C8 Z06: Are Carbon Ceramic Brakes Worth The Cost?

It's no secret that the C8 Corvette Z06 is a vehicle designed to be used on the track, where it delivers some truly impressive performance for its price point - or any price point, really. However, while many owners obviously won't ever take these special machines to a track, there are plenty of folks that will, sometimes, on a regular basis. For them, going for pricier options will likely result in better results, and in that regard, carbon ceramic brakes are a pretty enticing box to tick. However, that same part also stirred up a bit of a debate at CorvetteForum recently, which contains some truly valuable information for anyone considering spec'ing their C8 Corvette Z06 with carbon ceramic brakes. .

"As I look to either find an allocation or available Z06 on the market now, I come across a dilemma, ceramic or steels?" asked Aku700. "I plan to mainly use the car for tracking, so for those who have tracked a lot, what are the pros/cons? I asked this question at Ron Fellows, the head instructor stated go with the CC, they bite better, don't overheat and last longer! But I'd guess price for replacing pads are expensive?" .

There are, as one might imagine, quite a few varying opinions on the topic of carbon ceramic brakes, which have long been touted as superior options for a number of reasons - albeit for a cost. Carbon ceramics are quite pricey not only to purchase up front, but also, to replace pads and rotors. However, for some, that extra outlay of cash is well worth it.

"I track my Z06/7 on slicks with CCBs," said mfain. "I have two other cars with CCBs. One is a Viper ACR-E that I have tracked for almost 8 years, and I'm still on the original rotors at 9,600 miles. I religiously swap pads at 1/2 life to keep from taking a chance on damaging the rotors. Yes, the pads are a little expensive. I properly burnish the pads with each change - no short-cuts. I am also a fan of AP brakes, and have a set on another dedicated track car. But, the new, big APs for the C8Z are actually heavier than the factory CCBs. Iron rotors in CCB-equivalent diameters are off-the-chart heavy."

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Source: Brett Foote - Corvette Forum

Posted 4/19/24