I searched on the forum, and there are a lot of options for upgrades, but it seems mostly situation driven so I was wondering if anyone has some advice for my scenario.

I have 2005 3LT with stock brakes. I started tracking the car, and noticed a significant amount of fade during the middle of my runs (1 1/2 mile track with a 100mph back straight --plan on going to track 4-6 times a season). I would like to upgrade the brakes to be able to perform better at the track, but also still be able to use on the street.

Should I just upgrade to better rotors and all around pads for the limited amount I track, or go full tilt and install a bbk? If I should go to bbk, what pads are recommended to keep the same composition, and what modifications to the stock setup is necessary (spacers)?

I've never had a brake kit that allows you to change pads without pulling the calipers. Is it that much of a convenience?

 

I'll only chime in that there really isn't much of a thing as a "better rotor" when it comes to stock parts. Pads yes, rotors no. You can't change the size of it or its thermal capacity. That's up to the use of a bbk or larger disc - but then you need a caliper to fit that larger disc.

Most aftermarket rotors are all chinese and pretty much the same. Some nice 2pc ones could be an improvement and better castings but at the cost you'd be well on the way to a complete kit.

 

I guess by better rotor I was leaning toward putting on either cross drill, or slotted, or both.

 

Fair enough. Slotted rotors will aide in venting the pads as will holes. The problem with the drilled ones is that time (track, short) they'll crack on you. Neither of these will go to improve the braking in reality. Arguably a bit nice pad bite but you won't make more brake torque. And you won't have more mass. (less on the drilled ones at the extreme context)

Pick an affordable rotor, some true track pads, (that's probably your main issue for fade) fit up some ss hoses and flush it with some good DOT4 or 5.1 fluid. This is as good as it gets with stock parts. *Ducting can be added also but can be costly and cumbersome.

 

Step up to a better pad (something like CarboTech XP10 front / XP8 rear [Edit: if on street tires, go slightly less aggressive]), bleed the brake fluid (I like Ate) and add cooling air.

If you're new to road courses, make sure you're not dragging the brakes or riding the brakes into the turns...fast, firm application/modulation, followed by smooth fast release. Lots of new people ride the brakes into the turns like they're coming up to a stoplight which results in fade and boiled fluid.

 

Thanks for the replies guys...Couple more questions. I should just run the upgraded pads at the track, right? Do you have recommendation to switch out to for daily use that will match up with the carbotech pads? Should I still consider slotted rotors then?

Good suggestions on the ss lines, flush, and good driving practices.

 

If you are on track tires and use the XP10 / XP8 pads, you'll want to swap them out for street pads. If you don't, they glaze and squeak like made...nothing a few hard stops from 100+ won't clear up however If you're on street tires and use a pad just slightly more agressive than stock, you can typically leave them on.

I wouldn't waste the money on slotted rotors.

 

Use solid rotors no holes or slots. The XP10 & 8 combo can be used on the street, you will have noise and dust. If it were me I would go 10& 8 track set up and than use the 1521 compound for street. Since all are compounds are compatiable all you will have to do is swap pads no chaging rotors no re bedding no nothing just swap pads and go. Give me a call at 216-780-8825 I will be happy to place an order for you or answer questions. Also, you need to upgrade your fluid I can help you with that, we sell most of the top brake fluids that are offered on the aftermarket side.

XP10 $212 XP8 $166 Less 5% forum pricing.

When Carbotech™ unleashed the XP10™ to the general public it was an instant success. XP10™ immediately gathered multiple regional, divisional, and national championships. The XP10™ has a very strong initial bite friction material with a coefficient of friction and rotor friendliness unmatched in the industry. Fade resistance is in excess of 1650°F (898°C). Due to the high level of friction and bite, this material is recommended for cars weighing around 2,900lbs or less. XP10™ still maintains the highly praised release, excellent modulation and rotor friendliness that have made all Carbotech™ compounds so successful. Carbotech™ XP10™ is not recommended as a daily-driven street pad due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise.

A high torque brake compound with a wide operating temperature range of 200°F-1350°F+ (93°C to 732°C+). Carbotech™ XP8™ is the first of our racing compounds. Good initial bite at race temperatures, high coefficient of friction, excellent modulation and release characteristics. Extremely high fade resistance and very rotor friendly. Excellent as a front brake pad for lighter applications weighing around 2,400lbs or less. Perfect for track day use with any tire and can still be driven safely to and from the track. Carbotech™ does NOT recommended XP8™ as a daily driven street pad due to elevated levels of dust and noise. Carbotech™ XP8™ is a great compound on the front & rear of most open wheel and sports racers.

The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.

Brembo LCF600

LCF600 is the newest brake fluid on the market. Excellent choice for track use. Proven low compressibility. It gives a firmer pedal feel then most other brands.

Dry: 316°C (601°F)
Wet: 204°C (399°F)

16.9oz/ .53 quarts
.50 Liter/ 500ml

$19.95

MOTUL RBF600

The world's best selling brake fluid. Developed for all forms and levels of racing, the RBF600 is one of the most popular fluid's on the market today.

Dry: 312°C (594°F)
Wet: 216°C (421°F)

16.9oz/ .53 quarts
.50 Liter/ 500ml

$22.50

 

Hi mate, some good advice here and not sure i can add to it but I'll give you my perspective. I am in an almost identical situation.

Mines an 05 with the z51 stock drilled rotors and stock pads. I have bolt ons making about 390 rwhp and also the joc stage 1 suspension.

I attended my first track day in the vette at spring mountain in October. Ambient temps were low 90's, we ran the 3.2 mile course and you hit circa 100 in 3 parts with the main straight say 120 - 125 ish.

I have some track experience in Europe with turbo charged saloons mainly and have cooked brakes several times, once scarily so.

I didn't want to have brake issues on my first outing in the vette so did plenty of research and ended up with hawk hp plus pads front and rear, Goodrich ss hoses and motul rbf600 fluid. I switched all this over about a week before on the standard rotors and put a couple of hundred miles on the pads prior to the day.

As expected initial cold bite isn't like stock but the confidence when pressing them hot is amazing. I had some instructor time on day 1 of which at one point they drive your car. He teaches at the Ron fellows school so when he came in a little hot and bled the speed off whilst remarking how he "loves corvette brakes!" I felt quite happy!

After the weekend I swapped my stock pads back in and was happy to see that the pads had taken some noticeable even wear but looked in real good nick. The fluid also looked great and the pedal felt as strong as it has ever. The only downside of which I wasn't fussed by is they are noisy and my polished alloys looked Matt black by Sunday evening

A mate of mine was also in attendance in his 350z and I have to admit to a little satisfaction when after each session his brakes were literally smoking in the pits! A little preparation goes a long way.

I would love a bbk but can't really justify it on a car that sees 20k miles a year dd highway and 4-5 (hopefully) road events.

To summise, I reckon lines, fluid and some track pads that'll not destroy your stock rotors will be all you'll need to keep that confident feeling.

Hope this helps
LA

 

if youre having heat issues you may want to add brake ducts - the z06 ones work much better than the originals and are about 20 bucks for a set of two.

If you are willing to spend 150 to 200 bucks you can get spindle attachments that duct air directly to the rotor

 

Thanks again guys...Sounds like lines, fluid, and track day pads are the way to go. I would also love a bbk, but just can't justify the cost for the limited amount of track time.

Legal,

Do you change out your tires, or run your daily rubber?

Cheers!

 

My feedback will not help you a lot since I do not track my vert. But when I first got the car I could not stand the brake sequel and one rotor was heavily scored so I wanted to do an upgrade for under a grand.

I went with Akebono pad, stock calipers, Z51 brackets I got on the BST forum, DBA front and rear rotors I got from KNS brakes. Ken @ KNS gave me a killer deal on some left over DBA's and he saved me hundreds of $ on that setup. I topped it off with SS brake lines. I am happy with the setup for street use, but for track you might need to go with bigger wheels to get the clearance for something more substantial.

Oh, and BTW - if you do change out your lines, watch out for the passenger rear connection. There is some Ape at Bowling Green that over-tightens that one line and you will invent new curse words for him after spending an couple of hours dealing with his handy work. A lot of forum members have suffered this problem. Do a search and you will see the pain.

 

Lol, sounds like your having exactly the same dilemmas as I did!

I spent last summer searching here and CL looking for another set of wheels and tires that I intended to track. I changed my mind so many times on what I was going to buy and whether I would run cheap second hand tires on track or road etc etc etc.

None of it really made any sense in the end so I put a new set of hankooks ventus v12's in stock sizes all round and use them for everything. I gave them maybe 32 psi and kept an eye on them each session. The wear was nice and even with some sign of scrubbing.

What you don't want to see is blistering or rolling over of the edges. You would probably need to be driving the vette like a lunatic to achieve this or just being very ham fisted into bends etc.

I do keep one eye open on the FS listings in case a bargain comes up.

Compared to the GY run flats these are night and day. The ride quality and noise levels are massively improved but also the handling is great.

Don't get me started on the joc stage one suspension