Camaro Zl1 Brake Pads
Whether you’re pushing your ZL1 on the street, carving through canyon roads, or taking it to the track, the right brake pads play a critical role in maintaining consistent stopping power, heat resistance, and pedal feel. Upgrading to high-quality brake pads designed specifically for the Camaro ZL1 can improve braking performance, reduce fade under heavy use, and help protect your rotors over time. In this guide, we’ll break down the best Camaro ZL1 brake pads available, highlighting options that deliver the stopping confidence this high-performance machine deserves.
Hawk Performance Brake Pads - Ceramic PC • HPS 5.0 • DTC-60 • DTC-70
Precision Stopping Power for High-Performance GM LT Platforms
When you start pushing your Camaro harder, more power, more grip, more speed — the factory brake pads quickly become a weak link. Brake pads are not just about stopping distance. They determine:
Confidence under repeated hard braking
Brake fade resistance
Heat management
Dust and noise
Pedal feel
Rotor life
That’s why Hawk Performance brake compounds have become a gold standard in motorsports and high-performance street driving.
At Griffin Motorsports, we’ve simplified Hawk’s extensive lineup into four carefully selected compounds that cover nearly every real-world use case for modern performance cars. Instead of overwhelming customers with dozens of options, we focus on the compounds that actually make sense for the Camaro.
Whether you're building a clean street car, canyon carver, weekend track toy, or full track weapon, we have the correct pad compound for your driving style.
Why Hawk Brake Pads?
Hawk pads use advanced Ferro-Carbon and ceramic friction materials engineered for consistent braking across a wide temperature range.
Benefits include:
• High friction coefficient for strong bite
• Improved fade resistance under heat
• Predictable pedal feel
• Reduced rotor wear compared to many aggressive race compounds
• Motorsports-proven durability
Unlike many cheaper brake pads that lose friction as temperatures climb, Hawk compounds are engineered to maintain consistent braking performance lap after lap.
Choosing the Right Hawk Pad for Your Driving Style
OPTION.1 - Hawk Performance Ceramic (PC)
Best for: Daily Drivers & Clean Street Builds
If your priority is quiet operation, low dust, and smooth braking, the Hawk Performance Ceramic pad is the ideal upgrade from factory pads.
Ceramic compounds are engineered to produce significantly less brake dust, keeping your wheels cleaner while still providing excellent street stopping power. Key Benefits:
• Ultra-low brake dust
• Quiet operation
• Smooth, consistent pedal feel
• Long pad life
• Gentle on rotors
Temperature Range: Approx. 100°F – 600°F
Perfect For;
• Daily driven performance cars
• Show cars and Cars & Coffee builds
• Drivers who want clean wheels
• Street-focused ZL1 / SS
If your car rarely sees a race track and you want refined braking without the mess, Ceramic PC pads are a fantastic choice.
OPTION.2 - Hawk HPS 5.0
Best for: Aggressive Street & Spirited Driving. The HPS 5.0 compound is one of Hawk’s most popular performance street pads. Compared to factory pads, HPS 5.0 offers:
• Higher friction coefficient
• Stronger initial bite
• Better heat resistance
• More confident pedal feel
Yet it remains quiet and civilized enough for everyday driving. Key Benefits.
• High friction performance street compound
• Excellent pedal modulation
• Low noise and low dust compared to race pads
• Handles aggressive canyon driving
Temperature Range - Approx. 100°F – 750°F
Perfect For:
• Spirited street driving
• Canyon carving
• Occasional autocross
• Street cars with power upgrades
If your Camaro makes 700+ horsepower and factory pads feel inadequate, HPS 5.0 is a fantastic step up.
OPTION.3 - Hawk DTC-60
Best for: Track Days & Dual-Purpose Track Cars. When serious heat enters the equation, street compounds simply cannot keep up. The Dynamic Torque Control (DTC-60) compound is a true motorsports brake pad designed for high-temperature track environments. Key Benefits.
• Extremely high friction coefficient
• Excellent fade resistance
• Strong initial bite
• Outstanding modulation during threshold braking
• Proven in road racing environments
Temperature Range - Approx. 400°F – 1600°F
Perfect For:
• Track days
• Road racing
• Heavy braking zones
• High-horsepower track cars
DTC-60 provides a balance between aggressive stopping power and controllable modulation, making it a favorite among road racers and track-day enthusiasts.
OPTION.4 - Hawk DTC-70
Best for: Maximum Track Performance. For drivers pushing the absolute limits, DTC-70 is Hawk’s most aggressive compound we offer. This compound is engineered for extreme braking environments where sustained high temperatures demand the strongest friction possible.
Key Benefits:
• Extremely high torque output
• Maximum braking force
• Outstanding fade resistance
• Designed for professional motorsports
Temperature Range - Approx. 400°F – 1800°F
Perfect For:
• Dedicated race cars
• Slick tire track builds
• Heavy aero cars
• Drivers demanding maximum braking torque
Because of the aggressive friction characteristics, DTC-70 is not recommended for daily street use due to dust, noise, and rotor wear. But on track, they deliver incredible stopping power and consistency.
Hawk Part Numbers
Performance Ceramic (PC) - FRONT: HB843Z.604 / REAR: HB194Z.570
HPS 5.0 - FRONT: HB843B.604 / REAR: HB194B.570
DTC.60 - REAR: HB194G.570
DTC.70 - FRONT: HB649U.605
HAWK High Performance Brake Pads
At Griffin Motorsports, we’ve simplified Hawk’s extensive lineup into four carefully selected compounds that cover nearly every real-world use case for modern performance cars. Instead of overwhelming customers with dozens of options, we focus on the compounds that actually make sense for the Camaro.
Whether you're building a clean street car, canyon carver, weekend track toy, or full track weapon, we have the correct pad compound for your driving style.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...
from $45.00
Camaro ZL1 Brake Pads: Choosing the Right Setup for Street and Track
If you’ve ever pushed a Camaro ZL1 hard—on the street or especially on track—you already know:
The factory braking system is strong… but it’s not bulletproof.
The biggest limitation isn’t the caliper.
It’s not even the rotor.
It’s the brake pad.
Because brake pads determine:
Initial bite
Heat tolerance
Fade resistance
Rotor wear
Pedal consistency
And once you exceed the limits of the wrong pad compound, performance drops fast.
The Real Problem: One Pad Cannot Do Everything
Most ZL1 owners want:
Quiet operation
Low dust
Long life
Strong stopping power
Track-level heat resistance
Here’s the reality:
You cannot have all of those in one pad.
Every compound is a tradeoff between:
Street comfort
Heat capacity
Friction level
Wear characteristics
Understanding those tradeoffs is how you choose the right setup.
Hawk Brake Pad Options for Camaro ZL1
This is where having the right options matters:
HAWK High Performance Brake Pads
Hawk offers multiple compounds, each designed for a specific type of use.
Hawk HPS 5.0 (Street Performance)
Best for:
Daily driving
Occasional spirited use
Pros:
Low noise
Low dust
Smooth engagement
Good cold performance
Cons:
Limited heat capacity
Will fade under aggressive driving or track use
This is a solid upgrade over OEM for street-driven cars—but not a track solution.
Hawk Ceramic (Performance Street / Clean Option)
Best for:
Daily driving with minimal dust
Pros:
Extremely low dust
Quiet operation
Long pad life
Cons:
Lower bite than performance compounds
Not designed for aggressive driving
This is more about cleanliness and longevity than performance.
Hawk DTC-60 (Track / Aggressive Street)
Best for:
Dual-purpose cars
Track days
Pros:
High friction coefficient
Strong initial bite
Excellent heat capacity
Consistent pedal feel under load
Cons:
More dust
Increased noise
Higher rotor wear
This is where braking performance starts to get serious.
Hawk DTC-70 (Full Track Use)
Best for:
Dedicated track cars
High-speed braking environments
Pros:
Maximum stopping power
Extremely high heat tolerance
Consistent performance under repeated heavy braking
Cons:
Not street-friendly
High noise and dust
Increased rotor wear
This is a no-compromise track pad.
Why Pads Alone Are Not Enough
Here’s where most people get it wrong:
They upgrade pads… and still experience:
Brake fade
Rotor cracking
Inconsistent performance
Why?
Because braking is a system:
Pad compound
Rotor design
Heat dissipation
Weight
If one part is weak, the system fails.
The Upgrade: Girodisc Rotors + Hawk Pads
This is where your bundles come in—and this is what separates a basic upgrade from a complete solution.
Girodisc + Hawk Track Pack
https://www.griffin-motorsports.com/shop/p/girodisk-hawk-brake-track-pack
This package is designed for:
Track use
High heat environments
Consistent braking performance
What makes Girodisc different:
Two-piece rotor design
Lightweight aluminum hats
High-carbon iron rings
Directional vane cooling
Benefits:
Improved heat dissipation
Reduced unsprung weight
Lower rotor cracking risk
More consistent braking under repeated use
Paired with Hawk DTC compounds, this creates a system that can handle real track abuse.
Girodisc + Hawk Replacement Package
Girodisc + Hawk Brake Replacements
This is the ideal solution for:
Street-driven cars
Occasional aggressive driving
Benefits:
Better durability than OEM rotors
Improved cooling
Direct replacement fitment
Compatible with multiple pad compounds
This is where most ZL1 owners should start.
Why Girodisc Rotors Matter
Factory rotors are:
Heavy
Prone to heat saturation
Not optimized for repeated high-load braking
Girodisc rotors improve performance by:
Reducing rotational mass
Increasing airflow through the rotor
Managing heat more efficiently
This results in:
More consistent braking
Reduced fade
Longer component life
Pad + Rotor Matching: The Right Way to Build a Brake System
Here’s how to think about your setup:
Street Car:
Hawk HPS 5.0 or Ceramic
Girodisc replacement rotors
Dual-Purpose Car:
Hawk DTC-60
Girodisc rotors
Track Car:
Hawk DTC-70
Girodisc track package
Matching the pad to the rotor and use case is what creates consistent performance.
What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Setup
This is where people waste money.
Common issues:
Brake fade after a few hard stops
Cracked or warped rotors
Inconsistent pedal feel
Excessive dust and noise
Short component lifespan
Most of these problems come from mismatched components—not bad parts.
Why Buy from Griffin Motorsports
You’re not just buying brake pads or rotors.
You’re getting:
Proven combinations that work together
Real-world testing and experience
Guidance based on actual performance—not theory
Every product offered is selected to:
Handle high horsepower applications
Maintain consistency under load
Deliver predictable results
This is about building a system—not guessing at parts.
Final Thoughts
The Camaro ZL1 has one of the best braking platforms GM has ever built.
But like any performance system, it’s only as strong as its weakest component.
Choosing the right brake pads—and pairing them with the right rotors—makes the difference between:
Confidence
Consistency
And control
Or…
Fade
Frustration
And wasted money
Frequently Asked Questions About Camaro ZL1 Brake Pads
-
It depends on use. HPS 5.0 for street, DTC-60 for dual-purpose, and DTC-70 for track use.
-
You can, but expect noise, dust, and reduced cold performance.
-
Brake fade is usually caused by excessive heat overwhelming the pad and rotor system.
-
Yes. Higher friction compounds improve stopping performance.
-
Not typically. They prioritize cleanliness over maximum performance.
-
DTC-70 offers higher heat tolerance and more aggressive bite, making it better for track use.
-
For aggressive driving or track use, yes. Pads alone are not enough.
-
They offer better cooling, reduced weight, and improved durability.
-
Yes, higher friction compounds typically wear faster but provide better performance.
-
Higher friction materials generate more particulate during braking.