gothamZ06

Hey Gang,

I've been in the process of putting C6 Z06 brakes on my 03 Z06. So far it has been a relatively straight forward swap. However, instead of using my stock OEM lines, after speaking with the gentleman who put these brakes on his black FRC -- I decided I might as well add some stainless steel lines while the car was apart.

Anyway, did a little research and found that Stoptech makes C5 Z ss lines, so I went ahead and ordered them from Corvette Garage. Somewhere along the lines I got to talking with the Stoptech and they had this to say about using C5 lines with C6 Z brakes:

Now I'm sort of in a jam. I know that the 3 people who have done the C6 Z brakes on their cars have reported no problems when running OEM and goodrich lines. So what do you guys think here? I can't tell if this a vendor trick to try and "encourage" others from not buying a brake setup that is a 1/4 of their kits cost, or if there is a real genuine warning.

-GMan

LoneStarFRC

Their comments seem pretty straightforward to me. The way I read their message here is that the C5 and C6 each have a different design to their hose fittings on the frame side of things. The design of the caliper side of things appear to be the same for both.
Just use a C5 SS line and you should be good to go.

Anyone else?

Robert

gothamZ06

If that is the case, why would C5 lines have trouble fitting to the frame side? I ordered the C5 stoptech lines with the intention of putting them on C6 brakes. Man, it's amazing something so asanine can be so confusing.

What you say makes sense lonestar though. But then why would stoptech say that there will be a problem sealing?

-G

LoneStarFRC

According to them it will be if you try use C6 lines on a C5 or vice versa. Apparently the design/shape of the fitting is different on that end only.
The comment about the total length of the lines being different seems to me to be a function of wheel travel, etc being different on the C6 as well.

The C6 calipers use a multi-piston design, etc but the hose attachment is apparently the same for the both the C5 and the C6.

SteveDoten

let's see one of those C6 lines, i've got a few spare C5 lines, we could get this done real quick

gothamZ06

What are you doing this weekend Steve? Feel like taking a ride down to Westchester

Thanks LoneStar what you said makes sense!

TEXHAWK0

Why don't you just stay with the stock C5 brake lines?

I have also read about electronic problems being caused by stainless steel braided lines, and the problem was solved by going back to stock lines.

1997-2004: GM TechLink: Stainless Steel Brake Lines
From GM TechLink, July 2004:

Owners of some Corvettes have experienced Service ABS, Service Active Handling and Service Traction Control messages. Wheel speed sensor codes may be set. This condition may be caused by replacing the OEM rubber brake hoses with aftermarket stainless steel brake hoses.

It is believed that the metal in the brake lines conducts static electricity, causing confusion in the wheel speed sensors.

The brake hoses must be returned to original rubber ones before the case can be investigated. This is a customer-pay expense.

gothamZ06

Ok, the stock OEM C5 lines will NOT fit on these calipers -- well I am almost 99.9% certain. I spent an hour or so trying to get the banjo fitting to bolt onto the caliper, but it kept hitting the lip once threaded and I could not seat it firmly. I am sort of in a bind at this point. I can see that the banjo of a C6 Z brake line must be considerably smaller then that of a C5 since the bolt hole is considerably closer to the lip on the C6 Z caliper then on the c5. Also the C5 Z banjo fitting runs perpendicular to ground while it appears the C6 runs parallel to the ground.

Do you guys have any thoughts on this? I can't imagine the aftermarket brakes will work if they use the same fittings as OEM.

-N