new to vettes......help!!!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
new to vettes......help!!!
hi folks.....got a used 99 coupe from brother with 25000 miles.....brakes needed new rotors......while under the car, i noticed the shocks and was wondering if the should also be replaced? any advice would be appreciated
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,096
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From: Size Does Matter CA
If you don't want to spend to much money for brakes and rotors. you can get a good set of rotors from Napa auto parts for around $27.00 each. That is cheap, if you want drill slot you going to pay for more.
Brake pads. I had the Hawk pads, they give a lot of dust off. I went back to the GM, they work great a less brake dust from many vendors and they are not to expensive.
Shocks, you should be okay at the moment, I would check just incase. What kind of suspension do you have, Z51?? Or just base. If you want good shocks Bilstein at the top for around $325.00. The new C6 Zo6 are around $199, I heard they are good, not the best but good. That is where I am going with.
Brake pads. I had the Hawk pads, they give a lot of dust off. I went back to the GM, they work great a less brake dust from many vendors and they are not to expensive.
Shocks, you should be okay at the moment, I would check just incase. What kind of suspension do you have, Z51?? Or just base. If you want good shocks Bilstein at the top for around $325.00. The new C6 Zo6 are around $199, I heard they are good, not the best but good. That is where I am going with.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Welcome to the brotherhood - and you've found the best place on the 'Net to "talk" about Vettes and ask questions! No stupid questions - best advice is to do a search or an advanced search, chances are someone here has been there and done that! 
As to your questions....
There are lots of aftermarket rotors that are a good alternative if you're looking for some brake "bling". The drilled and slotted variety don't really do much other than look good. If you want good performance there are a lot of things out there, including OEM. If you go that route - try Fichtner or Fred Beans. make sure you tell them that you got their name from the Corvette Forum, as both are supporting Forum vendors.
http://www.fredbeans.com/
800-234-5284 email - parts@fichtnerchevrolet.com
As far as shocks - do you have reason to believe that they need to be replaced? If they look like they are leaking - again there are a lot of alternatives, but the Bilstein Sport shocks are pretty commonly chosen for a good reason. You don't say if you have F45 suspension (there will be a selector switch on the console), FE1 (base) or Z51. You can look at the RPO sticker on the driver's side rear compartment cover. If you see any of these option codes, that will tell you what suspension you have. If you have F45, things are a little more complicated as they are special shocks. If not you can easily change them out.
Good luck, and miles and miles of smiles to you!
As to your questions....
There are lots of aftermarket rotors that are a good alternative if you're looking for some brake "bling". The drilled and slotted variety don't really do much other than look good. If you want good performance there are a lot of things out there, including OEM. If you go that route - try Fichtner or Fred Beans. make sure you tell them that you got their name from the Corvette Forum, as both are supporting Forum vendors.
http://www.fredbeans.com/
800-234-5284 email - parts@fichtnerchevrolet.com
As far as shocks - do you have reason to believe that they need to be replaced? If they look like they are leaking - again there are a lot of alternatives, but the Bilstein Sport shocks are pretty commonly chosen for a good reason. You don't say if you have F45 suspension (there will be a selector switch on the console), FE1 (base) or Z51. You can look at the RPO sticker on the driver's side rear compartment cover. If you see any of these option codes, that will tell you what suspension you have. If you have F45, things are a little more complicated as they are special shocks. If not you can easily change them out.
Good luck, and miles and miles of smiles to you!
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks
i appreciate all the fast answers........i just finished placing new rotors on......very smooth compared to the warped old ones.....I think I will wait awhile before doing the shocks.....when setting in the cearamix pads i had no double bounce in either the front or back.....Again thanks to everyone. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
NAPA as mentioned for stcok type rotors @ $27 a piece you can't go wrong.
If you want slotted and drilled... make sure they are zinc washed ... this minimizes rust on the non swept areas.
I recommend www.sportbrakes.com
For pads AC/Delco durastop ceramics from Fred Beans...click the link at the left... they are a supporting vendor <--------
If you want slotted and drilled... make sure they are zinc washed ... this minimizes rust on the non swept areas.
I recommend www.sportbrakes.com
For pads AC/Delco durastop ceramics from Fred Beans...click the link at the left... they are a supporting vendor <--------
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I forgot to mention that as a new corvette owner, you really need to read the sticky at the top of the General section.. it is called withgts, measures, ratios etc...
It is full of valuable info, issues and fixes.
also read the stciky at the top of theTech section called column lock
Welcome
Save the wave and share the knowledge....
Rich
It is full of valuable info, issues and fixes.
also read the stciky at the top of theTech section called column lock
Welcome
Save the wave and share the knowledge....
Rich
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Something else to check is the flanges in the exhaust system where the mufflers meet the pipes. It is not uncommon for the weld on the flanges to crack. Your also about to the mileage where its not a bad idea to flush/refill the fluids Antifreeze, Power Steering, Rear Axle, Transmission. On my 99 the left stub axle developed a seal leak and the cover on that side is famous for leaking. On most cars that is not to big a deal but since it is not easy to check it doesn't take to long to lose enough to run the risk of damage. Since you bought the car from a brother I'm sure you'll have all the service records. If you know someone who has a lift and knows how to lift a Corvette a underbody inspection only takes a few minutes and is definitely worth the effort. Good Luck, Enjoy, and Welcome to the Forum.