Brake Upgrade Thoughts...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,388
Likes: 137
From: Ahead of You :)
St. Jude Donor '14
Brake Upgrade Thoughts...
Well I'm thinking with 55K miles and squealing brakes it's time for a change. I want to get the brakes up to par with the power levels I'm pushing now (640rwhp).
Car is base model with base wheels and I'm not looking to go $3,000+ so no big brake kits due to cost and fitment. I'm on factory base model brakes
with ZR1+ power levels so I figure it's time to balance the car out.
I'm thinking StopTech rotors but I'm a bit torn on what pads to throw on the car? I'm also open to suggestions on rotor options. I want slotted (not drilled).
As for the brakes, I don't like brakes that squeal like hell. I'm on Hawk performance ceramic pads and I'm not enjoying the squeal-fest I have at the moment. If I brake hard a few times they'll shut up for a short bit but then under light braking the constantly squeal. Thoughts? I'm looking to keep costs under $1,000 for total job and I'll likely be doing the labor myself.
I'm not road coursing the car so from what I've read I really don't need a bigger caliper or a full brake kit. I just want a car that can stop well from speed consistently. I was planning on powder coating the factory calipers. I'm looking to get the car to look a bit nicer in the brakes department too.
Car is base model with base wheels and I'm not looking to go $3,000+ so no big brake kits due to cost and fitment. I'm on factory base model brakes
with ZR1+ power levels so I figure it's time to balance the car out.I'm thinking StopTech rotors but I'm a bit torn on what pads to throw on the car? I'm also open to suggestions on rotor options. I want slotted (not drilled).
As for the brakes, I don't like brakes that squeal like hell. I'm on Hawk performance ceramic pads and I'm not enjoying the squeal-fest I have at the moment. If I brake hard a few times they'll shut up for a short bit but then under light braking the constantly squeal. Thoughts? I'm looking to keep costs under $1,000 for total job and I'll likely be doing the labor myself.
I'm not road coursing the car so from what I've read I really don't need a bigger caliper or a full brake kit. I just want a car that can stop well from speed consistently. I was planning on powder coating the factory calipers. I'm looking to get the car to look a bit nicer in the brakes department too.
Last edited by Nosferatu; Apr 5, 2015 at 11:01 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
Likes: 1,303
From: Windermere FL
I did not have as much HP, but I used the stock calipers on my base and found a nice set of powder coated Z51 caliper brackets and got a set of Z51 DBA 2 piece rotors (since my disks were scored) from Ken @ KNS Brakes. I also used Akebono pads as I hated the squeal of other pads. No dust and no squeal. Much improved setup over base.
Better setup than stock base but without going with new wheels it is just about the best you can do. But I am not certain you will like this setup with your nice HP levels. If you want to go fast and track the car, you will have to pay to play and go with wheels and then you can get any setup you desire.
Better setup than stock base but without going with new wheels it is just about the best you can do. But I am not certain you will like this setup with your nice HP levels. If you want to go fast and track the car, you will have to pay to play and go with wheels and then you can get any setup you desire.
Last edited by Flame Red; Apr 7, 2015 at 05:50 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Mount Washington KY
I would think the stoptech brakes for the Corvette are good. I had them on a 350z and they rocked. Stainless brake lines and Motul or ENI brake fluid is a good combination. I just recently flushed my brake lines with ENI fluid which is a dot 4 high temp.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,388
Likes: 137
From: Ahead of You :)
St. Jude Donor '14
Z51 rotors crack (and the fate of most drilled rotors which is why I'm against them). I was thinking of keeping stock calipers and powder coating them. I was thinking new rotors and pads and call it a day. No?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Check out the Carbotech 1521. I would use these with the Stoptech rotors. If you would like to order a set of 1521's let me know or just call me at 216-780-8825.
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
F: $140 R: $121
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
F: $140 R: $121
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 196
Likes: 2
From: Internet
The only regret is upgrading to the Z51 brakes since it limits drag wheel options with out spacers.
If I was just going to run stock wheels/after market standard size wheels I would have no complaints.
They also fill out the wheel better lots of high speed stops no dust or other issues.
Last edited by FormulaLS1; Apr 6, 2015 at 02:38 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski