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[Z06] brake upgrade or replacement options

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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 12:31 AM
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Default brake upgrade or replacement options

Hello, could someone summarize the options to replace or upgrade the brakes from a stock Z06? Pad, rotor and caliper options? Primarily street driven. Some autox.
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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by mech_engr
Hello, could someone summarize the options to replace or upgrade the brakes from a stock Z06? Pad, rotor and caliper options? Primarily street driven. Some autox.
Lots of options, but your stock sized rims prevent most upsizing in the front. The stock C5Z brakes are very capable in stock trim. Stay away from drilled rotors if you autox...they will crack. Slotted or plain are the way to go unless you just want the "bling" factor for the street. Carbotech bobcats are a great upgrade pad over the stock pad. They bite as good or better than stock without all of the dusting that the stockers produce.

If you're set on upsizing, a good budget upgrade is going up to C6Z51 rotors. You just need the rotors and caliper brackets as you will retain your stock calipers. The only issue is that you'll need to grind down the fins on the front calipers because they are too tight of a fit to the barrel of the wheel on the front. I've also seen some folks swap out their stock C5Z calipers for the base C6 calipers to gain some added clearance because they do not have the fins.

IMO, a good set of stock sized rotors, some carbotech bobcat pads, a fluid flush and some stainless lines will give you a great performing brake system.
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Old Dec 18, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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On a street car there is no need other than looks to upgrade the calipers or rotors. Centric solid rotors from Rock Auto work great for street or track and are cheap. The vanes are painted as well as the hats so no rust issues with them. I’m a Carbotech guy and currently run the XP8’s as a all around compromise pad.
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by mech_engr
Hello, could someone summarize the options to replace or upgrade the brakes from a stock Z06? Pad, rotor and caliper options? Primarily street driven. Some autox.
All you need is and upgraded pad, fluid and ss lines. We make various compounds, but just street and auto i would stick with the Carbotech Bobcat 1521.

F $144 R $124 less 7% forum pricing.

The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 01:42 PM
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What if you want to do a few HPDE's ? What pad do you recommend for street and track use?
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 01:50 PM
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I'm running the Hawk HPS w/ slotted rotors using the stock calipers. They should be fine for HPDEs unless you're really flogging the car. At that point it's a whole 'nother story.
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by tlove32
What if you want to do a few HPDE's ? What pad do you recommend for street and track use?
XP8 compound.

A high torque brake compound with a wide operating temperature range of 200°F-1350°F+ (93°C to 732°C+). Carbotech™ XP8™ is the first of our racing compounds. Good initial bite at race temperatures, high coefficient of friction, excellent modulation and release characteristics. Extremely high fade resistance and very rotor friendly. Excellent as a front brake pad for lighter applications weighing around 2,400lbs or less. Perfect for track day use with any tire and can still be driven safely to and from the track. Carbotech™ does NOT recommended XP8™ as a daily driven street pad due to elevated levels of dust and noise. Carbotech™ XP8™ is a great compound on the front & rear of most open wheel and sports racers.
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Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:02 PM
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what's your take on stoptech's aero 2 pce rotors for the front?….seem reasonably priced and add a small weight/rotating mass reduction?
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Old Dec 20, 2011 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Zeppelin654
what's your take on stoptech's aero 2 pce rotors for the front?….seem reasonably priced and add a small weight/rotating mass reduction?
If they are in your budget why not
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