1LE Copper Free Brakes - Future Part Selection

Necron · 04-13-2025, 05:08 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm in the market for a SS 1LE and found a super clean 2023 with the copper free breaks (I'm in Ohio). I love the size and would plan on putting different pads on it since I'm gong to be autocrossing and hope to road race it in some time.

The only concern I have is just part availability/price in the future whenever I do have to replace the rotors since the amount of cars with this option isn't that high. There doesn't seem to much of any of an aftermarket selection of for the fronts other then OEM that I could find.

Curious to get some opinions on this.

cdb95z28 · 04-14-2025, 09:18 AM

First option is to just buy a set of rotors now. The Caddy CT5 Blackwing front iron rotors will also work. They are the same except for Cadillac script on the rotor hat. Rockauto occasionally will have a price change, you could keep an eye on better pricing. Same with Amazon.

As for pads, many of us are using the regular copper content OE HP1000 Ferodos spec'd for the non copper free ZL1s or aftermarket ZL1 spec'd pads. I have run the HP1000, DS2500 and DS1.11 pads.

cdb95z28 · 04-14-2025, 09:30 AM

Since the copper free system is so big, the heat capacity will be great for track days. The rotors will last a long time. Dust seals don't burn up. You don't necessarily need to use super aggressive pads. And I've found it is possible to overcool these brakes, especially when doing alot of street driving. I was running the DS1.11s on track and street and I found the street wear rate was high due to the pads running too cool. Some aggressive pads nead heat and when they are too cold, they rely on abrasive friction mode for grip, and this is harder on rotors. I've been taking my Cadillac CT5 Blackwing deflectors off when I drive on the street.

Necron · 04-14-2025, 04:30 PM

Thanks cdb95z28, I'm glad I asked since I wasn't aware you could use the iron brakes from the Blackwing.

Good point on not going through the brakes as fast.

Jofu · 04-15-2025, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

First option is to just buy a set of rotors now.

Yeah, I actually did that a little while ago, to avoid shortage in the future if that's ever a problem! Them are some heavy pizza boxes in my garage!

Geoff

nikerret · 04-15-2025, 10:08 PM

I have the BCD option and am not worried about future availability. As has been said, they are the same as the CT5-V Blackwing steel option. The other thing is the ZL1 pads will work.

Last weekend I had my wheels off to check the pad material. I have five track days (Hallett, 1.8 mile top speed is 109ish) on my car (80-100 miles, per track day) with 4,433 total miles. The pads look nearly new, still.

Unless you’re putting a lot of hard track miles on, the pads last quite a while. The rotors have zero edge for my finger nail to catch on. I do have some pad scoring, which is shown below.

Coolant bottle, for scale:

dpevans · 04-22-2025, 07:40 PM

There are rotors and pads available for copper free. Depending on how much you track plan on at least one set of front pads per season and a set of rotors and rear pads every other season. I am going to hit it hard this year and will pick up a set of autocross pads and probably use two sets of front track pads and probably have to change rotors on the front. I already have two sets of front and one set of rear SC3s. It's not a cheap addiction.

04-13-2025, 05:08 PM	#1
Necron Drives: 2001 Camaro Z28 SC1 M6 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 9	1LE Copper Free Brakes - Future Part Selection Hello Everyone, I'm in the market for a SS 1LE and found a super clean 2023 with the copper free breaks (I'm in Ohio). I love the size and would plan on putting different pads on it since I'm gong to be autocrossing and hope to road race it in some time. The only concern I have is just part availability/price in the future whenever I do have to replace the rotors since the amount of cars with this option isn't that high. There doesn't seem to much of any of an aftermarket selection of for the fronts other then OEM that I could find. Curious to get some opinions on this.

04-14-2025, 09:18 AM	#2
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,747	First option is to just buy a set of rotors now. The Caddy CT5 Blackwing front iron rotors will also work. They are the same except for Cadillac script on the rotor hat. Rockauto occasionally will have a price change, you could keep an eye on better pricing. Same with Amazon. As for pads, many of us are using the regular copper content OE HP1000 Ferodos spec'd for the non copper free ZL1s or aftermarket ZL1 spec'd pads. I have run the HP1000, DS2500 and DS1.11 pads. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather

04-14-2025, 09:30 AM	#3
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,747	Since the copper free system is so big, the heat capacity will be great for track days. The rotors will last a long time. Dust seals don't burn up. You don't necessarily need to use super aggressive pads. And I've found it is possible to overcool these brakes, especially when doing alot of street driving. I was running the DS1.11s on track and street and I found the street wear rate was high due to the pads running too cool. Some aggressive pads nead heat and when they are too cold, they rely on abrasive friction mode for grip, and this is harder on rotors. I've been taking my Cadillac CT5 Blackwing deflectors off when I drive on the street. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD "KEEP THE FAITH"-Fbodfather Last edited by cdb95z28; 04-15-2025 at 10:58 AM. Reason: spelling

04-15-2025, 10:08 PM	#6
nikerret Drives: 2014 Ford F-350 Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Kansas Posts: 95	I have the BCD option and am not worried about future availability. As has been said, they are the same as the CT5-V Blackwing steel option. The other thing is the ZL1 pads will work. Last weekend I had my wheels off to check the pad material. I have five track days (Hallett, 1.8 mile top speed is 109ish) on my car (80-100 miles, per track day) with 4,433 total miles. The pads look nearly new, still. Unless you’re putting a lot of hard track miles on, the pads last quite a while. The rotors have zero edge for my finger nail to catch on. I do have some pad scoring, which is shown below. Coolant bottle, for scale: Attached Images __________________ 2024 Red Hot 2SS 1LE w/BCD, PDR 2014 F-350 Crew Cab Cassis Cab Dually 6.2L w/4.30 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT 1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate

04-14-2025, 04:30 PM	#4
Necron Drives: 2001 Camaro Z28 SC1 M6 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 9	Thanks cdb95z28, I'm glad I asked since I wasn't aware you could use the iron brakes from the Blackwing. Good point on not going through the brakes as fast.

04-22-2025, 07:40 PM	#7
dpevans Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,357	There are rotors and pads available for copper free. Depending on how much you track plan on at least one set of front pads per season and a set of rotors and rear pads every other season. I am going to hit it hard this year and will pick up a set of autocross pads and probably use two sets of front track pads and probably have to change rotors on the front. I already have two sets of front and one set of rear SC3s. It's not a cheap addiction.

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