cmark84

I'm looking to upgrade to the C5 Z06 calipers and had a few questions...

From my understanding, the C5 has the same size rotors as the C5 Z06. So could I use the C5 rotors with the upgrade or do I need the Z06 rotors? What about pads?

Other than having the calipers red, is there that much of an increase in stopping power?

GoldenFlame

As far as I know it's the exact same thing. No difference except the color.

cmark84

So all I need is the calipers, pads, and SS brake lines to do the upgrade?

GoldenFlame

That would be fine. I'd also get the rotors turned at least, if they can.

troyguitar

You don't need the calipers. The Z06 calipers are the same exact caliper with red paint on it. Rotors are the same too. The only differences are the paint color and the OEM pads. The increased stopping power of a Z06 is due to the slightly bigger tires, slightly lower curb weight, and slightly more aggressive brake pads.

cmark84

Good to know. I actually just wanted the calipers in red to stand out a bit from the black wheels. If I can keep my OEM pads/rotors from the C5 and just slap on the Z06 calipers that's cheaper for me.

cmark84

Not a fan of turning rotors on a performance car. Less material means less heat dissipation.

66dts-v

It's WAY cheaper to buy a can of red paint.

They are the same parts, only different colors. Unless you mean the C6Z06 brakes, that is a different animal.

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/caliperPaint/

Mallett Z

What everyone is saying is don't waste your money buying new calipers! just get a Duplicolor paint kit. take your time doing it so it looks smooth and you will have the same thing for about $20-30 bucks! Either that or remove all 4 calipers and plug the lines on the car, put a bolt and a washer large enough to keep the area where the brake line attaches clean and cover the slides up and have them powder coated locally for like 100 bucks.

PEETYZ

Get new blank rotors and some good Stoptech street pads and you will be happy. Rockauto has some goods deals and so does KNS.

http://www.knsbrakes.com/c/car-items...tte+All+Models

Best option for you is http://www.knsbrakes.com/c/car-serie...nce+Brake+Pads

Mallett Z

I Agree. Rotors for these cars aren't that costly for new OEM replacement ones anyhow.

66dts-v

To powdercoat, you need to remove the pistons and seals, strip them to bare metal, get all the brake fluid out of the metal (phosphate wash) then reassemble with new seals after coating. Well worth it (especially if you have your own setup like I do ) but it is a lot easier (and cheaper) to use the brush on caliper paint.

cmark84

Yes, C6 Z06 - sorry.. what's involved in the upgrade as far as parts needed? And will the 17" replica wheels fit with that caliper?

jpalamar

GM parts house sell a kit to convert to C6Z. Its very pricey and not worth it unless its a dedicated track car. Good rotors and pads alone on a c5 will do a ton.

AngryTurtle

Actually its just pricey and not worth it (performance wise). If someone has a dedicated track car they should not be getting c6 z06 brakes. They sure are pretty though.

'Shifter

I'm very pleased with my C6z swap, and it is a little better, but for the expense? It wasn't worth it dollar vs performance, but yeah, they are awfully pretty, and wheel-filling.

$$$frumnuttin'

I did mine...a lot of work! However, stopping is definitely improved in the sense that less peddle effort is required for casual stops, and the pedal is softer yet the braking is greater. However, I installed the stock Grand Sport padlets, which create so much brake dust I want to cry! If you do the job get the better brake pads...some are even 1-piece design, instead of using all those little pads...an extra $225 but worth it unless you like cleaning off greasy brake dust every 20 miles!

Mallett Z

All I did with my 99 is exactly what I said above and they have worked fine for 40k miles. But it seems like my powder coater has a different process which uses lower temps to bake on the powder so all that is not necessary?

neutron82

I got my complete c6z brake setup with stainless lines and 1 piece hawk ceramic pads from kore3 for a lot less than Gene quoted me... and with gmpartshouse the only way to get the pins is to buy GM pads which are a few hundred and a few hundred more if you want a different pad... basically too much money from them and there are better options to buy from... I got everything for $2100 and Tobin (kore3) is great to deal with... tps motorsports puts together a good deal too... I have 19's and honestly just did this for the looks... I don't track my car or put it under stress where I would need a brembo kit or something similar... a front brembo setup will cost more than a full c6z brake setup... also keep in mind that c6z brakes are quite a bit heavier mainly due to the rotors, I want to say around 50 pounds heavier total

jcsperson

What's your budget? Wilwood and Stoptech offer brake kits that will considerably upgrade the performance of your brakes.