Braking options
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
Braking options
I have a 94 coupe 6-speed with the standard brakes... I have to do my pads soon so what is involved in doing a J55 swap or C5 brake upgrade.... Cost and parts... is it just new brackets bigger rotors and callipers or do I have to get a new master cylinder and everything too... cost and work is it a lot and is it worth it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
To go C5 you need calipers $200,abutement brackets$90,rotors $150,new mounting brackets $115.If you look around,especially the C5 forum you may get things a bit cheaper.My setup cost me $500 with s/s lines and HPS pads. Chase down CentralCoaster on C4Guru for the brackets as he was banned here.Or WDO_MKR if he's still around. Everything else stays stock except you may want to match the rear pads with the fronts.You may want to go s/s lines $90 for a firmer pedal and a rear bias spring $12 to balance the improved fronts. It's an easy two hour job to do and the difference is amazing.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
To go C5 you need calipers $200,abutement brackets$90,rotors $150,new mounting brackets $115.If you look around,especially the C5 forum you may get things a bit cheaper.My setup cost me $500 with s/s lines and HPS pads. Chase down CentralCoaster on C4Guru for the brackets as he was banned here.Or WDO_MKR if he's still around. Everything else stays stock except you may want to match the rear pads with the fronts.You may want to go s/s lines $90 for a firmer pedal and a rear bias spring $12 to balance the improved fronts. It's an easy two hour job to do and the difference is amazing.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Ask for Chris. He's got the best prices around and gives CF members a good deal.
If you go with the J55 upgrade you can use your original wheels, if you're going to go with C5 brakes you'll have to get either ZR1 (A-molds) or C5 wheels. The C4 saw blades won't clear the C5 calipers. Also, you don't need to change the rears, just replace the pads.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
http://www.superchevyperformance.com/
Ask for Chris. He's got the best prices around and gives CF members a good deal.
If you go with the J55 upgrade you can use your original wheels, if you're going to go with C5 brakes you'll have to get either ZR1 (A-molds) or C5 wheels. The C4 saw blades won't clear the C5 calipers. Also, you don't need to change the rears, just replace the pads.
Ask for Chris. He's got the best prices around and gives CF members a good deal.
If you go with the J55 upgrade you can use your original wheels, if you're going to go with C5 brakes you'll have to get either ZR1 (A-molds) or C5 wheels. The C4 saw blades won't clear the C5 calipers. Also, you don't need to change the rears, just replace the pads.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland Tennessee
I've got a factory stock set (2 fronts, and 2 rears) of brake rotors off my 2002 Z06 that are just sitting in the boxes in the garage, if you want them, pay for the shipping and they are yours 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
Sounds great... just pm me your address and how much it will cost and I will cut you a check.... thanks man
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
I cant use them at all... its not the same setup.... because I believe the Z06 callipars are Powdercoated Red front and rear and if I can use the rear ones I may as well change them all so they match
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
The parking brake set up on the C4 is different than the C5. If you go with C5 rear brakes your parking brake won't work. There is very little difference between the C5 and C4 rears (none between the C4 standard and J55). Most members just paint their rear calipers red if they install C5 Z06 fronts or black if they get the C5 standard. BTW the only difference between C5 std and Z06 is the color of the calipers.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
The parking brake set up on the C4 is different than the C5. If you go with C5 rear brakes your parking brake won't work. There is very little difference between the C5 and C4 rears (none between the C4 standard and J55). Most members just paint their rear calipers red if they install C5 Z06 fronts or black if they get the C5 standard. BTW the only difference between C5 std and Z06 is the color of the calipers.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Last edited by staugur; Jan 7, 2008 at 04:45 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
FWIW any good enamal can be used on the rear calipers, you don't need any spacial high temp paint. If the calipers got hot enough to affect the paint your brake fluid would boil away. Just make sure you clean the calipers well before painting.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 950
Likes: 1
From: Newberg OR
Contact jeffvette @ www.pnwzr1.com <http://www.pnwzr1.com> for his bracket. He's done a bunch of these things.
Jeff
Jeff
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
Yes they fit.Make sure you buy C5 ZO6 calipers if you want red ones,the others are black.And buy proper caliper paint to paint the rears.All the parts stores sell it.Also the guy that made the offer is only giving you the rotors-no calipers involved so you don't need to pay shipping on the rears 'cause they are no use to you.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Ohh man I guess I read that a little too fast and reacted too fast but.... why cant i use the rear rotors on my car if they are the same as the ones that are on it... if they are new they are better than what I have on it... I am looking to do brakes all around this spring so Rotors and pads all around.
The standard brakes on a C4 and the J55 option are the same for the rears. J55 is fronts only, the rotors are 13" diameter and about 1" thick (vs 12" x 7/8" standard). C5 front rotors are 13" x 1 1/4", the rears are 12' x 1 1/8" (I think, I'd have to measure them). In any event the C5 rotors are too thick to use with C4 calipers.
Additionally, the C5 and C4 parking brakes are totally different. If you use a C5 rear caliper on a C4 you will not have a parking brake. The difference in rear braking power of the C4 and C5 is minimal so most C4 owners don't even attempt to convert the rear brakes.
Finally, the calipers for the base C5 brakes and the Z06 were the same, the only difference is the color: red = Z06, black = base.
If you search Superior Chevrolet's web site they've posted a parts list for the C4 to C5 brake conversion. You'll note that it only addresses the fronts. As I posted earlier most owners who do the conversion just paint the rear calipers to match the fronts. https://www.superchevyperformance.co...les.asp?ID=124
One last thing, C5 rotors are heavy and are usually not worth shipping. Most good auto parts stores, like NAPA and Chevy dealers stock them.
Last edited by jrzvette; Jan 7, 2008 at 10:42 PM.