dsnorth2

Is there really a advantage to change over to the Ceramic pads? What is the average price for the pads?

RKCRLR

No advantage on a base Stingray. A lot less dust on a Z51 at the expense of track performance.

Bman2022

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

5632

Get rid of Z51 brake pads. They are the worst thing about a C8. If your racing who cares if the wheels are dusty?

muncie21

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.

dohabandit

When you are ready to install Carbotech 1521 pads that are super low dust and work very well for street driving, send me a PM and I will take those old Brembo Z51 dusty track pads off your hands for you!

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.

lewislgZ06

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.

Bman2022

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?

qwazipsycho

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.

RKCRLR

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.

dohabandit

I have Z51 and Carbotech 1521 pads.
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.

bhvrdr

The powerstop z26 pads will reduce the dust about 80 percent. The carbotechs will reduce it around 50 percent.

MistressMotorsports

You could get ceramic pads and then change back to your stock pads for the couple track events. It's a pretty fast swap. But, you are correct, the low dust pads are not going to be happy on the track. They will be fine for canyon carving.

5632

Before Z26 pads I cleaned my wheels about 3 times a week. After the change I clean mine every 6 to 8 weeks.

Bman2022

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.

JerryU

Not my experience with my early 2014 Z51. Foolishly waited 6 months and was having to clean my wheels every 2 or 3 trips to town (50/60 mile round trip with many aggressive stops driving on all rural back roads, many stops, turns.) If I didn't not only look bad the dust was pitting my black wheels. Cartotech reduced dust 85% and what dud is there did not pit my wheels.

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!

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

What is your main use for the car?

JerryU

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.

Andybump

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!

RKCRLR

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.