Brake Upgrade Advice

[gbmidyear66]

I'm just in the process of putting on new rubber (Nitto 555's) and refinishing my salad shooters. I think I may have time and budget for one more upgrade before I get her out on the road for the year.

My brake system is currently 100% stock and I have no major complaints with it. I am looking at port and poilish for my next winters project - so I thought that a brake rebuild/upgrade might be a good idea first. I've read most of the threads on upgrades and am left with the impression that if I just rebuild the stock calipers, upgrade the lines to SS, upgrade the fluid, and the pads - I will get 90% of the gains for maybe 20% of the price of a the wholesale upgrade (e.g. C5 or C6 or aftermarket calipers+rotors).

I was looking at the DRM spring upgrade - but doesn't seem to be a real benefit for street use.

Appreciate any input on my line of thinking....

Glenn

[xlr8nflorida]

I have upgraded brakes and love them. You may want to go to the C5 calipers as that is an improvement and fairly cheap.

I have the Baer 6S 6 piston system on my Z and the pedal feel and braking is incredible.

Just depends on your budget. Also 6 piston won't work with alot of wheel combos.

[TFENT]

Like he said. Whats your budget??

[XfireZ51]

I have a complete C5 brake upgrade for sale at $450. Rebuilt calipers, abutment brackets, and SS adapter brackets from PNW. The DRM spring is $12 from DRM.

[gbmidyear66]

That's some serious brake porn guys.....

I don't have a specific budget in mind. I'm looking at it more from a cost/benefit perspective. I'm willing to spend some $ if I can convince myself I'm going to really notice a difference.

You can at least quantify engine upgrades (there is lots of HP Vs mod/$ data around) - brake upgrades are a pretty subjective topic it seems.

There is some 60 to zero data available for stock which is interesting... C4 ZR-1 is about 125 feet, C5 Z06 is about 117 feet, C6 ZR1 is 97 feet.

After reading dozens of threads on the subject over the weekend - I came to the conclusion in my original post.

Dom, I'd love to be able to justify giving your C5 setup a new home, but I just haven't been able to find anything that convinces me, but I am definitely open to hearing any opinions/experiences out there. Some hard data would be even better

[FU]

My white car has C5 brakes with Baer Eradispeed rotors S/S lines and the bias spring. Great improvement for the buck.

[Aurora40]

Originally Posted by gbmidyear66

There is some 60 to zero data available for stock which is interesting... C4 ZR-1 is about 125 feet, C5 Z06 is about 117 feet, C6 ZR1 is 97 feet.

If you want to stop shorter, get stickier tires. Stock brakes with decent pads will easily engage ABS with street tires.

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by gbmidyear66

That's some serious brake porn guys.....

I don't have a specific budget in mind. I'm looking at it more from a cost/benefit perspective. I'm willing to spend some $ if I can convince myself I'm going to really notice a difference.

You can at least quantify engine upgrades (there is lots of HP Vs mod/$ data around) - brake upgrades are a pretty subjective topic it seems.

There is some 60 to zero data available for stock which is interesting... C4 ZR-1 is about 125 feet, C5 Z06 is about 117 feet, C6 ZR1 is 97 feet.

After reading dozens of threads on the subject over the weekend - I came to the conclusion in my original post.

Dom, I'd love to be able to justify giving your C5 setup a new home, but I just haven't been able to find anything that convinces me, but I am definitely open to hearing any opinions/experiences out there. Some hard data would be even better

I don't have any test data for you, but I did this upgrade on my 84 as well and the difference was very noticeable. The C5 calipers are thicker and do not flex as much as the C4 calipers. Also, the C5 rotor is actually a bit smaller than the C4, I believe 13 v 12.8" dia BUT the C5 rotor is thicker and dissipates heat better. I found the C5 upgrade to stop the car quicker wwith better feel and less nosedive. I'm not putting it on my BR car because it came with Brembos.

[lbszr]

Originally Posted by gbmidyear66

After reading dozens of threads on the subject over the weekend - I came to the conclusion in my original post.

I would have to agree. I've been using stock brakes on a road track with R compound tires, Hawk hp plus pads, they worked great over stock pads, and there's plenty of brake left to lock them up if desired, except when their overheated and they did. They only lasted two track days from a set of pads and went through rotors like water. The Hawk HT-10 brake even better, and don't overheat, and last 3 or 4 times as long with no rotor problems(with brake ducts, but the upgraded brake calipers need ducts on the track aslo). I actually couldn't believe the difference pads can make. With the ht-10 I had to be careful not to lock them up. I wouldn't recommend either of those for the street though, ht-10 would be dangerous on the street since they couldn't be kept in their operating temp range, and the hp plus makes too much brake dust, but would be great for performance on the street.

Carbotech might have a good street pad with non-corrosive brake dust. Hawk HPS might be good, but haven't tried them.

I can mainly feel a difference with the DRM spring on the track when trailbraking into a turn, the backend doesn't jack up as much on hard braking and the car stays balanced better. With hard braking on the street it feels better also with the car staying more level.

I like the bling from the newer calipers though.

I would sure like to try those MovIt's !!

[EvanZR1]

Stock ZR-1 brakes are plenty with the right pads. As has been pointed out, stickier tires will actually do more for decreasing braking distance. I've done plenty of road course track days in a 92 (LT1) with J55/ZR-1 brakes with no issues, and also had an 01 Z06 right after it to compare to. The only reasons I would think about upgrading would be for:
A) Looks
B) Ease of pad change
C) Stiffer caliper
D) Bigger rotor (more heat sink for longer track sessions)
All of the above would be addressed by a C5 upgrade for a reasonable price. Anything more than that, and you better be at the road course every freaking weekend of the year.