Question: Ceramic Brake Pads, Metallic ? ? Yes or No ?

[JimBobC4]

Having nearly completed the interior portion of my 1995 convertable, I am now starting the brake portion of the semi-restoration, restification, money spending, ... whatever. Thanks to everyone on this board !



What brake pads does everyone recommend for my application ?

My car will probably never see competition driving. The worst case would be a few hot laps around Road Atlanta or a quick squirt on an autocross course. Maybe ...

However, 99% of the time I will be on the street.

I don't want increased pedal effort. Given the fact that I've broken my leg\ankle three times (eX motorcycle racer:W) , less pedal effort would be appreciated.

Are ceramic brake pads good for the street? or do I have to make 2 laps around Road America to get them hot enough to stop ?

I want to stop with little effort, and I don't care if I get brake dust on wheels. I have my own personel wheel cleaner ( he's 8 but still does a good job)

Any suggestions ?

 

[Itshakes]

Brake pads

JimBobC4-- I have a 1996 LT4 coupe with Baer two piece rotors, along with GM Ceramic pads. This combination is really nice on the street (you don't have to heat them up), the pedal pressure is less than stock metallic pads, and would serve you well on track day. The bonus is - there is very little brake dust on your wheels. I love 'em and recommend them to everyone I talk to.

 

[Bobsvette]

ceramic all the way, both of mine have em

 

[JimBobC4]

JimBobC4-- I have a 1996 LT4 coupe with Baer two piece rotors, along with GM Ceramic pads. This combination is really nice on the street (you don't have to heat them up), the pedal pressure is less than stock metallic pads, and would serve you well on track day. The bonus is - there is very little brake dust on your wheels. I love 'em and recommend them to everyone I talk to.

Pedal pressure less than stock, exactly what I'm looking for.

So far with the comments listed Ceramics are the pad of choice. Thanks for the replies. Anyone else have a preference ?

 

[Hib Halverson]

If I had the same set of requirements as posted at the top, I would replace my pads with the production late C4 pad.

The only time I would deviate from that if if either: 1) I needed some kind of more aggressive brake pad for high-performance street driving or racing, 2) I needed some kind of "low dust" pad for a show car or 3) the prime consideration for the preplacement brake pad was lowest possible cost.

 

[Itshakes]

Brake pads

I think most of the new cars have Ceramic pads from the factory. Halverson can verify this.

 

[JimBobC4]

If I had the same set of requirements as posted at the top, I would replace my pads with the production late C4 pad.

The only time I would deviate from that if if either: 1) I needed some kind of more aggressive brake pad for high-performance street driving or racing, 2) I needed some kind of "low dust" pad for a show car or 3) the prime consideration for the preplacement brake pad was lowest possible cost.

These pads are the current alternative to the ceramics in my mind, but I didn't want to skew the answers.

Why ?

Its hard to pay up to $ 150 for a set of pads when the stockers
may do as well or better for my application.

My initital impression on brake pads (I've changed ALOT of them ) is the softer the pad the faster it stops, until the pad overheats.. Like the difference between rubbing an eraser on a table and say .. a hard rubber ball.The eraser has more friction until a certain amount of pressure is reached.

A softer pad, wears out faster, and causes the rotor to hold more heat (until failure). Therefore, bad for the racetrack, but good for someone with a not so good leg .They stick better to the rotor, creating less of need to push the pedal. I've road tested hundreds of cars after brake jobs, and this seemed to hold true each time.

However, I have never installed a set of ceramic pads nor driven a car before and after the installation of ceramics. I'm interested in what folks have to say about them.

Thanks everyone !

 

[Hib Halverson]

I think most of the new cars have Ceramic pads from the factory. Halverson can verify this.

They do not.

Ceramic brake pads, at least from the Corvette perspective, are primarily an aftermarket offering.

 

[JimBobC4]

Hib,

Were you referring to the AC Delco OEM brake pads? $:W$