Differences to ZL1 brakes
 

What are the differences of our SS-1LE's brakes to the ZL1 (non-1LE) brakes?

Just a small note, the ZL1 & ZL1 1LE both feature identical braking systems except for the paint on the calipers.

SS 1LE front rotor diameter: 14.6"
SS 1LE rear rotor diameter: 13.3"

ZL1 front rotor diameter: 15.35"
ZL1 rear rotor diameter: 14.4"

Both use a 6-piston caliper, the ZL1s is slightly larger in size. I believe the pad compounds are identical, though the sizes are different.

There's a useful thread in the sticky area of this sub-forum with info on brake pads for the SS 1LE. http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=475866

You mean 14.6" for the SS 1LE front rotor. Everything else is correct. The ZL1 rotors are also slightly thicker, and the front ZL1 rotors are "kangaroo paw" instead of the SS 1LE's directional vane for their internal cooling structure.

My mistake!! I confused the SS rotors with the SS 1LE by accident! I've edited the post.

never heard "kangaroo paw" before! That's pretty good! :bellyroll:

So if calipers are similar, would it be possible to only change over the rotors of the ZL1 and mount them in the SS-1LE?

So are the 1 le calipers the same as the 6 piston brake upgrade for the standard ss?

Yes, the only difference is the 1LE gets the solid surface rotor where the kit has the slot cut rotors.

I wonder if the master cylinder bore diameter gets changed with the ZL1... Might be something worth looking into.

1LE and ZL1 master cylinders have the same part number.

How are you going to fit the calipers over the bigger rotors? The calipers are solidly attached to their mounts.

We need a ZL1 brake upgrade package! The 1LE brakes are great on tack so far, but wonder what it be like with the ZL1 brakes front and rear. I noticed the Zl1 rears have 2 different part numbers depending if you want the A1Z PKG

Can you lock up the tires/engage ABS with the current brakes? If so, you won't have any difference in stopping. You will have more thermal capacity, and more unsprung rotational mass. One of those is good (if needed), one is bad.

Unless you need more thermal mass there is quite literally zero reason to swap out to ZL1 brakes - unless consumables are cheaper in which case you might be able to make a long term financial benefit out of the swap. Other benefits could be better modulation but with the 1LE 6 pots I doubt there's much of a problem there to begin with.

The pad surface area is greater with the J6H (ZL1) brakes over the J6M (SS 1LE) especially up front. The J6H calipers are machined to accept the larger rotors plus they are larger overall, like the pads, up front is most noticeable. They have larger pistons as well both.

2 things I always want more of in a car, horsepower and brakes