icyshark

How much different in size are the Non z51 brake calipers compared to the z51 brake calipers? Are the fronts the same size? Are the z51s slightly larger?

I'm not talking about the rotors. I'm talking about the calipers only.

C8Jake

Z51 front caliper is LARGER than base below

bizzy

The only difference is the Rotors that comes with the Z51. Brake calipers are same size, and are four piston brembo's. below is some specs: (* there maybe an upgrade in the brake pads for Z51 but cannot confirm it)

Front Rotors:
Z51 Rotors = Slotted / ventilated rotors at 13.6-inch
NON Z51 Rotors = Non Slotted / ventilated rotors at 12.6-inch


Rear Rotors:
Z51 Rotors = Slotted / ventilated rotors at 13.3-inches.
NON Z51 Rotors = Non Slotted / ventilated rotors at 13.3 inches (Same size as Z51)

thrilled

My understanding is the Z-51 brakes can be put on the base.

Red C8 of Jax

The calipers on the front of the Z51 are larger than the front Non-Z51. The rear calipers are the same size for the Z51 and the Non Z51.

thrilled

So your saying as far as the rear goes not A problem. but forget about the front.

Red C8 of Jax

Not sure if the Z51 brakes can be put on a base car.

sTz

Z51 has larger front brake calipers.

senah

front calipers AND rotors are bigger on the z51. they will probably fit the base car, but would need 19 inch wheels on the front also.

obxchartercaptain

ZL-1

The difference between the base and Z51 front calipers is that Z51 castings have longer mounting bosses where they bolt to the spindle (to move them out 1/2" farther to match the larger front rotors). Otherwise they are the same design. Of course the pads are softer too.

bizzy

The actual size of the calipers are the same, the only possible difference is potentially the size of piston bores, but the calipers as we know it both weight the same, at 9.8 lbs unloaded.

Here is a spec sheet that compares braking for the base, Z51 and Z06.

both the z51 and non z51 brake calipers are four piston brembos. The info i got on the calipers show it weights the same.

how can your front z51 brake caliper be bigger then the base, yet weight the same?

Its an interesting topic. I'm starting to think this bigger caliper idea is a myth, and its looking to be the case. But if I get a chance sometime this weekend I'll stop by a dealer to see if a service tech may know more about it then what I've found on the internet.

Me personally, I can't tell the difference in caliper size, but rotor size, definitely.

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

Calipers are the same they take the same pad shape

meyerweb

Unless one is wondering about whether they'll fit on a base model with the stock wheels, I'm not sure caliper size is meaningful anyway. PAD size is relevant, as is caliper construction (eg. how many active pistons, how stiff the caliper is, weight), but not physical size.

ZL-1

Adam is right, the calipers are the same design and the pads interchange. It's just that the "legs" of the casting (where they bolt to the spindle) are longer on the Z51 caliper casting to accommodate the 1" larger rotor.

So if a base owner and a Z51 owner want to swap colored front calipers they won't fit. No problem in the rear.


.

tyho

Can z07 CCB rear rotors and calipers fit on Z51 OEM wheels without spacers?

Kent1999

While the pads are the same size, the Z51 calipers are definitely different than non-Z51 calipers, and not interchangeable all on their own. The piston diameters and counts are similar, but the geometry of the Z51 caliper is different to allow for the larger diameter of the Z51 rotors.

You can bolt Z51 calipers on a non-Z51 car IF, AND ONLY IF you upgrade the rotors to Z51 spec as well. Similarly, you can bolt Z51 rotors on a non-Z51 car if and only if you upgrade the calipers to Z51-spec calipers.

EDIT: Sorry, didn’t see that this was a zombie thread!

JerryU

If thinking of changing calipers might as well go all the way and get 6 piston Caliper Grand Sport (Z06) fronts: Not sure about what is required to fit rotors and calipers.

V Vette

Agree. Makes me wonder if the z51 brakes are more hype as not much difference in size/pad as standard Vette?

JerryU

^^^
They are a different compound that can be used for Tracking and produces a lot more dust than the base car pads! I was cleaning my black wheels after ~100 miles (2 or 3 trips into town) or they not only looked bad, the dust was pitting my black wheels! Lived with that for months until I changed pads to Carbotech 1521 pads!

Then had ~85% less dust but most important the light dust that was there did not pit my painted wheels. Washed the wheels when I washed the car as I do now with my Grand Sport that also has Carbotech 1521 "ceramic street only" pads.