Z51 Brake Rotor Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,175
Likes: 56
From: Clarence N.Y.
Z51 Brake Rotor Question
I have a 08 with the Z51 option. Now has 22k on it and thinking of upgrading the front rotors.
Mine are still above minimum but wondering if a change to a new rotor,maybe even a different
brand would help with brake power? Normal driving the brakes are ok,but slowing from a
speed above 100 I feel could be improved. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Mine are still above minimum but wondering if a change to a new rotor,maybe even a different
brand would help with brake power? Normal driving the brakes are ok,but slowing from a
speed above 100 I feel could be improved. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 326
From: Houston TX
Brake rotors generally are not what make the majority of the difference in braking power. That is the domain of the pads. Are you still running the factory Z51 pads? They generally create a ton of dust, but offer pretty much the best braking performance you can get without going to a race pad.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Your best bet is to upgrade your brake pads to something like the Carbotech AX6 or XP8. New rotors will not do anything.
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn’t recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.
A high torque brake compound with a wide operating temperature range of 200°F-1250°F+ (93°C to 676°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. 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.
Carbotech™ AX6™
Carbotech™ XP8™
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Before I went to Wilwood brakes, I upgraded my Z51 brakes to Hawk pads with Baer 2 piece rotors. https://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-...saAldlEALw_wcB