50F (before pads get warm from braking) to 800 or 900F BUT state not for Tracking. Taking can reach ~1250 in some cases ~1500F.
Installed Cartotech 1521 pads on my C8 and like the prior two Vettes wash my wheels only when I wash the car!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
What is your main use for the car?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,384
From: NE South Carolina
FWIW, Carbotech Compounds are all compatible including all ~6 track pad compounds they offer with the 1521 Street only pads. So no need to clean rotors of residual pad material when swapping from street to race pads compounds (some of theri race pads are good to 2000F BUT as all race pads they need to be hot to stop well, in that case ~400F. No issue when racing or tracking. If an aggressive frequent tracker easier to swap pads than brake fluid. GM recommends replacing for brake fluid when Tracking to Race Fluid but since it is more hygroscopic (picks up water quickly) they recommend switching back to standard fluid after tracking.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,402
Likes: 8,561
So, which ones do I want then? Z23 or Z26? I have a Z51 but do not track - just street driving. Which are lowest dust? And, is there any disadvantage to using the lowest dust pad for street driving?
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,796
Likes: 10,218
From: Garden Valley CA
The pad compounds are the same. The Z26 pads come with a metal shim like the OEM pads do. The Z23 pads com with a non-metallic "shim". I didn't want to risk a softer pedal so I went with the Z26 pads. I believe they come with more hardware also.