Installed the low budget "Zack" big brake kit!!!

[Kramer1]

Got the BBK finally installed on my 2004 Marauder. Most parts came from RockAuto thanks to discount codes! I did the red Z06 calipers, EBC Redstuff pads with BrakeMotive zinc coated slotted and drilled rotors and TCE stainless lines. The braking power now is phenomenal compared to what stock was! Amazing difference! Thanks guys! Here are some pics....

[Kramer1]

Pics behind the wheels

[Kramer1]

It looks like it's supposed to now! Brakes fill up the wheel opening!!

[Turbov6Bryan]

I noticed that the price on the calipers and rotors have dropped in the past few years
Can you give us a ballpark figure you paid for everything? Did you go with a factory brake line or tce brake lines

[RubberCtyRauder]

You are supposed to grind the corvette off.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I Purchased everything from Napa with 10% discount,
brackets and Todd's lines total was $702. The braking is far superior
to anything stock. The calipers might even be better than the Baer Big
Brake Calipers. At Mauraderville, I heard several people think they stink.

I purchased the black ones, sanded them down and painted them
Ford Blue with paint from Amazon.

See my post.

[justbob]

At Mauraderville, I heard several people think they stink.




That's because at MV's there is always gossip like little old lady's on who's the ******* now, what vendor screwed who, and somebodies mod is too gaudy, lame, or impracticable... I've heard enough over the years.

Now ask the several people who actually has them or who is jealous that they don't. This is also normal. Just like on here when people spew out advise when they haven't a clue.


Builder Of Badassery

[MOTOWN]

That's because at MV's there is always gossip like little old lady's on who's the ******* now, what vendor screwed who, and somebodies mod is too gaudy, lame, or impracticable... I've heard enough over the years.

Now ask the several people who actually has them or who is jealous that they don't. This is also normal. Just like on here when people spew out advise when they haven't a clue.


Builder Of Badassery


This is the gospel! So true!

[Davco]

Now drive it up to Birmingham and let me feel the difference. I didn't realize how puny the front brakes look until I started seeing these posts about recently installing this kit. I want to do the same...but I'll go with black calipers.

I'm interested in your final price after install.

[Zack]

I am very happy you are pleased! :beer:

[Kramer1]

Well I did "upgrade" and purchase the higher priced Z06 calipers....I didn't want to shave the Corvette off. Call it personal preference. Yes I used the TCE stainless braided line kit. I also purchased slotted and drilled rotors instead of solid ones. In total, I spent about $770 for everything. But, if you purchase black loaded calipers and solid rotors could shave a little over $100 off my total.
Just the look is worth it to me!! The braking is absolutely amazing now. The OEM brakes I think are completely inferior to the size of the car! These make my Marauder brake like my Jaguar F-Type V8S!!!

[Kramer1]

Thanks for all the comments guys! I don't usually post my progress on here, I'm more of a lurker!! ;)

[Kramer1]

Now drive it up to Birmingham and let me feel the difference. I didn't realize how puny the front brakes look until I started seeing these posts about recently installing this kit. I want to do the same...but I'll go with black calipers.

I'm interested in your final price after install.

Will do sir! My wife's sister lives in Pelham, we go up quite often to visit or to Barber MOTORSPORTS for events!

[Turbov6Bryan]

Thanks for replying

I could care less what my calipers say, better than those poomllim's lol

[guspech750]

Looks great.

Id leave the Corvette on the calipers too. Its a superior car. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Sent from the White House on tax payers dimes.

[8UWITH6]

Looks great.

Id leave the Corvette on the calipers too. Its a superior car. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Sent from the White House on tax payers dimes.

Who is this guy? :beer:

[lji372]

Who is this guy? :beer:

I was just wondering who jacked his account. :lol:

[O's Fan Rich]

That's because at MV's there is always gossip like little old lady's on who's the ******* now, what vendor screwed who, and somebodies mod is too gaudy, lame, or impracticable... I've heard enough over the years.

Now ask the several people who actually has them or who is jealous that they don't. This is also normal. Just like on here when people spew out advise when they haven't a clue.


Builder Of Badassery

I like this.....

[Kramer1]

GM, Government Motors??!! ;)
But yes I agree. That's why I left the "Corvette" on the calipers. It is a superior car, and to get that reaction from people looking at my car....

[Bob Mathis]

Look's good and yes they do a great job of stopping the car.

[Bad_S55]

Well I did "upgrade" and purchase the higher priced Z06 calipers....I didn't want to shave the Corvette off.

Now catch me if I'm wrong, but I thought the C5 Z06 also used larger Brembo calipers like the C6?

[MOTOWN]

Now catch me if I'm wrong, but I thought the C5 Z06 also used larger Brembo calipers like the C6?

No sir , your wrong

[Badass_forever]

what size are the front ones? also what size are the stock rear brakes?

[MOTOWN]

what size are the front ones? also what size are the stock rear brakes?

On which car?

[Kramer1]

On which car?

Yes wondering the same thing.....most of the "stopping force has to do with the 4piston setup on these calipers and increased pad surface size to aid in the friction to stop. TCE stainless lines help with the pedal "feel".

[studio460]

Hey, would you mind posting a complete parts list and recommended suppliers? I'm about to do the mod myself but I'm a little fuzzy on the exact parts required (aside from the custom brackets). For example, what years' Corvettes do I enter in the Rock Auto site? Are you guys buying AC Delco calipers or after-market? I have a set of TCE's SS brake lines for the factory calipers I bought a while ago (but never installed), but I'm guessing I need different ones for the Corvette calipers? Thanks!

[Kramer1]

Hey, would you mind posting a complete parts list and recommended suppliers? I'm about to do the mod myself but I'm a little fuzzy on the exact parts required (aside from the custom brackets). For example, what years' Corvettes do I enter in the Rock Auto site? Are you guys buying AC Delco calipers or after-market? I have a set of TCE's SS brake lines for the factory calipers I bought a while ago (but never installed), but I'm guessing I need different ones for the Corvette calipers? Thanks!


Correct, you will have to purchase different lines as the end fittings are different unless you trust yourself in changing the end fittings to fit the Corvette calipers. There is a complete parts list listed in the "brackets" for sale thread. Nearly all my parts came from Rock Auto with the exception of the rotors. Parts list will vary slightly depending on which calipers you choose.

[Sully008]

Hey, would you mind posting a complete parts list and recommended suppliers? I'm about to do the mod myself but I'm a little fuzzy on the exact parts required (aside from the custom brackets). For example, what years' Corvettes do I enter in the Rock Auto site? Are you guys buying AC Delco calipers or after-market? I have a set of TCE's SS brake lines for the factory calipers I bought a while ago (but never installed), but I'm guessing I need different ones for the Corvette calipers? Thanks!

These are the parts I bought, all from rockauto.com. Note that I've since added the matching rear pads to this.

Calipers:
Centric 14162127 and 14162128
Rotors:
Centric 12661089SL and 12661089SR slotted only.
Pads:
Bendix D731 CT (front)

You will need the correct SS lines from TCE. The ones for the stock brakes won't work.

[fastblackmerc]

Correct, you will have to purchase different lines as the end fittings are different unless you trust yourself in changing the end fittings to fit the Corvette calipers.

IMHO... unless your an expert at doing this or can have them done professionally I'd just buy the right ones and sell yours.

[studio460]

Thanks, guys!

[studio460]

Got the BBK finally installed on my 2004 Marauder. Most parts came from RockAuto thanks to discount codes! I did the red Z06 calipers, EBC Redstuff pads with BrakeMotive zinc coated slotted and drilled rotors and TCE stainless lines. The braking power now is phenomenal compared to what stock was! Amazing difference! Thanks guys! Here are some pics....

Actually, I'm looking to source Z05 or Z06, four-piston AC Delco calipers like the ones shown in your pictures, if you care to share more specifics. Without a core, I imagine the Z06 calipers are pricey, but if a more affordable Z05 four-piston caliper is available I would be game.

[Zack]

Actually, I'm looking to source Z05 or Z06, four-piston AC Delco calipers like the ones shown in your pictures, if you care to share more specifics. Without a core, I imagine the Z06 calipers are pricey, but if a more affordable Z05 four-piston caliper is available I would be game.

Only one caliper fits this.
C5 Corvette. Does not matter if it's a base model or Z06, they were all the same.
They are 2 piston calipers.

[Kramer1]

Only one caliper fits this.
C5 Corvette. Does not matter if it's a base model or Z06, they were all the same.
They are 2 piston calipers.

Correct. On RockAuto, I belive I list price $210 for the pair of red C5 Z06 Calipers, but I also had a 15% off coupon code which brought the cost back down into the $180s which is still a bit more than the standard black calipers at about $65 each.....but in buying those you still have to purchase the coupling brackets and then all associated hardware to mount the pads which in total add about another $100 to the cost....

[O's Fan Rich]

I bought new units on Ebay. But, I did have to buy the mounting brackets too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-04-C5-New-Genuine-GM-Corvette-RED-Z06-Brake-Caliper-Set-88895128-29-30-31-/320590027093?hash=item4aa4a799 55

Wow, they went up $50.00 since I got them.

[lifespeed]

Actually, I'm looking to source Z05 or Z06, four-piston AC Delco calipers like the ones shown in your pictures, if you care to share more specifics. Without a core, I imagine the Z06 calipers are pricey, but if a more affordable Z05 four-piston caliper is available I would be game.

If you want four piston fixed calipers talk to Todd at TCE. I would suggest the Aero6 kit with 14" X 1.25" rotors for maximum durability. You'll need different wheels to clear the calipers.

Too much of an undertaking? We now return you to your two piston floating caliper upgrade thread.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

If you want four piston fixed calipers talk to Todd at TCE. I would suggest the Aero6 kit with 14" X 1.25" rotors for maximum durability. You'll need different wheels to clear the calipers.

Too much of an undertaking? We now return you to your two piston floating caliper upgrade thread.

I believe the 14" kit will allow the stock wheels when using a ~10mm spacer. The 15" rotors will require larger wheels.

[SteelQualityMan]

That is correct. I have the 14 inch set with 6 piston calipers and I love them. They are what the car should have had when it was first designed. I have grooved rotors rather than the drilled ones because of concerns about fatigue cracking.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[MOTOWN]

That is correct. I have the 14 inch set with 6 piston calipers and I love them. They are what the car should have had when it was first designed. I have grooved rotors rather than the drilled ones because of concerns about fatigue cracking.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

Yeah but do you have the Aero 6 piston caliper kit? They are a foot tall! I've never seen that kit on an 18" Marauder wheel.

[SteelQualityMan]

I guess we would have to ask Todd at TCE what he shipped me. I don't have that paperwork handy. I'll post a picture later if I can and maybe you can tell from that.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[lifespeed]

I believe the 14" kit will allow the stock wheels when using a ~10mm spacer. The 15" rotors will require larger wheels.

The FNSL6R kit with 14" X 1.1" rotors fits stock wheels with a 0.090" spacer. But the wear life on this kit is poor.

The Aero6 kit might fit stock wheels (I have not tried) with a much thicker spacer at the cost of ruining the suspension geometry. Personally, I don't consider that an acceptable tradeoff. I bought AR883 wheels to clear the Aero6 kit and widened the wheels to preserve the factory 50mm offset.

[lifespeed]

I guess we would have to ask Todd at TCE what he shipped me. I don't have that paperwork handy. I'll post a picture later if I can and maybe you can tell from that.

If you have stock wheels and a thin spacer it is the FNSL6R kit.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

The aero6 kit on the TCE site suggests a 10mm spacer for stock wheels...that's if it is listed correctly.

Doubt 1cm would affect suspension geometry. Nobody would run aftermarket wheels if that was the case.

[SteelQualityMan]

The FNSL6R kit with 14" X 1.1" rotors fits stock wheels with a 0.090" spacer. But the wear life on this kit is poor.

The Aero6 kit might fit stock wheels (I have not tried) with a much thicker spacer at the cost of ruining the suspension geometry. Personally, I don't consider that an acceptable tradeoff. I bought AR883 wheels to clear the Aero6 kit and widened the wheels to preserve the factory 50mm offset.
Poor wear life on rotors, pads, both? I'm curious to know on what data is that conclusion based? Just askin.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[lifespeed]

Poor wear life on rotors, pads, both? I'm curious to know on what data is that conclusion based? Just askin.

Experience, both pads and rotors. There isn't much area on the pads and the rotors are thin. All a compromise to fit a stock wheel. I used many sets of pads of different compounds, machined rotors and bought new rotors. I never got more than 7K miles out of a set. Here is the thread (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=93691).

FWIW I am burning through my last set of pads on the FNSL6R setup, which are Hawk HPS. They lasted better than BP20, Porterfield R4S and Carbotech XP8.

The new widened wheels to fit the Aero6 are due any day, will upgrade shortly. I am hoping for much better wear results.

[lifespeed]

The aero6 kit on the TCE site suggests a 10mm spacer for stock wheels...that's if it is listed correctly.

Doubt 1cm would affect suspension geometry. Nobody would run aftermarket wheels if that was the case.

You may doubt it, but I have tried it. Placing the road force off-center of the ball joint axis jerks the steering around. It is a bad deal, I would never do it again. You may have noticed one of the major issues of concern regarding aftermarket wheels is choosing the right offset.

Your ride, your money, do as you please. The information has been provided.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

You may doubt it, but I have tried it. Placing the road force off-center of the ball joint axis jerks the steering around. It is a bad deal, I would never do it again. You may have noticed one of the major issues of concern regarding aftermarket wheels is choosing the right offset.

Your ride, your money, do as you please. The information has been provided.

Actually, now that I think about it, there is a difference between wheel offset and spacers 'offset' between the wheel and hub. Without a spacer, regardless of the wheel offset, the wheel is right up against the hub, as stock. A spacer moves that center of gravity if you will, out more and on the lugs. Definitely wouldn't add a spacer more than a few mm's.

[MOTOWN]

Actually, now that I think about it, there is a difference between wheel offset and spacers 'offset' between the wheel and hub. Without a spacer, regardless of the wheel offset, the wheel is right up against the hub, as stock. A spacer moves that center of gravity if you will, out more and on the lugs. Definitely wouldn't add a spacer more than a few mm's.

Wrong again bubs! I have +40mm offset wheels on a 15" Aero kit with no spacers , that same kit would not fit on the same wheel with a +50mm offset.

**Unless the wheel design had a serious curved spoke design**

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Wrong again bubs! I have +40mm offset wheels on a 15" Aero kit with no spacers , that same kit would not fit on the same wheel with a +50mm offset.

**Unless the wheel design had a serious curved spoke design**

Yes, It depends on the wheels.. I said I wouldn't do spacers, a more negative offset still has the inner face of the wheel touching the car's hub. We're talking about stressing the components by having the inward face of the wheel farther out, after a spacer.

This pic shows why a more negative offset, (in your case +40) allows for more clearance for the caliper.
http://tiwing.com/tiwing_site/wp-content/uploads/offsetdiagram11.jpg