SSBrutus02

i know there are a million threads on the gen1 cts-v brake upgrades for 4th gen f bodies. But I love the look of the big red 6 piston calipers up front. I'd like to run a 14" rotor, 18" wheels. probably going to eventually go with a square 315 setup. I might eventually road race it but for now its just for looks.

From what I've read the gen1 ctsv brakes perform better than say the c6z brakes and have much cheaper pads. But I'm wondering about the gen2 ctsv/5th gen zl1 brakes. They're more expensive but from what I can find they use a 14" rotor AND they are big and shiny. Has any1 put them on a 4th gen? are they worth the money? Any1 know if they'll fit?

I've looked at the big name brands, I like the brembo's and stop-techs but they only offer 4 piston for my car, maybe just because of the wheel size? I could possibly order them from a different vehicle and have them mount up just fine. I don't like the look of the wilwood or baer kits. I know I'm picky and a lot of you will probably say I'm retarded but its my car and I want what I want

Any1 have any other suggestions? Kind of still new to this forum so forgive me.

StoneColdLT1

iTrader: (8)

From what I've researched on this topic so far, the 2nd gen CTS-V calipers should bolt up to the LS spindle, but you need to drill out the spindle to fit the larger caliper mounting bolt.

For the 2nd gen CTS-V calipers, I believe you need something like a 14.4" rotor (CTS-V rotor with the centerbore machined larger) for the pads to seat properly. It should all fit within a 18" wheel, it may need a spacer for clearance depending on exact wheel, but an 18" wheel should fit over the caliper, which is also what is needed for a 1st gen CTS-V caliper.

If you dig deep in the CTS-V brake sticky, there is more talk about the 6 pistons. Google is also good on finding specs for each specific caliper and rotor.

I haven't heard good things about the C6 Z06 6 pistons with the padlets, even though they make one piece pads for them. 1st gen CTS-V 4 pistons are best bang for the buck IMO, 2nd gen CTS-V 6 pistons I hear good things but are pricy.

SSBrutus02

As long as they're not worse I'm ok spending the money for the look. Thanks for your reply! Not 5 minutes after posting this I found a YouTube video about installing them. Looks like you're spot on with just drilling out the holes and getting a cts-v rotor (bored out) with a spacer.

I just gotta decide what wheels I want. Probably going to go with the c5z rears on all four corners. Maybe some forgestar f14's who knows. Decisions are hard. :/

StoneColdLT1

iTrader: (8)

Dig in towards the end of the CTS-V brake sticky, you'll see discussions about what wheels fit with what spacer. If you're like me, I'm trying to avoid a spacer.

C5Z rears are 18"x10.5 if I'm not mistaken and I think (MAKE SURE TO CHECK) I saw someone on the brake sticky fit them over these calipers without a spacer. However, the 18"x9.5" C5Z replicas need a spacer I believe.

I'm going to use C6Z fronts on all four corners. They're 18"x9.5" and they've been known to fit over big calipers. If you go that route, make sure you get real C6Z wheels with a 40mm offset, the replicas with 56mm offset need spacers. Some replicas have a 40mm offset and are a very affordable route to go.

SSBrutus02

Awesome! Thanks for the heads up, I was just sitting here looking. And I kinda like the c7z wheels. I think 4 of those in gun metal grey 18x10.5 would work well with no spacer, only 1 way to find out!

Ill have to double check and make sure the offset is going to work with my setup of course.

Im also wondering if these replica wheels are strong at all. I mean they're less than $200 a piece

StoneColdLT1

iTrader: (8)

I don't see a big issue with replica's IMO. They may not be up to OEM spec completely, but short of jumping curbs and beating the complete crap out of them, I'm sure they'd hold up fine. A lot of people run them and I haven't heard any complaints.

Not to mention the cost savings. I'll usually spend an extra penny for the good stuff but within reason. For example for my car, I need 4 C6Z fronts. Everyone sells staggered sets for like over $1k. So I need two sets, then I'm stuck with 4 C6Z rears which are useless because they're 19"x12" and basically only fit on C6Z's and Grand Sports. So you're $2k in the hole, have 4 rims you can't use and going to be a hassle to sell, and it's all for used rims. I'd rather spend $600 on brand new replicas for the wheels I need, even if they're not OEM.

If you think those are bad prices, my GF has an Evo X and is into the tuner scene, she bought aftermarket Work replicas for $1k a set. Real Work's are like $4k for a set! Granted they're real three piece rims but that's more than what I bought my car for, there's no way I'd spend that much for rims.

SSBrutus02

Yea I hear ya. It's a lot of money! But to be honest a nice set of ccw's or hre's would be worth it in my opinion. They add so much to the car and you'd never have to worry about them at all! I'll have a set of forged rims on my car someday but for now I'll go with replicas I think.

I would go with the c6z fronts but to be honest I don't like them on f-bodies and they arnt wide enough for me.

13thFlame

iTrader: (1)

SSBrutus02

that's the exact video I watched. Good stuff

JJsQwuik

iTrader: (17)

Not my car. Belongs to another guy here

StoneColdLT1

iTrader: (8)

I was going to run 9.5" on all four corners, I may consider 10.5" on all four depending on how the front fit and how much larger of a tire you can fit on it compared to a 9.5". I hear some 10.5" have issues hitting the steering knuckle, and I would definably run some kind of power steering cooler with those.

SSBrutus02

They look nice! I can't wait to do this mod. I'm going to try and go 18x11 all around. With 315's hopefully, there's a guy that did it with forgestars, I'm looking at going ccw sp500. just gotta buy me a lottery ticket lol

smitty2919

Regardless of 315's or not, you should still put a proper PS cooler on it. Us LT1 guys are not lucky enough to buy a TurnOne pump anymore so we are stuck with factory ones. Next season when I plan to run SKF C5 race hubs and 315 A6's...it's a matter of time until the PS pump takes a dump. It already whines like a roots blower LOL.

9.5" wheels may fit a max of what, 285's safely? Move to 10.5" with 315's and -1.5 to -2* camber and let 'er rip.

Chris Paveglio

iTrader: (2)

I have 17x11s and never had any problems with touching the suspension or steering. But mine are +36mm offset (Firebird), +50mm offset might be the problem.