Complete C4 - C6Z06 brake conversion (How to and pics)
02-13-2011, 08:48 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Complete C4 - C6Z06 brake conversion (How to and pics)
Before I start off I first have to thank Jim @ Halltech for the incredible deal on these C6Z06 pads and calipers, Andy @ Street shop Inc for his hours on the phone and his patients with working out the kinks with the rear set up for these calipers, and Jeffvette for supplying the front adaptor components for this swap!
The beginning!
C6Z06 Calipers, pads, and rotors off of a 2007 Z06 from Jim
Next...
C4 to C6z06 caliper adaptor brackets, including all needed hardware from Jeff!
I didnt take detailed pics of the front because its quite self explanitory, But remove the factory caliper, caliper cradle, and rotor. Replace with the Z06 rotor, bracket, and then Caliper. A 15" long brake hose must be used, the fatory hose IS NOT long enough.
Completed front set up.
Rear:
Since the C4's factory Ebrake set up is incorperated into the caliper there are very minimal options for rear brake upgrades. I had been tossing around a few ideas on ebrake set ups... Starting with maintaining the factory rear caliper ONLY for the purpose of the ebrake or possibly purchasing a secondary SMALLER caliper to use only as ebrake again... Though those ideas are plausible I felt that it was a little cumbersome looking and could be done better... I started asking around and found out that Street Shop Inc was in the process of creating backing plates that utilized the factory C5/C6 ebrake set up and use a "big brake" style caliper all to fit the C4 suspension. After meeting at Corvettes of Carlisle and seeing the product I decided to go for it! And so it started!
The street shop inc backing plates that included ALL of the C5/C6 factory Ebrake components installed. Also came with a Locar Universal Ebrake cable set.
Factory C4 brake set up.
Remove the factory C4 caliper and rotor set up.
Then remove the cotter pin, safety nut, and the axle nut. (NOTE: be sure to keep track of the shims behind the axle nut. I needed to add one to my drivers side. The passenger side used the factory ONE shim.) Next I sprayed the ends of the bearing bolts in penetrating oil.
Remove the bearing by removing the three 55T torx bolts from the inside of the knuckle. I straightened the axle shafts for easier access to the bolts by cycling the suspension with my floor jack. Be sure to pick up the suspension from a stable place! If the jack slips while you are under the car that spring will unload FAST! and Im sure do plenty of damage. SO BE CAREFUL!
Removing the bearing and the caliper mounting flange.
I purchased new bearings to use because if you are there you might as well replace them! (I used Timken units)
NOW reinstall the new backing plate then bearing, proper amount of shims, axle nut, safety and cotter pin... The rotor, and caliper. You will now ALSO need a 15" brake hose to rear the caliper properly.
Now the ebrake cable set up was a bit confusing because of the logistics of the factory C4 ebrake cables. First challenge was installing the cable in the new backing plate. It was interfering with the ABS sensor. Because all of SSI's cars are custom chassis they dont usually use ABS so a hole needed to be drilled 3/4's of an inch closer to the rotor to allow for a straight shot for the ebrake cable to grab the ebrake shoe horn. Here is a cell phone pic of the interference between the cable and the abs sensor.
After that was sorted out its just routing the cables from the new backing plates to the existing cable attached to the ebrake hand lever! I used a couple simple Cable clamps from the local hardware store. They are simple and inexpensive! If you have the means of a swaging tool, permenant cable clamps will do the trick too but I didnt want to purchase a swaging tool just for this one use.
After that you will end up with a completed brake system! Remember to properly bleed the brakes!
Some FAQ's
Will the factory Master cylinder be adequate? So far from I can tell the factory C4 Master Cylinder has handled the Z06 components. If the car is a track only car it may be wise to invest in a larger MC.
What size rims do I need? The rims I went with are factory STYLE C6 Z06 rims, sizes 18x9.5 and 18x10.5. NOT ALL REPOP C6Z06 RIMS WILL FIT! You will have to ask the manufacture IF the rims you are purchasing will clearance a Z06 caliper.
Happy motoring and happy stopping
Hope this helps some of you out! 
The beginning!
C6Z06 Calipers, pads, and rotors off of a 2007 Z06 from Jim
Next...
C4 to C6z06 caliper adaptor brackets, including all needed hardware from Jeff!
I didnt take detailed pics of the front because its quite self explanitory, But remove the factory caliper, caliper cradle, and rotor. Replace with the Z06 rotor, bracket, and then Caliper. A 15" long brake hose must be used, the fatory hose IS NOT long enough.
Completed front set up.
Rear:
Since the C4's factory Ebrake set up is incorperated into the caliper there are very minimal options for rear brake upgrades. I had been tossing around a few ideas on ebrake set ups... Starting with maintaining the factory rear caliper ONLY for the purpose of the ebrake or possibly purchasing a secondary SMALLER caliper to use only as ebrake again... Though those ideas are plausible I felt that it was a little cumbersome looking and could be done better... I started asking around and found out that Street Shop Inc was in the process of creating backing plates that utilized the factory C5/C6 ebrake set up and use a "big brake" style caliper all to fit the C4 suspension. After meeting at Corvettes of Carlisle and seeing the product I decided to go for it! And so it started!
The street shop inc backing plates that included ALL of the C5/C6 factory Ebrake components installed. Also came with a Locar Universal Ebrake cable set.
Factory C4 brake set up.
Remove the factory C4 caliper and rotor set up.
Then remove the cotter pin, safety nut, and the axle nut. (NOTE: be sure to keep track of the shims behind the axle nut. I needed to add one to my drivers side. The passenger side used the factory ONE shim.) Next I sprayed the ends of the bearing bolts in penetrating oil.
Remove the bearing by removing the three 55T torx bolts from the inside of the knuckle. I straightened the axle shafts for easier access to the bolts by cycling the suspension with my floor jack. Be sure to pick up the suspension from a stable place! If the jack slips while you are under the car that spring will unload FAST! and Im sure do plenty of damage. SO BE CAREFUL!
Removing the bearing and the caliper mounting flange.
I purchased new bearings to use because if you are there you might as well replace them! (I used Timken units)
NOW reinstall the new backing plate then bearing, proper amount of shims, axle nut, safety and cotter pin... The rotor, and caliper. You will now ALSO need a 15" brake hose to rear the caliper properly.
Now the ebrake cable set up was a bit confusing because of the logistics of the factory C4 ebrake cables. First challenge was installing the cable in the new backing plate. It was interfering with the ABS sensor. Because all of SSI's cars are custom chassis they dont usually use ABS so a hole needed to be drilled 3/4's of an inch closer to the rotor to allow for a straight shot for the ebrake cable to grab the ebrake shoe horn. Here is a cell phone pic of the interference between the cable and the abs sensor.
After that was sorted out its just routing the cables from the new backing plates to the existing cable attached to the ebrake hand lever! I used a couple simple Cable clamps from the local hardware store. They are simple and inexpensive! If you have the means of a swaging tool, permenant cable clamps will do the trick too but I didnt want to purchase a swaging tool just for this one use.
After that you will end up with a completed brake system! Remember to properly bleed the brakes!
Some FAQ's
Will the factory Master cylinder be adequate? So far from I can tell the factory C4 Master Cylinder has handled the Z06 components. If the car is a track only car it may be wise to invest in a larger MC.
What size rims do I need? The rims I went with are factory STYLE C6 Z06 rims, sizes 18x9.5 and 18x10.5. NOT ALL REPOP C6Z06 RIMS WILL FIT! You will have to ask the manufacture IF the rims you are purchasing will clearance a Z06 caliper.
Happy motoring and happy stopping
Hope this helps some of you out!
Last edited by drmrman; 02-13-2011 at 08:51 PM.
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rssshen vette (11-21-2015)
I would sure like those on my car!
02-14-2011, 12:12 AM
#7
Intermediate
Member Since: Feb 2010
Location: california
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Man this is sweet, I have been patient to see what the aftermarket would come up with for C4 ebrake mods. Would you by chance have a list of part numbers needed for the backing plate? I have C5 Z06 front and rear calipers and I will go this route instead. I've had the C5 rear calipers given to me about 7 years ago and would like to start to get everything mounted this spring.
02-14-2011, 07:24 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Man this is sweet, I have been patient to see what the aftermarket would come up with for C4 ebrake mods. Would you by chance have a list of part numbers needed for the backing plate? I have C5 Z06 front and rear calipers and I will go this route instead. I've had the C5 rear calipers given to me about 7 years ago and would like to start to get everything mounted this spring.
From SSI I purchased:
The loaded backing plates
Lokar Ebrake cable
Timken bearings
15" Stainless steel brake lines
Other then the actual brake components themselves (IE) Calipers, pads, and rotors... Thats pretty much all you need!
02-14-2011, 09:13 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
Question - what if you don't care about the ebrake on the rear?
Like on a track car?
Also is the cost in the same range as a big brake kit or is it significantly less?
TIA!
Like on a track car?
Also is the cost in the same range as a big brake kit or is it significantly less?
TIA!
02-14-2011, 10:57 AM
#12
Race Director
thank you for the writeup.
I imagine this would be a great mod.
its not going to work out for me though since I have 2 sets of the black OEM grandsport rims 17 x 9.5 and 17 x 11 that I have street and race tires mounted on.
darnit!
I imagine this would be a great mod.
its not going to work out for me though since I have 2 sets of the black OEM grandsport rims 17 x 9.5 and 17 x 11 that I have street and race tires mounted on.
darnit!
02-14-2011, 04:35 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
On the price... I would have to say its ROUGHLY the same... Because I purchased a few parts used and some new, my build cost was quite reasonable for the gains.
02-14-2011, 04:36 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
02-14-2011, 04:54 PM
#15
Race Director
Nice build up and pictures. 
02-15-2011, 09:31 AM
#17
Racer
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: BOHEMIA NY
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Do you know if jeff makes the front brackets to mount c6 z06 calipers for a earlier c4,an 87?Do you have contact info for JEFFVETTE?
Who did you get your wheels through?I know i wld have to use spacers because they are the later c4 offset but atleast i know they clear the calipers.
Thanks man!!
Who did you get your wheels through?I know i wld have to use spacers because they are the later c4 offset but atleast i know they clear the calipers.
Thanks man!!
Last edited by 87L98Z52; 02-15-2011 at 09:35 AM.
02-16-2011, 06:54 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Do you know if jeff makes the front brackets to mount c6 z06 calipers for a earlier c4,an 87?Do you have contact info for JEFFVETTE?
Who did you get your wheels through?I know i wld have to use spacers because they are the later c4 offset but atleast i know they clear the calipers.
Thanks man!!
Who did you get your wheels through?I know i wld have to use spacers because they are the later c4 offset but atleast i know they clear the calipers.
Thanks man!!
