Picked up a set of Hawk HP+ pads from Breathless (thanks Lucy!) for my track day next weekend. I plan on getting a spare set of rotors (stock ones), but should I put new rotors on at the same time as the new pads? Reason I ask is that I'd like to get the rotors from GM Parts Direct and save a few bucks, but I know I'll never get them in time for next weekend. The existing rotors have 6k miles on them and were never tracked from what I can tell (just got the car a few weeks ago). If it'll significantly increase pad life and/or performance I'll get the new rotors locally. What do you guys think? Thanks!
You will be fine with the new pads and the rotors on your car.
Newer rotors will not help increase the pad life or performance.
Don't forget to flush your brake fluid. Do a search here and you will find some good "how to's"
Watch your rear pads if you did not replace them. The AH will cause alot of rear brake use. With only 6k miles you should be fine. Just check them when you get home.
Originally posted by silverz06vette Newer rotors will not help increase the pad life or performance.
Read so much on this topic that my head is spinning. I remember reading somewhere that new pads should be bedded on new rotors, hence my question. Gmblack3 was kind enough to point out the Raybestos/NAPA rotors, I may just pick up a set of those locally and swap them out, keeping the stockers as spares. They sure are cheap enough! Any track guys want to chime in on the Raybestos/NAPA rotors? As good as OEM?
I am far from an expert on this, but this is what I learned from the more senior racers this year:
- The pad material actually deposits itself on the rotor, so mixing pads and rotors could lead to a loss of performance. If the pad material is similar (meaning if your replacement pads are made out of the same material as what you just took off), this probably isn't an issue.
- The rotor should be bedded in with a used pad and visa versa. I'm not really sure the reasoning behind this and didn't follow it exclusively myself. Several times this year I slapped on new rotors and pads at the same time and went out and carefully bedded them in before my first track session. They always seemed to work fine.
In your case, I wouldn't worry about it. The Hawk HP+ pads are probably similar enough to the stock pads that it won't matter much to braking performance. Pad life shouldn't be an issue. And if you don't see hairline cracks in your rotors yet, they will definitely be okay for your DE. I typically got three full race weekends out of a set of rotors, and that is with full race pads, Carbotech XP9 front, XP8 rear in my case, which generate more heat than the Hawk HP+ pads will.
I believe you can use the NAPA rotors, but I have no personal experience with them. If I were you, I'd just go with the rotors on the car.
After you flush the brake fluid with Motul, I'd still recommend bleeding them whenever convenient during your DE weekend. Lunch, or at the end of the first day.
Next time around, I'd consider stainless steel lines. When you start generating the heat of high performance pads (1000+ is easily achievable), then I start to worry about rubber nearby.
Subdriver, that was exactly what I had read about the different pad materials. Anyway considering the hypothesis that the stock Z06 pads are actually Hawk HPS's, you're likely right about it not being an issue going to HP+'s.
Originally posted by ambleZ06 If you keep the stock rotors I would at least have them turned before you put on the new pads. Just my .02
Not really a good idea to turn a set of rotors that will see track use. You are reducing the mass of the rotor which could lead to early warping, especially under track use.
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Thanks! 
I remember reading somewhere that new pads should be bedded on new rotors, hence my question. Gmblack3 was kind enough to point out the Raybestos/NAPA rotors, I may just pick up a set of those locally and swap them out, keeping the stockers as spares. They sure are cheap enough! Any track guys want to chime in on the Raybestos/NAPA rotors? As good as OEM?
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