I will be grateful for advice on brakes. I have a 2002 base coupe. I am considering replacing the calipers, rotors and pads with a kit from Mid America. The kit is genuine GM Z06 calipers and rotors with a set of ceramic pads. I want the red caliper look to go with my torch red body paint. I also want the drilled and slotted look on the rotors. I want the ceramic pads to reduce the brake dust on my polished wheels. I am too old to do these things for myself anymore. I have a brake shop that has quoted me $500 for labor to install everything and flush and fill the fluid. Their only concern was if the Z06 calipers would affect the programming for the ABS system. Has anyone done this upgrade? Any pointers will be gratefully appreciated. One last question - how often should the brake fluid be flushed and refilled? How about the fluid in the hydraulic clutch - how often should I change that?

 

You are getting raped at 500 bucks. I just took off and painted all 4 calipers and replaced all 4 rotors and it took an hour start to finish. (except for drying time)

 

There was a time when I could have done that too. However, I am more meticulous and it would take me more than an hour (if I had the equipment and I was physically able). What I am looking for here is advice on the upgrade as regards compatability issues. But, thank you for your input.

 

From my understanding, C5 coupe and C5Z calipers are the same with the only difference being the pad compound material.

 

and the color... other than that it's the same caliper... now if you're talking about c6z then that's a whole different subject haha

 

The C5 ZO6 caliper and the base C5 calipher are the same thing. Just find a thread about how to paint the calipers you have and save yourself a lot of money!

 

I did this upgrade on my 2002. There are a few things to consider to make sure everything goes smoothly. If the new rotors are not zinc coated, they will quickly rust and look like crap. Make sure the rotors you are buying are zinc coated. After a while, this coating will wear off and the rust will soon follow. To prevent this, spray the rotors with high temp clear paint.

Since the entire brake system will be taken apart and replaced, now would be a good time to replace the brake lines with new stainless steel braided lines. It would also be a good time to install speed bleeders on each corner. These upgrades are relatively inexpensive and easy to do. A neat cosmetic mod would be the stainless steel brake pad covers, also very easy to install at this time.

The C5 Z06 calipers are exactly the same as the ones the car came with except for the red color. I added the red caliper brackets to go along with the new red calipers. West Coast Corvettes has an exchange program for the brackets.

One last thing, make sure the old brake fluid is completely flushed out of the system and replaced with new fluid. Also, $500 is too much. Consider that you are providing the shop with all of the parts and they are only providing the labor. I think I paid $240 when I had mine done.

You can change the hydraulic clutch fluid yourself, it is very easy. Do a search on the "Ranger Method" and you will have the procedure.

Good Luck

 

Just too add you need a Tech2 to activate the ABS to bleed out the fluid in there. You might want to confirm that the shop you're going to has one.

 

As mentioned, no difference other than color between any 1997 and 2004 calipers, and certainly no programming issues. Sounds like the shop you've talked to doesn't know anything about vettes. Might want to find one that does.

Ceramic pads of any brand are great for low dust, but not so great if repeatable stopping power is important to you. Right tool for the job kind of deal. If stopping power is more important, go Hawk or Carbotech or some other brand name pad.

Going with new calipers (as opposed to rebuilt by unknown skilled people) is always a good thing (you don't mention how many miles on yours) but if they are in good shape and you just want to change color, paint them -- lots of threads on how to and what products to use. Do a search in the Tech section using paint and brake as key words.

I can change all rotors and do pads (for track day) in less than 3 hours in my home garage. So $500 sounds high unless you trust the shop and want to have a long term relationship with them (they don't know vettes) and are willing to pay a premium to establish that relationship. I flush brakes once per year, but I'm excessive. So every other or so should work if you are less than 24k or 30k miles in that period.

The absolute correct way to bleed is with the Tech 2 tool, but flushing yearly in the normal manner does the job too for a lot less time and money.

To bleed the clutch , you can either just siphon out the fluid often and replace it, or do the full bleed which requires dropping exhaust and tunnel plate. Unless you are engaging in track or drag use, I'd do the siphon every oil change and do the full bleed every few years.

 

Just go to the regional discussion area and post a thread for your area. I am positive you will find track guys like me who will be glad to help for nothing more that a beer and a chance to help fellow vettes guys. If nothing else, you will find a vette specific shop where you will know it will be done right. Good luck with it.

 

I agree with WADDISME. Find some peeps local to lend a hand and have a mod party. Good times!

BTW: I hated the Delco ceramic pads on my car and pulled them after about 500 miles. I went with Hawk HPS pads. They worked well but they made a mess of the wheels and the dust is highly corrosive. I'm running Carbotech 1521's now and they are great pads with no ceramic pad feel at all. What little dust there is is pale gray and it is non-corrosive so it won't etch the wheels.

 

This is EXACTLY the info I needed. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to respond.

Also a big thank you to all that answered my post with additional pointers. You guys are great!