How to Upgrade Base C7 Corvette Brakes to Z51 Components
Those that didn’t order the Z51 package will be pleased to know that swapping out C7 Corvette brakes is a pretty easy job.
The Z51 package has long been a popular upgrade among new Corvette buyers, and for good reason – it provides us with a bevy of performance upgrades for a reasonable price. That’s precisely why the take rate on the Z51 package remains high even on the new C8, with most Stingray buyers ticking that particular box for its stickier tires, louder exhaust, and extra power. However, there are certainly C7 buyers that either couldn’t order the Z51 package on their car, or perhaps chose not to do so and now regret that decision. For those folks, THIS GUIDE on how to upgrade base C7 Corvette brakes to Z51 components created by Corvette Forum member FYREANT should come in handy.
Luckily, it’s not a terribly difficult thing to do, but please proceed with caution. Working under and around automobiles can be extremely dangerous if you don’t follow proper safety protocols.
To upgrade base C7 Corvette brakes to Z51 spec, one must first purchase the new components —
- front & rear brake calipers
- front and rear rotors
- front and rear brake pads
- 1.5-2 liters of brake fluid
FYREANT also recommends upgrading to stainless steel brake lines. In terms of what to buy, you can still snag OEM GM components from places like RockAuto, or upgrade to aftermarket components for the rotors and pads. In many cases, CorvetteForum has several helpful vendors who sell brake pads for street and/or track applications.
Next, after jacking up all four corners of your C7 Corvette and removing the wheels, you need to first remove the brake pads. To do this —
- Knock out the two pins in the brake caliper using a punch
- Pull out the brake pad retainer clips
- Wiggle the brake pads out of the caliper
Next, FYREANT recommends removing the brake line from the back of the caliper. To do this, simply unbolt the single 14mm banjo bolt holding the brake line into place.
To remove the brake caliper itself, there are two 21mm bolts for the caliper holding it in place (they are VERY tight).
Lastly, there’s a Torx head hold holding the rotor in place. From here, removing the rotor is easy once you’ve taken out the Torx bolt that holds it in place.
With all of the brakes removed, now is the time to swap out brake lines, if you wish. The brake line fitting is 13mm and FYREANT recommends being ready for spilled brake fluid, so have an appropriate container ready.
Installing the new Z51 components essentially just consists of reversing these steps, as well as torquing the bolts correctly with the following specs, as provided by FYREANT —
- 13mm brake line fitting – 13 ft-lbs
- Torx head rotor bolt – 89 in-lbs (very important, this one is INCH pounds)
- 21mm caliper bolts (FRONT) – 162 ft-lbs — make sure to use Locktite
- 21mm caliper bolts (REAR) – 89 ft-lbs — make sure to use Locktite
After installing everything, you’ll need to make sure you properly bleed the entire brake system as well bed your new pads and rotors. More of this information is available in FYREANT’s full thread, along with some handy tips and tricks. For example, to get the best out of these brakes, one should consider also adding the Z51 brake ducted for added cooling, which you can learn about HERE.
Photos: Corvette Forum
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