Is the C6 Z06 brake pkg the "way to go" C5 brake upgrade or not?
03-08-2006, 01:25 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Is the C6 Z06 brake pkg the "way to go" C5 brake upgrade or not?
I was under the impression that this was supposed to be the reasonably priced solution,and thus the hot ticket, for people who have been confronted for years with nothing but $3-5k brake upgrade packages.
However, I was reading an article in the April issue of Corvette magazine ("One step beyond"), which makes me wonder otherwise. The article was discussing various tuners' efforts to improve upon the C6 Z06, and had Doug Rippie stating "People are already commenting on the brakes....I don't know why the factory has not addressed that [no mention is made of what 'that' is], but either way it's good for us. We're going to offer 15 inch rotors with six-piston calipers."
When I read that I interpreted it to mean that there was something lacking or amiss in the new system, not bad per se but just typical GM cutting a few corners to get the brake package to meet its required production cost structure. So what exactly is the assessment on the system, and what, if anyone knows (or thinks they know), was Rippie alluding to? I ask this because I've seen some posts of people installing the system on their C5s, as well as at least one vendor hawking the factory kit's aftermarket availability.
However, I was reading an article in the April issue of Corvette magazine ("One step beyond"), which makes me wonder otherwise. The article was discussing various tuners' efforts to improve upon the C6 Z06, and had Doug Rippie stating "People are already commenting on the brakes....I don't know why the factory has not addressed that [no mention is made of what 'that' is], but either way it's good for us. We're going to offer 15 inch rotors with six-piston calipers."
When I read that I interpreted it to mean that there was something lacking or amiss in the new system, not bad per se but just typical GM cutting a few corners to get the brake package to meet its required production cost structure. So what exactly is the assessment on the system, and what, if anyone knows (or thinks they know), was Rippie alluding to? I ask this because I've seen some posts of people installing the system on their C5s, as well as at least one vendor hawking the factory kit's aftermarket availability.
03-08-2006, 07:27 AM
#2
Team Owner
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Not. There have been severl of us who have driven the new Z on track and many more who own the new Z.
The brake package on the car LOOKS good and brakes work well for ppl who use the car on the street and occationlly on the track with a brake pad (padlet) upgrade to the Carbotech race pads and better brake fluid.
For serious track guys StopTech is the brake of choice. StopTech is swampped with orders for BBKs for ppl to replace the brakes on the New Z. The may be severl weeks behind on filling orders do to the demand.
The stock PBR brake caliper on the C5 and C6s are acctully very good brakes with Fluid, race pad upgrades and better cooling.
Rember the stock PBR caliper was designed to be as good if not better then most 4 pistion calipers.
There are severl BBK companies that are very good.
StopTech
AP Racing ( owned by PBR )
Colman
Wilwood
Brembo ( Personlly I am not a big Brembo fan for most of their kits- The big BIG dollar racing brakes are great, some of the others that I have experienced I was not impressed with and thought the stock PBR brakes were far better)
PFC
and there are a few more brands.
The brake package on the car LOOKS good and brakes work well for ppl who use the car on the street and occationlly on the track with a brake pad (padlet) upgrade to the Carbotech race pads and better brake fluid.
For serious track guys StopTech is the brake of choice. StopTech is swampped with orders for BBKs for ppl to replace the brakes on the New Z. The may be severl weeks behind on filling orders do to the demand.
The stock PBR brake caliper on the C5 and C6s are acctully very good brakes with Fluid, race pad upgrades and better cooling.
Rember the stock PBR caliper was designed to be as good if not better then most 4 pistion calipers.
There are severl BBK companies that are very good.
StopTech
AP Racing ( owned by PBR )
Colman
Wilwood
Brembo ( Personlly I am not a big Brembo fan for most of their kits- The big BIG dollar racing brakes are great, some of the others that I have experienced I was not impressed with and thought the stock PBR brakes were far better)
PFC
and there are a few more brands.
03-08-2006, 08:08 AM
#3
Team Owner
Pads are thin and expensive. Some people have roasted them in a few sessions. You can wait and see if someone uses race pads. Carbotech is available now in race pads. They will be others to follow but I guess pads will be $$$$$ I wouild get some front Wilwoods from LGM for 1500. Pads last, they are .80", and they are cheap. I have had great experiences with them. You can use NAPA rotors for 25 ea or get some two piece Stoptechs like I did. Rears don't do much. Also yoiu will need some LGM and DRM brake ducts no mater what you run.
03-08-2006, 10:11 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies. So in your estimation, is the (unique as far as I know) individual multiple pad design the crux of the problem? Apart from that, would the caliper design have been sound? It certainly appears substantial. I know, for example, everyone says the C5's PBR caliper is decent for what it is, but under more rigorous applications you will experience flexing, pad taper, etc. It just makes me wonder what the engineers were thinking; it seems all to often they feel the need to "reinvent the wheel".
03-08-2006, 10:16 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
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I wouild get some front Wilwoods from LGM for 1500. Pads last, they are .80", and they are cheap.
03-08-2006, 08:02 PM
#6
Team Owner
Originally Posted by wamara
Thanks for the replies. So in your estimation, is the (unique as far as I know) individual multiple pad design the crux of the problem? Apart from that, would the caliper design have been sound? It certainly appears substantial. I know, for example, everyone says the C5's PBR caliper is decent for what it is, but under more rigorous applications you will experience flexing, pad taper, etc. It just makes me wonder what the engineers were thinking; it seems all to often they feel the need to "reinvent the wheel".
The idea is sound and some race calipers have similar design. They are 10,000 + not the cheap crap GM dumped on the Z. They should have went with the Brembo's like the Viper. That was the original rumor. Then to make the rotor vanes the same for both sides
03-08-2006, 08:16 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by John Shiels
The idea is sound and some race calipers have similar design. They are 10,000 + not the cheap crap GM dumped on the Z. They should have went with the Brembo's like the Viper. That was the original rumor. Then to make the rotor vanes the same for both sides
03-11-2006, 10:33 PM
#11
Pro
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I currently have the CTS-V with the 14"Brembos and I'd love to be able to mount these on a C5Z06. For these brakes to be able to take the abuse of hauling a 4Klbs sedan as well as they do...over and over again without fade is simply amazing. I know the STI and Evo use the same front calipers but have smaller rotors, and they are quite adept at slowing down.
Seems like Brembo isn't a real popular Vette upgrade, but I rely on them on my Ducati and my V. Should someone be able to ****** a set of the CTS-V/STI/Evo calipers on Ebay for a good price, I doubt they'd be disappointed.
Seems like Brembo isn't a real popular Vette upgrade, but I rely on them on my Ducati and my V. Should someone be able to ****** a set of the CTS-V/STI/Evo calipers on Ebay for a good price, I doubt they'd be disappointed.
03-12-2006, 10:55 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
[QUOTE=John Shiels]Pads are thin and expensive. QUOTE]
For over $300 for just a front set of Carbotech XP10's....no f'n way. And Carbotechs are the cheapest race pad out there...think of how much 01's will cost? These are only a good deal if the calipers were $400 (for both). In 1 or 2 seasons, with pads that cost that much, you'll spend enough money buying 4 new sets of Stoptechs. You have to look at the BIG picture.
Cheap IS expensive!
For over $300 for just a front set of Carbotech XP10's....no f'n way. And Carbotechs are the cheapest race pad out there...think of how much 01's will cost? These are only a good deal if the calipers were $400 (for both). In 1 or 2 seasons, with pads that cost that much, you'll spend enough money buying 4 new sets of Stoptechs. You have to look at the BIG picture.
Cheap IS expensive!
