Are the Z06 brakes better performance-wise than the stock C5 ones?

 

calipers, other than the red paint are the same
rotors, same
pads, yes, these parts are better

 

Yes and no .....

The Z06 has wider tires, so it has a larger contact patch with the road. This means that you can get more braking torque before the tires lose grip and the ABS steps in. That and a lighter car are the main reasons a Z06 stops sooner (shorter) than a standard C5.

Can you brake hard enough in your car to turn on the ABS ?? If yes, then the brakes you have are delivering maximum performance. They are able to slow the wheel (generate more braking torque) than the tires can handle. "Upgrading" to a more "powerful" brake system ain't gonna address this issue.

The "stock" C5 brakes are designed to provide maximum braking for the car with normal street tires. If you put a HUGE brake kit (massive rotors, honking big multi-piston calipers, stainless lines, etc.) on the car AND don't change the tire/wheel set-up, you'll find that stopping distances will be pretty much the same as with your stock set-up because the tires become the limiting factor in this equation. The only advantage to an upgraded system MAY be in the area of fade, but for street driving that is usually not an issue.

Otherwise, the brake systems (the Z06 has red painted calipers ... yours are black if stock ... ) are virtually identical.

If you're looking to improve the performance of your brakes, consider the following possible options:

1) change out the flexible rubber brake lines that connect to the calipers for braided stainless steel lines. This won't change stopping distance materially, but will change the feel of the brake pedal.

2) Change to a more aggressive brake pad material ... say a Hawk HPS pad. This will eliminate fade (if that's why you're looking to upgrade) but probably won't substantially change stopping distance.

3) Upgrade wheels/tires to increase the contact patch with the road.

4) If you do #3, and find you cannot brake hard enough to turn on the ABS .. then look at upgrading to a Brembo or other "performance" brake system.

 

The Stock AC Delco Z06 pads are great and IMHO far better then HPS pads.

Heck most of us can lock up the front wheels even with ABS on Race pads and bigger tires. The Stock PBR calipers are far better then ppl give them credit for.

I run Wilwood H or PFC-01 brake pads, ss lines, ss pistons, Castrol SRF brake fluid and 18x12" Hoosier or Good Year G19 tires up front. No problems locking/ activating ABS up the front brakes from 140+ mph down to 50 mph.

The front tire contact patch width has a large amount of braking abiblty

 

I too run stock brakes on the track with DTC-70s pads (same setup as some of the SCCA guys). Plenty of stopping power. And I agree that people dont give enough credit to the stock brakes.

The Z06 pads (IMHO the Z06 and Hawk HPS pads are close) will outperform the stock pads so if you want some more stopping power than go to that. You then can go to Hawk HP+ (what I run daily) if you want more stopping power, but remember the brakes will only stop you as much as the tires can handle. I run r-compound tires on the street and when they are hot they perform good enough to run the HP+ pads, but when they are cold I hit the brakes and they just skid. At that point the pad is out braking the tire and I am not stopping any quicker....

Oh and to answer your question:

Only the brake pads make them outperform the stock (assuming everything else is equal).

 

We have a complete new set of C6 ZO6 brakes that are for sale. They are 6 piston fronts and four rear, compared to four and two. They bolt right up to a C5, give us a call if your interested.

 

yeah but they wont fit with the stock wheels
(thats why i have a set i may be looking to sell also)

 

Thats alright, I don't have stock wheels. I've got BBS wraped in run flats. But I think I'll go with upgrading the pad material. That sounds like the most REAL bang for the buck. That will let me dedicate money to my exauhst note, where it's needed.

Thanks for all the help, you guys really know your stuff!

CV

 

Can I get the stock z06 pads at autozone??? I was looking online and they show the same part number(z06 vs normal coupe)

ANd how about how much are they?

 

I dont believe they are the same. contact Gene at Fred Beans ( forum vender)

 

I seriously doubt Autozone carries the OEM Z06 pads (especially if they list them for the stock C5 also) ... I looked up Napa and they don't list OEM pads for the Z06 either.

If it helps, here's the GM part numbers for the stock C5 Z06 pads

Front pads (4 in box) 12530681 List price $135.00

Rear pads (4 in box) 12530688 List price $94.93

both sets include two caliper bolts per box, as you only need to remove one bolt per caliper to change the pads (rotate the caliper off the rotor on the other bolt).

Price wise ....

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com

Enter the part number in the search box and you'll see they sell them for $70.20 fronts and $49.37 rears .... I think you pay shipping on top of that.

 

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks.

 

Fred Bean's will probably give a better deal with a cheaper handling and shipping charge.
Bill

 

Could well be, I put the gmpartsdirect info out there as a price point .. if someone can do better ... more power to 'em !!!

 

subscribing

 

Many ppl cry for better brakes. HOWEVER, few ppl have every really used the stock PBR corvette Caliper. Putting in FRESH dot 4 brake fluid and better brake pads, not to mention race pads, wider front tires ( rubber contact with the road has more to do with braking capability then the brakes) and the PBR caliper can stop with the best of any Big Brake Kit.

I have ridden and driven many differnt cars with BBKs and wondered many times if the car was even going to stop

BBKs equipment WILL last much longer then the stock corvette brakes, rotors and calipers. Brake pads are consumable itmes.

The other thing to think about is weight. PPL like the look of BIG 14" rotors and sware the bigger sweep area helps with braking. Well yes and no. That bigger 14" rotor is heaver. Espeically the new Zs big rotor is 27 lbs tooo heavy. vs a 17 lbs stock rotor. Added rotational weight hurts acceleartion big time.

Two piece rotors are far stronger and lighter.

There is a lot of engineering in brake systems to talk about in a short thread.