jenablist

the other day I test drove a GS and a Z06 and compared to my base Z51 the brake system felt a lot more responsive with a good initial bite.

my car seems to have more of a first soft bite into the brakes and the pedal defenetly feels more soft as well as you step into it.

As I preferred the feel of the GS or Z06 I experienced (consistent, good first bite) I was wondering if there is something I should do to get there without replacing the brakes ...
I have already replaced the Fluid with GM DOT 4...

any clues.. thank you

c5racr1

If you like the initial bite of the brakes, go to a different pad design. One of the vendors can help you out. Make sure brakes have been bled well or the other pads won't give you the bite you are looking for.

RicK T

If you aren't the original owner of your car, a previous owner may have put on different pads. You should check that.

Then you should make sure your brake system/fluid is up to spec and working properly. I am not aware of any Corvette with a "soft" brake pedal feel.

Let us know what you determine.

Dano523

Considering that the z51 option got phased out with the GS models some time again, when the was the last time that your brakes lines where power bleed?

If more than a few years, then it time to flush the old contaminated brake fluid out of the lines and replace it with new fluid instead (new fluid is used to drive the old fluid out so the lines do not go dry).

As for bite, as said, what brake pads do you have, and what condition are your rotors in?

jenablist

Dealership already bled the fluid lines and replaced the clid with DOT 4 and said the stock Pads and Rotors were in excellent conditions..

Any cost effective technical solutions I could do to make them feel with a better bite?

Dano523

Would help to know that pads you have on the car now, since it could be as simple as just upgrading the pads.

Short of that, then would need to move away from single sided piston caliper of the base/z51 cars, and into double sided piston calibers found on the Z06/GS instead.

jenablist

Pad is the Stock GM

Dano523

Are they,
Front 19259588/rear 19153020
Or
Front 89026853/rear 89026853

The later are the OEM Z51 pads (same size as the base pads) and a better metallic brake pad over the base pad which gives a better initial "BITE" (more dust, and harder on rotors regarding heat and wear as well, but that is beyond the point).


P.S, Z-51 brake set up is just larger brake brackets, which allow larger rotors (drilled in this case and both drilled and larger to scrub heat), while the calipers them self are the same size between the base and Z51 cars.

Base to z51 brake upgrade,
http://www.carsandparts.com/Articles...oem-but-better

To add, if you are going to z51 brake upgrade, then I would go with slotted plated z51 rotors over the OEM drilled ones. The drilled rotors can spider crack at the drilled hole from too much heat when high speed course driven hard, and with plated rotors, don't run into rust problems.

Plated slotted rotors for less than the price of OEM drilled rotors,
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/corvet...-corvette.html

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

Is it the sock Z51 pad or is it AC Delco ceramic pad?

For a quality street pad check out the Carbotech 1521.

Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

F: $140 R: $121

Cherokee Nation

On my 08 Z/51 the brake cap has Dot 3"..Did GM go to Dot 4?? Thanks..

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

NO. DOT 4 is aftermarket.

Cherokee Nation

Dot 3 is also aftermarket...

jenablist

they are both GM, you can use either DOT3 or DOT4 , i think since 2012 MY DOT 4 is recommended

Cherokee Nation

Thank you..