bowmanized

My rotors are toast and I need to get new ones. So instead I was thinking about getting the C6Z ones. I have done searches and it looks like the knock on them is they don't dissapate heat as good as some aftermarket ones. Well I usually only run 7 laps at a time max maybe 15 minutes anyway so it's really not an issue. Plus the 6 individual pads with the shallow depth help with brake squeal since it's usually vibrations that cause the squeal which is sweet.

I know that the pads will be more but really it boils down to this.

Is the performance up to par with the other big brake kits aside from heat and cost of the pads?

Aren't they made by Brembo?

How hard is it to change the Pads? Right now it's 1 bolt.

ICaughtVetteFever

Not even close to other BBKs. Calipers are PBR and junk. Pads are a PITA to change, there is one bolt for each padlet and they can sieze into the caliper and really mess up your day. Avoid them at all costs. Redo your search if that is all you found wrong with them, there is a laundry list of problems.

the blur

my friend has been running them. 500 track miles, and no problems to date. These are hard track miles, about 2:12's at WGI.

0Randy@DRM

Heavy It's like filling the tires full of water

Randy

Just J

After 6 25 minute sessions at Road America my stock C6 Z06 brakes were ruined. The rotors had lots of cracks, the padlets had worn down to the plate in some cases, and about 50% in others (on the same wheel). the piston boots were welded, and the padlet pins were completely seized. The front calipers and rotors had to be replaced.

I've since replaced those brakes with a StopTech system. It's a world of difference. I had a great experience with Brembo's on my M3, but their 6 piston caliper for the C6 has a fixed bridge, meaning you have to dismount the calipers to change pads. So I recommend the StopTechs. Get the Brembo's if you want, but do not get the Z06 brakes.

Bill Dearborn

Go with the LG Wilwood setup. Cost is about $1400, you use stock C5 rotors and they fit under C5Z06 17 x 9.5 wheels. Q pads are great for street and H pads are great on the track.

Bill

95jersey

OK...let's clear the air about these calipers. I actually have a C6Z06 and have done several track events. I also run in the advanced group and have been for a few years. So I am not light on my brakes. I beleive I can provide a decent judgement as I have also run the stock C5 caliper, and the Wilwood SL6.

Let me start by saying, the calipers themselves are not bad. Actually the raw stopping power is excellent! Calling them junk is not fair. I also always thought the C5 caliper with a good set of pads was a great caliper (for the money). I bleed EVERY event and have never had a problem with fade (except for the brake pads, which I will discuss later). For the money PBR makes a good caliper. Remember these are like $350 vs $3495 for Brembo!

Now what are the downsides of the C6Z06 braking system?

• The drilled rotors while have held up very well, have no place on this car other than bling. I beleive they are a major factor in the pad wear issue the I will address as well.
  
• The individual padlet design SUCKS! It is a ROYAL PITA to change the pads. I though the C5 calipers were a PITA, I spend an hour just changing the front pads...it's unacceptable and those pins are worthless, so you must remove the caliper each time you change the pads. This is #2 reason to not buy or ditch these calipers
  
• The NUMBER ONE reason not to use this braking system? PAD WEAR is unacceptable. Doesn't matter what brand of pad you use, if you get more than a couple days out of a set of pads that is AMAZING! I have worn pads down in less than a day, and have not had a pad regardless of brand last more than 2. So, at almost $500 for a complete set of race pads, this again is unacceptable. This is really the only reason not to use this braking system. Performance of the pads and caliper is great, but at a set of pads every other track day, in less than 1 year you will be able to pay for a BBK.

For the C5, the wilwood package is BY FAR the best braking package under $2000. I can tell you that the Wilwood caliper was much better than this PBR caliper. I bought a set of Wilwood H's, used them for a season and 1/2, and still had 40% on them when I sold the car. I would have been through 2-3 sets of Carbotechs or other C5 pads.

So, the REAL reason NOT to use PBR's caliper at the track is stricly monitary. Over 3 years you will be spending over $5000 in pads ALONE! This combined with the fact that I have to take the entire caliper off to change the pads, will push me to get a BBK very soon, which is a real shame on a $70k car.

I am looking at my options and the RB Brake Caliper looks to be a decently priced option...it may be the next Wilwood bargain for the C6Z06. I figure, if I can get a caliper that can hold a Wilwood H pad, I will break even in one year and save a few thousand after 2-3 years AND have better braking.

FasterIsBetter

I just put this setup on my '03 Z and the Wilwood calipers, pads and rotors are unbelievable. It completely changed the feel of the car and the braking characteristics. The car stops on a dime now, very little brake pad wear, and the confidence to know I can pull the car down from any speed if I have to. I did two full track days at Pocono long course a couple of weeks ago, with the Wilwood H pads in, and had almost no wear at all on the pads. Best money I ever could have spent on the car, and they fit with the stock wheels.

bowmanized

Thanks for the write-up. I can deal with the replacing pads often but man an hour per side. That would make me quit doing track days.

How long does it take to change the Wilwoods? I think I might do the fronts only right now since my front rotors are toast.

Can I put my stock Z51 front brakes on the rear?

95jersey

Trust me you don't want to waste your money on C6Z06 pads when the Wilwood caliper is just as good or better.

Changing pads on the Wilwood...it takes longer to jack up the car and unbolt the wheels.

If you have a C5, buy with Wilwoods.

MUKAK

bowmanized

What about for a C6? I can get the full 14" Wilwood 6piston for probably $1400

magnetic1

Same reason why the B5S4 guys hated their brakes. They used "padlets" as well... they tended to overheat easily (even with track compounds).

gkmccready

Make sure they clear your wheels.

bowmanized

Yeah I just picked up some used HRE 542s for the daily grind. My track wheels have plenty of room. Those SSRs with C5Z offsets.

AP Racing
Wilwood
Brembo
STOPTECH
MOVIT
Racing Brake
Rotora



It's going to take me a month to figure out which ones to buy.

TeddyFreddy

How about for somebody having the C6 Z06 already, with the OEM brakes?

Rotors are consumables, so the next ones will be slotted and directional for me. This will address the pad wear most likely.

Fitting race pads for track will help a lot. Again, pads are consumables as well.

The pads replacement problem is due to the bolts which are seizing and are difficult to remove due to the weak hex design. GM addressed this problem by providing star design bolts, which should be usable (but I didn't test myself yet). The new bolts can be bought together with pads only, no separate availability
The are also Racing Brake custom pad bolts for C6 Z06

My point is that the OEM braking system for C6 Z06 is not that bad as some are saying. Calipers can be kept, rotors and pads need replacement anyway because they are consumables. With the new street pads you get the better pad bolts.

95jersey

Again, I don't see a big problem with the rotors, I beleive they are around $100 a peice, so while I am not happy with that cost, I would have to break more than a few per season to warrant buying more expensive rotors. Even the rings for those 2 peice rotors are almost twice as much as a full GM rotor.

So rotors are the last thing I would worry about at this point. I am also not totally convinced that the holes are causing the pads to wear down. There are MANY other manufacturers that use drilled rotors and don't have this pad wear issue.

Bottom line at $400-$500 per a set of pads, we are wasting our money using these calipers based on the fact that there are as good or better calipers on the market.

My advice to someone with a new Z (including myself) if you bought your car for serious track duty and plan to do more than 6 track days a year, you will see a return on investment on a BBK in less than 2 years and you can sell your stock calipers to folks looking for some street bling to help lighten the initial $$$$ impact.

ARTZ

I have an 06 Z06 that is on its third set of rotors and 4th set of pads. I can only get 2tarck days out of them. I switched to slotted rotors and Hawk racing pads and still get excessive wear on the front brakes. I switched to DOT4 600 degree fluid which also boiled over. Replacing the pads is a nightmare. The hex bolts sieze and are impossible to remove. We had to remove the rotor to change the pads. Chevy is oblivious to the problem and won't do anything to correct it. Aside from the brakes, the C6 Z06 is an outstanding car. It's a shame that GM sells a car capable of 190+ mph but won't provide the braking power to stop it. Next step is braided steel brake lines and Casterol SRF brake fluid (around $75 a liter). This might help but I don't think it's going to prolong the pad life enough. I hate to replace the brake system, but it may be the only real solution to the problem.

Aggie #5

I have the C6Z brakes on my 04Z and love them. I also run in the red run group and own a 951S race car that does not stop like my 04Z. I have DRM brake coolers and do replace brake pads more often then on my P car. It is also a pain (stripped two pins...) to replace pads but now I can do the fronts in 30 min. or less if the brakes are cold.

If you can not afford others which are better in some respects. I would highly recommend buying someones takeoffs. Because anyway you slice it they are much better than the C5Z brakes and you will go faster.

Diesel68

How are the rear caliper pads and rotors holding up to track use? Are you guys replacing those after 2 track days as well?