C6 Z06 brakes
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 1
From: Carlsbad, CA CA
C6 Z06 brakes
I am seeing a lot of C5s with C6 z06 brakes. It seems like it is a direct bolt on for the C5 guys. Does that mean these brakes will work for us????
Have you guys seen the prices on these brakes??? it is unbelievably cheap!
Have you guys seen the prices on these brakes??? it is unbelievably cheap!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
The prices are amazing! gmpartsdirect has the fronts for 187 each and then another 40 something for shipping ( 
). Wonder what Superior might have them for? The trick will be the rear since the C6 uses a drum parking brake. C4's would probably need a larger bore master cylinder, you think? I was keeping my fingers crossed they would bolt up to C5's, now just a matter of figuring out the details!
Someone with 18" wheels has to be our tester!
). Wonder what Superior might have them for? The trick will be the rear since the C6 uses a drum parking brake. C4's would probably need a larger bore master cylinder, you think? I was keeping my fingers crossed they would bolt up to C5's, now just a matter of figuring out the details!Someone with 18" wheels has to be our tester!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I can tell you if I see the caliper bracket.
The bolt holes will be in the right place to bolt to the C5 adapter brackets, but there may be interference other places.
My Wilwoods for example, are a C5 kit, and I used a modified version of ed salinas' adapter to fit them.
Not sure whether they'll require any spacers to clear any of the 18" c5 wheels. Even if the caliper face doesn't hit the spokes, they will come close to scraping the wheel weights.
The bolt holes will be in the right place to bolt to the C5 adapter brackets, but there may be interference other places.
My Wilwoods for example, are a C5 kit, and I used a modified version of ed salinas' adapter to fit them.
Not sure whether they'll require any spacers to clear any of the 18" c5 wheels. Even if the caliper face doesn't hit the spokes, they will come close to scraping the wheel weights.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 1
From: Carlsbad, CA CA
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
The prices are amazing! gmpartsdirect has the fronts for 187 each and then another 40 something for shipping ( ). Wonder what Superior might have them for? The trick will be the rear since the C6 uses a drum parking brake. C4's would probably need a larger bore master cylinder, you think? I was keeping my fingers crossed they would bolt up to C5's, now just a matter of figuring out the details!
Someone with 18" wheels has to be our tester!
). Wonder what Superior might have them for? The trick will be the rear since the C6 uses a drum parking brake. C4's would probably need a larger bore master cylinder, you think? I was keeping my fingers crossed they would bolt up to C5's, now just a matter of figuring out the details!Someone with 18" wheels has to be our tester!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,150
Likes: 1
From: Carlsbad, CA CA
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
I can tell you if I see the caliper bracket.
The bolt holes will be in the right place to bolt to the C5 adapter brackets, but there may be interference other places.
My Wilwoods for example, are a C5 kit, and I used a modified version of ed salinas' adapter to fit them.
Not sure whether they'll require any spacers to clear any of the 18" c5 wheels. Even if the caliper face doesn't hit the spokes, they will come close to scraping the wheel weights.
The bolt holes will be in the right place to bolt to the C5 adapter brackets, but there may be interference other places.
My Wilwoods for example, are a C5 kit, and I used a modified version of ed salinas' adapter to fit them.
Not sure whether they'll require any spacers to clear any of the 18" c5 wheels. Even if the caliper face doesn't hit the spokes, they will come close to scraping the wheel weights.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I have 6 piston front brakes, probably about the same piston area as these z06 brakes, and the stock '85 m/c works great with them. You really do need to fix your bias though if you want to get the most out of them.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I compared these against the salinas and electrodynamics adapters.. they won't fit. You'll need to modify the adapters or make your own. The npt connection looks sorta in the way too. Your adapters would have to resemble the c6 knuckle to some extent. I can see an adapter for the early c4 being an easy task.. but getting it on a 88up will take a little more creativity, maybe even cutting the stock knuckle. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 937
Likes: 0
From: Bedford Tx
does anyone have a line drawing with dimentions,
of this caliper?
the {front} uses what thickness rotors?,
what rotor diameters are suitable?
especially intwerested in how low the rotor
diameter can be.
of this caliper?
the {front} uses what thickness rotors?,
what rotor diameters are suitable?
especially intwerested in how low the rotor
diameter can be.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 830
Likes: 2
From: VA
I don't think these brakes are going to be a great option unless you just want the 'look' they offer. They may not bolt on anyway as was already mentioned.
I believe all six pistions are 33mm, which will give these calipers a reasonable total piston area. Here are the piston areas for front vette calipers for comparison:
C6 Z06: 2565.9 sqmm
C5: 2513.3 sqmm
C4 J55/HD/ZR1/GS: 2268.2 sqmm
Most people like the feel of the C5 brakes better, due in part to the increase in piston area. The C6 Z06 calipers give a little more piston area yet. While more isn't necessarily better, I think the numbers show that it might work ok. The potential problem I see is that the complete conversion uses much larger rotors, and I suspect the pad areas are larger also. These things will also greatly increase the braking on the front end, so if the stock rear brakes are kept then something *may* need to be done to address the bias problem. A brake proportioning valve is not going to solve this problem BTW.
I believe all six pistions are 33mm, which will give these calipers a reasonable total piston area. Here are the piston areas for front vette calipers for comparison:
C6 Z06: 2565.9 sqmm
C5: 2513.3 sqmm
C4 J55/HD/ZR1/GS: 2268.2 sqmm
Most people like the feel of the C5 brakes better, due in part to the increase in piston area. The C6 Z06 calipers give a little more piston area yet. While more isn't necessarily better, I think the numbers show that it might work ok. The potential problem I see is that the complete conversion uses much larger rotors, and I suspect the pad areas are larger also. These things will also greatly increase the braking on the front end, so if the stock rear brakes are kept then something *may* need to be done to address the bias problem. A brake proportioning valve is not going to solve this problem BTW.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Sure it can. If you have too much front braking, then shift more pressure to the back. Yes, there's much more to it than that, the pressure difference must change as your braking force changes, but it can be done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Huh, bummer the existing brackets won't work. I have a full machine shop here at work, perhaps it's time I take advantage of that for stuff other than work... 
One thing I am curious about, what is the science behind locating the caliper on the knuckle? I should do some digging to find a book or information. I know there has to be advantages/disadvantages to various locations and I am sure OEMs run many simulations to find the optimum location, something I cannot do.
One thing I am curious about, what is the science behind locating the caliper on the knuckle? I should do some digging to find a book or information. I know there has to be advantages/disadvantages to various locations and I am sure OEMs run many simulations to find the optimum location, something I cannot do.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
One thing I am curious about, what is the science behind locating the caliper on the knuckle? I should do some digging to find a book or information. I know there has to be advantages/disadvantages to various locations and I am sure OEMs run many simulations to find the optimum location, something I cannot do.
Since brake application simply tries to rotate the caliper around the axle centerline, its location should have no functional effect.
You and I just need to put the caliper where the bleeder screw will work.
Some designers/engineers put the caliper on the rear of the axle, some on the front. Most place it fairly high (from 10 - 2 o'clock position) just to keep the caliper out of the splash area as much as possible and to keep the brake lines as short as possible.
Larry
code5coupe
Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
A caliper ahead of the hub will transfer extra load on the front spring during braking, causing more front end dive. Weight transfer should be the same though. Along those lines, mounting rear calipers ahead of the rear axle helps counter the rear end rising.
If they're mounting them anywhere else, it's for other reasons worth the compromise, Or because they haven't put any though into it.
If they're mounting them anywhere else, it's for other reasons worth the compromise, Or because they haven't put any though into it.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
A caliper ahead of the hub will transfer some extra load on the front spring during braking, causing more front end dive. Weight transfer will be virtually the same however. Along those lines, mounting rear calipers ahead of the rear axle helps counter the rear end rising.
If they're mounting them anywhere else, it's for other reasons worth the compromise, Or because they haven't put any though into it.
If they're mounting them anywhere else, it's for other reasons worth the compromise, Or because they haven't put any though into it.
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From: www.EXOTICVETTE.com - FL Cruise-In VI, VII, & VIII
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Quick, maybe dumb, question... but I can't find the answer - the C5 brakes will bolt on to a C4 with no modification?
EDIT - just read a post about a Ed Salinas adapter plate! (where can I find one? - going to search google now!)
EDIT - just read a post about a Ed Salinas adapter plate! (where can I find one? - going to search google now!)
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Originally Posted by Crazy Cowboy
Quick, maybe dumb, question... but I can't find the answer - the C5 brakes will bolt on to a C4 with no modification?
EDIT - just read a post about a Ed Salinas adapter plate! (where can I find one? - going to search google now!)
EDIT - just read a post about a Ed Salinas adapter plate! (where can I find one? - going to search google now!)
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Apparently there's a guy named Ed Salinas (that I emailed) that makes adapter brackets. I'm betting the difference is that the brakes are 1" bigger in diameter (than the HD C4 brakes) and the caliper bolt holes may be lined up a litte different. At least that's probably the major difference, which a plate/block could fix.
I'll post back if I hear from him. Will follow this thread to see if anyone else writes with info
I'll post back if I hear from him. Will follow this thread to see if anyone else writes with info
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Mexico Beach FL
I remember reading an article where a GM engineer said the C6 brakes would not bolt on a C5. In fact, I think it said it would be very difficult to adapt them to a C5.
So, if that is true, logic tells me it is probably worse trying to adapt them to a C4.
I'd like to hear more on this.
Tom Piper
So, if that is true, logic tells me it is probably worse trying to adapt them to a C4.
I'd like to hear more on this.
Tom Piper
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From: Sydney, Australia
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17, '22
Originally Posted by Tom Piper
I remember reading an article where a GM engineer said the C6 brakes would not bolt on a C5. In fact, I think it said it would be very difficult to adapt them to a C5.
They don't even need adaptor brackets.
Need different wheels though.http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...3&forum_id=103
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...347&forum_id=1
Apparently the C4 is a different story.
I'd be keen to hear what you hear back from Ed Salinas Crazy Cowboy.