Ceramics

[themodern6spdsedan]

Also going from considering Redstuff/OEM to XP12 is quite a jump. Those pads aren't even in the same realm. What moved you to go that route?

Just reflecting on my driving style, the XP12s seem to be a better fit than Redstuff/OEM. I drive aggressively and plan on tracking a few times a month. I need an all around brake pads that would be sufficient enough for the track, but also enough for aggressive driving in the streets. I found that the XP12s provide that balance.

I was also thinking about the 1521s, but they aren’t really recommended for track use (maybe for light tracking). Also was looking at the AX6 pads, but heard that it’s too sensitive and touchy when tracking, so won’t be going with those. So right now, I’m leaning 80% towards the XP12s and 20% for the 1521s.

 

[RDATLTE]

The ZL1 1LE never had carbon ceramics as an option. Perhaps, you were thinking about the previous generation's Z/28?

 

[tmc]

I feel stupid asking this question cause I consider myself a car guy and should know an answer to probably a simple car question.

I’ll be needing new brake pads and rotors soon - can anyone please tell me if I need special rotors to run ceramic brake pads? Or will stock rotors be fine? Also was wondering, would I need to change the calipers to run ceramics?

Please share what brand ceramic brake pads and rotors you all have and/or recommend using. I was thinking Windhammer or Redstuff for the brake pads and GiroDisc 2 for the rotors. Sorry for the dumb questions. Thanks for all your inputs.

I know the car doesn't have any temp sensors in the brakes and uses an algorithm to approximate it. If you're not tracking the car, I assume its a non-issue.

If you do run the car hard at the track, changing the pad compound might make the calculations done by the braking module incorrect? Not sure if that matters.

 

[fordperfaddict]

Do ceramic pads affect braking performance ? Are they no go for aggressive driving and track use most of the time when paired with oem iron rotors?

 

[themodern6spdsedan]

Yes, ceramic pads do affect braking performance. They’re great for street use, but isn’t ideal for track use, especially if you’re a heavy or aggressive track driver. Semi-metallic pads would be more suitable for heavy track use as it’s designed to handle the heat generated during aggressive driving.

So, even if you decide to go with ceramic brake pads and use OEM iron rotors, you’re still at a disadvantage simply because ceramic pads have much lower heat tolerance than semi-metallic pads, thus affecting braking performance at the track.

 

[Matt27]

Just reflecting on my driving style, the XP12s seem to be a better fit than Redstuff/OEM. I drive aggressively and plan on tracking a few times a month. I need an all around brake pads that would be sufficient enough for the track, but also enough for aggressive driving in the streets. I found that the XP12s provide that balance.

I was also thinking about the 1521s, but they aren’t really recommended for track use (maybe for light tracking). Also was looking at the AX6 pads, but heard that it’s too sensitive and touchy when tracking, so won’t be going with those. So right now, I’m leaning 80% towards the XP12s and 20% for the 1521s.

XP12s are probably going to eat rotors with street driving and are specifically flagged as not for street driving given they need a lot of temp to actually bite and will dust like crazy.

Believe Carbotech advertises all their compounds as compatible so you can flip from 1521s to XP12s when needed, but the XP12 is a real race pad and even aggressive street driving isn't going to have them at the right temps very often unless you're commuting on the Tail of the Dragon or something.

 

[Bald Guy]

Not that it matters but I switched up my iron brake Corvettes for ceramic brake Corvettes and the initial bite is very weak because the braking system needs to build up heat as they are meant for track use and high performance driving.

 

[themodern6spdsedan]

XP12s are probably going to eat rotors with street driving and are specifically flagged as not for street driving given they need a lot of temp to actually bite and will dust like crazy.

Believe Carbotech advertises all their compounds as compatible so you can flip from 1521s to XP12s when needed, but the XP12 is a real race pad and even aggressive street driving isn't going to have them at the right temps very often unless you're commuting on the Tail of the Dragon or something.

Gotcha. Thanks for your insights. What would you recommend for aggressive street driving and occasional light track use?

 

[Matt27]

Gotcha. Thanks for your insights. What would you recommend for aggressive street driving and occasional light track use?

Honestly OE works really well unless you're experienced on track and pushing hard, or just running notoriously hard-on-brakes tracks.

They run the OE pads all day long at Spring Mountain and they hold up; mine survived Pocono and Lime Rock without issue and just track fluid.

Ferodo DS2500 is another popular one that people seem to like for that application, but I haven't used them given my OE setup is still kicking at 22k miles despite the track time.

 

[themodern6spdsedan]

Honestly OE works really well unless you're experienced on track and pushing hard, or just running notoriously hard-on-brakes tracks.

They run the OE pads all day long at Spring Mountain and they hold up; mine survived Pocono and Lime Rock without issue and just track fluid.

Ferodo DS2500 is another popular one that people seem to like for that application, but I haven't used them given my OE setup is still kicking at 22k miles despite the track time.

Wow, that’s impressive then. I agree, the OE ones are great all around brakes. Just don’t like the brake dust. Hats off to Cadillac for developing great OE brakes, especially the CCB as an option on the 5BW.

Wonder if the Ferodo DS2500 are any better than the OE ones in terms of brake dust?

Thanks again.

 

[themodern6spdsedan]

Not that it matters but I switched up my iron brake Corvettes for ceramic brake Corvettes and the initial bite is very weak because the braking system needs to build up heat as they are meant for track use and high performance driving.

Did you end up switching back to iron brakes?

 

[Bald Guy]

Did you end up switching back to iron brakes?

I'm going to stick with the ceramics and the way it came from the factory. Will just take some getting used to. First time experience with ceramic brakes. My ct5 blackwing still has iron brakes.

 

[themodern6spdsedan]

I'm going to stick with the ceramics and the way it came from the factory. Will just take some getting used to. First time experience with ceramic brakes. My ct5 blackwing still has iron brakes.

Out of curiosity - Given that the Corvette and BW are different cars and that your BW still has iron brakes, how would you compare the braking system of each? Or hypothetically and to keep it a level playing field, if your BW had ceramics, how would it compare to your Corvette with ceramics?

 

[Bald Guy]

Out of curiosity - Given that the Corvette and BW are different cars and that your BW still has iron brakes, how would you compare the braking system of each? Or hypothetically and to keep it a level playing field, if your BW had ceramics, how would it compare to your Corvette with ceramics?

My previous c8 stingray and c8 z06 with iron brakes had more bite initially along with more response initially but also with a lot more dust created on the wheels (brake dust). The ct5v blackwing is similar to that and also creates dust.

I haven't had enough time or much time behind the wheel of the Corvette c8 z06 with ceramic brakes but I think it's safe to assume that it will have much less dust. All I notice right now right off the bat is that it does not have near the same bite or response initially when touching the brakes and approaching to a stop. I've been told that these ceramic brakes are more track oriented and need heat to have better response and they get better as you create more heat and along with higher performance driving. I have to relearn and re-educate myself to better maneuver and operate around these ceramic brakes. I need more time and more experience to understand better so I can give better feedback.