Brake Upgrades
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 510
Likes: 6
From: WI
Brake Upgrades
Just browsing ebay today trying to find some brake upgrades and I'm seeing the C6Z brakes and C7Z brakes, both 6 piston, are going for similar prices.
I know that they're mostly direct bolt-on minus the lines. Outside of this, any differences between the two aside from looks? I'm kind of partial to the C6 looks to be honest.
I know that they're mostly direct bolt-on minus the lines. Outside of this, any differences between the two aside from looks? I'm kind of partial to the C6 looks to be honest.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 510
Likes: 6
From: WI
Good to know, they looked really similar. Thanks!
Can't you go 18's all around? I thought the front rotors were then 14" and the rears were a bit smaller. I know people like the offset, but just curious on that.
Can't you go 18's all around? I thought the front rotors were then 14" and the rears were a bit smaller. I know people like the offset, but just curious on that.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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You can actually use a 17" on the rear with the C6Z brakes but will DEFINITELY need 18's on the fronts. Offset comes into play. OEM Speedline 18" C5Z wheels will clear on all four corners. Aftermarket C5Z wheels will NOT. Forgestar F14's are known to clear, and CCW will make their wheels in the correct offset to clear (I have SP500's cut for clearing my C6Z brakes) but you give up lip depth to facilitate brake clearance.
Also, if you're worried about performance and weight, consider that most C6Z rotors are HEAVY. You can get two piece rotors but be prepared for sticker shock. Mine are two piece and side by side the fronts only weighed as much as the stock C5 rotor though as opposed to being about +8 lbs heavier if a non 2-piece front rotor.
Also, if you're worried about performance and weight, consider that most C6Z rotors are HEAVY. You can get two piece rotors but be prepared for sticker shock. Mine are two piece and side by side the fronts only weighed as much as the stock C5 rotor though as opposed to being about +8 lbs heavier if a non 2-piece front rotor.
Last edited by Fastbird; Sep 7, 2016 at 12:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
I will say by feel alone, my car stops with drastically more force than when I had the C5 brakes on. I personally, and find a lot of people otherwise, are comfortable/content with the C6Z upgrade because it's essentially bolt on, and others like myself don't Auto-x or road race our cars. They will hold up fine to street driving and the occasional high speed pass/strip day.
Last edited by Fastbird; Sep 7, 2016 at 02:43 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: San Jose, CA
To be fair, stock C5 brakes may get you a better first stop simply because they have a stronger initial bite.
Anyone who gets a BBK to stop faster is doing it wrong. With reasonably decent condition brakes, when you're cruising along and panic stop, the traction of the tires will be your limit.
BBK is for fast stop #3, 4, 5, 6, ... not #1 and with a car as good as a corvette, not #2 either.
Anyone who gets a BBK to stop faster is doing it wrong. With reasonably decent condition brakes, when you're cruising along and panic stop, the traction of the tires will be your limit.
BBK is for fast stop #3, 4, 5, 6, ... not #1 and with a car as good as a corvette, not #2 either.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Wilwood has direct fit calipers to fit C5's that require no mods to install, they are direct installation and will fit with the stock rotors. Not too expensive either, I'm considering this conversion myself.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: tempe Arizona
C5/C6 vehicles have a huge variety of options....
Choices should be based upon wheel fit, intended use, and budget.
From simple bolt on replacement calipers on stock rotors, to larger caliper kits, to complete 'big brake' kits up to 15" in size. Along the way..some more conducive to street use, other beefier for hard core open track use.
Four wheel pricing can range from a little of a grand...to upwards of $4k or more.
There's no one simple answer; what works for one person may be "too much" or "too little" for the needs of another.
C5 CORVETTE KITS
Choices should be based upon wheel fit, intended use, and budget.
From simple bolt on replacement calipers on stock rotors, to larger caliper kits, to complete 'big brake' kits up to 15" in size. Along the way..some more conducive to street use, other beefier for hard core open track use.
Four wheel pricing can range from a little of a grand...to upwards of $4k or more.
There's no one simple answer; what works for one person may be "too much" or "too little" for the needs of another.
C5 CORVETTE KITS
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
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From: San Jose, CA
Todd, would you recommend Aero4 calipers for the rear to match the aero6 fronts I have? I would usually prefer to run the cheaper C6Z rotors. Running 14" on front and rear would be easy and affordable. Option to run two-piece rotors whenever I want would be nice. As far as I can tell, the aero6/aero4 combo lets me do just that.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: tempe Arizona
Todd, would you recommend Aero4 calipers for the rear to match the aero6 fronts I have? I would usually prefer to run the cheaper C6Z rotors. Running 14" on front and rear would be easy and affordable. Option to run two-piece rotors whenever I want would be nice. As far as I can tell, the aero6/aero4 combo lets me do just that.
The only way to get there is the full on BBK. No Aero4 rear caliper kit. (I looked at this some years ago..it's not really doable)
If you're speaking "caliper kits" however (oe one piece rotors) then don't underestimate the FNSL4 rear kit. It fits the 13" and with some mods the 13.4" Z06 rear rotor. The only real difference is the caliper and pad size. In fact the FNSL4 has a tick more piston area than that of the Aero4 which relies on a larger rotor. Balance and tuning for it is quite easy with simple (top loading) pad change.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
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From: San Jose, CA
Yeah, that explains my confusion. Aero6 fronts come with calipers (obviously), mounting hardware for the C5, pads, etc etc. Couldn't find a similar setup for the Aero4. Whereas you say I can get all that good stuff with the FNSL4 rear kit?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: tempe Arizona
I explored the Aero4 rear option a couple years ago. The only way for it to work is to strip the parking brake parts completely and run the Aero6 front kit brackets on the rear with the four pot and the 13.4 or 14" front rotor. It was doable with a bit of a tweak...I have a set of brackets still if you want to go there.
The FNSL4 rear is more than ample for the needs however and retains the parking brake etc etc. The only loss really; the matchy-matchy of caliper bodies and a bit less pad life.
Last edited by Todd TCE; Sep 9, 2016 at 10:32 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
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From: San Jose, CA
Unfortunately, I can't get rid of the parking brake - this is, after all, a car that sees a lot of road use.
Does the FNSL4 allow 14" rotors? It would be super convenient to use identical rotors for the front and rears. If not, which ones would you recommend? While your website quotes 13" and 13.4" rears, the wilwood site quotes 14". Again, I would like to use stock single-piece rotors for cost reasons, with the option to upgrade to two-piece rotors without modifying the hardware. I do see your site referencing/diagramming the stock 13" rears.
Does the FNSL4 allow 14" rotors? It would be super convenient to use identical rotors for the front and rears. If not, which ones would you recommend? While your website quotes 13" and 13.4" rears, the wilwood site quotes 14". Again, I would like to use stock single-piece rotors for cost reasons, with the option to upgrade to two-piece rotors without modifying the hardware. I do see your site referencing/diagramming the stock 13" rears.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,204
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From: tempe Arizona
Unfortunately, I can't get rid of the parking brake - this is, after all, a car that sees a lot of road use.
Does the FNSL4 allow 14" rotors? It would be super convenient to use identical rotors for the front and rears. If not, which ones would you recommend? While your website quotes 13" and 13.4" rears, the wilwood site quotes 14". Again, I would like to use stock single-piece rotors for cost reasons, with the option to upgrade to two-piece rotors without modifying the hardware. I do see your site referencing/diagramming the stock 13" rears.
Does the FNSL4 allow 14" rotors? It would be super convenient to use identical rotors for the front and rears. If not, which ones would you recommend? While your website quotes 13" and 13.4" rears, the wilwood site quotes 14". Again, I would like to use stock single-piece rotors for cost reasons, with the option to upgrade to two-piece rotors without modifying the hardware. I do see your site referencing/diagramming the stock 13" rears.
No sir....as you state; only the have the choices of 13" only from Wilwood. From me 13.4 with a $50 fee and my conversion.
There is no 14" rear 1.10" wide rotor so I'm not certain what what you're looking at.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 376
From: San Jose, CA
Great question. I actually followed the link from your site - "Wilwood 14/14 FNSL6/4 4X Kit" which leads to http://www.wilwood.com/Search/PartNo...empdf=140-9119. Since it's on your website that you linked above, I'm really confused, as you might well understand!
Edit: I should probably mention my wheels - Ace Slick 19x11, 63 offset.
The kit mentions needing a 1/8" spacer for stock 18 inch wheels, but I hope it won't matter for 19 inch wheels.
Edit: I should probably mention my wheels - Ace Slick 19x11, 63 offset.
The kit mentions needing a 1/8" spacer for stock 18 inch wheels, but I hope it won't matter for 19 inch wheels.
Last edited by gimp; Sep 10, 2016 at 12:39 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: tempe Arizona
Great question. I actually followed the link from your site - "Wilwood 14/14 FNSL6/4 4X Kit" which leads to http://www.wilwood.com/Search/PartNo...empdf=140-9119. Since it's on your website that you linked above, I'm really confused, as you might well understand!
Edit: I should probably mention my wheels - Ace Slick 19x11, 63 offset.
The kit mentions needing a 1/8" spacer for stock 18 inch wheels, but I hope it won't matter for 19 inch wheels.
Edit: I should probably mention my wheels - Ace Slick 19x11, 63 offset.
The kit mentions needing a 1/8" spacer for stock 18 inch wheels, but I hope it won't matter for 19 inch wheels.
The 4X4 kit you are referencing is a full blown 14/14 big brake kit. In this case the rear uses an Aero4 on a 2pc hat and rotor that is 14".
Your reference to having the Aero6 front led me to believe you were referring to the "caliper kits" which use oe spec rotors. In that case there is no way to run an Aero4 rear on an oe rear rotor.
The 9119 rear kit does use an Aero4 caliper and will then match a complete front kit (10163) with the Aero6 with matching 2pc hat/rotor.
Wheel clearance in a 19 should be fine from the diameter standpoint yes. Spoke clearance will vary depending upon the design of the wheel and should be checked against the specs on the pdf (help me install it)
Last edited by Todd TCE; Sep 10, 2016 at 10:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 376
From: San Jose, CA
Now I finally understand. It's not just diameter, it's width - and 1.25" vs 1.10" is about 4.1mm, which is enough for incompatibility. (I imagine I could run thinner pads to clear the rotors at maximum caliper width [between pistons] - in theory? but they're probably not available.)
While the calipers themselves are capable of running different size pads, it's the mounting brackets that set what the correct size is. If I wanted to switch from eg 14" oem to 14.25" two-piece, I'd need to swap brackets. Thankfully it appears that 14" two-piece exist, so I can stick with that as my front set - 14"x1.25" oe and 14"x1.25" wilwood two-piece both exist. On the other hand, the FNSL4 with 13" or 13.4" (using your mod) parking brake supporting kit only uses oe rotors, no two-pieces, unless you take the entire parking brake off, right? (Or could I adjust the clearance on the parking brake so far inwards that the rotor hat of a two-piece rotor, even if 13.4"x1.1" or 13"x1.1" exists, can fit?)
Sorry for the questions - these things aren't super clear to me. But if I'm reading this right, I should be buying your 13.4" mod FNSL4 caliper kit when I'm ready to do my conversion.
While the calipers themselves are capable of running different size pads, it's the mounting brackets that set what the correct size is. If I wanted to switch from eg 14" oem to 14.25" two-piece, I'd need to swap brackets. Thankfully it appears that 14" two-piece exist, so I can stick with that as my front set - 14"x1.25" oe and 14"x1.25" wilwood two-piece both exist. On the other hand, the FNSL4 with 13" or 13.4" (using your mod) parking brake supporting kit only uses oe rotors, no two-pieces, unless you take the entire parking brake off, right? (Or could I adjust the clearance on the parking brake so far inwards that the rotor hat of a two-piece rotor, even if 13.4"x1.1" or 13"x1.1" exists, can fit?)
Sorry for the questions - these things aren't super clear to me. But if I'm reading this right, I should be buying your 13.4" mod FNSL4 caliper kit when I'm ready to do my conversion.