[KnowAG96]

I saw a video online of someone who had a 6th Gen SS 1LE and was using 5th Gen ZL1 front rotor rings and just swapping the hat over from their old rotor. My brakes are wearing out and before I spend $1500 replacing them I figured i would ask here if this is possible? I saw a kit from Paragon brakes here: https://paragonbrakes.com/14-6-front-replacement-rotor-rings-5th-gen-camaro-zl1/

The kit says its compatible with both 6th gen SS 1LE and 5th Gen ZL1 rotor hats. I haven't been able to find a lot about this online. Anyone have experience doing this? If so why isn't it more common?

[N Camarolina]

I'll ask others who've actually rebuilt the rotors chime in here, but my understanding is it's not quite as simple as you think.

Even though you can buy alternative rotor discs to mate up to the SS 1LE hats (DBS, 5th gen ZL1, etc) you'll need to use new hardware to fix the rotors to the hats, as some of the parts are one time use. Ken from KNS Brakes used to sell the hardware set as a separate item, but last time I checked he was no longer doing that and only made available or supplied them if you bought the rotor rings from him (DBS, etc). I know of no other retailer who sells the hardware.

If you're prepared to rebuild your rotors, you might also want to consider just doing the rotor replacment job yourself. The hardest part is removing the caliper bolts, as they are torqued to ~ 130 lb/ft and may use a high temp thread lock. But if you can get enough leverage on them (overhead lift and breaker bar, or high torque impact wrench inside the wheel well), they will come off.

[ontarioss1le]

I just did this exact thing. I have a 18 ss 1le with 70k miles. In Canada the 1le front rotors are incredibly expensive. I purchased the 5th gen ZL1 Brembo rotors from rock auto for less then half what the 6th 1le rotors cost.

I disassembled both, swapped the new rings into my existing hats and they've been great thus far. I wanted oem setup and do enough mileage that I'm trying to minimize the cost of consumables. Sold the old rings on new 5th gen hats to someone else to use as spare parts for their track setup.

Part numbers in pic.

[dpevans]

Rotor rings from ZZ performance fit the OEM hats. I did not see them listed on the web site but I purchased a set last year. You might have to call them to see if available. You also don't need the hardware kits you only need new crimp nuts.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by dpevans

Rotor rings from ZZ performance fit the OEM hats. I did not see them listed on the web site but I purchased a set last year. You might have to call them to see if available. You also don't need the hardware kits you only need new crimp nuts.

Agreed. I put the ZZ rings on my stock hats and they've worked equally well to the OEs. They told me these match them exactly in spec. I believe it is this part, but I would "message the seller" with your exact year and spec and make sure. You can't beat $370 for a pair of new rotor rings. ZZ Performance was also selling a set of the attachment hardware, but it was expensive. I ended up buying this part, but I would "message the seller" with your exact year and spec and make sure. You can't beat $370 for a pair of new rotor rings. ZZ Performance was also selling a set of the attachment hardware, but it was expensive. I ended up buying these, which gets you the required new nuts and the not-required-but-nice-to-have new bolts." I found the nuts sold separately somewhere, but they weren't much less expensive than this combo....or if they were, I didn't think metal was "high-temp" steel, which seems important for this use. They sometimes are called "jet nuts" or "deformed/distorted nuts." They are M6 (6mm thread x 1.0). I see that Pegasus has them for a decent price - these must not have been available when I was looking.

[dpevans]

Originally Posted by Msquared

Agreed. I put the ZZ rings on my stock hats and they've worked equally well to the OEs. They told me these match them exactly in spec. I believe it is this part, but I would "message the seller" with your exact year and spec and make sure. You can't beat $370 for a pair of new rotor rings. ZZ Performance was also selling a set of the attachment hardware, but it was expensive. I ended up buying this part, but I would "message the seller" with your exact year and spec and make sure. You can't beat $370 for a pair of new rotor rings. ZZ Performance was also selling a set of the attachment hardware, but it was expensive. I ended up buying these, which gets you the required new nuts and the not-required-but-nice-to-have new bolts."]these[/URL], which gets you the required new nuts and the not-required-but-nice-to-have new bolts. I found the nuts sold separately somewhere, but they weren't much less expensive than this combo....or if they were, I didn't think metal was "high-temp" steel, which seems important for this use. They sometimes are called "jet nuts" or "deformed/distorted nuts." They are M6 (6mm thread x 1.0). I see that Pegasus has them for a decent price - these must not have been available when I was looking.

Keep in mind if you do purchase crimp nuts you also need to purchase hardened washers too. The OEMs are special sized nuts and even hardware kits don't have the OEM crimp nut that fits the hole correctly so you need washer. The Fastenal part numbers are Locking flange nut 1510038 M6x1 and the flat washer 24836677, these are hardened washers that won't bend, don't buy regular washers they won't work ask me how I know.

[Dabjbr]

Wow! This is a great thread! Saving for future reference!

For those that have tried ZZ or 5G ZL1 rings, any issues at the track? (I do about 15-18 days a year and use OE or DBA rings.)

[dpevans]

Originally Posted by Dabjbr

Wow! This is a great thread! Saving for future reference!

For those that have tried ZZ or 5G ZL1 rings, any issues at the track? (I do about 15-18 days a year and use OE or DBA rings.)

I did 6 track HPDEs and a full season of AutoX and had no issues and those were with GLoc R12 pads. No heat cracks. Doing 15-18 I think any rotor is going to show heat cracks.

[Bumbleboy92]

Funny enough, after reading this thread I’m watching this video where he did exactly this. (6 Piston 6th Gen Brembo with 5th Gen ZL1 hat) - timestamped to 4:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=272&v=l8u_m9QJvWQ

[Dabjbr]

Originally Posted by dpevans

I did 6 track HPDEs and a full season of AutoX and had no issues and those were with GLoc R12 pads. No heat cracks. Doing 15-18 I think any rotor is going to show heat cracks.

Great to know! Thank you!

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Dabjbr

For those that have tried ZZ or 5G ZL1 rings, any issues at the track? (I do about 15-18 days a year and use OE or DBA rings.)

Missed this before. I've done probably 7-8 autocrosses and at least 4 track days and time trials on these rotors and they've been fine. Two of those were at NCM, which has a few fairly hard braking events on a lap.

[Twizzty]

Do the C7 Z06 front rotors work with the SS1LE hats and new hardware? I have access to these rotors but wanted to confirm before getting half way though and them not being the correct size.