Velocity Corvette Club » Technical C5 Corvette

C6 Z06 Brake Kit Install on C5: Worth the Weight?

Mike — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 02:17:41 +0000

There is no question that the C6 Corvette Z06 brakes look impressive and provide increased clamping force, but are they worth the weight?

If you have been thinking about upgrading your C5 Corvette brakes with the C6 Z06 Corvette brakes you may want to consider the increased unsprung weight.

Weight of C5 Corvette OEM Brake Parts
Total Weight: 87.4lb

Front Rotor = 17.50lb
Rear Rotor = 13.25lb
Front Caliber = 8.10lb
Rear Caliber = 4.85lb

Weight of the 2005-2007 Corvette Z06 OEM Brake Parts
Total Weight: 126.4lb

Front Rotor = 25.95lb
Rear Rotor = 19.90lb
Front Caliber = 9.10lb
Rear Caliber = 8.25lb

With an additional 39lb of unsprung weight added to your car, personally I would have to question the absolute value when installed on a stock C5.

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We will address the braking performance improvements in a later article; but after seeing the brakes installed they definitely get a recommendation from the looks department.

The best all around LSx engine

Mike — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:22:01 +0000

Now that it looks to like we will be stuck with what we have a period of time, I was giving some thought to which motor I would use if I was starting a new late model project car today.

The LSx series of engines that power the current C6 and the previous C5 generation Corvettes:

LS1 1997 - 2004 Corvette
LS2 2005 – 2007 Corvette
LS3 2008 – 20xx Corvette

LS6 2001 – 2004 Corvette Z06
LS7 2006 -2008 Corvette Z06

LS9 2009 -20xx Corvette ZR1

Having both an LS6 and a LS3, my vote goes to the LS3 for the best all around motor. Which engine gets your vote?

Alternative Tire Pressure Sensor Re-Programming Tool

Mike — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 22:01:38 +0000

Sometimes the most useful and effective tools end up being designed for some other purpose. One day while working in the Self-Service garage a member discovered out of desperation that a 6″ inch magnetic parts tray is a good replacement for the GM Tire Pressure Monitor Tool (TPM).

If you have changed wheels on your C5, or had a tire sensor go bad then you already know that special tool called the Tire Pressure Monitor System Programming Tool is required to reset the sensors. The official GM tool (part number J41760) can be purchased from Kent-Moore for $49.00, but essentially is an expensive magnet.

Interestingly enough the parts tray also has a strong magnet in the base of the tray. Originally it was designed to keep your metal parts in place, but it unintentionally makes the tray an effective replacement for the Tire Pressure Monitor System Programming Tool.

We originally picked up our magnet parts tray for $6 dollars at Northern Tools, and have been using it ever since our discovery. You can also find a good parts tray at Lowes made by Kobalt tools, but it runs about $15-19 dollars since it comes bundled with a tape measure.

Enjoy!