Replacing stock pads on 1LE, freedom from brake dust.

db2022cs · 09-21-2024, 02:32 PM

So, a few months ago I replaced the stock brake pads. I just could not stomach the amount of brake dust I was having to deal with. I had given up on having clean wheels. I did a bit of research looking for pads that would be a good replacement and not be just horrible for street driving. I don't do much tracking with the car although I would love to and plan on it hopefully next year.

I saw some reviews on the Power Stop Z26 pads. I decided to just go for it and I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of dust these pads give off. It's like 5% the amount of dust the stock pads gave off. I went through the process of bedding the brakes in properly and I can say that for street driving they work pretty great! Track driving would be completely different I'm sure. They held up fine on the Tail of the Dragon on several back-to-back runs.

I put a lot of miles on my car and I do enjoy cleaning the car. I just could no longer take spending 2 hours cleaning the car and after a 20 minute drive come back to wheels caked in dust and the area around the wheels covered in a fine mist of brake dust.

I am sure the stock brake pads on the track are far superior to these pads, no question.

*Joshinator99* · 09-21-2024, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db2022cs

So, a few months ago I replaced the stock brake pads. I just could not stomach the amount of brake dust I was having to deal with. I had given up on having clean wheels. I did a bit of research looking for pads that would be a good replacement and not be just horrible for street driving. I don't do much tracking with the car although I would love to and plan on it hopefully next year.

I saw some reviews on the Power Stop Z26 pads. I decided to just go for it and I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of dust these pads give off. It's like 5% the amount of dust the stock pads gave off. I went through the process of bedding the brakes in properly and I can say that for street driving they work pretty great! Track driving would be completely different I'm sure. They held up fine on the Tail of the Dragon on several back-to-back runs.

I put a lot of miles on my car and I do enjoy cleaning the car. I just could no longer take spending 2 hours cleaning the car and after a 20 minute drive come back to wheels caked in dust and the area around the wheels covered in a fine mist of brake dust.

I am sure the stock brake pads on the track are far superior to these pads, no question.

Welcome to the club lol. For street use the Z26 is totally fine and like you said, maybe 5% of the brake dust of the stock pads.

2018 Blue 1LE · 11-25-2024, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db2022cs

So, a few months ago I replaced the stock brake pads. I just could not stomach the amount of brake dust I was having to deal with. I had given up on having clean wheels. I did a bit of research looking for pads that would be a good replacement and not be just horrible for street driving. I don't do much tracking with the car although I would love to and plan on it hopefully next year.

I saw some reviews on the Power Stop Z26 pads. I decided to just go for it and I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of dust these pads give off. It's like 5% the amount of dust the stock pads gave off. I went through the process of bedding the brakes in properly and I can say that for street driving they work pretty great! Track driving would be completely different I'm sure. They held up fine on the Tail of the Dragon on several back-to-back runs.

I put a lot of miles on my car and I do enjoy cleaning the car. I just could no longer take spending 2 hours cleaning the car and after a 20 minute drive come back to wheels caked in dust and the area around the wheels covered in a fine mist of brake dust.

I am sure the stock brake pads on the track are far superior to these pads, no question.

Pads only?
Did you choose ceramic?

Bangkok_ZL1 · 01-25-2025, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by db2022cs

So, a few months ago I replaced the stock brake pads. I just could not stomach the amount of brake dust I was having to deal with. I had given up on having clean wheels. I did a bit of research looking for pads that would be a good replacement and not be just horrible for street driving. I don't do much tracking with the car although I would love to and plan on it hopefully next year.

I saw some reviews on the Power Stop Z26 pads. I decided to just go for it and I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of dust these pads give off. It's like 5% the amount of dust the stock pads gave off. I went through the process of bedding the brakes in properly and I can say that for street driving they work pretty great! Track driving would be completely different I'm sure. They held up fine on the Tail of the Dragon on several back-to-back runs.

I put a lot of miles on my car and I do enjoy cleaning the car. I just could no longer take spending 2 hours cleaning the car and after a 20 minute drive come back to wheels caked in dust and the area around the wheels covered in a fine mist of brake dust.

I am sure the stock brake pads on the track are far superior to these pads, no question.

So, it's been four or 5 months now. How are they? I need to get some new pads.... They are squealing and I think it sounds like they might be getting low. Either way, when I return to the states I will pic up some pads. So I'm on the hunt. Something great for touring and occasional street "Spirited Driving". At least that's all I've been doing so far.

SSShark · 03-22-2025, 08:09 AM

I know this thread is a little old. I replaced my factory pads with the Z26's a few weeks ago. The result is wonderful. No more brake dust. My wheels look cleaner for much longer. Cleaning them is much easier. I daily mine and these pads are perfect for street driving. I highly recommend.

cdb95z28 · 03-22-2025, 12:55 PM

Those pads will not be good for track days.

*Joshinator99* · 03-22-2025, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Those pads will not be good for track days.

Nobody is suggesting that lol. He even said “street driving” in his post. And to be fair, Z26 pads will still stop a Camaro down from 150+ MPH in the quarter mile…

cdb95z28 · 03-22-2025, 03:36 PM

I was pointing out that if the OP decides to use the Z26 for tracking, they are not going to satisfy that kind of use.
The OP said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by db2022cs

So, a few months ago I replaced the stock brake pads. I just could not stomach the amount of brake dust I was having to deal with. I had given up on having clean wheels. I did a bit of research looking for pads that would be a good replacement and not be just horrible for street driving. I don't do much tracking with the car although I would love to and plan on it hopefully next year.

I saw some reviews on the Power Stop Z26 pads. I decided to just go for it and I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of dust these pads give off. It's like 5% the amount of dust the stock pads gave off. I went through the process of bedding the brakes in properly and I can say that for street driving they work pretty great! Track driving would be completely different I'm sure. They held up fine on the Tail of the Dragon on several back-to-back runs.

I put a lot of miles on my car and I do enjoy cleaning the car. I just could no longer take spending 2 hours cleaning the car and after a 20 minute drive come back to wheels caked in dust and the area around the wheels covered in a fine mist of brake dust.

I am sure the stock brake pads on the track are far superior to these pads, no question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Nobody is suggesting that lol. He even said “street driving” in his post. And to be fair, Z26 pads will still stop a Camaro down from 150+ MPH in the quarter mile…

Lol. Yeah any pad can stop a Camaro down from 150+ mph. But, I suspect you never did a track day where you're scrubbing lots of speed repeatedly. Lap after lap. Brake pad requirements are completely different.

*Joshinator99* · 03-22-2025, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSShark

I know this thread is a little old. I replaced my factory pads with the Z26's a few weeks ago. The result is wonderful. No more brake dust. My wheels look cleaner for much longer. Cleaning them is much easier. I daily mine and these pads are perfect for street driving. I highly recommend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Those pads will not be good for track days.

I thought you were replying to the last post where he specifically mentioned street driving.

Looks liked you edited your post for clarity after I had already replied.

SSShark · 03-22-2025, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I thought you were replying to the last post where he specifically mentioned street driving.

Looks liked you edited your post for clarity after I had already replied.

I don't track mine but I do like to drive spiritedly whenever the opportunity presents itself. The Z26's are perfect for the streets. This is not a paid advertisement

DamonZ28 · 03-22-2025, 09:41 PM

I like the lower dust of the Z26 pads, but wow do they squeal like a stuck pig after I wash the car. It goes away quickly with a little driving, but everyone in the neighborhood knows I'm leaving when the brakes squeal all the way down the driveway. I've had issues in the past with the brakes squealing during heavy use, like in rush hour traffic, but haven't experienced that in probably a year or so. I complained to Power Stop, but never got an answer - I simply had a new set of front pads show up on my door step 2 days later. Twice. So now I have 2 new sets of Z26 pads in the basement.

SSShark · 03-22-2025, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DamonZ28

I like the lower dust of the Z26 pads, but wow do they squeal like a stuck pig after I wash the car. It goes away quickly with a little driving, but everyone in the neighborhood knows I'm leaving when the brakes squeal all the way down the driveway. I've had issues in the past with the brakes squealing during heavy use, like in rush hour traffic, but haven't experienced that in probably a year or so. I complained to Power Stop, but never got an answer - I simply had a new set of front pads show up on my door step 2 days later. Twice. So now I have 2 new sets of Z26 pads in the basement.

Thankfully no squealing as of yet. Either after washing or during rush hour traffic. Fingers crossed 🤞

The Maverick · 03-23-2025, 01:31 AM

I have never had squealing after washing with mine either. Maybe a bedding-in issue?

(Clarifying note - non-1LE here, I just have the J55 option 4-piston Brembos in the front.)

cdb95z28 · 03-23-2025, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I thought you were replying to the last post where he specifically mentioned street driving.

Looks liked you edited your post for clarity after I had already replied.

I edited my first sentence because my grammar sounded like a 4th grader

09-21-2024, 02:32 PM	#1
db2022cs Drives: 2023 2SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 137	Replacing stock pads on 1LE, freedom from brake dust. So, a few months ago I replaced the stock brake pads. I just could not stomach the amount of brake dust I was having to deal with. I had given up on having clean wheels. I did a bit of research looking for pads that would be a good replacement and not be just horrible for street driving. I don't do much tracking with the car although I would love to and plan on it hopefully next year. I saw some reviews on the Power Stop Z26 pads. I decided to just go for it and I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of dust these pads give off. It's like 5% the amount of dust the stock pads gave off. I went through the process of bedding the brakes in properly and I can say that for street driving they work pretty great! Track driving would be completely different I'm sure. They held up fine on the Tail of the Dragon on several back-to-back runs. I put a lot of miles on my car and I do enjoy cleaning the car. I just could no longer take spending 2 hours cleaning the car and after a 20 minute drive come back to wheels caked in dust and the area around the wheels covered in a fine mist of brake dust. I am sure the stock brake pads on the track are far superior to these pads, no question. __________________ 2023 Riverside Blue Metallic 2SS 1LE Camaro 2021 Black Hyundai Veloster N -Sold- 2016 Grey Chevy Volt -Sold- 2018 Blue AWD Kia Stinger GT2 -Sold-

03-22-2025, 08:09 AM	#5
SSShark Drives: '23 1SS Sharkskin A10 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,503	I know this thread is a little old. I replaced my factory pads with the Z26's a few weeks ago. The result is wonderful. No more brake dust. My wheels look cleaner for much longer. Cleaning them is much easier. I daily mine and these pads are perfect for street driving. I highly recommend. __________________ Kooks 1-7/8" Long Tube Headers l Kooks Hi-Flow Cats l Kooks X-Pipe l Borla S-Type NPP Exhaust Rotofab CAI l Mishimoto Catch Can l DSX Flex Fuel Sensor l 93/E85 Tune l GM Lowering Kit Ported LT2 Intake Manifold l Ported 95mm LT5 TB l BMR Rear Cradle Lockout Kit Halo Tunnel Brace l MRR 1LE Wheels l Goodyear SC3 1LE Tire Package l 480whp/467wtq

03-22-2025, 12:55 PM	#6
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,747	Those pads will not be good for track days. __________________ 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

03-22-2025, 09:41 PM	#11
DamonZ28 Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 806 View My Garage	I like the lower dust of the Z26 pads, but wow do they squeal like a stuck pig after I wash the car. It goes away quickly with a little driving, but everyone in the neighborhood knows I'm leaving when the brakes squeal all the way down the driveway. I've had issues in the past with the brakes squealing during heavy use, like in rush hour traffic, but haven't experienced that in probably a year or so. I complained to Power Stop, but never got an answer - I simply had a new set of front pads show up on my door step 2 days later. Twice. So now I have 2 new sets of Z26 pads in the basement. __________________ 2020 Camaro 2SS - Riverside Blue, NPP, Magnetic Ride, Sunroof Soler DLX Bluetooth Throttle Controller / OFFKAT Smoked LED Side Marker Lights / Blue SS emblems on front & rear / Wildhammer Rear Dark Reflectors / Trim Illusion Gloss Black Door Handle Covers / eBay Black Fuel Door / Screaming Chicken Fender Hash Marks / Color-Matched G2 Caliper Paint CT Sounds Tropo 10" Sub / Down4Sound MM1000 Mini Maxx amp / JL Audio LoC-22 line output converter / Sub Thump Plug N Play T-Harness With ANC Defeat Harness Kit My Camaro Journal

03-23-2025, 01:31 AM	#13
The Maverick Somewhere in the Kalahari Drives: 2021/18 (de-fresh) 3LT RS Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: California Posts: 820	I have never had squealing after washing with mine either. Maybe a bedding-in issue? (Clarifying note - non-1LE here, I just have the J55 option 4-piston Brembos in the front.) Last edited by The Maverick; 03-23-2025 at 12:26 PM.

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