tlr3715

Someone mentioned on another thread that the Z51 package came with improved air ducts for the brakes. This was the first I had heard of this, and it is not included in the package detail. Can anyone confirm if this is true and if so how is it improved?

Thank you.

mcandrew67

same brake air ducts,

tlr3715

That's what I thought. Thank you for confirming

mcandrew67

I have z51 and from what I recall was just slightly better brakes, bigger rotors and you have the caliper brackets.

CWHPARTS

Not true they are not the same brake ducts.

The base c6 brake ducts have a resticted opening on the rear only about a 1'' hole.

The z51 brake ducts have no restriction 3'' opening at the end

talon90

This.

The wording is a little confusing. The duct in the body that brings air in is the same across suspension options.. What is done with it is the difference. The Z51 equipped cars have a larger front brake duct opening in the front wheel well. This was a trade off between the aero penalty created by the larger opening causing front end lift at high speed vs. the increased temperatures and brake fade at the front rotors with the restricted opening.

This is a photo of the brake duct on my F55 equipped which is the same as on the base suspension.



The Z51 equipped car does not have the "cap" which is the radiused top with the small opening. Picture it is as if the top is simply cut off and straight walled.

CWHPARTS

Great thank you for the picture that makes it alot easier to explain


pictured is a base brake duct, the only differance for the z51 duct is right at the mold line the z51 duct stops. So the z51 duct is completely open on the end.

Now you can do like i did and use z06 brake ducts for better cooling. You do have to trim the inner fender liner a lil but its a very easy install and cheap i think retail on each z06 duct is $12.00

VET4LES

Like this? I added the Z06 ducts to the front on my Z51.

One Kick

I had to replace the front right duct whick had somehow disappeared, I ordered the one for the Z51 suspension which I have but the duct they sent me the small opening (base duct) and did not match the left side. Fixed it in a hurry by cutting the nose off at the molding line and it matches the left exactly and is now the proper one for the car!

tlr3715

I currently have the base brakes on my car. So looking at the base duct with the restrictor on it, can I just remove this peice to make it the same as a Z51 or is there a whole different part number that needs to be installed in its place? Or is the only solution to do what One Kick did and cut it? Also are there any differences in the rear tire ducting for Z51 vs. base?

talon90

You could do either. It is a separate piece. It is simply a tube slid in to the fender liner. The Z51 duct looks similar and fits in the same but it is just an open tube without the molded restrictor top on kt. Just rotate as you tug on it so that you align the tabs on the duct with the slots in the liner and it will slide out. The Z51 part will slide back in the same way. You could of course simply cut the top at the mold parting line as well.

If you didn't put something back in there to direct the air flow in place of the duct you would actually cause temperature issues with your brakes under hard braking.

marc8090

It's not quite that simple. The duct is connected to the part visible under the front bumper by one push pin. That needs to be removed as well in order to get the duct out. And I think the rear ducts are the same for Z51 and not.

Fly'n Family

Brakes are for wimps.................

thatonedude1

The picture shown is only the hard part of the Z06 duct. To actually get cooling to the hub/rotor, you need the hose kit that mounts to the spindle. As shown, you will not get any cooling with this plastic piece only. BTW, I presume you intend to track the car? If not, there is really no reason to add vents unless you drive down pikes peak everyday

tlr3715

I plan to track the car in the future, and since I'm putting on a Z51 suspension soon, I figured I might as well figure out what else can be done while the wheels are off.

HOXXOH

Still a bit of confusion here. Your F55 car is an '05 that utilized the base brakes. Starting in '07, the F55 option included the J55 brakes (often referred to as Z51 brakes) and the duct opening matched the Z51. The F55 option retained all the other aspects of the base suspension.

EyeMaster

I also installed the Z06 brake ducts on my Z51. Here's a piece of advice when cutting the plastic, use some sheet metal scissors, they work great!

tlr3715

If you do an image search for Z06 brake ducts you can see there is definately an orange hose that should be connected to the black plastic piece. For those of you who did this change you may want to look into this before you track the car.

I'm not sure where the hose connects to on the other end though.

el es tu

I dont understand why all the C6s didnt get the Z06/GS ducts after they were designed.

Z06/GS ducts give more direct cooling to the rotors, and the exit design is in between the 1" exit base duct and the larger exit base duct for a better cooling to aero lift ratio.

IMO this is one of the cheapest performance mods you can do to the car


Ducts:
pn: 15829066
pn: 15829067

$10.11 each

Connecting the ducts to the lower air inlets:
screws (x2) pn: 11610092 - $3.28
screw retaining clips (x2) pn: 11513599 - $3.20

Bolts that go into the chassis (x2):
pn: 11514623 - $0.95

Note: the holes need to be drilled and tapped for these


Total
$35.08 through parts taxi

gtovett

Above it was mentioned that there are hoses that attach to the extended Z06 ducts and then to the rotor assembly. I cannot find these hoses for the C6. I only see them for C5 corvettes. Do you know if they exist? Are they necessary? I'm upgrading my 2006 Z51 car to this system.