[Xyebo]

Good day all. I have gotten my pads down to 6mm of meat after 7500 miles and 3 track days, so I began wondering about the replacement pad options.
As I have a 2023 with California-compliant copper-free (code BCD) brake system, I began to realize that my options are severally limited.


The cheapest OEM Brembo/Ferodo I could find (the fronts and the rears ) add up to the whooping $622.
Meanwhile, the KNSBrakes website's listings lead me to believe that the listed options are the direct drop-ins from non-copper-free ZL1s, which some forum members have stated leave a 1mm cold ring on the rotors.


Fellow BCD brake users, how lucky were you in finding reasonable replacement brake pad options?

[CTRifecta]

bump also interested in this

[MatthewAMEL]

Originally Posted by Xyebo

Good day all. I have gotten my pads down to 6mm of meat after 7500 miles and 3 track days, so I began wondering about the replacement pad options.
As I have a 2023 with California-compliant copper-free (code BCD) brake system, I began to realize that my options are severally limited.


The cheapest OEM Brembo/Ferodo I could find (the fronts and the rears ) add up to the whooping $622.
Meanwhile, the KNSBrakes website's listings lead me to believe that the listed options are the direct drop-ins from non-copper-free ZL1s, which some forum members have stated leave a 1mm cold ring on the rotors.


Fellow BCD brake users, how lucky were you in finding reasonable replacement brake pad options?

There was a thread a while back discussing the BCD brakes when they 1st were available. One of our forum members seemed to discover that the BCD option was the same pad size as the Blackwing 5 iron disc.


There are a LOT of pads available for that brake now. If you search on Ken's site (https://knsbrakes.com/products/car/1.../_All+Products) that selection seems to match the Blackwing 5 selection.


I would call/email Ken to verify.

[arpad_m]

I was going to recommend CT5-V Blackwing parts because of the identical sizing, but did a little research before posting, and prices in the Cadillac world are also astronomical, not sure OP will be happier with BW pads pricewise.
Here's to hoping that a cost effective BCD sized option exists, copper-free or not

[MatthewAMEL]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I was going to recommend CT5-V Blackwing parts because of the identical sizing, but did a little research before posting, and prices in the Cadillac world are also astronomical, not sure OP will be happier with BW pads pricewise.
Here's to hoping that a cost effective BCD sized option exists, copper-free or not

The prices at KNS are the same. The link I posted is for the BCD Camaro.

[Xyebo]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

There was a thread a while back discussing the BCD brakes when they 1st were available. One of our forum members seemed to discover that the BCD option was the same pad size as the Blackwing 5 iron disc.


There are a LOT of pads available for that brake now. If you search on Ken's site (https://knsbrakes.com/products/car/1.../_All+Products) that selection seems to match the Blackwing 5 selection.


I would call/email Ken to verify.

Oh, I didn't know that the Caddy has the similar brakes to the BCD.
Interestingly, all BCD Camaros, regular ZL1 brakes, and CT5-V BW literally share the same pad selection:
https://knsbrakes.com/products/car/1...ace+Brake+Pads
https://knsbrakes.com/products/car/1...ace+Brake+Pads
https://knsbrakes.com/products/car/1...ace+Brake+Pads


But yeah, the prices are high, most economical choice for dual duty street/track car would be the OEM pads off RockAuto.

[cdb95z28]

I, and others, have been using the non BCD ZL1 sized pads. I have run the OE ZL1 HP1000, Ferodo DS2500 and DS1.11 pads. I have not had any issues running the ZL1 sized pads. I ran most of the year on the DS1.11pads, street and track days. They are great with one negative. With the huge heat capacity of the BCDs the 1.11s may run too cool on the street and this is wearing the rotors.

[CTRifecta]

So do SS 1LE BCD brakes /pads = ZL1 brakes /pads? Therefore we can simply search for ZL1 pads?

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by CTRifecta

So do SS 1LE BCD brakes /pads = ZL1 brakes /pads? Therefore we can simply search for ZL1 pads?

Nope, I believe the BCD are 392mm vs the ZLE that are 390. I don't know enough about them though, I suppose it could work, 2mm isn't much.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

Nope, I believe the BCD are 392mm vs the ZLE that are 390. I don't know enough about them though, I suppose it could work, 2mm isn't much.

Yeah, front rotor sizes have a nice a trim progression: LT (321 mm) -> SS (345 mm) -> SS 1LE (370 mm) -> ZL1 (390 mm) -> BCD (392 mm).

Those extra 2 mms of the BCD rotor diameter will leave a 1mm wide unswept ring if standard ZL1 pads are used, which I personaly wouldn't care much about, but it will certainly be a bit colder than the area under the pads, and it will look different, too. IIRC the brake pad shape is also slightly different between the ZL1 and the BCD option.

[cdb95z28]

Answers in RED

Originally Posted by CTRifecta

So do SS 1LE BCD brakes /pads = ZL1 brakes /pads? Therefore we can simply search for ZL1 pads?

YES ON THE PADS

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

Nope, I believe the BCD are 392mm vs the ZLE that are 390. I don't know enough about them though, I suppose it could work, 2mm isn't much.

BCD FRONT ROTOR IS 398MM. ZL1 AND ZLE HAVE NEVER BEEN DIFFERENT SIZED/SPEC'D COMPONENTS EXCEPT CALIPER COLOR

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Yeah, front rotor sizes have a nice a trim progression: LT (321 mm) -> SS (345 mm) -> SS 1LE (370 mm) -> ZL1 (390 mm) -> BCD (392 mm). CORRECT BCD SIZE AS NOTED ABOVE

Those extra 2 mms of the BCD rotor diameter will leave a 1mm wide unswept ring if standard ZL1 pads are used, which I personaly wouldn't care much about, but it will certainly be a bit colder than the area under the pads, and it will look different, too. IIRC the brake pad shape is also slightly different between the ZL1 and the BCD option.

When I describe the non-BCD SS 1LE and ZL1 components I just call them "typical". This typical system consists of the Ferodo HP1000 pad which has been used on a bunch of Chevrolet performance vehicles over the years including all of the Gen6 SS 1LE and ZL1 that ARE NOT BCD. It's a great dual purpose street/track pad and relatively inexpensive.

So that being said.......

BCD front rotors are 398mm.

Yes, using the typical ZL1 pad on the BCD rotor will create a cold ring. I and others have documented this in many previous threads here on these forums. I have pictures on many of those threads showing the differences. For simplicity, just google "BCD Copper Free Brakes camaro6.com" and you will find everything you have wanted to know on the BCDs. The search function here on the forums is wonky sometimes so best bet is to use google. I have used the typical ZL1 sized pads consisting of different compounds on my BCD equipped '22 SS 1LE for over a year. There has been debate as to the new cold ring being an issue over time but many of us BCD owners have used the typical ZL1 sized pads with zero issue. I street and track drive my Camaro.


The BCD rears are the same as the typical ZL1 rear components, for example, caliper, brake hose, pad shape and rotor. Though the BCD rear rotor carries a different part # due to a different coating. The typical ZL1 rear pad #s will work on the BCD rears.

I have used the typical OE HP1000, Ferodo typical ZL1 DS2500, and currently the Ferodo typical ZL1 DS1.11 pads. Each have their own characteristics that when used on the BCD Camaros, which fall in line with Ferodo's decriptions.

[arpad_m]

cdb95z28, great info as always, and also thanks a lot for correcting my mistake, I researched the BCD rotor size in the wrong places

[CTRifecta]

Great info, thanks guys! Now I just need my car to arrive.....

[Xyebo]

Thank you for the thorough write-up, cdb95z28--great to have all the info in one place!