Upsizing Rotors on '04 C5
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Upsizing Rotors on '04 C5
First let me state that I have searched the threads quite thoroughly on this subject and cannot quite find what I am looking for. As I am in need of new brake pads, I am going to upgrade to drilled and slotted rotors at the same time.
Besides buying the rotors and pads, will I need anything else? (I am sure when I begin shopping and asking questions, I will get some great answers, but I am looking for the Forum's opinions.)
How likely is it that I will need to improve air flow to the brakes?
What about brake lines?
Master cylinder?
Is this something that can or should be done in stages?
(I will be having my mechanic do this, but I insist on knowing the process before anyone else puts their hands on my car.)
Thanks for any assistance you can offer.
Besides buying the rotors and pads, will I need anything else? (I am sure when I begin shopping and asking questions, I will get some great answers, but I am looking for the Forum's opinions.)
How likely is it that I will need to improve air flow to the brakes?
What about brake lines?
Master cylinder?
Is this something that can or should be done in stages?
(I will be having my mechanic do this, but I insist on knowing the process before anyone else puts their hands on my car.)
Thanks for any assistance you can offer.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
The easiest thing to do would be to order the C6 Z51 rotors and brackets. The rotors are cross drilled and larger than the C5 rotors. The brackets allow you to reuse your calipers. They brackets just move the calipers further away from the hub to allow a larger rotor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,875
Likes: 254
From: Hillsboro OR
I converted my C5 brakes to:
C6 calipers
Hawk HP pad (stock C5 size)
C6 Z51 rotors
C6 Z51 brackets
S/S brake lines
Very happy with the result. Pedal much firmer with the S/S brake lines.
HTH
C6 calipers
Hawk HP pad (stock C5 size)
C6 Z51 rotors
C6 Z51 brackets
S/S brake lines
Very happy with the result. Pedal much firmer with the S/S brake lines.
HTH
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Upgrade rotors / pads
Hello azgeek, i too plan to upgrade my brakes. I will buy d/s rotors from brakeperformance. They will sell rotors in pairs. I will retain stock size rotor in front because i'm not going with 18 inch wheel. But for the rear rotor i'm going with 13inch c6 z51 rotor . I can keep my c5 calipers but will need a caliper bracket from z51. I will not change brake lines. To upgrade to larger <rear rotor> you will need caliper bracket # 88964167 which you can buy from one of the venders. With matching d/s rotors , from brakeperformance , and my stock polished thin spoke wheels, i expect it to look good. This by the way is a bolt on project and should look much better than the wimpy stock rear rotor set up.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 20,393
Likes: 431
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
NCM Member '09
Another option would be to do the C6-Z06 upgrade, though you will need at least an 18" wheel with the right offset.
This was during test fitting...
This was during test fitting...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Here is mine.. Yeah you can always "upgrade" to a C6 brake kit.. Although for $200 you can have these with the brake pads included.. I will tell you I tested them after I installed them and the braking was awesome...... It was a lot better then our OEM brakes.
I took my friend who has a really nice import for a ride and slammed on the brakes and he was in shock on the quality on this kit.. save your money for other upgrades and get the brakemotive kits..
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Whats your budget for this project, and intentions? Just a daily driver car or will it see track duty. Do you want just looks or better performance as well?
The above posts have shown nearly every type of upgrade from simple and realtively inexpensive to more performance oriented and higher priced. Don't forget that there are many aftermarket big brake kits out there as well which will blow away the performance of any stock/oem setup in the performance aspect. However going down this road will definitely neccesitate a wheel change.
The above posts have shown nearly every type of upgrade from simple and realtively inexpensive to more performance oriented and higher priced. Don't forget that there are many aftermarket big brake kits out there as well which will blow away the performance of any stock/oem setup in the performance aspect. However going down this road will definitely neccesitate a wheel change.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Why? stock C5 / C6 brakes are very good brakes. New more aggressive pads and DOT 4 brake fluid your good to go.
BBK kits can run $5-$7K plus wheel changes to clear the new calipers.
BBK kits can run $5-$7K plus wheel changes to clear the new calipers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
Not to mention some of the kits pictured above which use a larger rotor but stock caliper will actually DECREASE your car's performace. Adding unsprung mass with a larger rotor while maintaining the same contact area would be for looks only. I'd suggest Hawk HPS pads as they are a decent performer but still quiet.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
What are you trying to do street or track or both?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Whats your budget for this project, and intentions? Just a daily driver car or will it see track duty. Do you want just looks or better performance as well?
The above posts have shown nearly every type of upgrade from simple and realtively inexpensive to more performance oriented and higher priced. Don't forget that there are many aftermarket big brake kits out there as well which will blow away the performance of any stock/oem setup in the performance aspect. However going down this road will definitely neccesitate a wheel change.
The above posts have shown nearly every type of upgrade from simple and realtively inexpensive to more performance oriented and higher priced. Don't forget that there are many aftermarket big brake kits out there as well which will blow away the performance of any stock/oem setup in the performance aspect. However going down this road will definitely neccesitate a wheel change.
That is something I should have mentioned in my original post. Thank you for asking.
This is a daily driver car. I would like the rear rotors to be larger than the stock ones that are on the car currently. I want to improve the appearance while also increasing the braking ability. However, I would like to keep the original wheels. Budget is not as important as the above requirements...I would be willing to spend up to $2k if that is what it will take.
I hope that clarifies the issue. Please let me know what you think.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
The Z51 brakes on a C5/Z06 would seem like a good package deal. If I recall correctly from some threads, you have to modify the brake abuttment mounts (?). You may have to modify the calipers depending on your wheels. You will have to bleed the brakes if you change calipers.
I recently upgraded to BAER Eradispeed rotors with anodized aluminum hats on 18/19". I chose the oem sized 12.79" in the front (13.35" is available) and +2 sized 14" in the rear. The kit came with everything needed. I used the oem calipers so no brake bleeding was required. I chose HAWK HPS pads.
I bought mine on sale at the "Store" (above in red banner), dba WEST COAST CORVETTE while they were on sale. I mentioned I was a CF member and got an additional discount...
http://store.corvetteforum.com/s-203...-packages.aspx
I recently upgraded to BAER Eradispeed rotors with anodized aluminum hats on 18/19". I chose the oem sized 12.79" in the front (13.35" is available) and +2 sized 14" in the rear. The kit came with everything needed. I used the oem calipers so no brake bleeding was required. I chose HAWK HPS pads.
I bought mine on sale at the "Store" (above in red banner), dba WEST COAST CORVETTE while they were on sale. I mentioned I was a CF member and got an additional discount...
http://store.corvetteforum.com/s-203...-packages.aspx
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
So after more research, I believe I will stay with the stock rotors. As I do some autocross, it seems the flat rotors are best in that application. I will see about painting the calipers to bring a bit more appeal to the wheels. I am going to upgrade the pads to the HPS that so many seem so fond of. I will let you know how this turns out. If you have any more advice or suggestions, I would certainly love to hear it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 632
Likes: 2
From: Mesa Arizona
I hope my private message is helpful, theres lots of options just depends on where you want to go with it. the stock c5 brakes are very good and capable, so if its simply appearance you want I think my suggestions will serve you well. As far as mostly street, and some recreational autox..the drilled/slotted will not gain, or subtract anything. will simply look better and open up your options. If you become competitive in NCCC or SCCA autox, keep in mind that this upgrade will push you in to harder classes. But if you do it for fun only, this is not an issue.
for the best looks at a decent price:
DBA 2pc drilled/slotted rotors with upgraded wilwood 6pots up front. or skip the DBAs and do the +1 and +2 Baer rotors with your stock calipers.
I have a full brand new bottle of caliper paint if you want to come by sometime and shoot the S*&^. But, id suggest getting a take off set thats factory powder coated, or send yours to be powdercoated...it looks tons better.
for the best looks at a decent price:
DBA 2pc drilled/slotted rotors with upgraded wilwood 6pots up front. or skip the DBAs and do the +1 and +2 Baer rotors with your stock calipers.
I have a full brand new bottle of caliper paint if you want to come by sometime and shoot the S*&^. But, id suggest getting a take off set thats factory powder coated, or send yours to be powdercoated...it looks tons better.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I hope my private message is helpful, theres lots of options just depends on where you want to go with it. the stock c5 brakes are very good and capable, so if its simply appearance you want I think my suggestions will serve you well. As far as mostly street, and some recreational autox..the drilled/slotted will not gain, or subtract anything. will simply look better and open up your options. If you become competitive in NCCC or SCCA autox, keep in mind that this upgrade will push you in to harder classes. But if you do it for fun only, this is not an issue.
for the best looks at a decent price:
DBA 2pc drilled/slotted rotors with upgraded wilwood 6pots up front. or skip the DBAs and do the +1 and +2 Baer rotors with your stock calipers.
I have a full brand new bottle of caliper paint if you want to come by sometime and shoot the S*&^. But, id suggest getting a take off set thats factory powder coated, or send yours to be powdercoated...it looks tons better.
for the best looks at a decent price:
DBA 2pc drilled/slotted rotors with upgraded wilwood 6pots up front. or skip the DBAs and do the +1 and +2 Baer rotors with your stock calipers.
I have a full brand new bottle of caliper paint if you want to come by sometime and shoot the S*&^. But, id suggest getting a take off set thats factory powder coated, or send yours to be powdercoated...it looks tons better.
Your private message was definitely helpful. Heading over to the autocross section was of incredible assistance. Thanks for the heads up on that as I was not aware of that section of the forum.