Another brake pad question… - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Cheap Guy · 09-29-2021, 02:39 AM

I’ve learned over the years that unless you’re doing something extraordinary, OEM is usually best but the GM pads on RockAuto are kind of expensive. Are the AC/Delco listed on RA similar or comparable? Another benefit hopefully is I wouldn’t have to hack off the roller skates, which is what I would do because I actually have a spare tire (I’m old school). Having said all that, I don’t want to lose any performance so if I have to pay the money for the GM ones listed, so be it. The Brembos also look comparable at about half the cost.

Camaro__ss · 09-29-2021, 05:12 AM

If you are cutting the “roller skates” off anyway why do you care? Get the cheapest parts you can find. I doubt you will ever know the difference. They are only brakes. With all the cars on the road, you could always crash into someone else to stop.

demonspeed · 09-29-2021, 06:26 AM

With a name like “Cheap Guy” I’m guessing it’s a struggle to rationalize much spending. If you’re happy with the factory performance, then spend the money for the OE stuff. Pretty simple decision, IMO.

There are plenty of good options in brake pads for the Brembo calipers. Hawk, Raybestos, EBC, etc. But with more performance may come other trade offs such as noise, dust, etc. On the other hand, you may find better performance with less dust or noise than OE.

CamaroCracka · 09-29-2021, 07:13 AM

AC Delco "Pro" are not the same parts the car came with from the factory. That is GM's way of selling you Chinese parts for more money. They are at least as good as what you get at Advance or Auto Zone. I don't have any experience with their pads, but I have purchased a number of AC Delco "Pro" parts and sometimes it's been a bit disappointing.

Brembo makes good stuff as do many others. One thing I have found with Rock Auto is sometime there is a reason what seems to be a brand named part is on wholesaler closeout, e.g. they had to change the design because it was not good.

demonspeed · 09-29-2021, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

AC Delco "Pro" are not the same parts the car came with from the factory. That is GM's way of selling you Chinese parts for more money. They are at least as good as what you get at Advance or Auto Zone. I don't have any experience with their pads, but I have purchased a number of AC Delco "Pro" parts and sometimes it's been a bit disappointing.

Brembo makes good stuff as do many others. One thing I have found with Rock Auto is sometime there is a reason what seems to be a brand named part is on wholesaler closeout, e.g. they had to change the design because it was not good.

The Pro/Gold are premium aftermarket parts. They meet or exceed OE specs. The Advantage/Silver are the basic aftermarket parts. They meet safety standards, but may not meet longevity or performance standards. I would not recommend any basic replacement part, ACDelco or not.

Cheap Guy · 09-29-2021, 09:18 AM

Responding to some of the comment, again, I'm looking for cheaper, but not worse, substitutes. If I have to pay the higher cost for the GM brand, that's fine, but if I can get a comparable set of pads for less money, it makes sense to go that route. I've been around long enough to know that sometimes you're paying a premium just for the GM name when they basically are slapping their name on products made by another company who are selling them cheaper under a different name. As far as the "roller skates" again, if there's a brand that's comparable to stock without the balancers, then I'd consider those, not that it's a big deal to break out the grinder or cutter to cut them off.

shu92870 · 10-02-2021, 11:39 AM

Just me $.02.

But performance wise the stock Brembo Feroda HP 1000 pads are exceptional.
Great for spirited driving and the occasional track day.

After about 20 track days i can honestly say I am at the limit of the stock pads and ready for a step up

You want less performance and you don’t drive hard-by all means skimp and get cheap pads.

PS - why are you cutting off the front round ears? Those are there to quiet vibration/squeaks.
Why are you running a spare? Our wheels have sensors so you know when they are going/are flat-go fix it.

Cheap Guy · 10-03-2021, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shu92870

Just me $.02.

But performance wise the stock Brembo Feroda HP 1000 pads are exceptional.
Great for spirited driving and the occasional track day.

After about 20 track days i can honestly say I am at the limit of the stock pads and ready for a step up

You want less performance and you don’t drive hard-by all means skimp and get cheap pads.

PS - why are you cutting off the front round ears? Those are there to quiet vibration/squeaks.
Why are you running a spare? Our wheels have sensors so you know when they are going/are flat-go fix it.

I don't trust the the "run flat" tires - I drive in a some desolate places and the inflator that's provided doesn't give me the confidence I prefer. I've had situations where a tire was slashed so bad (railroad ties) that an inflator would be useless. I don't plan on skimping on cheap pads but if I can get a good set of pads at a comparable price, it just makes sense to go that route.

After reading dang near every brake pad thread, I decided to just go with the OEM GM pads, despite the cost. It just seemed the smart and conservative thing to do. I'll think I'll do a little bit more research about cutting off the ears, "roller skates" before I do the cutting.

This is what you get if you order the GM pads from
Rock Auto.

Silveradoss573 · 10-03-2021, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

I don't trust the the "run flat" tires - I drive in a some desolate places and the inflator that's provided doesn't give me the confidence I prefer. I've had situations where a tire was slashed so bad (railroad ties) that an inflator would be useless. I don't plan on skimping on cheap pads but if I can get a good set of pads at a comparable price, it just makes sense to go that route.

After reading dang near every brake pad thread, I decided to just go with the OEM GM pads, despite the cost. It just seemed the smart and conservative thing to do. I'll think a little bit more about cutting off the ears, "roller skates" after I do a little more reading.

I tried the powerstop pads a while back and took them off shortly afterwards. Absolute junk pads imo.... I ended up putting the stock pads back on and I swear they are night and day better. Also I know you say you have a spare. This place sells spare tire kits and also has a spacer to clear the pad "skates".

https://modernspare.com/product/2010...ncluding-z-28/

Cheap Guy · 10-03-2021, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silveradoss573

I tried the powerstop pads a while back and took them off shortly afterwards. Absolute junk pads imo.... I ended up putting the stock pads back on and I swear they are night and day better. Also I know you say you have a spare. This place sells spare tire kits and also has a spacer to clear the pad "skates".

https://modernspare.com/product/2010...ncluding-z-28/

Yup, already got that in my trunk.

Cheap Guy · 10-08-2021, 07:21 PM

Well, that's all done. Left the roller skates on because I had the dealer do it since they gave me an offer to put them on, including turning the rotors, for $90. I estimated that turning the rotors on my own would run about $15 each rotor so I said WTH and let them do it. And yes, they used the new caliper bolts with thread lock on them that I also provided.

Pete G · 10-09-2021, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

AC Delco "Pro" are not the same parts the car came with from the factory. That is GM's way of selling you Chinese parts for more money. They are at least as good as what you get at Advance or Auto Zone. I don't have any experience with their pads, but I have purchased a number of AC Delco "Pro" parts and sometimes it's been a bit disappointing.

Brembo makes good stuff as do many others. One thing I have found with Rock Auto is sometime there is a reason what seems to be a brand named part is on wholesaler closeout, e.g. they had to change the design because it was not good.

I have experience with Advance Auto's best Wear Ever Pads.
last year at Watkin Glen I wore out my brand new OEM Delco pads and went out to get what I could in a crunch. I didn't make it through one session before the pads were gone and I was on the backing plate and wiped out my rotors.

Pete G · 10-09-2021, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silveradoss573

I tried the powerstop pads a while back and took them off shortly afterwards. Absolute junk pads imo.... I ended up putting the stock pads back on and I swear they are night and day better. Also I know you say you have a spare. This place sells spare tire kits and also has a spacer to clear the pad "skates".

https://modernspare.com/product/2010...ncluding-z-28/

Which Power Stop Pads did you try?
Last year I had new OEM brembo pads at Watkins Glen and they were done after one day. I tried Power Stop Track Day Pads at Pocono mega course and felt they did stop a bit better than the OEM.
Now I just put 6 pistons on and cant get Track Day Pads for them and don't know what to get.

Can anyone say what a comparable alternative would be for Power Stop Track Day Pads to use with 6 piston Calipers would be?

Silveradoss573 · 10-09-2021, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete G

Which Power Stop Pads did you try?

The powerstop z26 pads which if I recall was hit and miss for others that tried them out.

09-29-2021, 02:39 AM	#1
Cheap Guy Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 679	Another brake pad question… I’ve learned over the years that unless you’re doing something extraordinary, OEM is usually best but the GM pads on RockAuto are kind of expensive. Are the AC/Delco listed on RA similar or comparable? Another benefit hopefully is I wouldn’t have to hack off the roller skates, which is what I would do because I actually have a spare tire (I’m old school). Having said all that, I don’t want to lose any performance so if I have to pay the money for the GM ones listed, so be it. The Brembos also look comparable at about half the cost. __________________ My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure! First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone \| Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold \| Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current

09-29-2021, 06:26 AM	#3
demonspeed not afraid of the wall Drives: Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,148	With a name like “Cheap Guy” I’m guessing it’s a struggle to rationalize much spending. If you’re happy with the factory performance, then spend the money for the OE stuff. Pretty simple decision, IMO. There are plenty of good options in brake pads for the Brembo calipers. Hawk, Raybestos, EBC, etc. But with more performance may come other trade offs such as noise, dust, etc. On the other hand, you may find better performance with less dust or noise than OE. __________________ 2023 1LE 1SS BCD GCF JF5 MN6 SIA SLN UQT 10/13/22: 1100 Past Camaros: 13 1LE\|02 SS\|01 Z28\|00 SS\|91 1LE\|91 Z28\|89 IROC-Z

09-29-2021, 07:13 AM	#4
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,726	AC Delco "Pro" are not the same parts the car came with from the factory. That is GM's way of selling you Chinese parts for more money. They are at least as good as what you get at Advance or Auto Zone. I don't have any experience with their pads, but I have purchased a number of AC Delco "Pro" parts and sometimes it's been a bit disappointing. Brembo makes good stuff as do many others. One thing I have found with Rock Auto is sometime there is a reason what seems to be a brand named part is on wholesaler closeout, e.g. they had to change the design because it was not good. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

09-29-2021, 09:18 AM	#6
Cheap Guy Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 679	Responding to some of the comment, again, I'm looking for cheaper, but not worse, substitutes. If I have to pay the higher cost for the GM brand, that's fine, but if I can get a comparable set of pads for less money, it makes sense to go that route. I've been around long enough to know that sometimes you're paying a premium just for the GM name when they basically are slapping their name on products made by another company who are selling them cheaper under a different name. As far as the "roller skates" again, if there's a brand that's comparable to stock without the balancers, then I'd consider those, not that it's a big deal to break out the grinder or cutter to cut them off. __________________ My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure! First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone \| Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold \| Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current

10-08-2021, 07:21 PM	#11
Cheap Guy Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 679	Well, that's all done. Left the roller skates on because I had the dealer do it since they gave me an offer to put them on, including turning the rotors, for $90. I estimated that turning the rotors on my own would run about $15 each rotor so I said WTH and let them do it. And yes, they used the new caliper bolts with thread lock on them that I also provided. __________________ My Little Mid-Life Crisis Cure! First - 1997 Camaro 3800 Y87, M5, Green - Gone \| Second - 1997 LT1 Z28, M6, Silver - Sold \| Third - 1999 LS1 Z28, M6, Pewter, Almost Stock! - Sold Current - 2011 Camaro SS, M6, black, 1LE suspension parts - Current

09-29-2021, 05:12 AM	#2
Camaro__ss Drives: 2013 L99 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 185	If you are cutting the “roller skates” off anyway why do you care? Get the cheapest parts you can find. I doubt you will ever know the difference. They are only brakes. With all the cars on the road, you could always crash into someone else to stop.

10-02-2021, 11:39 AM	#7
shu92870 Drives: 2014 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Bakersfield CA Posts: 196	Just me $.02. But performance wise the stock Brembo Feroda HP 1000 pads are exceptional. Great for spirited driving and the occasional track day. After about 20 track days i can honestly say I am at the limit of the stock pads and ready for a step up You want less performance and you don’t drive hard-by all means skimp and get cheap pads. PS - why are you cutting off the front round ears? Those are there to quiet vibration/squeaks. Why are you running a spare? Our wheels have sensors so you know when they are going/are flat-go fix it.