Caliper upgrade
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23
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Caliper upgrade
My 2000 is driven mainly on the track. I've been told upgrading to the C5 Z06 calipers will improve braking (I use the CarboTech pads). Has anyone made the switch and feel it's worth it? I'm not interested in looks or in spending $K's. This old beater turned a 1:48 at Laguna Seca last Friday and I think better brakes will get me closer to 1:45.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,219
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From: Somerset Co, NJ
I'm no expert on brakes, but I heard the C6 Z06's are awesome (obviously), but the downfall is that the pads are $400 a set, and they usually last for one track day, of course if driving hard enough!!! 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Originally Posted by steve harrington
My 2000 is driven mainly on the track. I've been told upgrading to the C5 Z06 calipers will improve braking (I use the CarboTech pads). Has anyone made the switch and feel it's worth it? I'm not interested in looks or in spending $K's. This old beater turned a 1:48 at Laguna Seca last Friday and I think better brakes will get me closer to 1:45.
C5 and C5 Z06 are the same except for the paint. Get some Wilwoods for the front from LGM and your done. Better than the new 06Z calipers.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23
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Originally Posted by John Shiels
C5 and C5 Z06 are the same except for the paint. Get some Wilwoods for the front from LGM and your done. Better than the new 06Z calipers.
Thanks for your suggestion. I was a Laguna again yesterday and a friend "cooked" his new OEM calipers in his C5. You mentioned Wilwoods. What about Brembo, Precision or StopTech. There are a lot to choose from. I want to get it right the first time. (Small money tree out back). - Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by C5Jimmy
I'm no expert on brakes, but I heard the C6 Z06's are awesome (obviously), but the downfall is that the pads are $400 a set, and they usually last for one track day, of course if driving hard enough!!!
The calipers are the same but the do stretch with time. Changing out to new c5 calipers every two years at $180 ea is nothing, plus the new calipers brakets at $100.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 606
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From: Wernersville PA
Originally Posted by C5Jimmy
I'm no expert on brakes, but I heard the C6 Z06's are awesome (obviously), but the downfall is that the pads are $400 a set, and they usually last for one track day, of course if driving hard enough!!!
For that money I would go with Baer or Brembo.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by steve harrington
Hi John,
Thanks for your suggestion. I was a Laguna again yesterday and a friend "cooked" his new OEM calipers in his C5. You mentioned Wilwoods. What about Brembo, Precision or StopTech. There are a lot to choose from. I want to get it right the first time. (Small money tree out back). - Steve
Thanks for your suggestion. I was a Laguna again yesterday and a friend "cooked" his new OEM calipers in his C5. You mentioned Wilwoods. What about Brembo, Precision or StopTech. There are a lot to choose from. I want to get it right the first time. (Small money tree out back). - Steve
APRacing ( now owned by PBR ) and Alcon are great reacing brakes. Just need a BIG BIG WALET.
When some one cooks the stock corvette brake it seems the fist thing they want to do is put on a BBK.
How about a few other options that will work:
1- Learn a different braking style, break less and carry more moenteum. Turn of that darn AH as it WILL eat your rear brake pads up.
2- cooling, put on those DRM cooling ducts.
3- Castrol SRF brake fluid, or at least Motul or Superblue and BLEED the brakes before each day at the track.
4- Racing pads, not combo pads, there are really no racing AND street pads, it is racing OR street PERIOD.
5- Brakes only work when there is suffcient rubber on the road. Street tires wont stop as fast as slicks even the same width.
6- seasoned rotors. Ideally if we could get the 1.2" rotors with the PBR caliper that would be great, but they dont fit.
PPL complain about having to bleed brakes, I just find that quite time to slowly inspect my car, mm by mm to assure my saftey on the track.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Originally Posted by steve harrington
Hi John,
Thanks for your suggestion. I was a Laguna again yesterday and a friend "cooked" his new OEM calipers in his C5. You mentioned Wilwoods. What about Brembo, Precision or StopTech. There are a lot to choose from. I want to get it right the first time. (Small money tree out back). - Steve
Thanks for your suggestion. I was a Laguna again yesterday and a friend "cooked" his new OEM calipers in his C5. You mentioned Wilwoods. What about Brembo, Precision or StopTech. There are a lot to choose from. I want to get it right the first time. (Small money tree out back). - Steve
Last edited by John Shiels; Feb 4, 2006 at 03:12 PM.
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