Did I get scammed on used parts? (Probably) 

You have blessed us all with a saying to deploy on our significant others when we overspend on toys. “But once cry once, sweetie! It’s just math!” 😂

I did the same upgrade last year to my 06 Z06, but bought the kit new from Essex. As you mentioned at the end, the caliper bracket looks to be a custom job, the bracket that came with the new kit is much smaller and anodized black. The second thing I noticed is brake rotor (iron disc) and hats are different than the standard J hook design that comes with new AP racing kits. I'm not sure if that was the standard on older kits. It may be beneficial to reach out to Essex parts and see if they can help narrow things down. I really enjoy the content because I've spent the past two years turning my Z06 into a track weapon. Keep up the good work and I hope you get this solved!

Good luck with getting your brakes worked out. I went with Wilwood F/R kit for my c6z06. Boltup was perfect and pad changes quick.

Hate to hear the issues you are having! I am wanting a C6 Z06 after I am done building my WS6, and I have been enjoying what you are doing with yours ! Keep up the good work dude!

Sorry you’re having troubles! You’ll win the battle eventually. 👍 I can’t imagine how frustrated you must be. Hang in there!

Hey Josh. I feel your pain! I’ve been in similar situations in the past. It’s especially frustrating after spending so much time on the install and anticipating this awesome change to only get let down and perhaps feeling like you went backwards with the car’s build. Personally, I think the seller misrepresented what they sold you which isn’t cool. I think this video is great because it shows the more challenging sides of tracking a car. I love every minute I’m on the track, but I know I spend 3 times as long prepping and maintaining the car which can sometimes lead to frustrates just like this example. Hang in there! I’m sure you can figure out how to safety make it all work. I predict you’ll scrub 1-2seconds off your PB…and the times will stay consistent lap after lap. Good luck!

APRacing is top tier, I’m a budget enthusiast on my Z06 and so far I’m just using KNS slotted upgrade on my 2006 car.

Keep slugging away at it, man. I can't wait to see the video when you finally conquer the vibration and get a clean lap in!! Don't hit the ceiling too hard haha

Hey Josh, I had wanted to comment about the Hawk brake pads. In general, I've used Hawks on a lot of my cars and I love them. That said I hate them on my Z06. They are still on the car but I'm about ready to toss 'em in the trash, and that's on a street car. I can't imagine them on a track. I feel like the stock pads were better. Love the content so far, keep it up!

Hope you work things out! I myself just worked on my C6Zs brakes and just did pads and fluid since BBKs are hella expensive. Also got the Carbotechs XP12 for the front and XP10s for the rear, and I hope you like them because I really like them. Gave me confidence around the track as the padlets I had were shot. May we both reach our goal of beating GT3s!

It's funny, I just remembered that I just received a book from Amazon 2 days ago called "Overthinking!" And I'm pretty sure that the first 2 or 3 of the C6Z06's had a weight of 3,132 pounds. It will be in the Corvette Black Book...

You can remove pads from teh factory caliper by un-doing those three hex or allen bolts on the face of the caliper and the pads slide out from the side. However this only works if you use 3 padlets vs 1 pad.

4:02 That squinty eyed head shake said it all.

Hi Josh, I have been enjoying your channel and I am a similar boat as you. Just bought a c6 z06 for lapping days. In my case I have to wait a few months before the snow clears. I didn’t even get it on the track last year as it snowed the day I got it and track closed for the season that same weekend. Anyhow, I just installed a used Wilwood bbk on my car and you may want to check out their instructions for the Aero6 calipers. They come with spacers/shims to move the caliper outboard. I bought my kit from a c5 guy (made for both) but I found I needed to buy extra shims because I was too close on the inside. In my case everything cleared, but the caliper was not cantered on the rotor when tightened down. I had my engineer brother do some thermo calcs and I was not happy with only 0.8mm clearance. With additional shim I now have 1.8MM on one side and a bit over 2 mm on the other side. I would shoot for a min of 1-1.5 mm clearance to everything. Rotors grow with heat more than you may think. Because your rotor is rubbing on the suspension, you may also need to shim the hats (I also didn’t know that was a thing and I did not have this problem). So to be clear, you may have two areas to shim. One on the hats (that I didn’t do) and then if you move that out, now you need to check your rotor is centered on the caliper (look at the Wilwood instructions, you will see what I mean). You can get shims from Wilwood pretty cheap. It’s best to use their shims (or something sold as a shim, not just a plain washer) as they are very accurate (I.e. all the same) and you won’t introduce any runout. Note: if you add shims behind the hat, please watch out for the length of your studs to ensure you have adequate threads for your wheel nuts. I wouldn’t think you’d need more than a couple mm though, so should be ok. P.s. I also saw that set on CF. Too much for me though!

That wasn't the update I was looking for...

Can’t help but wonder if flipping the caliper bracket and mounting it to the backside of the caliper mounting lugs would have addressed both the bracket interference and caliper offset problem. Taking a little material off the LCA for disc clearance is not unheard of either.

I'd say the only thing to do would be buy rotors from Essex. They are super knowledgeable about Corvettes so they might be able to diagnose your vibration issue.

you are going to need brake ducts to the center of rings to beat the gt3 and probably a bbk will help. race cars usually have way more rear bias than street cars so I doubt the c6 has more than it needs but could be idk. that can be also in conjunction with aero setup, so if you use a big wing then the bias then I expect you need at least the stock bias

4:7 lucky guy.

You know you could apply that buy once cry once philosophy, to your turbo if it's not sold via consignment yet. 👀😋 some Jhooks on a turbo would be sooooo good.

Where can I c6 6 piston calipers

I'm with you on the big brakes. Something special about them. One of the most function over form mods in a way, but also oh so much form. I love shitboxes with real nice brakes. Not that your car is a shitbox at all, but I'm saying it elevates a tuner car for me. One of my favorite performance parts. Not exactly sure why. Bummer about the fitment issues. Seems that bracket was custom made to save money and possibly some other spacer was supposed to be used. Weird.

15:48 really resonates with me lol. We've all been there with maintenance/mods/upgrades. I replaced the brakes on my daily last month, all OEM stuff, should've been easy...but no. How do you like your pressure bleeder? I bought a vacuum bleeder, and its pretty worthless so far.

I feel your frustration

The most expensive upgrade 😂😂 spoke a little to soon.

check your A arm bushings

Feel your pain, but stick with Carbotech, some of the best pads money can buy

Stop! You need a spacer under the hat. That's it! Probably 1 to 5 mm thickness

🤫i put modified spacer back rotor and change caliper bolts

This video made me so sad for you... Ive been following this build and cant wait to see your car beat a GT3 on the track.

Question. Why not just go with the Willwood or Brembo GT Brake systems, or even the ZR1 Brake system (Carbon Ceramic or Steel) over spending all that for a brake kit that doesn't work as intended. Save your $$$$ and spend it on a better coil over LG suspension for Goldie. Then you'll start to see a performance difference at the track. Great content otherwise bud, keep'em coming.

I have 2009 corvette change pads and brakes locked up I have no fluid in rears baffled and ideas

This car is abusive. You just want to love it and its fighting you.

Aftermarket crap. I suppose if you want to race, this is the kind of thing you will deal with.

Off topic, but I remember you complaining about the pedals for heel toeing your car. Have you considered something like Auto Blip? It's only around $400 new. They have install instructions for your car. Here's a video of it on another C6 Z06: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6Jl9vahllHI.html

Now the solution might possibly be one of Dirty Harry's best comments, ever! " A good man always knows his limitations!" Get a professional brake guy. It might even keep your air bag from exploding in your face when you unexpectedly hit something, due to brake failure?!

Henry Ford also said "I am not wealthy enough to buy cheap" = Buy Once, Cry once LOL

😂😂😂

Always provide a virgin surface for new pads. The burnishing procedure can not be achieved without new surfaces. Been there done that. The mounting mating surfaces between rotor hat and hub needs to be power wire brushed to insure no foreign matter and flatness upon torque. You have a good base to brake jobs however modifications are wrought with unknowns.

kinda like the opposite of Miata always being the answer, HP+ is never the answer

Car are pain

WTF IS THIS CAR CONTENT?!? BRING BACK THE CULLING!!!!

I’m a very happy owner of a C6 Convertible, but sure , throwing stupid Money at it even a Toilet you can make it go! ( That is not meant to be derogative to Corvettes!) That said ( having owned a 930 years back when I was young), a Corvette is still a Corvette, I , personally would pony up and buy the GT3, much better quality Car overall. For pure performance , if you’re a ‘Vette Fan , go C6 ZR1.Seems more economical in the long run. Sounds like you wanna do some driving, have fun!

"buy once, cry once" Does not apply to overpaying for used parts especially when they aren't even what you need or expected. BtW, You don't need to spend more than 2-3k for brakes especially considering you are a newb who probably won't use them to their fullest extent anyway.