2005 Brakes
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
2005 Brakes
It's time for brakes on my base suspension '05 coupe. I have always admired the look of the optional Z-51 cross drilled rotors and have been thinking of replacing my solid ones with the cross drilled strictly for asthetic purposes. This car is driven daily but very gently (no track days or racing). Can anyone here tell me difinitevley whether the cross drilled rotors will simply bolt on? Is there a difference in the caliper bracket in order to accomodate the larger rotors? Is this a silly change or an actual upgrade? 3 local Chevy dealers can only tell me that the calipers are the same but they don't know if the rotors are interchangable (imagine that). Any input or opinions will be greatky appreciated. I know that this is the REAL source of corvette information. Thanks in advance guys!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,774
Likes: 0
From: Loganville GA
You can get the GM performance Rotors for a C5. They run about $65 each and are drilled and slotted. A very high quality rotor for a very low price. The standard C6 and the C5 rotors are the same, so you don't need anything else.
To use the Z51 rotors, you need new brackets, and contrary to what the dealer tells you, the rear calipers are different. Outside dimensions are the same, but the pistons are 3mm smaller.
To use the Z51 rotors, you need new brackets, and contrary to what the dealer tells you, the rear calipers are different. Outside dimensions are the same, but the pistons are 3mm smaller.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 371
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
The Z51 rotors and brackets work fine on standard suspension cars. I've had them on my 06 now for about 5000 miles with zero problems.
It's not a big deal to install the Z51 brackets because your existing brackets have to be removed to install new rotors.
Tom
It's not a big deal to install the Z51 brackets because your existing brackets have to be removed to install new rotors.
Tom
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Evidently, you are aware the rotors are drilled (according to Dave Hill) 'just for looks.' Without doing any performance driving you should do fine with drilled rotors but as a matter of principle, I'd be more inclined to modify my brakes for increased performance rather than just appearance (especially when there are known weaknesses with the drilled rotors).
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
I fully appreciate your point. However, my car is strictly a cruiser (poser?) so I'm just looking to improve the looks if it doesn't get into a significant cost/hassle situation. Thanks for the input. Anybody else wanna share an opinion?
I don't want to cast doubt on Corvette Pilot's information, but since my local Chevy dealers know nothing like this I will need to be positive of what I ask them to order for me. I can hear them now questioning whether this works.
I don't want to cast doubt on Corvette Pilot's information, but since my local Chevy dealers know nothing like this I will need to be positive of what I ask them to order for me. I can hear them now questioning whether this works.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
I fully appreciate your point. However, my car is strictly a cruiser (poser?) so I'm just looking to improve the looks if it doesn't get into a significant cost/hassle situation. Thanks for the input. Anybody else wanna share an opinion?
I don't want to cast doubt on Corvette Pilot's information, but since my local Chevy dealers know nothing like this I will need to be positive of what I ask them to order for me. I can hear them now questioning whether this works.
I don't want to cast doubt on Corvette Pilot's information, but since my local Chevy dealers know nothing like this I will need to be positive of what I ask them to order for me. I can hear them now questioning whether this works.
rather than the smaller C5 performance rotors.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
O.K. You guys are giving me GREAT info! Now, 2nd question: I'm planning on having my tire dealer do my brakes at the same time he mounts my new Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Run Flats. However, he says that he likes to turn even new rotors right out of the box to "make sure they are running true". I'm not sure I agree with cutting down a new rotor. If I did I'd just have him turn my old ones. Any thoughts?
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
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
OOPS! One final question: Again, I'm planning on having my tire dealer do the brakes, but he wants to use Wagner pads rather than OE (after turning the new rotors). Should I just take the car to my Chevy dealer for brakes, get the new rotors 
and keep it all GM?
and keep it all GM?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 50
From: Sandy Eggo Calif.
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12, '16
Rockstar, no, you don't need to turn them. I do suggest either zinc or cadmium plating them to avoid rust issues. Get the Z51's. The "bigger" look, combined with drilled holes is worth it. You can get everything for under $500.
F rotors#89060328 $81.15 ea
R rotors #89060329 $67.10 ea
F brackets #88964166 $37.50 ea
R brackets #88964167 $37.50 ea
Shipping's about 30 bucks.
I upgraded to Z51's, cadmium plated them:
F rotors#89060328 $81.15 ea
R rotors #89060329 $67.10 ea
F brackets #88964166 $37.50 ea
R brackets #88964167 $37.50 ea
Shipping's about 30 bucks.
I upgraded to Z51's, cadmium plated them:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
Your tire dealer is just trying to squeeze more money out of you by getting you to pay for things you don't need and that he probably won't even use. Find a new one or do the rotor swap yourself, it is not difficult at all.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
O.K. You guys are giving me GREAT info! Now, 2nd question: I'm planning on having my tire dealer do my brakes at the same time he mounts my new Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Run Flats. However, he says that he likes to turn even new rotors right out of the box to "make sure they are running true". I'm not sure I agree with cutting down a new rotor. If I did I'd just have him turn my old ones. Any thoughts?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
I really appreciate the opinions you've all expressed here. I totally understand what you are saying Tommy, and I agree that your car looks very good. However, I tend to lean toward Pilot's advice in that I'm doing this strictly for looks and want to save as much $$ as I can. The Chevy dealer in my hometown will give me a little bit of a discount so I can probably buy all four of the C-5 rotors for about $200 vs the $500 for the Z-51 upgrade. Like Shopdog points out, this is my first brake job on this car and the rotors don't really need to be replaced anyway. It's strictly a cosmetic thing. Thanks for all your help!