Big Brake Upgrade
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
You would be amazed at how much difference not only un-sprung weight changes the way the car responds. Not only that you are talking rotational weight, and any one that has done a lightweight clutch can tell you, that will dramatically affect how quickly the car can accelerate.
The C6Z brakes do work very well for street use, but they are not in the same league as the StopTech or Brembo kits.
The C6Z brakes do work very well for street use, but they are not in the same league as the StopTech or Brembo kits.
On a side note, I have still YET to see any proof that the StopTech or Brembos are actually superior to anything else. See my thread above, how am I supposed to believe the manufacturer's word that their brakes are better, and fan boys for Brembo are always going to say anything less is crap. I haven't seen any videos or numbers where back to back runs on the same day/same car/same driver, with NEW stock brakes vs. brembo bbk vs. NEW z06 bbk vs. stoptech bbk have been done.
Anything anyone says, is speculation. Even if someone says "in their experience" the Stop Techs or Brembos "brake quicker", whos to say it didn't have anything to do with changing to SS lines? There are so many factors, and no hard proof that your money is even well spent.
Since there is no proof and evidence, at this point it's just what everyone believes. And just like a religion, people are willing to back up their Brake Beliefs to the death. So be it, but nobody has #s so I don't care.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Uh yeah, I do know about that haha. I went from a stock LS7 setup to a aluminum fly wheel McLeod RST setup...holy crap. When in or out of gear this car revs up SO much faster. I went from 67 lbs on the end of my crank down to 45 lbs. Also the diameter of the pressure plate is much smaller than that of the stocker so the centripetal force effect isnt as drastic as it was before. When im at 2k rpm and I lay in the gas, the rear tires are so much "more likely" to break loose as an effect of the motor reving up so much faster. Its almost TOO light for the street, but I enjoy the wildness of the light weight clutch. Makes me want to get light weight rims.
But to summarize, WAY noticeable, WAY lighter, HUGE improvement over stock. I personally hate the way the pedal feels in this RST but Im getting used to the fact it feels like a clutch out of a Civic (yes its that easy to push the pedal, lighter than stock i swear).
But to summarize, WAY noticeable, WAY lighter, HUGE improvement over stock. I personally hate the way the pedal feels in this RST but Im getting used to the fact it feels like a clutch out of a Civic (yes its that easy to push the pedal, lighter than stock i swear).
Do you have any timeslips with before and after runs with the new clutch? I know LW clutches and flywheels allow the vehicle to rev up faster but the qoute was..."DRAMATICALLY AFFECT ACCELERATION". A dramatic change in acceleration is proveable on paper with substancial # reductions.
You would be lucky to get a tenth or so in the 1/4 with the new clutch. They are a well worth while mod but not the "dramatic" magic bullet that was implied, thats all I was trying to say.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
Do you have any timeslips with before and after runs with the new clutch? I know LW clutches and flywheels allow the vehicle to rev up faster but the qoute was..."DRAMATICALLY AFFECT ACCELERATION". A dramatic change in acceleration is proveable on paper with substancial # reductions.
You would be lucky to get a tenth or so in the 1/4 with the new clutch. They are a well worth while mod but not the "dramatic" magic bullet that was implied, thats all I was trying to say.
You would be lucky to get a tenth or so in the 1/4 with the new clutch. They are a well worth while mod but not the "dramatic" magic bullet that was implied, thats all I was trying to say.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
Dont mean to Hijack but how did you get Zo6 brakes to fit behind those wheels? I have ZO6 repros with 57mm offset on 18x9.5 front and was told I would need a 1/4 spacer to make the Zo6 wheels fit. I want to switch to the 09 Zo6 spyder wheels in the same offset and still need the spacer. How is it that your wheels make it work?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dallas CA
Fam
Hey, I dont need new brakes yet but I want to upgrade my 2008 C6 Z51 from its factory brakes to the WCC Z06 Big Brake upgrade kit and Im getting mixed messages. Some ppl say because of the Z51 package the kit can fit and I do not have to upgrade my tire size from 18x19 to 19x20. WCC said it wont fit and I have to buy tires and wheels in 19x20, 3000.00. I have friends and the local corvette club are telling me it can fit and that I have to find someone who can put it on. Has anyone done this or knows of anyone who can guide me in the right direction. How much of a role does the one inch in the front and the 2 iches in the rear play.
From my research these are the specs:
Front Wheels measure 18"x8.5" (for standard C6)
Rear Wheels measure 19"x10" (for standard C6
Front Wheels measure 18"x9.5" (for Z06)
Rear Wheels measure 19"x12" (for Z06)
Hey, I dont need new brakes yet but I want to upgrade my 2008 C6 Z51 from its factory brakes to the WCC Z06 Big Brake upgrade kit and Im getting mixed messages. Some ppl say because of the Z51 package the kit can fit and I do not have to upgrade my tire size from 18x19 to 19x20. WCC said it wont fit and I have to buy tires and wheels in 19x20, 3000.00. I have friends and the local corvette club are telling me it can fit and that I have to find someone who can put it on. Has anyone done this or knows of anyone who can guide me in the right direction. How much of a role does the one inch in the front and the 2 iches in the rear play.
From my research these are the specs:
Front Wheels measure 18"x8.5" (for standard C6)
Rear Wheels measure 19"x10" (for standard C6
Front Wheels measure 18"x9.5" (for Z06)
Rear Wheels measure 19"x12" (for Z06)
Specs--
18x10 front
19x13 rear
He has the z06 brake/rotors on it, but again he has the wide body to accommodate for the wider wheel.
BTW: Don’t do business with West Coast Corvettes. I've had below par service from them on several occasions and even after escalating, the management team just doesn't get it -- we are paying good money for their product, so would it hurt to be courteous to clients!!? Stay away---stay far away!
Last edited by jjutsa; May 15, 2009 at 11:07 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton Fl
Ace Alloy makes a wheel series called Slick. The 18x9.5/19x11 with 57/73mm offsets will clear Z brakes with 0 spacers and no use for longer wheels studs. They will also stay in or at the stock base fender line.
I got heat from people cause I didnt spend 5-6k on a Brembo/Stoptech kit. Going from driving and getting used to the base size calipers and ebc pads and slotted/drilled rotors to the Z brakes, stainless lines, and motul oil I have to press the pedal in a mere fraction which is a helllll of a difference over stock. I guess you can say its also my contribution to try and keep chevy alive.
I got heat from people cause I didnt spend 5-6k on a Brembo/Stoptech kit. Going from driving and getting used to the base size calipers and ebc pads and slotted/drilled rotors to the Z brakes, stainless lines, and motul oil I have to press the pedal in a mere fraction which is a helllll of a difference over stock. I guess you can say its also my contribution to try and keep chevy alive.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I installed Z06 Brakes and the only thing I would add to the discussion is, use the OEM Calipers but go with aftermarket rotors that are plated. You will eliminate the rust problem and you have options on cross drilled, slotted or both, types of rotors. Contact Forum Vendor Jimmy P, at AtomicAutoStore for details/prices.
Fitting wheels/tires that stay inside the stock C6 fenders and don't rub, requires the absolutely correct offset. 18's and 19's will work, you do not have to go to 19/20's.
Corvette Garage sells the Ace Slick wheel that is similar to the OEM Z06 (they call it Z07) but if you want a better forged wheel, CCW is the way to go.
Just my $.02.
Fitting wheels/tires that stay inside the stock C6 fenders and don't rub, requires the absolutely correct offset. 18's and 19's will work, you do not have to go to 19/20's.
Corvette Garage sells the Ace Slick wheel that is similar to the OEM Z06 (they call it Z07) but if you want a better forged wheel, CCW is the way to go.
Just my $.02.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; May 16, 2009 at 04:53 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Slotted vs Drilled Rotors
What are the plus and minus of drilled vs. slotted rotors?
I have an 09 C6 with Z51 brakes, one downside of drilled that I notice has nothing to do with stopping. The drilled holes retain brake dust and when the vehicle is washed the brake dust drips out and lands on the wheel. Requires extra effort to make sure you wash out the dust with some pressure. I assume slots would not have this same cosmetic issue.
Really looking for the technical issues of drilled vs slots.
I have an 09 C6 with Z51 brakes, one downside of drilled that I notice has nothing to do with stopping. The drilled holes retain brake dust and when the vehicle is washed the brake dust drips out and lands on the wheel. Requires extra effort to make sure you wash out the dust with some pressure. I assume slots would not have this same cosmetic issue.
Really looking for the technical issues of drilled vs slots.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
What are the plus and minus of drilled vs. slotted rotors?
I have an 09 C6 with Z51 brakes, one downside of drilled that I notice has nothing to do with stopping. The drilled holes retain brake dust and when the vehicle is washed the brake dust drips out and lands on the wheel. Requires extra effort to make sure you wash out the dust with some pressure. I assume slots would not have this same cosmetic issue.
Really looking for the technical issues of drilled vs slots.
I have an 09 C6 with Z51 brakes, one downside of drilled that I notice has nothing to do with stopping. The drilled holes retain brake dust and when the vehicle is washed the brake dust drips out and lands on the wheel. Requires extra effort to make sure you wash out the dust with some pressure. I assume slots would not have this same cosmetic issue.
Really looking for the technical issues of drilled vs slots.
Slotted rotors were originally a remedy to brake pad "gassing" issues. Modern pads don't have this issue. Slotted rotors also have some ability to "clean" the pads to some extent, although I don't know how effective they are.
If you're tracking the car, blanks or slotted is the way to go. There is another alternative that is kind of in between drilled and slotted, dimpled. This is where there is an indentation, but the lack of an actual hole means the rotor won't develop cracks (or shouldn't). Personally, I run slotted on my other car and I stay away from drilled rotors.
I hope this helps.
San
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Funny, because I'm actually a computer program trying to pass the Turing Test.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test
San
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test
San
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,774
Likes: 0
From: Loganville GA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,014
Likes: 2
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I would go as far to say, that unless you are SERIOUSLY tracking the car, there's no point in going with Brembo or Stop Tech. Those are VERY expensive, and you're basically paying for 22lb less unsprung weight and a little bit better stopping. It just does not make sense to me, if it's just a street driven car. That said, I am going with Z06 brakes for the looks.
Hard #'s - No. Very obvious feeling of quicker,even, smoother braking in the worst of conditions - definitely yes!
Contact Pfadt racing and ask. They are well known for RR competitively and (although I dont know for certain) I would bet my bottom $$ they are not running OEM. I would also give LG some credit.
Last edited by CPG1962; May 17, 2009 at 07:35 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
I probably wouldn't be amazed because I don't track my car, so I probably wouldn't tell enough of a difference to constitute spending $4k or more on brakes (i.e. Brembo would be a lot more).
On a side note, I have still YET to see any proof that the StopTech or Brembos are actually superior to anything else. See my thread above, how am I supposed to believe the manufacturer's word that their brakes are better, and fan boys for Brembo are always going to say anything less is crap. I haven't seen any videos or numbers where back to back runs on the same day/same car/same driver, with NEW stock brakes vs. brembo bbk vs. NEW z06 bbk vs. stoptech bbk have been done.
Anything anyone says, is speculation. Even if someone says "in their experience" the Stop Techs or Brembos "brake quicker", whos to say it didn't have anything to do with changing to SS lines? There are so many factors, and no hard proof that your money is even well spent.
Since there is no proof and evidence, at this point it's just what everyone believes. And just like a religion, people are willing to back up their Brake Beliefs to the death. So be it, but nobody has #s so I don't care.
On a side note, I have still YET to see any proof that the StopTech or Brembos are actually superior to anything else. See my thread above, how am I supposed to believe the manufacturer's word that their brakes are better, and fan boys for Brembo are always going to say anything less is crap. I haven't seen any videos or numbers where back to back runs on the same day/same car/same driver, with NEW stock brakes vs. brembo bbk vs. NEW z06 bbk vs. stoptech bbk have been done.
Anything anyone says, is speculation. Even if someone says "in their experience" the Stop Techs or Brembos "brake quicker", whos to say it didn't have anything to do with changing to SS lines? There are so many factors, and no hard proof that your money is even well spent.
Since there is no proof and evidence, at this point it's just what everyone believes. And just like a religion, people are willing to back up their Brake Beliefs to the death. So be it, but nobody has #s so I don't care.
Last edited by User 81424; May 17, 2009 at 08:05 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 862
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Would you buy them if you could not see them?
Just wondering how many big brake kits would be sold if you could not see them through the wheels? 
Don't get me wrong I going to go Brembo's soon as I stop spending money on making the car go fast.
Don't get me wrong I going to go Brembo's soon as I stop spending money on making the car go fast.