Brake upgrade for 2003 C5

[cavettefan]

I am in the process of ordering a new Coupe. After taking delivery, I am considering upgrading the brakes to the Brembo 14 inch rotors and 4 piston calipers. Does anyone have experience with this upgrade on the C5? Will the front wheels need to be changed to 18 inch in front? Will I also need to change the rear wheels to 19 inches to avoid problems with the active handling option? Are there any problems with wheel/tire clearance, or otherwise (like steering knuckles needing modification, etc.)? Is there another option to improve braking without going through the hassle of swapping out all of the wheel/tire items? I do not plan on racing the car; only street driving, but want as much brake performance as can be reasonably achieved for approx. $3k to $5K investment. However, I do not want to fall into the trap of enhancing one area (brakes) while causing problems in another area (like active handling).

Thanking everyone in advance who respond.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Performing brake mods, if done correctly, will not create problems with the active handling, traction control, ABS system.
However, tire size has everything to do with how the system correctly functions.
So, with that, braking power on c5 is extremely good as it sits right now.
My suggestion, would be a more simple solution, Power slot brake rotors on all 4 corners, with 03 ZO6 pads in the front.
This will give you better braking under all circumstances, and better outgassing, for nearly fade free performance.
60-0 distances are cut to under 100 ft.
This will enable you to retain stock tire sizes, and give you the upgrade in performance that you are looking for, at a reasonable cost.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[cavettefan]

c4c5specialist,

Thank you VERY much for the response! Your suggestion (powerslot rotors with Z06 pads) was exactly the idea that I was looking for. The more that I looked at the 14 inch rotor option, the more problems seemed to occur....

Do you have any suggestions/recommendations regarding powerslot rotors that you have had good experience with in your shop?

Thank you again for your response.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I have been using power slots for some time, and never had a problem.
The biggest concern that you must understand, is that you will wear the pads a little quicker, due to the slots.
Otherwise, I would say I do NOT have a negative side to this.
Just be aware, you will have slightly more noise in your brakes. Not a squeak really, but you will have a little friction noise, due to the slots.
I hope that this helps and there are many vendors that I have used.
Although I have my favorites, you must decide for yourself.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[cavettefan]

Two follow-up questions:

I have been doing further research on Power Slot rotors, and at the powerslot.com site, they are featuring a product that they call Pro Stop (rotor with the slots plus dimples, where the dimple is a circular cut, but not a drilled hole). Have you had any experience with the Pro Stop rotor? Are there any benefits to the dimples?

I have also found vendors that sell cryogenically treated rotors. The vendors claim that the rotors provide shorter stopping distances and higher resistance to fade under severe duty. Any comments pro or con regarding cryogenically treated rotors?

If anyone has experience with either the Pro Stop rotors or cryogenically treated rotors, please share.

Thanking all responders in advance. (This is becomming something of a research project for me - there is so much neat stuff out there. The challenge is to separate reality from fiction....)

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Well, first a sidenote, is that if you have the slots, the extra dimples are really not necessary.
Cryo rotors help with thermal cycling, however, unless you race, or brake extremely hard, all the time, the cost outweighs the benefits.
I hope this helps, c4c5

 

[cavettefan]

c4c5 specialist, I had a hard time understanding where there would be benefit from the dimples. The slots made sense - they provide an escape path for the heat during braking. (In essence, an alternative to drilling the rotors.) However, dimpling did not make any sense (there is no escape path, just a depression in the rotor (otherwise known as a dimple...)).

Thanks for the response. As I mentioned in my earlier post, this is becomming something of a research project.

 

[GKrenn]

c4c5specialist, I have the power slots on my 2000 Dakota R/T. Was thinking about them for my 2002 coupe. I sometimes get a slight squeal on the R/T on mild braking. Could this be the lack of stop squeal on the back of the pads? Also, if I go with Power Slots on the Vette, what pads would you suggest?

 

[cavettefan]

Go with the ceramic pads in the Dura Stop Brake Upgrade kit. They provide better stopping and less brake dust.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I would suggest that normally, the squeal could be anything, like a hard spot in the pads.
Normally, I would stay with ceramics, or for really great stopping power when hot, 02 ZO6 pads. The down side to these is that they do dust the wheel more.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[cavettefan]

Dust the wheel more is an understatement.... With the Z06 pads, you will have totally black front wheels after one week's worth of driving. The Z06 pads are certainly indicated if you are autocrossing. However, for even aggressive street driving (like slowing down IMMEDIATELY from 100 mph when the radar detector goes off), I prefer the ceramic pads. The performance is pretty close to what the Z06 pads give, but without the huge amount of brake dust. There may even be an argument for using the ceramic pads from a rotor wear (less wear with the ceramic pads) perspective. Paul, any comments about reduced rotor wear with the ceramic pads?

 

[VETTEX2]

:eyerole slots and dimples provide zero function and are just for looks.........

 

[Pegasus]

You might want to take a look at Baer's Eradispeed series rotors. They offer these in either one piece or two, and the two piece are also offered in the larger "+1"series. The +1's are predicated on using factory wheel sizes (or larger if you like) and backspacing. This gives you a 14" rear rotor and the front diameter stays the same. As far as slots/cross-drilling goes, you can order these in slotted only if you want (same price). The benefits of this set-up provides better braking overall, allows the use of your stock calipers and has the :cool factor as well. BTW, you can specify the color used on the "hat" section too.

Robert

 

[cavettefan]

Not sure if I would go with the Eradispeed rotors (especially the +1s on the rear). The effect of larger rear rotors will be to undermine the brake balance front to rear - which can actually lengthen braking distance. An additional consideration is the supply of replacement rotors - what happens if Baer stops manufacturing the rotors.... Also, what happens if the rotor cracks while you are on a trip? How quickly can you get replacement rotors? If a replacement rotor from Baer is not available, you have to replace two rotors (the failed rotor as well as the rotor on the opposite side from the failed rotor)... at additional cost.... I don't know; the more that I think about it, unless you are going to be autocrossing, I would use the DuraStop ceramic pads - great performance, low dust, and... they are available at every Chevy dealer.

 

[powderski13]

The Baer Eradispeed or Baer Enhanced rotors that are slotted and cross-drilled are great looking and performing street rotors. Since all cross-drilled rotors can develop micro cracks under extreme conditions, I would get slotted rotors for serious track useage.