GM Brembo Caliper Identification

So more times than I can count customers have miss identified calipers , these can be expensive mistakes. I hope this post can clear up some of the confusion and shed some light on some of the subtle differences that these calipers have. First let`s talk about front calipers. Each Brembo caliper is created to fit a certain rotor size and for the most part we keep them on that intended size to keep things simple. So starting with the smallest 4 piston the general uses, the “JL9” or ATS is the base caliper on the JL9 brake optioned C7 corvettes and also that same caliper was used on early ATS Cadillac’s and most recently the V6 6th gen Camaro w/ Brembo option. All of these calipers use a 12.6 inch rotor, however each rotor has its own differences, the C7 rotor is the one we use with all of these calipers for most conversions. Reason being is that the c7 rotor has the legacy pilot hole size (2.78) and the low hat depth of 2.010. below is a list of the rotors critical specs for each

C8 JL9 =12.6 2.010 hat 5 x 120mm 67.5mm Pilot 14MM studs

C7 JL9 = 12.6 dia, 2.010 hat depth, 5 x 4.75 bolt pattern, 2.78 pilot

ATS = 12.6 diameter 2.010 hat depth 5 x 120mm bolt pattern, 67.5mm pilot

6th Gen Camaro JL9 = 12.6 diameter 2.400 hat depth 5 x 120mm bolt pattern 67.5 mm pilot

Now here are examples of these calipers – Notice the lower front edge, it angles upwards toward the ends and there is no upper center support rib.

As you can see these are all the same just different paint jobs. These calipers will all interchange with each other as well, even though some use different rotor specs, these differences are accounted for in the spindles mounts for the caliper.

Typically guys confuse this caliper or assume it is the same as the larger rotor`d caliper a.k.a the C7 Z51, Cadillac XTS and 6th gen Camaro SS.

These calipers use a 13.6 rotor and like the rotors for the 12.6 calipers these follow suit

C8 Z51 = 13.6 2.400 hat 5 x 120mm 67.5mm Pilot 14MM studs

C7 has a 2.010 hat, 2.78 register, 5 x 4.75 13.6 diameter

XTS 2.010 hat 67.5mm pilot, 5 x 120 bolt pattern and 13.6 diameter

6th Gen SS Camaro 2.400 hat 13.6 diameter 67.5mm pilot and 5 x 120 bolt pattern

6th Gen SS Camaro w/ Track performance option 2.400 Hat 67.5mm pilot 5 x 120 bolt pattern

Notice the upper center support rib and the dead flat lower front edge, these are the 13.6 calipers

All of these caliper will interchange with each other, all the differences are paint jobs. Not pictured is another version of this caliper used on the buick regal.

So those are the ones I see alot of mistakes made with.

The C8 Z51 and looks like the 2021 Camaro w/ track performance option use a newer designed caliper, I will add to this as info comes but right now it still carries the the same 345MM rotor diameter, the C8 has moved on to the 67.5mm pilot now with 14mm studs like most other GM`s, here s a pic of the 2021 front Camaro caliper a customer shared with us

Here is the production photo of this caliper. This 4 piston that uses the 345MM rotor is a big improvement, one piece design that must be stronger and more rigid than the 2 piece The 12.6 (321MM) rotor calipers (with track performance package or some call them “SS lite”) look very similar on the LS and LT 4 and 6 cylinder Camaros, I will expand this section at a later date, Trim codes are confusing with the 21+ Camaros but they still either have the 321 or 345 mm set ups for four piston calipers.

The C8 Z51 caliper

I`d like to throw this one in there, it appears to be the latest 4 piston, a one piece caliper w/ No bridge bolt but it is bridged 2021 CT4 Caddy and is using the 321mm rotor (12.6) I believe they are offering a 13.6 sized caliper as well

Moving on to other calipers the next pair of fronts I`d like to talk about are the 04-07 CTSV-1’s and the 2010-15 Camaro SS. Both these calipers use the same 14. inch rotor diameter, the V1 used a 6 lug rotor, the Gen 5 Camaro SS uses the 5 x 120mm pattern and both used the 67.5mm pilot, needless to say we use the SS rotor on all V1 swaps. Both the V1 and SS swap we have to open the pilot to 2.78 for conversions. Major differences in these calipers are:

Mounting bolt size 14mm for the SS and 12 MM for the V1

Brake hose location is low on the V1 while on the SS it is high

Aside from those things the paint jobs are different is all.

These calipers above are staggered in piston sizes as well with 40/44mm pistons

So next up

6 piston calipers; So here we have the smaller Brembo 6 piston calipers, these basically are all the same save for one. These calipers are also set for one specific sized rotor which is 14.6 inch, again we have differences in the rotors but the calipers all interchange with each other and save for one they are all the same. The one that stands alone is the C7 Z06 (J56) Steel rotor 6 piston set up, the difference this caliper has from all the others are the pistons have edm’d holes to vent heat. Thus lowering brake pad heat transferred into the brake fluid. These calipers can be identified easily by the oblong mounting lug they have, unlike symmetrical mounts these have the caliper turned on axis from the mount lugs.

6 piston rotors 14.6 diameter

There are several, more than I`ll talk about but basically we have the

CTS-V2 (had several colors, silver,red & yellow) cast one piece, aluminum spoke hub/ cast iron ring, Aluminum hat bolt on ring w/ directional vanes. 14.6 / 67.5 mm pilot 5 x 120 mm bolt pattern

ZL1 13-15 Same as the directional vane CTS-V2 rotors aluminum bolt on hat 14.6 / 67.5 mm pilot 5 x 120 mm bolt pattern

C7 Z06 14.6 diameter / 2.78 register 5 x 4.75 Aluminum bolt on hat slotted cast iron ring

1LE 6th gen Camaro 14.6 diameter 2.400 hat depth 67.5mm pilot and a 5 x 120mm pattern

ATS-V / ATS Sport like the 1LE 14.6 w/ 2.40 hat with grey/silver, gold and dark red

Next up carbon ceramic 390 mm calipers

These calipers are set for a 390 mm rotor diameter, only a few to speak of

the 15′ 5th gen 1LE (7.0 L)and the c7 Z07 (J57)

these swap in just like any other 6 piston set up, the 5th gen 1LE needs the pilot holes opened since they are 67.5mm but all other aspects bolt on to the same conversion brackets we use for the 4 piston and 6 piston set ups mentioned prior to these.

Now we are arriving at the end of the front calipers..these below are the 390 MM steel rotor calipers. these are used on the ZL1 6th gen and ZL1/1LE 6th gen camaros, and on the CTSV3`s as well

These monsters all use the 2.40 hat depth rotor that can double as a ships anchor if need be and have the 67.5mm pilot and 5 x 120 mm bolt pattern.

REAR GM BREMBO CALIPERS and the park brake…

Starting way back when in 04′ the first CTS-V had the rear four piston calipers on the PBR park brake…like the 98-02 camaro and the 97-13 corvette the simple horseshoe park brake was the norm, it worked fine and was effective taking up little space. This park brake has a threaded adjuster to set the shoe to drum space, this would need to be done by hand to get an effective grip on the drum and once set it was good to go for a long time.

back to the rear calipers..

The V1 caliper (rear) all were silver, used a 14.4 inch rear rotor and this rotor was 6 lug

Staggered piston arrangement with entrance side being 28mm and exit side being 32mm. These calipers need to lead the axle (in front of) the staggered piston combat taper wear in the pads . You will also notice that the lugs for mounting are full round, no clearance has been milled into them because the smaller PBR park brake cleared the lugs when mounted. Our next one looks similar but is slightly different

The 09-15 CTS-V2 rear caliper. Here we move into the Brembo park brake, a larger more traditional shoe, spring and adjuster type drum brake. Because of it`s larger diameter clearance had to be made in the mounting lugs of the caliper, the only difference I can find between the two.

One other park brake exists and that is the power park brake, fitted to the ATS and 6th gen Camaro (optional) and C7 corvette, the modules are divorced and attach at the park brake actuator with a cable. V6 equipped Camaros had the park module fitted right to the back of the caliper, so those 12.4 rotors have no park drum in the rotor.

This caliper also used the 14.4 rear or 370mm rear rotor diameter, this one used a 5 lug rotor that shares its part number with the 5th gen camaro ss and 5th gen ZL1, V3 rears also used the same rotor as did the 6th gen ZL1.

The V2`s came in Silver,Grey,Red and Yellow

So moving along with the what I’ll call the 1st gen rear brembo calipers (for GM)..(1053 pads) We have a few more variants to cover. The 2010-15 Camaro SS rear, same 14.4 rotor but these calipers have the pistons arranged so that they trail (mount behind) the axle. Same caliper different paint job

Also trails the axle and uses the same 14.4 rear rotor. Next below is the 5th gen 1LE (red is the only difference)

Keeping on with the 1053 pad rears ( easily identified by the visible crossover tube) we move to the 6th gen ZL1 and V3 rears. there are some other varieties, Tesla has used the same caliper and also the dodge magnum chargers appears to have the same exact rear caliper, I have not verified but it looks to be the case.

This one above is set up to lead the axle with its staggered arrangement, same 14.4 rotor

So above is the red version (leads axle), this size caliper (14.4 rotor) is from the ZL1 with the 1LE option..so big 15.3 fronts and 14.4 rears. Do not confuse the other smaller 6th gen 1LE only rears which run on the 13.3 rear rotors. These are still current production along with a black version now in `22

V3 14.4 rears matched with the huge 15.3 rotor 6 piston calipers

Okay so now going back and forward some we can move into what I’ll call the 2nd gen rear calipers, these are still bolt together two piece calipers but the cross-over tube has been done internally now. These first showed up on the C7 stingray, they use a 13.3 rear rotor on just about every application except for the C7 Z06, those have a stretched out lug mount to get it over the 14.4 2 piece rear rotor…..I’ll list them out and show various images but the list is long with many different colors etc…these all appear to be square bore calipers (mount fore or aft) and use the 1718 pad set

C7 JL9, C7 Z51, C7Z06,(red,black yellow, silver and blue) ATS-V(3 colors grey, red, gold) , 6th gen Camaro SS, 1LE. (5 colors grey , red, orange, copper, yellow)

Above is what you would find on a base c7 (silver is only on the JL9s)These use a 13.3 rear rotor that is smooth or plain finished and pair with the ATS sized calipers which are used on 12.6 front rotors.

Below are the Z06`s you can see the lugs are longer for the bigger rotor

Now that we are on the C7 Z06…something to remember here. These calipers will only fit on the C7 Z06 rear rotor, the offset of the rotor and the thickness of the rotor are different from the other 14.4 rotors..so no mix match with these they are a pair and have to stay that way.

These above come in grey, red and copper / gold.

The 13.3 rear rotors all seem to have the same hat depth, all the C7`s have the 2.78 pilot and 5 x 120.65 or your good ole 5 x 4.75. The rest have the smaller 67.5 mm pilot and lug holes for 14mm studs, these can be used on a conversion if you open the pilot hole. the one exception to these is the C7 Z51 rear rotor which is slotted factory, it matches its front Z51 rotor and also the C7 Z06 slotted rotors.

Next will be the C8`s and carbon ceramic rears..coming soon!