99 C5 rear rotor
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,605
Likes: 3,322
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I don't recommend bigger rear breaks unless you're planning to go bigger in the front as well. Doing just the back will negatively impact your braking dynamics. The front brakes are larger because as you break the car's weight shifts forward. As such, you want more breaking power in the front than in the rear. Also if you're going with a bigger rotor, you'll need bigger calipers as well. You can upgrade your stock rotor to a better design ( drilled, slotted, different materials, etc..). However, you will need to change from the stock wheel size (17' front 18' rear) to a larger wheel size (18' front 19' rear) in order to fit a "big brake" setup. Both Brembo and Wilwood make good big brake kits, but as I said, you'll need bigger wheels to install them.
Note: in theory you could put the front brake from a big brake kit on the rear stock wheel...but as I said, I highly recommend against this.
Note: in theory you could put the front brake from a big brake kit on the rear stock wheel...but as I said, I highly recommend against this.
Last edited by MWWarlord; Aug 17, 2020 at 12:30 PM.
Thread Starter
VETERAN
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 592
Likes: 57
From: Dayton OH
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I don't recommend bigger rear breaks unless you're planning to go bigger in the front as well. Doing just the back will negatively impact your braking dynamics. The front brakes are larger because as you break the car's weight shifts forward. As such, you want more breaking power in the front than in the rear. Also if you're going with a bigger rotor, you'll need bigger calipers as well. You can upgrade your stock rotor to a better design ( drilled, slotted, different materials, etc..). However, you will need to change from the stock wheel size (17' front 18' rear) to a larger wheel size (18' front 19' rear) in order to fit a "big brake" setup. Both Brembo and Wilwood make good big brake kits, but as I said, you'll need bigger wheels to install them.
Note: in theory you could put the front brake from a big brake kit on the rear stock wheel...but as I said, I highly recommend against this.
Note: in theory you could put the front brake from a big brake kit on the rear stock wheel...but as I said, I highly recommend against this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,605
Likes: 3,322
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
You should be able to upgrade to drilled and/or slotted rotors of the same size with absolutely no issues at all. Powerstop makes some nice kits for this that are direct bolt on for the C5. Since you have 18" front wheels, a big brake setup is an option for you (although such setups are pricey and not needed unless you're making big power or track your car a lot).
Last edited by MWWarlord; Aug 17, 2020 at 03:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,379
Likes: 3,387
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
C5 front rotors: 12.8" diameter
C6 Z51 fronts: 13.4" diameter
C5 rear rotors: 12" diameter
C6 Z51 rears: 13" diameter
C6 Z51 front caliper brackets: GM part #88964166
C6 Z51 rear caliper brackets: GM part #88964167
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...51-rotors.html
Last edited by USAZR1; Aug 17, 2020 at 04:44 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
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From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Most front rotors are not configured for the parking brake so you would lose that function if you replaced the rear rotors with fronts. (Actually, I am not aware of any front rotor with configuration for the rear e-brake, but perhaps there is one somewhere that is).
Some states, I believe, will check for a functioning parking/emergency brake.
Some states, I believe, will check for a functioning parking/emergency brake.
