C6 Z06 Brakes good idea or no?

[sk8prk]

I found this thread on LS1Tech

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/non-lsx-parts-sale/1109593-corvette-c6-z06-6-piston-calipers-rotors-f-body-brackets.html

The guy has a C6Z06 front brake setup complete with all 12 pads, drilled rotors, and brackets to adapt a LT car for $700. I already know this is a pretty decent deal for the whole package. My question is, is this a worthwile upgrade? There are 12 pads on the fronts with this setup, and iirc they're about 300-350 per set. The car won't be a daily driver, but will see regular use in nice weather, and the occasional trip (ltx shootout, hotrod power tour etc.) I like the idea, just need some opinions.

[1toofastlt1]

i think they are very nice but you need a 18 inch rim

[Fastbird]

They're decent brakes. That's a SMOKING deal on the price. You absolutely NEED a 18" wheel with a high offset to boot. Your standard stuff like the ZO6 repro's most likely won't fit over it. I know they don't on the C5. C6Z wheels should work though.

[CALL911]

IMO they are NOT good brakes. I was thinking about this too a while ago because they are 6 piston brakes and you can get them cheep.

However after researching it, I found that most of the Vette guys have a lot of complaints about them, and when compared to almost every other 6 piston brake setup available on the market, they always could not come close to performing as well as the others.

I think that if you wanted a larger brake setup just for show, and don't mind the PITA it will be to replace 6 individual brake pads, and deal with it performing slightly better than a stock LS1 set of brakes, go for it.

If you actually want it for good braking, then I highly reccomend you go elsewhere. For the money, Brembo and Alcon (aka Baer) makes the absolute best 6 piston brakes that money can buy. Your gonna drop like $3,000 but it will outstop all the others by far.

The Wilwood 6 piston setup can be had for around $1200, but its about as good as my 2 piston Baer Track caliper setup I have on my Z (which costed a little less).

I would be interested in learning about the new Camaro's brake setup, and how it performs, and what it costs.

[sk8prk]

Yeah, although it's a smoking deal, I've pretty much come to the same conclusions. I think I'm just gonna go with a LS1 swap for now, I don't have the 3k to drop on brakes when I'm building a 396, 6 speed swap, s60, etc. Maybe one day, but not now. Oh well, free advertising for him.

[1toofastlt1]

So what is better the LS1 or the C5 corvette swap?

[sk8prk]

To be honest, I think each step up is a good move, LS1, C5, C6, each are better than the one before, but the C6 Z06 aparently just can't keep up in the braking dept when compared with similar systems. At least that's the way I understand it, I've been wrong before.

[CALL911]

So what is better the LS1 or the C5 corvette swap?

The C5 brakes are better.


To be honest, I think each step up is a good move, LS1, C5, C6, each are better than the one before, but the C6 Z06 aparently just can't keep up in the braking dept when compared with similar systems. At least that's the way I understand it, I've been wrong before.

You pretty much nailed it on the head. I'm by no means an expert on this, but I do have a deep lust for awesome brakes, and have a Baer kit on my Z, and have done a lot of research on multiple different systems (including factory GM ones).

I urge you to take a ride in a car with a 4 or 6 piston high quality caliper brake system. I have, and let me tell you that going speeds excessing 150 MPH and feeling them slow you to highway speeds in a such short period of time and distance that it makes you question how you didn't go through the windshield will make you lust for them as well :drool:

To give you an idea of the raw braking power I am talking about, Baers 4 piston setup garuntees a 3500 pound car to be slowed from 180 MPH to 80 MPH in under 3 seconds! Think about what the 6 piston setup would do! :hail:

[Fastbird]

Before you guys get done trashing the C6Z brake setup, factor in one thing. How many of the guys complaining were running stock pads??? Throw some good aftermarket pads in there and I bet there's a world of difference. Most of the guys I see on the CF complaining are on stock brake pads and at track events. That's an immediate ticket to reduced performance.

[BaddAss93TA]

if you spend some time on the frrax board there are alot of guys that swapped to the c6 z set up and then back to the regular c5/c6/gto set up. it seems as though the c6z set up has alot of fade and doesnt have the caliper strength that the c5/c6/gto setup does. there are alot of guys over there that have cracked c6z calipers and that is with aftermarket cooling ducts as well.


now if your just looking for something that looks bad ass. go for it.

[sk8prk]

Before you guys get done trashing the C6Z brake setup, factor in one thing. How many of the guys complaining were running stock pads??? Throw some good aftermarket pads in there and I bet there's a world of difference. Most of the guys I see on the CF complaining are on stock brake pads and at track events. That's an immediate ticket to reduced performance.

True, stock pads never hold up as well at the track, but to the best of my knowledge, a set of stock pads for the C6Z is $350. No telling how much good H series pads are. Don't know if the price has come down, but $350+ for a set of pads is rediculous. At the end of the day, even if they were the best setup on the market, I can't justify that kind of cash just for pads.

[CALL911]

I also have hear multiple different issues, besides the fact that the factory pads are worthless.

[Fastbird]

True, stock pads never hold up as well at the track, but to the best of my knowledge, a set of stock pads for the C6Z is $350. No telling how much good H series pads are. Don't know if the price has come down, but $350+ for a set of pads is rediculous. At the end of the day, even if they were the best setup on the market, I can't justify that kind of cash just for pads.

I did a check earlier today, aftermarket pads are in the $150-280 range depending on where you get them and what you get.

I think something that would immensely help those things out would be a single pad on each side rather than three per rotor side.

[CALL911]

I think something that would immensely help those things out would be a single pad on each side rather than three per rotor side.

That would be a good first start.

[Fastbird]

That would be a good first start.

Well, at least we agree there!

[sk8prk]

Well, at least we agree there!

:cheers:

Ok, I was off on the prices, I'm glad to hear that they're becoming more affordable. That guy definitely has a nice setup at a SWEET price, but I still need to focus elsewhere for the time being. Maybe one day I'll get a nice bbk.

[CALL911]

Most guys just go with the LS1 upgrade. Its the cheepest upgrade that can be had, and the LS1 brakes are a bit better than the LT1 brakes are.

I spent around $850 back in the day on my 2 piston Baer Track system. It came with the two front 2 piston calipers, 2 13.5 cross drilled/slotted zinc washed rotors up front (and the same type rotors for the rear), along with steel braded brake lines. At first I had the PBR pads which were good. But then when they wore down I got some Hawk HP Plus pads (which are currently on the car). They can almost outstop the front Nitto 555 tires, but chirp way to much for me. I plan on downgrading the pads to a Hawk HPS pad soon. I didn't spend anything cosmic, but its a killer improvement over the factory LT1, and factory LS1 brakes.

[BaddAss93TA]

I think something that would immensely help those things out would be a single pad on each side rather than three per rotor side.

I agree. I think that would be a big step in the right direction.