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It’s time for better brakes on my ‘99 base coupe. I recently switched to these Stingray wheels; I think they’re from a 2014 model. I have a lot more room now for bigger brakes. Does anyone know what size I could go with? Do the wheels dictate what brakes I can go with or does the upper and lower control arms on the car play a bigger role? Could I go with 2004 ZO6 brakes for example? Thanks for the info!
The only difference between your brakes and a Z06, is the latter has red calipers. One option that will definitely allow you to keep your present wheels, is upgrade to 13.4" C6 Z51 rotors and caliper brackets. Oem C5 rotors are 12.8" diameter. Since C5 and base C6 calipers are basically the same, dimension-wise, all you need to fit the larger rotors are the C6 Z51 brackets. You can also install the C6 Z51 13" rear rotors, by using the corresponding Z51 caliper brackets.
Of course, you can get any better brakes by spending more but what else is new.
The only difference between your brakes and a Z06, is the latter has red calipers. One option that will definitely allow you to keep your present wheels, is upgrade to 13.4" C6 Z51 rotors and caliper brackets. Oem C5 rotors are 12.8" diameter. Since C5 and base C6 calipers are basically the same, dimension-wise, all you need to fit the larger rotors are the C6 Z51 brackets. You can also install the C6 Z51 13" rear rotors, by using the corresponding Z51 caliper brackets.
Of course, you can get any better brakes by spending more but what else is new.
The C6 Z51 rear calipers have a smaller piston to compensate for the additional brake torque the larger diameter C6 Z51 rear rotor provides. Under hard braking (HPDE) the stock C5 calipers with C6 Z51 brackets and rotors will cause the rear brakes to lock up prematurely upsetting corner entry. In wet driving conditions on the street this could unexpectedly putting you at risk. Indeed only fractionally smaller on C6 Z51 rear piston size however easily felt and observed when approaching traction limits. Just thought I'd point this out so anyone considering this could be prepared in case you didn't already know.
C5, Base, Front x2 40.5mm pistons, P.cast PBR, black C5, Z06, Front x2 40.5mm pistons, P.cast PBR, red C5, Base, Rear x1 45 mm piston, P.cast PBR, black C5, Z06, Rear x1 45 mm piston, P.cast PBR, red
C6, Base, Front x2 40.5mm pistons, P.cast PBR, black C6, Base, Rear X1 45mm piston, P.cast PBR
Do you track the car or are you just looking for a cosmetic upgrade? I'd personally just look at a sub $200 rotor/pad kit (forget the name, but cheap set of drilled/slotted rotors that are pretty popular, maybe someone else will chime in) if you don't track the car. I opted for the Powerstop Street Warrior kit for around $275 when I did mine. Does the job just fine on a supercharged car, as I'm sure the cheap ones would do too. I've considered a C6 Z06 upgrade, but $1,000-1,500 for added rotational mass, wheel fitment issues/consideration, and slightly better braking that I wouldn't need/use 90% of the time? Meh.
Do you track the car or are you just looking for a cosmetic upgrade? I'd personally just look at a sub $200 rotor/pad kit (forget the name, but cheap set of drilled/slotted rotors that are pretty popular, maybe someone else will chime in) if you don't track the car. I opted for the Powerstop Street Warrior kit for around $275 when I did mine. Does the job just fine on a supercharged car, as I'm sure the cheap ones would do too. I've considered a C6 Z06 upgrade, but $1,000-1,500 for added rotational mass, wheel fitment issues/consideration, and slightly better braking that I wouldn't need/use 90% of the time? Meh.
Here's a cheap upgrade option. No performance gain but like the stock system plenty adequate for street use. BrakeMotive sells the four rotors and ceramic pads for $160ish. The non brake surface areas of the rotors are zink coated so they should stay looking good for years (use dependant). My calipers were powder coated - TPS Motorsports (vendor) does them on an exchange with new seals, inspection, etc. for $400ish. They can look very good painted as well.
Here's a cheap upgrade option. No performance gain but like the stock system plenty adequate for street use. BrakeMotive sells the four rotors and ceramic pads for $160ish. The non brake surface areas of the rotors are zink coated so they should stay looking good for years (use dependant). My calipers were powder coated - TPS Motorsports (vendor) does them on an exchange with new seals, inspection, etc. for $400ish. They can look very good painted as well.
That's the brand I couldn't bring to mind at the time haha, Brakemotive. They're a solid $100 less than the Powerstops and the rotors honestly look identical (zinc coating and all). I've read the pads leave a little to be desired, so I'm not completely upset about the extra $100 spent on the Powerstops haha. That's what I tell myself anyway. A G2 caliper paint kit can be had for around $40 as well if looking for a good quality paint kit. But powdercoating will probably look better for some extra coin.
The stock brakes are perfectly adequate to lock up those Sumitomos before anything lol. Those tires were on my car when I bought it and they were borderline dangerous with stock power
with the c6 z51 rotors & caliper relocation brackets. Had them for over a decade w/o incident. 
Brake kit upgrade question
