brake options
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,109
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
brake options
after 4 years my z51 brakes are about the bit the dust er not anymore
i would like to upgrade to something that will give me a noticeable braking performance, my car is not a DD and see possibly 1-2 track events a year, theyre just for fun nothing competitive
my cheapest option is upgrading my current z51 with hawk hps pads, 2 peice rotors, ss lines
pros: cheap/ easy (relative to other options)
cons: (still have stock calipers)
my other option is to purchase the brake system off a z06
positive: bigger brakes, 6/4 pistons, aestetics
cons: weight (each rotor is 10lbs heavier in the front and 2 lbs in the back), need to use spacers and studs to give proper clearance for the bigger calipers, heard bad things about the padletts and rotors cracking
last option is to go with z06 calipers/brackets/ ss line but use 2 piece rotors and carbotech 1 peice pads
pros: keeps original weight, best performance w/o spending 5-6k on a BBK
cons: price
--------
i never ridden in a z06 so i cant comment on their brakes, does anyone have experience with any of the setups i mentioned?
i would like to upgrade to something that will give me a noticeable braking performance, my car is not a DD and see possibly 1-2 track events a year, theyre just for fun nothing competitive
my cheapest option is upgrading my current z51 with hawk hps pads, 2 peice rotors, ss lines
pros: cheap/ easy (relative to other options)
cons: (still have stock calipers)
my other option is to purchase the brake system off a z06
positive: bigger brakes, 6/4 pistons, aestetics
cons: weight (each rotor is 10lbs heavier in the front and 2 lbs in the back), need to use spacers and studs to give proper clearance for the bigger calipers, heard bad things about the padletts and rotors cracking
last option is to go with z06 calipers/brackets/ ss line but use 2 piece rotors and carbotech 1 peice pads
pros: keeps original weight, best performance w/o spending 5-6k on a BBK
cons: price
--------
i never ridden in a z06 so i cant comment on their brakes, does anyone have experience with any of the setups i mentioned?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Frisco Texas
I have a z51 and have two setups: Street and Track
Street: z51 brackets and drilled rotors with GM Ceramic Pads
HPDE Track: Base brackets and slotted rotors with Carbotech 12/10 pads: I use the base rotors cause they are a bit cheaper.
I think the performance on the track is great with the stock setup and upgraded pads.
Ive thought about your other options as well...but the cost and the other changes (spacers, studs or new wheels) made me stick with the stock calipers.
Street: z51 brackets and drilled rotors with GM Ceramic Pads
HPDE Track: Base brackets and slotted rotors with Carbotech 12/10 pads: I use the base rotors cause they are a bit cheaper.
I think the performance on the track is great with the stock setup and upgraded pads.
Ive thought about your other options as well...but the cost and the other changes (spacers, studs or new wheels) made me stick with the stock calipers.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Do some research on the Z06 brakes... I was thinking about them at first but have changed my mind thanks to some feedback here and some of my own research.
If you only do 1-2 track days a year, I'd recommend upgrading the Z51 setup with a ducting kit (Quantum motorsports), better pads (I'm partial to Carbotech), stainless lines, and either Castrol SRF or Motul RBF600 fluid.
That'll be way cheaper and still should provide enough for you. It's what I'm planning on doing
If you only do 1-2 track days a year, I'd recommend upgrading the Z51 setup with a ducting kit (Quantum motorsports), better pads (I'm partial to Carbotech), stainless lines, and either Castrol SRF or Motul RBF600 fluid.
That'll be way cheaper and still should provide enough for you. It's what I'm planning on doing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
Do some research on the Z06 brakes... I was thinking about them at first but have changed my mind thanks to some feedback here and some of my own research.
If you only do 1-2 track days a year, I'd recommend upgrading the Z51 setup with a ducting kit (Quantum motorsports), better pads (I'm partial to Carbotech), stainless lines, and either Castrol SRF or Motul RBF600 fluid.
That'll be way cheaper and still should provide enough for you. It's what I'm planning on doing
If you only do 1-2 track days a year, I'd recommend upgrading the Z51 setup with a ducting kit (Quantum motorsports), better pads (I'm partial to Carbotech), stainless lines, and either Castrol SRF or Motul RBF600 fluid.
That'll be way cheaper and still should provide enough for you. It's what I'm planning on doing
Otherwise bite the bullet and do BBK + new rims and widebody
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
From: Providence RI
I just installed the Z06 setup with DBA4000's, Carbotech Bobcats, and the goodridge lines... I should have made the change a long time ago. On a side note, anyone want to buy some used Z51 stuff ? 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
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From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
after 4 years my z51 brakes are about the bit the dust er not anymore
i would like to upgrade to something that will give me a noticeable braking performance, my car is not a DD and see possibly 1-2 track events a year, theyre just for fun nothing competitive
my cheapest option is upgrading my current z51 with hawk hps pads, 2 peice rotors, ss lines
pros: cheap/ easy (relative to other options)
cons: (still have stock calipers)
my other option is to purchase the brake system off a z06
positive: bigger brakes, 6/4 pistons, aestetics
cons: weight (each rotor is 10lbs heavier in the front and 2 lbs in the back), need to use spacers and studs to give proper clearance for the bigger calipers, heard bad things about the padletts and rotors cracking
last option is to go with z06 calipers/brackets/ ss line but use 2 piece rotors and carbotech 1 peice pads
pros: keeps original weight, best performance w/o spending 5-6k on a BBK
cons: price
--------
i never ridden in a z06 so i cant comment on their brakes, does anyone have experience with any of the setups i mentioned?
i would like to upgrade to something that will give me a noticeable braking performance, my car is not a DD and see possibly 1-2 track events a year, theyre just for fun nothing competitive
my cheapest option is upgrading my current z51 with hawk hps pads, 2 peice rotors, ss lines
pros: cheap/ easy (relative to other options)
cons: (still have stock calipers)
my other option is to purchase the brake system off a z06
positive: bigger brakes, 6/4 pistons, aestetics
cons: weight (each rotor is 10lbs heavier in the front and 2 lbs in the back), need to use spacers and studs to give proper clearance for the bigger calipers, heard bad things about the padletts and rotors cracking
last option is to go with z06 calipers/brackets/ ss line but use 2 piece rotors and carbotech 1 peice pads
pros: keeps original weight, best performance w/o spending 5-6k on a BBK
cons: price
--------
i never ridden in a z06 so i cant comment on their brakes, does anyone have experience with any of the setups i mentioned?
Z51 caliper xp10 front Xp8 rear ss lines cooling ducts SRF fluid and rotors would be my first bet before going to a new caliper. These work fine on the street and awesome on the track.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
You're not really tracking the car so replacing everything might be way more than you need. From what I've heard the stock Z06 brakes aren't all that great. With relatively minor upgrades your OEM brakes can perform quite well. Even for street use I'd go to solid/slotted rotors; use more aggressive pads; install SS brake lines; use upgraded fluid such as Motul 600; and, possibly use SS pistons as well. With minimal expense you can vastly improve what you have. There are many sources but FWIW Doug Rippie Motorsports always had a decent selection of brake upgrades. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,109
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
im going to make some custom cooling ducts as well