Possible brake upgrade -- Q's
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Possible brake upgrade -- Q's
I am pretty sure the pads are dead on my vert, so its a good chance to upgrade while the work is being done.
I don't have a big budget, so I want to go with something that works on the stock calipers and rims. The car sees lots of 1/4 mile passes. I do NOT care about dust on the rims and my first thought was to switch over to the stock z06 pads (I believe they are the Hawk HPS street pads). I also don't care about looks, so if it isn't going to help me stop better, I don't care.
Any advice?
I don't have a big budget, so I want to go with something that works on the stock calipers and rims. The car sees lots of 1/4 mile passes. I do NOT care about dust on the rims and my first thought was to switch over to the stock z06 pads (I believe they are the Hawk HPS street pads). I also don't care about looks, so if it isn't going to help me stop better, I don't care.
Any advice?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
With 1/4 passes your not going to need to worry about fade over time like the auto crossing, etc. The stock Z pads and Napa rotors would be your best budget conscious choice that will give you pretty good braking in my opinion.
Speed
Speed
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
Get a set of slotted and cross-drilled rotors (they had 4 in stock last week for $125 a set) from BrakeDesigns forum member(BDI) (164 shipped to me)
Then get a set of PFC carbon metallic pads from AutoZone.
27.99 for the rears, 38.99 for the front. Good stopping power (better than ceramic), low dust (like ceramic)
Pretty decent price for a good upgrade on my 1997 C5. $237 Out the door (doesn't include my labor, but it was a snap)
Then get a set of PFC carbon metallic pads from AutoZone.
27.99 for the rears, 38.99 for the front. Good stopping power (better than ceramic), low dust (like ceramic)
Pretty decent price for a good upgrade on my 1997 C5. $237 Out the door (doesn't include my labor, but it was a snap)
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Get a set of slotted and cross-drilled rotors (they had 4 in stock last week for $125 a set) from BrakeDesigns forum member(BDI) (164 shipped to me)
Then get a set of PFC carbon metallic pads from AutoZone.
27.99 for the rears, 38.99 for the front. Good stopping power (better than ceramic), low dust (like ceramic)
Pretty decent price for a good upgrade on my 1997 C5. $237 Out the door (doesn't include my labor, but it was a snap)
Then get a set of PFC carbon metallic pads from AutoZone.
27.99 for the rears, 38.99 for the front. Good stopping power (better than ceramic), low dust (like ceramic)
Pretty decent price for a good upgrade on my 1997 C5. $237 Out the door (doesn't include my labor, but it was a snap)
Last edited by chaase; Apr 14, 2008 at 03:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
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From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Speed
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Does anyone have thoughts on these babies? They seem to be a good price.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I didn't change my mind, if they are going to stop better than a stock set up, then I am willing to pay more money for the rotors. I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars for new calipers and over sized rotors. If the cross-drilled/slotted won't stop better, then I will skip it.
You and jedblanks are the only people responding. I am trying to get more people to weigh in.
You and jedblanks are the only people responding. I am trying to get more people to weigh in.
Last edited by chaase; Apr 15, 2008 at 02:15 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Oh, so you don't trust us, is that it? Just kidding.
The drilled/slotted look better. They won't help you stop better. They are designed to cool faster, but if pushed they crack much sooner. It really depends on how hard you are going to be on them and how often you plan on replacing them. If you don't autocross then chances are you won't crack the D/S rotors.
I understand you meant you didn't want to have to spend more on new wheels/tires. You should be able to fit the C6 brakes with only some minor adjustments. That would give you a much larger surface. Then look into some new tires for the additional grip.
I hope some others chime to confirm ^ and add their $0.05 instead of my $0.02...
Speed
The drilled/slotted look better. They won't help you stop better. They are designed to cool faster, but if pushed they crack much sooner. It really depends on how hard you are going to be on them and how often you plan on replacing them. If you don't autocross then chances are you won't crack the D/S rotors.
I understand you meant you didn't want to have to spend more on new wheels/tires. You should be able to fit the C6 brakes with only some minor adjustments. That would give you a much larger surface. Then look into some new tires for the additional grip.
I hope some others chime to confirm ^ and add their $0.05 instead of my $0.02...
Speed
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Oh, so you don't trust us, is that it? Just kidding.
The drilled/slotted look better. They won't help you stop better. They are designed to cool faster, but if pushed they crack much sooner. It really depends on how hard you are going to be on them and how often you plan on replacing them. If you don't autocross then chances are you won't crack the D/S rotors.
I understand you meant you didn't want to have to spend more on new wheels/tires. You should be able to fit the C6 brakes with only some minor adjustments. That would give you a much larger surface. Then look into some new tires for the additional grip.
I hope some others chime to confirm ^ and add their $0.05 instead of my $0.02...
Speed
The drilled/slotted look better. They won't help you stop better. They are designed to cool faster, but if pushed they crack much sooner. It really depends on how hard you are going to be on them and how often you plan on replacing them. If you don't autocross then chances are you won't crack the D/S rotors.
I understand you meant you didn't want to have to spend more on new wheels/tires. You should be able to fit the C6 brakes with only some minor adjustments. That would give you a much larger surface. Then look into some new tires for the additional grip.
I hope some others chime to confirm ^ and add their $0.05 instead of my $0.02...
Speed
I am primarily a drag racer and stopping from 115+mph occurs on a very regular basis. I will run somewhere on the order of 15 events this year, so I don't want to buy cheap stuff that won't last.
Safety is also key. If there is a chance the drilled/slotted will have problems, I don't want them. So far, it seems that "stock" rotors and upgraded pads are probably my best bet.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
If you are concerned about cracking, get slotted only, or get plain (still cheaper than oem replacements) and they are zinc coated to prevent rusting.
Last edited by jedblanks; Apr 15, 2008 at 02:42 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
Also,
I put PFC Carbon metallic pads on my 04 acura dn 97 vette.
With a point and shoot temperature gauge:
Hard driving acura (regular flat rotors)
150 degrees front
200 degrees rear
Extremely hard driving vette (BDI rotors):
120 degrees front
100 degrees rear
No brake dust so far
Good enough for me.
I put PFC Carbon metallic pads on my 04 acura dn 97 vette.
With a point and shoot temperature gauge:
Hard driving acura (regular flat rotors)
150 degrees front
200 degrees rear
Extremely hard driving vette (BDI rotors):
120 degrees front
100 degrees rear
No brake dust so far
Good enough for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Chris get the rockauto discount number and go to their site. order the blank rotors which cost about 125 shipped to your house (you could use NAPA rotors too I am not sure which is cheaper).
next hook up with gene culley GMPARTSHOUSE and order Z06 pads.
next go get yourself some valvoline synpower brake fluid Synthetic dot3/dot4
change rotors, pads and flush system.
This is what I tell all the first time road race guys (well depending on rotors condition I might tell them to skip buying them). If it is good enough to make it around a road course it will work for 1/4 mile application.
Bob
BTW - the Z06 pads and the Hawk HPS are close in performace so look for the better deal....
next hook up with gene culley GMPARTSHOUSE and order Z06 pads.
next go get yourself some valvoline synpower brake fluid Synthetic dot3/dot4
change rotors, pads and flush system.
This is what I tell all the first time road race guys (well depending on rotors condition I might tell them to skip buying them). If it is good enough to make it around a road course it will work for 1/4 mile application.
Bob
BTW - the Z06 pads and the Hawk HPS are close in performace so look for the better deal....
Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Apr 15, 2008 at 04:44 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
The stock brakes are very good. Not sure what you exactly want, but the Z06 pads should give more initial bite. And should be good enough with the heat for 1/4 runs.
The advice above about changing fluid is right on, your fluid could be compromised, it just happens over time. Also, look at steel braided lines. In your case they can help with pedal feel, less flexing.
Big brake kits for a lot a people are mostly for looks. Most club, and T1, road racers use the stock brakes, they just refresh the fluid often, use appropriate temp pads, and some add venting. A bigger rotor will not stop you any faster, the tire is what effects your stopping distance. A bigger rotor can help with heat issues, but you would not have that on a single high speed brake.
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 30
From: Mechanicsville VA
We sell a lot of Z06 pads to customers that are looking for just what you are here -> C5 Performance Brake Rotors, Hoses, Pads
It is also hard to beat this rotor/pad combo.
97-04 DRILLED & SLOTTED ROTORS W/HAWK PADS - CAR SET
FWIW, the pic above shows the rotors with the black covers, that is not how they look bare.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 102
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From: Cleveland OH
I upgraded on my camaro with hawk and was unimpressed. Had a 525 BMW before that and put EBC rotors and yellow stuff and saw a big improvement. I'm not sure how they'll be on a vette but I might try them. I will be buying Drilled and SLotted rotors. If I do any racing it'll be road course. My $.02, get drilled n slotted, maybe the power stop or try the EBC's. THe pads make a bigger difference than rotors but contact area (rotor to pad) makes the biggest difference!
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Well, any drilled and slotted will crack MUCH sooner than a solid rotor. They were designed for a problem that does not exist any more, now all they do is look good, crack and increase stopping distance. Can not speak to the BMW, but IMO for the original poster any rotor would just be bling.
IMO, I`m no fan of hawks, but for this guys needs the Z06 pad is a great idea. He will not be getting into the heat ranges of road race pads doing drag races, but still wants bite. Me, I would stick with the GM ceramics and just push the pedal harder, these brake on the Vette are great.
IMO, I`m no fan of hawks, but for this guys needs the Z06 pad is a great idea. He will not be getting into the heat ranges of road race pads doing drag races, but still wants bite. Me, I would stick with the GM ceramics and just push the pedal harder, these brake on the Vette are great.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
The stock brakes are very good. Not sure what you exactly want, but the Z06 pads should give more initial bite. And should be good enough with the heat for 1/4 runs.
The advice above about changing fluid is right on, your fluid could be compromised, it just happens over time. Also, look at steel braided lines. In your case they can help with pedal feel, less flexing.
Big brake kits for a lot a people are mostly for looks. Most club, and T1, road racers use the stock brakes, they just refresh the fluid often, use appropriate temp pads, and some add venting. A bigger rotor will not stop you any faster, the tire is what effects your stopping distance. A bigger rotor can help with heat issues, but you would not have that on a single high speed brake.
I am just going to get new stock rotors and upgrade the pads for a little more bite and save my money for something else.
The car is going out to The Vette Doctors for some pre-Nationals maintenance. A new set of fluids and a transmission cooler are in the plan.