Brake upgrade advice
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 9
From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14,'19-'20-'21-'22
Brake upgrade advice
04 vert. Bought 2 months ago. Blackwing, Hurst and Corsa. All really nice bolt ons.
I've been less than totally impressed with the stopping ability of the C5. Guess I'm spoiled with my wife's s2k which stopped on a dime.
Was wondering if there was some mods that would have significant improvement to the brake system, similar to the performance improvement advice that I've gotten here.
Any words of advice? thanks
I've been less than totally impressed with the stopping ability of the C5. Guess I'm spoiled with my wife's s2k which stopped on a dime.
Was wondering if there was some mods that would have significant improvement to the brake system, similar to the performance improvement advice that I've gotten here.
Any words of advice? thanks
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Shelton CT
When you do your first system bleed a nice upgrade is a Dot 4 or Dot 5.1 Brake fluid. That's also a good time to throw in some Braided SS lines. Goodridge is a good choice.
IMHO Drilled and/or slotted rotors mated with the right pad will probably provide the grabbing power you are looking for. The rest is just iceing on the cake. Good Luck!!
IMHO Drilled and/or slotted rotors mated with the right pad will probably provide the grabbing power you are looking for. The rest is just iceing on the cake. Good Luck!!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: The Holy City, South Carolina
You might want to upgrade to some better pads. There are a number of good, high performance pads out there, including the stock Z06 pads which you can get from your dealer. Beware, they will put out a ton of dust, but you will stop better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
The C5 brake system is pretty darn good as is, but if you are looking for race quality performance check these systems out:
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
Six piston fronts, 4 piston rears. Serious stopping power, but for $3000. And there are systems that cost a heck of a lot more than this too.
I would avoid buying drilled rotors because they are for looks only, NOT PERFORMANCE. They are more prone to cracking.
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
Six piston fronts, 4 piston rears. Serious stopping power, but for $3000. And there are systems that cost a heck of a lot more than this too.
I would avoid buying drilled rotors because they are for looks only, NOT PERFORMANCE. They are more prone to cracking.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 366
From: Montoursville Pa
Originally Posted by injuner
You might want to upgrade to some better pads. There are a number of good, high performance pads out there, including the stock Z06 pads which you can get from your dealer. Beware, they will put out a ton of dust, but you will stop better.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
New pads are the cheapest way to go... try those first... then if you really are not happy, buy a big brake kit. Most if not all big brake kits require a set of custom wheels to clear the caliper. If I were buying big brakes today I would get the brembo front and rear. Here is a pic of the big brakes on my C5. 6 piston fronts, 4 piston rears, 13.6" front and rear two piece rotors. Stop real nice with no brake fade. 
VR
VR
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
For everyones sake... I hope the C6 (Z06) rotors last a good long time... otherwise... they will be selling lots of replacement rotors to many pissed off people. 
(I guess thats not a bad thing for them) 
VR
(I guess thats not a bad thing for them) VR
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by bennettrp
04 vert. Bought 2 months ago. Blackwing, Hurst and Corsa. All really nice bolt ons.
I've been less than totally impressed with the stopping ability of the C5. Guess I'm spoiled with my wife's s2k which stopped on a dime.
Was wondering if there was some mods that would have significant improvement to the brake system, similar to the performance improvement advice that I've gotten here.
Any words of advice? thanks
I've been less than totally impressed with the stopping ability of the C5. Guess I'm spoiled with my wife's s2k which stopped on a dime.
Was wondering if there was some mods that would have significant improvement to the brake system, similar to the performance improvement advice that I've gotten here.
Any words of advice? thanks
do a brake fluid flush and put on some C5 ZO6 brake pads. Should stop in half a dime then.
The new C6 ZO6 brake rotors are 1.4" thick, vs, the normal C5 and C6 rotors at 1.1" thick. SO the new Z's rotors should last much longer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 753
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside CA
Originally Posted by BlkSS1755
C6 Z06 brakes. they are 14" w/ 6 piston calipers (F), and 13.5" 4 piston calipers (R).. according to fred beans, they will be avaible soon for ~$1695
they are 14" w/ 6 piston calipers (F), and 13.5" 4 piston calipers (R).. according to fred beans, they will be avaible soon for ~$1695 
Us normal folk cant even get these things yet. I have seen these pics about 25 times already and I cant handle the jealously. Stop it already. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
Likes: 9,759
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by bennettrp
04 vert. Bought 2 months ago. Blackwing, Hurst and Corsa. All really nice bolt ons.
I've been less than totally impressed with the stopping ability of the C5. Guess I'm spoiled with my wife's s2k which stopped on a dime.
Was wondering if there was some mods that would have significant improvement to the brake system, similar to the performance improvement advice that I've gotten here.
Any words of advice? thanks
I've been less than totally impressed with the stopping ability of the C5. Guess I'm spoiled with my wife's s2k which stopped on a dime.
Was wondering if there was some mods that would have significant improvement to the brake system, similar to the performance improvement advice that I've gotten here.
Any words of advice? thanks
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by vetterdstr
New pads are the cheapest way to go... try those first... then if you really are not happy, buy a big brake kit. Most if not all big brake kits require a set of custom wheels to clear the caliper. If I were buying big brakes today I would get the brembo front and rear.
Brembos
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I have driven, ridden and drove with many cars with BBKs. All on the track of course.
Most of the BBKs I am not impressed with. YES they look great but not always stop better, just keep equipment longer.
My fav were the Wilwood 6/4 pistions with colman 2 piece rotors on a C4 with a 383 stoker in and a StopTech 6 / 4 pistion a Viper. Both of these cars stopped so fast I almost
My Stock C5 calipers, Castrol SRF fluid with Wilwood H pads stopped faster and shorter then most BBKs.
Most of the BBKs I am not impressed with. YES they look great but not always stop better, just keep equipment longer.
My fav were the Wilwood 6/4 pistions with colman 2 piece rotors on a C4 with a 383 stoker in and a StopTech 6 / 4 pistion a Viper. Both of these cars stopped so fast I almost
My Stock C5 calipers, Castrol SRF fluid with Wilwood H pads stopped faster and shorter then most BBKs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,891
Likes: 1,829
From: Hot Springs AR
Agree with changing the brake pads. Also, drilled/slotted rotors don't stop any better than stock rotors.
Also, don't forget the contribution of the tires. Old hard-as-rock runflats won't stop very well. Think about it: if you can get the ABS to activate, you're at the limits of the tires at that point.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Also, don't forget the contribution of the tires. Old hard-as-rock runflats won't stop very well. Think about it: if you can get the ABS to activate, you're at the limits of the tires at that point.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike