Upgraded brakes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 39
From: Massachusetts
Upgraded brakes
I have a base c6. What is the better option? Upgrading the brakes to z51, or going aftermarket like powerstop? When going with aftermarket is it possible to use the z51 calipers? I'd prefer to have calipers that say corvette.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 296
Likes: 87
I would skip upgrading to the Z51 brakes as even a jump to the Z06 brakes only improve the stopping distance by 3 feet.
I would suggest just upgrading the rotors and pads. I prefer power stop Z26's. Also the base brakes are the lightest out of the bunch reducing your rotational mass if you are into drag racing.
I would suggest just upgrading the rotors and pads. I prefer power stop Z26's. Also the base brakes are the lightest out of the bunch reducing your rotational mass if you are into drag racing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 39
From: Massachusetts
I would skip upgrading to the Z51 brakes as even a jump to the Z06 brakes only improve the stopping distance by 3 feet.
I would suggest just upgrading the rotors and pads. I prefer power stop Z26's. Also the base brakes are the lightest out of the bunch reducing your rotational mass if you are into drag racing.
I would suggest just upgrading the rotors and pads. I prefer power stop Z26's. Also the base brakes are the lightest out of the bunch reducing your rotational mass if you are into drag racing.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Assuming your current rotors are the JL9 size, the calipers will work just fine with J55 rotors, because the front ones are 100% identical and the rears have a slightly larger piston than the J55 caliper. More stopping power is available with either size rotors by choosing better pads. However, even with the JL9 brakes and cheap aftermarket pads, your Vette will still stop quicker than 80-90% of all other cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 942
Likes: 172
Depends on your budget. Any brake upgrade other than the Z51 will require new wheels or spacers. I recently went with the Z51 style upgrade on my 08 base not for better stopping (car stopped fine) but more for the looks of the slightly larger rotors. Z06 brakes stuff and correct wheels = $$$
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 39
From: Massachusetts
Depends on your budget. Any brake upgrade other than the Z51 will require new wheels or spacers. I recently went with the Z51 style upgrade on my 08 base not for better stopping (car stopped fine) but more for the looks of the slightly larger rotors. Z06 brakes stuff and correct wheels = $$$
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 39
From: Massachusetts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 39
From: Massachusetts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 122
Likes: 39
From: Massachusetts
Thank you. If I am understanding you correctly, I only need z51 brackets for the rears? The front's I can re-use.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
To upgrade from base brakes to Z51 you need the following GM Parts
89060328 (2) Front Brake Rotors
89060329 (2) Rear Brake Rotors
88964166 (2) Front Brake Caliper Bracket
88964167 (2) Rear Brake Caliper Bracket
Except if it were me I'd use BrakeMotive rotors over GM for several reasons.... they are cheaper ($128 a set), they are zinc dipped so they don't rust, and they are drilled correctly for right and left, unlike the POS GM rotors, which are not.
Brakemotive Z51 rotors
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear-....m46890.l49292
89060328 (2) Front Brake Rotors
89060329 (2) Rear Brake Rotors
88964166 (2) Front Brake Caliper Bracket
88964167 (2) Rear Brake Caliper Bracket
Except if it were me I'd use BrakeMotive rotors over GM for several reasons.... they are cheaper ($128 a set), they are zinc dipped so they don't rust, and they are drilled correctly for right and left, unlike the POS GM rotors, which are not.
Brakemotive Z51 rotors
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear-....m46890.l49292
Last edited by Iceaxe; Dec 18, 2020 at 07:02 PM.