The PowerStop 16-8010 is a rear Z16 Evolution ceramic pad set for the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8. The manufacturer describes the Z16 Evolution ceramic pads as an affordable stock replacement, and the ceramic pads' low dust formula is validated through on-vehicle 3rd party tests in the USA. Compared with worn OE pads, the appeal is quieter, cleaner-running street braking. The pads are chamfered and slotted, use dual layer high temperature rubberized shims for noise damping, and the powder coated backing plate resists rust and corrosion. Some owners on user forums rank the Z16 below higher-friction Z23 or Z26 pads for track use, so buyers planning repeated hard stops should look there instead.
Fitment is the first thing to confirm. Owners on user forums note that C8 rear pad specifications can differ depending on whether the car has the Z51 brake package, so match the part to your build before ordering. The rear swap is manageable for a home mechanic. Owners on user forums list a 15mm socket for the electronic parking brake caliper bolts, a small punch for the rear caliper pins, and a flat tool to push the pistons back. One owner says the rears were the same as the SR just remove the 2 pins. Disconnect the battery first, and pump the brake pedal hard before starting to avoid limp mode. Searches for C8 Corvette rear pad replacement, Z16 ceramic pads, and low-dust C8 brake upgrade will lead to these same install considerations.
The manufacturer markets the Z16 Evolution as a daily-driver stock replacement. Owners on user forums suggest higher-friction pads such as the Z23 or Z26 for track use.
Details vary. Some owners on user forums report that a pad-only change requires no bleeding, while others recommend bleeding the system before track season. Confirm with the manufacturer.
Owners on user forums describe this as a job of roughly a couple of hours for a home mechanic. Before lifting the car, be aware that the C8 has both holes and slots on its underside, and owners on user forums warn that the holes cannot be used as lift points. Use a 15mm socket for the parking brake caliper bolts, a small punch for the pins, and a flat plate or channel locks to retract the pistons. Owners on user forums also recommend an anti-squeal product on the back of the pads and advise against mixing compounds on rotors that have already been worn by another pad type.
