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OLDGOAT
Guest
I would appreciate some help with some basic knowledge about the Z51's brakes. I apologize that some of these questions are very basic regarding cross drilled rotors but that's where I am at. Any insight/knowledge shared is appreciated.
1/ Is it correct that the basic advantage of cross drilled rotors is that heat is dissipated faster thus reducing brake fade in extreme conditions?
2/ In less than extreme conditions do cross drilled brakes perform any better than solid? Worse perhaps? Or....does the removal of all the rotor material by drilling the holes result in lower performance due to less actual surface area? Is this perhaps the reason that the size of the Z51 rotors is larger than standard?
3/ Does the removal of material in drilling the holes result in more warpage than expected from standard rotors? I understand that rotor warp was a problem on the C5 and that rotors were beefed up on the C6. Does the cross drilling compromise this? Do cross drilled rotors wear out faster than standard due to less surface area?
4/ Most who comment on the Z51 brakes seem to highlight how they "look"...larger etc. How do they actually perform vs. standard in normal ( for a vette ) driving conditions? Yes, on the "track" they would be better...how about "spirited" street driving?
5/ These question relate to the decision whether or not to choose the Z51 option. Yes, the brakes look neat. Yes, it's a value adding performance option. Yes, there are other upgrades in the package. However, there has also been comment in this forum about ride of the Z51 being rather harsh and brake noise ( which may be present on standard as well as Z51 ). It would seem a no brainer to select Z51 for almost any C6 ordered. But will this option really give added performance that will be noticeable in normal driving....and, are there downsides?
6/ Lastly, for someone who views the Z51 option MOSTLY but not entirely about getting better brakes what can we expect from aftermarket providers of upgraded brakes for the C6. Will these providers give us brake options for the C6 that are BETTER than those on the Z51? And how will the cost of aftermarket brake upgrades compare to the $1500 cost of the Z51 package? ( of course, for the real performance seeker I suppose that Z51 could be worth this relatively small amount of extra money for all the non-brake upgrades EVEN if they planned to upgrade the Z51 brakes )
I wish, like others have mentioned, that the Z51 option was "unbundled" so that portions of the package could be selected and perhaps combined with other ride options etc.
As an aside....thinking about the Z06 we have to believe that it will have substantially better/larger brakes than even the Z51? Perhaps the present Z51 brakes will become standard on the C6 next year with the much better Z06 brakes as the extra cost option? ( scratch this thought if the Z06 wheels are different and incompatible with the standard C6 )
1/ Is it correct that the basic advantage of cross drilled rotors is that heat is dissipated faster thus reducing brake fade in extreme conditions?
2/ In less than extreme conditions do cross drilled brakes perform any better than solid? Worse perhaps? Or....does the removal of all the rotor material by drilling the holes result in lower performance due to less actual surface area? Is this perhaps the reason that the size of the Z51 rotors is larger than standard?
3/ Does the removal of material in drilling the holes result in more warpage than expected from standard rotors? I understand that rotor warp was a problem on the C5 and that rotors were beefed up on the C6. Does the cross drilling compromise this? Do cross drilled rotors wear out faster than standard due to less surface area?
4/ Most who comment on the Z51 brakes seem to highlight how they "look"...larger etc. How do they actually perform vs. standard in normal ( for a vette ) driving conditions? Yes, on the "track" they would be better...how about "spirited" street driving?
5/ These question relate to the decision whether or not to choose the Z51 option. Yes, the brakes look neat. Yes, it's a value adding performance option. Yes, there are other upgrades in the package. However, there has also been comment in this forum about ride of the Z51 being rather harsh and brake noise ( which may be present on standard as well as Z51 ). It would seem a no brainer to select Z51 for almost any C6 ordered. But will this option really give added performance that will be noticeable in normal driving....and, are there downsides?
6/ Lastly, for someone who views the Z51 option MOSTLY but not entirely about getting better brakes what can we expect from aftermarket providers of upgraded brakes for the C6. Will these providers give us brake options for the C6 that are BETTER than those on the Z51? And how will the cost of aftermarket brake upgrades compare to the $1500 cost of the Z51 package? ( of course, for the real performance seeker I suppose that Z51 could be worth this relatively small amount of extra money for all the non-brake upgrades EVEN if they planned to upgrade the Z51 brakes )
I wish, like others have mentioned, that the Z51 option was "unbundled" so that portions of the package could be selected and perhaps combined with other ride options etc.
As an aside....thinking about the Z06 we have to believe that it will have substantially better/larger brakes than even the Z51? Perhaps the present Z51 brakes will become standard on the C6 next year with the much better Z06 brakes as the extra cost option? ( scratch this thought if the Z06 wheels are different and incompatible with the standard C6 )
4LT GS Roadster
