Prospective C6 ZR1 Buyer Seeks Information on Brake System Concerns

C6 Corvette ZR1s have a world-class braking system, but it’s costly to replace troublesome rotors.

When the C6 ZR1 was introduced for the 2009 model year, it was the greatest Corvette ever. It featured a host of high tech performance bits which were highlighted by the supercharged LS9. Another key feature was the high-performance braking system, featuring Brembo carbon ceramic rotors. This was the first American production road car to offer these composite brake rotors. They helped the C6 ZR1 to achieve incredible braking measures.

The downside to these carbon ceramic brake rotors is that they are expensive to replace. Depending on where they are purchased, a Corvette ZR1 owner can expect to pay well over a thousand dollars per rotor. Another downside of the ZR1 brakes is that some of them have a vibration issue and that is the key concern of “Marteeni” who is shopping for an LS9 Corvette.

Corvette ZR1 Braking Concerns

When the OP first posted his thread in the C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06 section, he explained his concern with the carbon ceramic rotors, asking if they could be replaced with the less costly steel Grand Sport rotors.

I’m looking at purchasing a C6 ZR1 but the whole ceramic rotors issue and related vibration concerns me. Does anyone know if the C7 Grand Sport steel rotors would fit a C6 ZR1? Tire sizes are the same and this would be much cheaper solution that replacing rotors. I don’t plan on tracking the car so the original intend of the ceramics doesn’t really apply. Thoughts?

The first person to reply was “Hib Halverson“, who explained what was needed to run the steel brake rotors.

You could put the base Z06 iron rotors on the car but you’d also have to use the calipers and the pads, too.

After that, many ZR1 owners posted to point out that they have never had an issue. Some insist that it is overblown, but for those who have experienced it, the problem is very real.

How To Check the Brakes

The first detailed reply came from “Fulton 1”, who offered insight on the problem and how to check for it when test driving a C6 Corvette ZR1.

Predictably, some will say it’s overblown. Much like with LS7 valve issues, these are usually the folks that haven’t had to deal with it firsthand. Statistics “is what they is” and since most of us have access to only a very small sample, our opinions will skew based on that (very small) sample. There’s an almost 10-year old sticky at the top of this forum dealing with the issue for a reason, though.

With that said, my advice to the OP is to not let this scare you away from buying a C6 ZR1 – just understand that it does happen and, worst case, there are avenues to address it if you throw some time and/or money at it. Certainly the rest of the car is worth this potential issue even if you buy one sight unseen like I did.

Best thing to do is test drive the car if you can and get it up in the 75-85mph range. Make sure the tires are up to temp (10-15 miles of driving or so minimum) and if the issue is present it will show itself consistently in that range – you will feel vibration in the steering wheel. Even if you do feel a vibration, there’s no guarantee that this is the issue. As noted above, a good road force balance goes a long way. Also, many of these cars that have been garaged and with low mileage might still be on the original (or just old) tires. Unless you know the history of the car and its storage method or are comfortable with the date codes on the tires, then just budget for a new set of tires along with the purchase of the car. You’re likely getting a good deal on a decade old performance car so this shouldn’t be a big deal.

One thing I would not do is revert to retrofitting the C6 Z06 brakes since those had their own host of issues. I suspect that there are good deals out there, but it’s for a reason.

Many other owners echoed his advice for how to check for the vibration on a test drive of the ZR1. There are also lots of tips from owners who have ideas of how to prevent unusual rotor wear. The most damning information came from one owner who has been fighting with the problem.

Frustration with Vibration

“Stavesacre21” has a C6 ZR1 with the braking vibration and he went into great detail on his experiences.

There are 2 generations of the rotors that were used on the C6ZR. The first gen that apparently ran until somewhere in the 2011 generation didn’t have the drilled holes in the rotors for the weights. The 2nd generation did have the holes, but even if you have 2nd get rotors, locating those weights seems to be all but impossible anymore. Even Brembo themselves don’t sell them. Dealers look at you like you have 4 eyes. It’s such a niche problem that no one ever bothered to look into it and find answers. You are truly on your own if you have this issue.

It’s an overblown issue…until you buy a ZR1 were it ISN’T.

For me, it’s been a nightmarish run. Just to rule it out, I purchased a whole new set of wheels and tires to the tune of $5K only to figure that it’s gotta be the rotors. I have a late 2011 model so don’t assume that later model C6ZRs are immune.

My advice to anyone shopping a C6ZR1…take it up to 70, then 75, then 80, then 85. Set the cruise at each speed for a few minutes. If it’s gonna vibrate, it will during the test drive. It won’t just “pop up” out of the blue one day. I wished I had been more thorough on my test drive. If you test drive a car that does have a vibration, insist it’s corrected BEFORE purchasing it. The seller will quickly find that the “fix” isn’t near as cheap as they think.

The really sad truth here is that those that never drove their precious ZRs and sat on them while under warranty massively screwed the next owner. Extremely low miles aren’t really a good thing for this reason, as they haven’t even driven the car enough to know it has a problem. By the time the subsequent owners drive it and discover the issues, no one from GM is willing to touch any of it, and you’re stuck footing the bill.

So just buy new rotors for $1600/corner, right? The worst part of all this is that the “new” rotors you get as a replacement are going to definitely be NOS, so there’s just as much chance that your getting another bad set of rotors. This has been proven by a number of other owners, both on the forum and personal friends, that found the “new ones” they received to be just as bad, if not worse. We’re talking 1 – 1.5oz out of balance from the factory. Shame on you, Brembo.

I’ve already shopped around and added it up that I can get a brand new set of yellow Z06 calipers, new OEM steel rotors and pads for about $2,100. No small tab but on top of a $60K car, is it really that bad? Sadly, I’m very strongly considering it. I’ve considered trading or selling the car more times than I can count, only to come back to the fact that I love EVERYTHING about the car, but can’t continue to drive around on what feels like 4 rotating squares.

In short, braking vibration issue doesn’t seem to affect many C6 ZR1 owners. Those who have the problem make it clear that it is an absolute nightmare. Fortunately, you can check for it during a test drive.

If you have information or questions on the C6 ZR1 brake vibration, click here to participate in the thread.

.