morfi

I've recently purchased the C6 Z06 brake kit http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/ps-...e-upgrade.aspx for my C5 and I have a problem installing them. You see even though I have replaced the stock wheels-tyres set with another(18x9.5 front size and 19x11 rear size)http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-1...e-package.aspx
the brake calipers hit the inner side of the wheel showing me that the wheels don't fit (. The dealer from where I purchased both the wheels and tyres set and Z06 brake kit was assuring me that the brake kit would fit without a problem before I purchase it, but now he says that I will need spacers and longer wheel studs. Because I am in Greece and here they are not so familiar with such great performance cars such as my Vette, I am not trusting any engineer to tell me what to do with my Vette and I would like, if anyone knows, to tell me the size of the spacers and studs that I am going to need for my Vette.

P.S. The dealer from whom I purchased the wheels and tyres kit and brake kit is American but I started not trusting him from the moment he told me that the brake kit should clear out without problems but it didn't. Now he says that the spacers needed must be sized 1/4". Does anyone have any idea if this is right or which size of spacers is suitable?(of course I made the dealer order the spacers and longer studs and send them to me without charging me any more money)

Lancer033

the easiest way to figure out the spacer size is to put a stack of washers on the lugs and mount the wheels over them (DO NOT DRIVE LIKE THIS). Add or take out washers until you get it right, then measure the hight of the washers. Anything more than 1/4" needs longer studs and the spacer itself needs to have a hub. I run ARP studs and a 5/8" Spacer from CCW (www.ccwheel.com) and don't have any problems.

morfi

Thank you very much for your reply but I would prefer someone to tell me (if he knows) the exact size of the spacers needed because the spacers' size of 1/4" that my dealer proposed seems too small (to me, but I am no expert).

John Shiels

why trust anyone when a few washers on three studs will let you see for yourself. 1/8" clearance is enough.

Lancer033

the problem with that is that there's no way to tell exactly unless you get all the parts together yourself. For example, John and I both use the same brakes and wheels, he's got a 7/8" spacer, and I used a 5/8" W/O putting the 2 cars side-by-side, I'm not sure what the difference is, but they both work.

morfi

Okay, I understand that. The dealer that I purchased the brake kit and the wheel package told me that if I install 1/4" spacers they will do the trick and I will have no further problems....the thing is that, in any case, I don't want to cause damage to my Vette.

ajg1915

Lots of guys run spacers on their wheels to clear big brake kits.

Why don't you follow the very good advice that was given by the previous guys.

Take some washers and figure out what cleareance is needed and then order some spacer's.

You are not going to damage your vette by putting wheel spacers on it unless you have slammed so low that your tires might hit your fenders.

SpeedyD

Lancer 033 is absolutely correct!! This is the best way to do it. No one can tell you what kind of spacer you will need without knowing the offset of your wheels. Rim dimension isn't telling us anything about the clearance you have with your caliper. Do the washer trick, it will be the easiest way and its very accurate. You can do the 1/4", go to bolt the wheel on and the guy could be wrong, and then you will have a scratched set of $1,200 calipers!!! That's no good!! Maybe start with 3/4" of washers and see how much clearance you have at that point, then eliminate what you don't need. Work backwards as to not scratch the calipers. You did buy the stainless lines, correct? Good luck!!!

morfi

About the brake lines, they were included in the kit.
Thank you guys for all your help. I am going to proceed to operation "washer trick" and hope not to cause injuries on "my precious"......calipers !! I will give you the result as soon as I am finished...

Look at her....ain't she a beauty??

BQuicksilver

You can get 3/8" spacers on without needing a hub, but that will require longer studs.

4GTABODT

Just did the brakes last month and had a b_tch of a time getting the rims to fit. Keep in mind I went with the C6 Z06 rims. Here's a recent post of mine that has the specs for my wheel package

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1512629

And here's what they look like rolling...

tiojames

I suggest you contact Randy at Doug Rippie Motorsports(DRM) to order youi spacers and the longer studs(hi strength chrome moly). I just put their spacers and studs on my vert with the C6 Z06 big brakes. The spacers are machined with a lip on one side and an inset on the other so there is no chance of misalignment.

DngrZne

Maybe you would want to put some blue painters tape over the calipers to help protect the finish while you are fitting the wheels.

Chris

morfi

It seems to me that I am doomed with my wheel measurments
Rear 19x11, +65 offset
Front 18x9.5, +57 offset

if I compare them with yours 4GTABODT
Rear 19x11, +64 offset
Front 19x10, +79 offset

the thing is that I didn't want to add spacers, but my dealer didn't pay attention when I told him what I was asking for...

4GTABODT

You have standard offsets for a regular C5...you're OK on the back but with your current front offset, and the fact you need a 1" spacer on the front, your front wheels will stick out of the fenders big time. I realize its easier said then done, but you need to hold your dealer accountable for his information. At the very least, he should take your new brakes back as he mislead you.

Good luck

morfi

I am coming to a dead end....my dealer informed me that there is no wheel in market that would clear the big calipers of the Z06 C6 brake kit except the HRE brand (without the installation of spacers)!!! This means that if I want to install my brake kit I will have to send back my previously pourchased wheels and pay an additional sum of approximately 4.500$!!!!
How do you like that?
4GTABODT I don't want and I will not give back the brake kit in any case!
Now I MUST find a suitable wheel set that would clear the brake kit....If anyone has any info available, please post suggestions.

Lancer033

check CCW (www.ccwheel.com). I've had my eye on the C14 Corsair since it came out and it will clear even the widest calipers.

morfi

Thank you LANCER033, I'll check it out!

jdmvette

Morfi,

The "Z07" wheels are proven to fit these brakes on a C5. They are 18x9.5 @ 53mm and 19x11 @ 63mm.

here are some pics with the brakes and the Z07 wheels courtesy of forum member "C5HRDTOP".









I have the same wheels, but not the same brakes (I wish).

They look very similar to the C6Z wheels you have now, but with a couple C5 cues thrown in.

Good luck.

AU N EGL

Personnally I would like more then an 1/8" of clearance between the caliper and the rim. Stick on rim weights are more then 1/8" thick, I put aluminum duct tape over my wheel wights too. Plus track turds sticking to the inside of the rim can get over 1/2" thick.

The track turds are no big deal, but the stick on rim weights for balanceing are important.