KNS Brakes Demonstrates How to Swap C8 Corvette Z51 Brake Pads (& Reveals an Odd Design Issue)
KNS Brakes Demonstrates How to Swap C8 Corvette Z51 Brake Pads (& Reveals an Odd Design Issue)
KNS Brakes Demonstrates How to Swap C8 Corvette Z51 Brake Pads (& Reveals an Odd Design Issue)
Supporting vendor KNS Brakes discovers some interesting things while prepping a C8 for the track.
Obviously, the phrase “dancing with two left feet” isn’t a compliment. Unfortunately, it’s the one that popped into our head while we were watching this video from our friends at KNS Brakes.
In the clip, Ken Kozlowski walks us through the process of installing some G-LOC R12 pads to prep a C8 Z51 for the track. Which should be simple enough. But after he gets the wheels off, he discovers that the new mid-engine supercar is sporting two left front brake rotors.
As he explains in the video, the fins inside the rotor should be angled backward, so they’ll blow more air on the discs. On the driver’s side, the fins are orientated correctly. But on the passenger side, as you can see in the picture below, they’re angled forward, making it optimized for use of the left side. Now, the Corvette used unique right and left rotors C5, and in the past, DIY-inclined forum members have fessed up to getting them reversed.
In the video, Kozlowski jokes “that’s why it’s under 100 grand,” and he goes into a little more detail responding to folks on the thread.
Rotors – C6Z front rotors are curved vane but one side only. I think the C6 Z51 front one was also. Meanwhile the C6 Base went from the left and right front and rear (C5) to a pillar vane front and L/R rear. Then on C7’s – iirc none are curved vane including the Z06 disc. It’s not like GM does not know this. Something is telling them to make an angled/curved vane disc but to not make a L/R. That saves a rotor mold and a part number which is a decent chunk of $$. That said – sometimes I should be quiet. You should see the friendly Youtube replies.
Given all the development that went into the C8, we thought the rotors issue was super weird, so we asked Kozlowski is this could have been a mix up at Bowling Green.
There is only one front rotor part number so that is what they made.
Further inspection: The vanes are angled but not curved which adds mass and surface and perhaps the flow is not reduced too much going the other way. It’s odd. I won’t make a KNS rotor that way most likely.
Given the different ways the General has done them over the years, we have to wonder exactly how important those fins are. Maybe it’s the kind of thing you’d just never notice, outside of campaigning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Overall, Kozlowski says the brakes on this generation Z51 are an improvement, but he thinks track rats will want to opt for an aftermarket big brake kit, or even wait for the Z06.
Of more interest to members who prefer to do their own maintenance is the fact that the socket on the caliper pin bolt is a weird size. You might have been able to guess that from the thumbnail of the video, which subtly references that something might be funky with this fastener.
Now, if a pro like Kozlowski doesn’t have it in his toolbox? It’s a good bet you don’t either. So since he didn’t have the mystery bit, he had to pop the caliper replace the pads. As the stock pads are actually glued to the brake pistons at the factory, this technique actually made it easy to slide in a screwdriver and pop them off — though it does require an extra set of hands.
Regarding the socket on the caliper pin bolt, there was some speculation on the thread as to what size it is, but no initially, no answer. Member C8-Vette was curious enough to do some research on his own, but still didn’t get one.
I contacted Brembo USA and asked about the socket size. They had no info. However they told me to call RACETECH.
Racetech could not give me any idea of the socket size either, but he did say that GM used that bolt because they dont want you to remove it.. .
Makes no sense!!! Why use a bolt thats not supposed to be removed?
This problem will be solved, hang on.
Fortunately, Kozlowski took some measurements and provided a link to a socket that’ll work. So if you’re planning on doing C8 brakes yourself, we’d recommend picking one up.
That said, it does look like the G-LOC R12 pads are a great upgrade from the stock Corvette ones, as the size difference is obvious. If you’re planning on tracking your car, it’s probably not a bad idea to consider upgrading to these or something similar, as it’s a cheap improvement, which should pay dividends on any circuit.
Head to the thread to read the conversation about this video on the C8’s brakes — and more learn more than you ever thought you would about the copper content of brake pad material. Seriously. There are charts and graphs.
