ZL1 / CTS-V Brakes

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by backeddy

I rode with Balue for a session around Laguna to show him around, he had just installed a Wilwood 6 piston setup with pretty stout rotors and track pads. I was actually surprised how much bite they had, and they seemed to hold up to heat pretty well(no where near what I put brakes through, but they might hold up??). The only issue was that they needed to be shimmed out of nowhere as the caliper was riding the rotor??? I am not sure of the cost of their rotors or offsets on a stock setup though.

I have a client tracking hard a Wilwood Aero6 front caliper with upgraded rotors and thremlock pistons. His car has brake ducts. The braking has been outstanding with the OE rear caliper and upgraded pads all round. He runs VIR, a relatively fast rc,

[Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

If ur all in kinda guy get those AP radical calipers and rotors and never ever again worry about if there is better brakes for your camaro. 2 pc on all corners, not much heavier than zl1 but significantly more pad swept area. 7k though. If you dont tune ur LS3 zl1 brakes are perfect...maybe more track oriented pad if you go blackeddy on the track.

I'm not THAT all in... lol

The Brembo ZL1 set up is plenty but I wouldn't mind getting them optimized.

Some good SS pistons with high temp seals and boots, the right pads, and ducts should be good enough for me.

The Brembo rotors are great but expensive. I wouldn't mind something less expensive if possible. I don't want to sacrifice quality for price so I'd stay with the Brembo rotors.

Two piece front and rear would save some weight but I wouldn't kill my bank account for looks and minimal performance improvement. I'm neutral on slots/dimples/holes etc...

I've had reservations with the RB rotors from the get go. I can't justify that price and I question durability. Also if Jordan has issues with them I'm out.

The pads are easy to figure out. There are plenty of great offerings.

The pistons are more than doable. Either the ZO6 set up or the RB racing. The seals have done good for me so far, I would hope the pistons are good too.

There are a couple of options for ducts and I have an idea or two.

I'll be due brakes in 6 months or so.

[Mgizzle]

Keep in mind 2 pc rear rotors, if properly designed, have stainless steel hats due to the drum in hat for the E brake. Hence weight loss is not there. Aluminum hat rears are a no no for me.

I used RB on my previous STi track...to say the least the zl1 rotor is the way I would go.

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

Keep in mind 2 pc rear rotors, if properly designed, have stainless steel hats due to the drum in hat for the E brake. Hence weight loss is not there. Aluminum hat rears are a no no for me.

I used RB on my previous STi track...to say the least the zl1 rotor is the way I would go.

Very few aftermarket two piece brake rotors have SS hats. We used the SS rear rotor and dual cast front CTS-V for our CTS-V conversion. We have had excellent results with the CTS-V dual cast on the front with CobaltFriction pads. The ZL1 front rotor is a bit of an upgrade, but looking at the cost makes the CTS-V dual cast a deal.

[Firefighter]

I'm usually the type that buys new rotors for a brake job. This car is the first that has such expensive rotors. I'm guessing it wouldn't be terrible to cut them once.

I wouldn't mind being able to just get rings up front for say $125 - $150 each. That with new rear rotors and I'm happy.

[backeddy]

The 2 piece zl1 hold up to this much heat(notice the zl1 stickers melted into the basecoat) without as much as a whimper.....I would like to test the others out for comparison.........Where are you at guys? send me some test samples!!!! LOL

[Dropspeed]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

We used the SS rear rotor and dual cast front CTS-V for our CTS-V conversion. We have had excellent results with the CTS-V dual cast on the front with CobaltFriction pads. The ZL1 front rotor is a bit of an upgrade, but looking at the cost makes the CTS-V dual cast a deal.

There is a performance and cooling advantage with the dual cast rotors. They were last used on the CTS-V in I believe 2012and they switched to the 2-piece.

If you can afford to, use the 2-Piece rotors. $540/pair vs. $328/pair


Prices as of today.


Front 2-Piece Rotor ZL1/CTS-V
ACDelco 177-1145
$255.xx /each

Front 2-Piece Rotor ZL1/CTS-V
ACDelco 177-1146
$258.xx /each

Front Dual Cast Rotor CTS-V
ACDelco 177-1105
$164.xx /each

[Firefighter]

I wish they sold just the rings though...

[Mgizzle]

Originally Posted by Firefighter

I wish they sold just the rings though...

You can never just replace rings. The entire assembly has to be balanced together. Aftermarket companies do it since for racing and "off road" use people dont complain too much.

The zl1 rotor is a steal. My 1pc cast iron subaru sti rotor was 300 bucks a pop. Performance wise there is no 370m rotor that will perform better on track than the zl1 for even close that price. The co cast cts v rotor does hold up...but I dont like it at all on my car. Horrible resonance on car (roughness) after track due to post pillar design , bad brake cooling due to holes........and its offset in the caliper by about a mill to the inboard side since thencts v sandwiches a shield between knuckle and bearing.

[olblue75]

So it's best to run ZL1 rotors OEM wise with CTS-V/ZL1 6 Piston Calipers???

[Firefighter]

Well I'll just concentrate on upgrading the pistons next brake job and evaluate the rotors at that time. I'd probably just stick with new stock rotors then.

[White_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by Dropspeed

There is a performance and cooling advantage with the dual cast rotors. They were last used on the CTS-V in I believe 2012and they switched to the 2-piece.

What's the cooling advantage? The ZL has arched vains to create airflow through the rotor, to my knowledge the dual cast are straight.

Originally Posted by Firefighter

I wish they sold just the rings though...

Same here.

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

You can never just replace rings. The entire assembly has to be balanced together. Aftermarket companies do it since for racing and "off road" use people dont complain too much.

The zl1 rotor is a steal. My 1pc cast iron subaru sti rotor was 300 bucks a pop. Performance wise there is no 370m rotor that will perform better on track than the zl1 for even close that price. The co cast cts v rotor does hold up...but I dont like it at all on my car. Horrible resonance on car (roughness) after track due to post pillar design , bad brake cooling due to holes........and its offset in the caliper by about a mill to the inboard side since thencts v sandwiches a shield between knuckle and bearing.

If the correct bolts and machining processes are used to mate the rotor to the hat there shouldn't be a balance issue. I didn't know about the offset in the dual cast rotors, good info.

[Mgizzle]

Originally Posted by Firefighter

Well I'll just concentrate on upgrading the pistons next brake job and evaluate the rotors at that time. I'd probably just stick with new stock rotors then.

Do you have 4 piston stock calipers or 6 piston zl1/cts v brakes? The vented 6pistons dont fot the stock 4 postin caliper.

[Firefighter]

ZL1 set up...