Brake upgrade paths?

[ZWILD1]

It gets really confusing. Not sure what to do. Doing the HPDI at BG and trying to figure out should I do just the pads Mark Horner recommended, or new rotors and pads, or some type of front brake upgrade kit that includes calipers. Has anyone done the C5 front caliper upgrade kit and if so was it worth it?

[secondchance]

Depending on the time period, some have upgraded to C5 Z06 front calipers. Later was followed by C6 Z06 fronts and rears. Still others have done Wilwood calipers and rotors.
It really depends on what your ultimate goal is.

[TexasZR1]

I read a little about this and was thinking c5 z06 because they offer plenty braking but at way more afforable than new c6 parts. Have not priced used c6 z06 parts but im sure good deals show up time to time.

[ZWILD1]

Yeah it's like deciding the best way to go and that ultimate goal. But you don't want to waste money or do something twice. I was just talking to Marc Haibeck about what fluids he used in my car. I asked him about that C5 front caliper upgrade kit. He said you get a bit more but it's marginal. He told me you have to go with the larger 14 inch brake rotors to get noticeable improvement. But that means you have to of course go with larger wheels. He said I could go with a good set of performance pads and the two piece Wilwood rotors. I would like to go with a set of larger wheels down the road. So the rotors and pads might be best for now.

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by ZWILD1

Yeah it's like deciding the best way to go and that ultimate goal. But you don't want to waste money or do something twice. I was just talking to Marc Haibeck about what fluids he used in my car. I asked him about that C5 front caliper upgrade kit. He said you get a bit more but it's marginal. He told me you have to go with the larger 14 inch brake rotors to get noticeable improvement. But that means you have to of course go with larger wheels. He said I could go with a good set of performance pads and the two piece Wilwood rotors. I would like to go with a set of larger wheels down the road. So the rotors and pads might be best for now.

Well... let me share how it progressed for me. Jagdpanzer offered a deal I could not refuse in form of Fikse Profil 10, 18 inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Once I put these wheels and tires, OEM 13" and 12" rotors looked lost in 18" wheels. Only way to fill them up was with 14" front and 13" rar rotors. While at it, I kept thinking Wilwood 6 piston and 4 piston calipers would look great behind Fikses. Then I had to solve parking brake issue, etc.

It was all Phil's fault!

[Mystic ZR-1]

If you’re gonna turn into an HPDE junkie go for the fancy brake option.
If not, good pads, Hawk HPS or ?, and a real good brake fluid flush and bleed should see you thru.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by ZWILD1

It gets really confusing. Not sure what to do. Doing the HPDI at BG and trying to figure out should I do just the pads Mark Horner recommended, or new rotors and pads, or some type of front brake upgrade kit that includes calipers. Has anyone done the C5 front caliper upgrade kit and if so was it worth it?

Installation of Wilwood Rotors and C4 to C5-Z06 Conversion

[TexasZR1]

This is what i want to do ^^^ one day...

[Demps]

Originally Posted by Mystic ZR-1

If you’re gonna turn into an HPDE junkie go for the fancy brake option.
If not, good pads, Hawk HPS or ?, and a real good brake fluid flush and bleed should see you thru.

2

[onethumb]

Originally Posted by Mystic ZR-1

If you’re gonna turn into an HPDE junkie go for the fancy brake option.
If not, good pads, Hawk HPS or ?, and a real good brake fluid flush and bleed should see you thru.

+3

Start with good pads, ensure the system is performing at the same level as when it was new, and introduce a high-quality brake fluid with a good flush.

Often, people will find that even on well-maintained cars, the system deteriorates over time, so slowly that it is not noticed. Bringing everything back to stock function, along with modern pads and fluid, will likely surprise you with how good the stock system really is.

I did this on one of my Alfas and the result was amazing. New hoses, rebuilt master, rebuilt calipers, modern pads and a solid race-quality brake fluid gave me brakes that grip like death.