printmanjackson

Anyone done this and is it worth it?

tiojames

Do a search-this has been posted to death.

cdkcorvette7

Many have done it, try a search. The short version is that base C6 brakes are pretty much the same as C5 and C5Z brakes. C6Z51 brake rotors are larger and thicker but will fit with the appropriate brackets. Not really worth it IMHO.

C6Z06 brakes are a different story...

jcsperson

Those are on my "someday" list.

printmanjackson

thanks, that answers my question

olbear1962

Will be fitting C6 Z06 brakes to my C5 Coupe this winter, awaiting for them to arrive via UPS............

SteveDoten

the base C6 calipers will bolt up to C5 brackets; the C6Z51 rotors need the bigger brackets

the C6Z conversion doesn't use brackets, the calipers bolt directly to the C5 knuckles, but you will need new brake lines and of course 18's up front

you could also use the 2009up knuckles, they have 'beefier' caliper mounting points, I would speculate this was brought on by the ZR1

printmanjackson

what's is the cost and is it really worth it? meaning is there that much difference?

I'm running 18/19 iForged wheels so that's not a problem

SteveDoten

are 19" wheels worth it when you could bolt on a an A&A supercharger for close to the same price

it's a bling mod, but the C6Z binders will stop better than the C5 gear, track junky's don't use them much(better options available)

and most likely the offsets if you have a lip on those wheels will be an issue

SteveDoten

regarding the C6Z51 rotors, they are 100% for looks, drilled rotors aren't for the track, Corvette engineers even acknowledged this

tiojames

Just because you are running 18" wheels in the front, do not assume the C6 Z06 front calipers will clear your wheel. They require 5/8" more offset than the stock calipers. If you do not have 5/8" between the caliper and the inside of your present wheels you will have to add a spacer. I'm running 18s on the front and bought DRM's 1/2" spacers with hardened lugs.

LoneStarLizzard

Uncle Jim,

Was it worth it to add the C6 Z06 brakes/calipers? [I assume you upgraded both the fronts and rears, true?] Do you do any stressful driving to warrant the change? I have a C5 coupe and am considering the upgrade. Why? I suppose just because. I mean, I don't engage in any especially spirited driving and wonder whether I would even be able to tell the difference (other than my wallet might be a bit thinner).

Regards,

The Lizzard

Johnz02Z06

I have a 2002 Z06 and am considering going to the C6 Z06 brakes. I have shopped some and find the kit to be $1900-$2200. then there is new rims and tires....
The kit with everything needed is found at:

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...-114-9540.html

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...04-c5-z06.aspx

NukeC5

Im sure braking can always be improved, but I look at it this way. All wheel vented disk brakes, ABS, and an overall pretty light weight vehicle... The C5 stops on a dime. It is much better than any car I have ever owned, and at no point have I ever felt the braking was insufficient.
IMO it is not at all worth it to do to a car that will not see some kind of circle track racing. I dont even feel that the drag strip warrants a bigger brake kit. To do this mod on a street car is only for looks. You will never make use of them.
I made the mistake of swapping a set of drilled and slotted rotors on my coupe. They make no difference except more dust and squeak noises after heavy braking. The larger diameter of the C6ZO6 rotors and 6 piston calipers would clearly have better bite. But seriously, do you need to stop harder than what your C5 brakes can handle? I have had to fully depress my brakes maybe once in the whole time I have owned the car.

blackdak318

I had a set of C6Z06 brakes that I got for a VERY good price. Was going to swap them onto my C5 but decided to sell them for a profit. After researching it to death I decided the C6Z brakes just wern't worth it. The prices for pads and rotors are almost double what C5 parts are, and even after that the braking isn't a WHOLE lot better. Don't get be wrong it will be better but from what I've seen/read it's more of a visual mod. You also have to worry about the pins backing out and some other things and just seemed like more of a hassle than their worth. Also like someone else said just because you have a bigger 19" wheel that definitely does NOT mean they will fit! Those calipers are HUGE!

Lloyd Christmas

Speaking from theory, I think part of the point of larger performance brakes is longevity and consistency. Huge brakes don't necessarily stop you a lot faster, but they stop you a little bit faster and continue to do so after lots of hard braking when smaller equipment gets hot and suffers declining performance. In other words, you probably wouldn't be able to tell a difference in one turn o one emergency stop, but you would see the difference after a few more hard braking turns.

ztheusa

Yes
No

Rick@RKT Performance

I was/am ragtopws6 before I became a site vendor. I love my C6 Z06 set up but it was done more for looks than performance. Here is a step by step with A LOT of pictures.

C6 Z06 brake upgrade

rodsvet

I discussed larger brake with Gulstrand about 10 years ago. He told me that on their race cars, they run the stock brake and they hold up fine on the track. For the street, they are only for looks. The stock brakes will lock up the wheels just as fast a bigger rotors. They may just not do it as many times in quick succession as bigger ones. Just my .02,
Rod

$$$frumnuttin'

Rick, I am glad you posted that thread...I was confused about the brake line fitment (doing the mod right now) ....I now see how to alter the end fittings...cool idea. Did you simply use a grinding wheel?