Big Brake Upgrade
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
Big Brake Upgrade
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)
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 38
From: A galaxy far, far away...
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Many threads on this. Stock C6 wheels don't have enough room, the calipers hit the spokes, and aftermarket wheels are required, though they don’t have to be 19”f & 20”r.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
I've heard that the stock wheels can fit but you would need to use a 1/2" spacer in the front. I just bought a set of Z06 calipers which came in today. If I have time today i will fit them on the car and take some pics just to be sure.
I'll let you know.
I'll let you know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
You will need longer wheel studs if you go with 1/2" spacers.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
I have the Z06 brakes on my 2005 C6. You need the rotors, the calipers and pads, and Z06 specific flex hoses. They are several forum vendors that sell wheels with the correct width and offset to make this work. I bought mine from Corvette Garage. I think they are running a sale right now, too. The sizes are 18x9.5 and 19x11. They fit under the wheel wells and look good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: St. Lucie, FLORIDA 757 RWHP 694 RWTQ
I went with CCW rims and a set of Z06 calipers/rotors/pads to go under them. I also went with the wide body kit so I'm running 19x13 in the back to hold the Hoosier 345's.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
Ok I just went to go try them on. I only tried one side (dvr side). Anyways, i didn't have a spacer to check which one would actually be needed so I tried a different method. I grabbed a bunch of large washers in my garage and started adding one by one on each stud. I used about 6 washers on each stud which is about 3/4" thick. So my guess is that a 3/4" spacer would be needed to clear those ZO6 calipers along with new longer studs.
Sorry i don't have any pics. It started getting dark and my camera phone doesn't have flash.
Hope this helps.
Sorry i don't have any pics. It started getting dark and my camera phone doesn't have flash.
Hope this helps.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Most serious C6 racers I know use 18" wheels all-around with big brakes (but not Z06 brakes). You don't need 19" or 20" wheels, just the proper wheels and offsets. I recommend CCW but I'm sure other knowledgeable wheel vendors can hook you up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point Ca
I have the Z06 brakes on my 2005 C6. You need the rotors, the calipers and pads, and Z06 specific flex hoses. They are several forum vendors that sell wheels with the correct width and offset to make this work. I bought mine from Corvette Garage. I think they are running a sale right now, too. The sizes are 18x9.5 and 19x11. They fit under the wheel wells and look good.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
First off, why are you "upgrading". It is questionable that the Z06 brakes are indeed an upgrade. There's a post in another Corvette forum by LG Motorsports that basically says the Z06 brakes aren't any better than stock.
If it's just for looks that's one thing, otherwise, Wayne O is spot on that most serious racers aren't using Z06 brakes. The rotors are one-piece, heavy and non-directional. The padlets wear quickly and are pricey. I looked at this option and frankly I think you'll spend more in the long run on the Z06 brakes unless you are just using them on the street. They do look good. Flame suit on.
San
If it's just for looks that's one thing, otherwise, Wayne O is spot on that most serious racers aren't using Z06 brakes. The rotors are one-piece, heavy and non-directional. The padlets wear quickly and are pricey. I looked at this option and frankly I think you'll spend more in the long run on the Z06 brakes unless you are just using them on the street. They do look good. Flame suit on.
San
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
First off, why are you "upgrading". It is questionable that the Z06 brakes are indeed an upgrade. There's a post in another Corvette forum by LG Motorsports that basically says the Z06 brakes aren't any better than stock.
If it's just for looks that's one thing, otherwise, Wayne O is spot on that most serious racers aren't using Z06 brakes. The rotors are one-piece, heavy and non-directional. The padlets wear quickly and are pricey. I looked at this option and frankly I think you'll spend more in the long run on the Z06 brakes unless you are just using them on the street. They do look good. Flame suit on.
San
If it's just for looks that's one thing, otherwise, Wayne O is spot on that most serious racers aren't using Z06 brakes. The rotors are one-piece, heavy and non-directional. The padlets wear quickly and are pricey. I looked at this option and frankly I think you'll spend more in the long run on the Z06 brakes unless you are just using them on the street. They do look good. Flame suit on.
San
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...distances.html
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 7
From: Port St Lucie Florida
First off, why are you "upgrading". It is questionable that the Z06 brakes are indeed an upgrade. There's a post in another Corvette forum by LG Motorsports that basically says the Z06 brakes aren't any better than stock.
If it's just for looks that's one thing, otherwise, Wayne O is spot on that most serious racers aren't using Z06 brakes. The rotors are one-piece, heavy and non-directional. The padlets wear quickly and are pricey. I looked at this option and frankly I think you'll spend more in the long run on the Z06 brakes unless you are just using them on the street. They do look good. Flame suit on.
San
If it's just for looks that's one thing, otherwise, Wayne O is spot on that most serious racers aren't using Z06 brakes. The rotors are one-piece, heavy and non-directional. The padlets wear quickly and are pricey. I looked at this option and frankly I think you'll spend more in the long run on the Z06 brakes unless you are just using them on the street. They do look good. Flame suit on.
San
If it is for the look fine, but If you truely looking to "upgrade" than look at aftermarket big brake kits, Brembo, stop tech, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 3
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.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
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.
The C6Z brakes do work very well for street use, but they are not in the same league as the StopTech or Brembo kits.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
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.
Everybody knows that there are better braking systems out there for much more money but bang for the buck they're hard to beat. Especially with aftermarket pads and fluid upgrade. And as a bonus they look sharp!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point Ca
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.
In your opinion for "Street use Only", are the Zo6 brakes with a more aggressive 1 piece cobalt pad better than the base c6 brakes at stopping? I loved braking late in my Viper and of course that had brembo's stock, my base c6 brakes are mushy ( I know, brake lines) and feel week. Would the feel of the Z brakes with aggressive pads make a big difference in feel?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
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).