difference between c4 brakes

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Jul 12, 2010 | 09:59 PM

flyingclay

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difference between c4 brakes

I do not have a corvette. I do have the front control arms and steering knuckle and was wondering what the difference between the early c4 brakes 84-88 and the later c4 brakes are? Will the early ones fit on the newer control arms? Is it just diameter of brake rotor? Any help on this would be great. Is there a way to tell which year my stuff came off of? I am also looking for brakes for this, if you have old ones that need to be used, feel free to let me know. Thanks in advance, Les

Jul 12, 2010 | 10:38 PM

PLRX

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Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

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This is your second thread on brakes:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...post1574640853

get it together

Jul 12, 2010 | 11:05 PM

rodj

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From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingclay

what the difference between the early c4 brakes 84-88 and the later c4 brakes are? Will the early ones fit on the newer control arms?

Stock rotors different early vs late but 12" dia all years
Calipers different to suit rotors ; 84-87 vs 88 -96 as well as their mounting points on upright.
13" J55 brakes bolt on to late upright with correct parts ; will fit early with a adapter

Jul 12, 2010 | 11:23 PM

flyingclay

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Thanks for the info. Ill look to see if I can find out what year my parts are.

Jul 13, 2010 | 12:02 AM

StealthLT4

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From: St Marys GA

How is that trolling? He bought some brakes then asked a question about them.

Anyway... good info, I never even thought about the rotors being different 84-87 vs 88-96.

Jul 13, 2010 | 07:21 AM

rickhigginshtbr

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From: Hatboro PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodj

THIS is the info I was looking for in another thread a few months ago. So the spindles DO differ 88+? What about the wish bone control arms, are they the same throughout or differ as well?

There's a '90 at my local yard and I want to upgrade my front brakes.... so spindles/calipers is what I definitely need, thank you!

Jul 13, 2010 | 08:04 AM

rodj

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rickhigginshtbr

So the spindles DO differ 88+? What about the wish bone control arms, are they the same throughout or differ as well?

Everything early vs late is different.
The late dual piston calipers (std 12 " ) have a different mount to the early single piston ones so the spindles are different. ( bolt holes at least 2" further apart on late)

'88 brought about the revised front suspension geometry ,consequently A arms are listed as a different part # early vs late

Jul 13, 2010 | 08:19 AM

Churchkey

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From: Cherokee National Forest TN

Looks like you will be fabing control arm mounts for your project.

If you get the 90 spindles it may have 13" brake rotors if the car had the J55 heavy duty brake option. If you plan on 15" wheels for your project they will not fit over the 13" rotors / calipers.

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Jul 13, 2010 | 08:21 AM

flyingclay

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I didn't know that this would cause such a stir. Thanks for all the info. Now I wish that I had the year my stuff came off of. Again thanks for the replies

Jul 13, 2010 | 08:24 AM

#10

flyingclay

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churchkey, I am planning on using 17 inch wheels. Thanks for the concern. I do not know if I will need the larger rotors for my project.

Jul 13, 2010 | 08:33 AM

#11

flyingclay

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I checked the bolts where the brakes attach and the distance is 3.5 inches center to center. Does that help to find out what year it is from, again thanks for all the help, Les

Jul 13, 2010 | 08:13 PM

#12

rickhigginshtbr

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From: Hatboro PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodj

ok... any idea if the a arm mounts were different on the chassis or no?

Jul 13, 2010 | 08:38 PM

#13

flyingclay

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rickhigginshtbr

ok... any idea if the a arm mounts were different on the chassis or no?

Not sure what you mean. They are identical side to side. they look to be exactly the same right and left. Thanks again for helping

Jul 13, 2010 | 09:44 PM

#14

rodj

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From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingclay

i checked the bolts where the brakes attach and the distance is 3.5 inches center to center. Does that help to find out what year it is from, again thanks for all the help, les

84 - 87
You wouldn't waste your time upgrading to the later 12" rotors with dual piston caliper .
You would go to J55 13" brakes or C5 brakes ( cheaper than J55 ).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...-for-85-a.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ally-done.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...-adapters.html

Inany of the above cases you need a caliper adapter because there were no brake options on early cars

Last edited by rodj; Jul 13, 2010 at 09:50 PM.

Jul 13, 2010 | 10:02 PM

#15

rodj

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From: Australia

IIRC the pickup points on the X member are the same.
But consider this .
The late cars use a different offset wheel (56mm vs 32mm ) with the same hub so somewhere extra width is built; either in the A arms or in the spindle

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1555166299-post2.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...atibility.html

Jul 13, 2010 | 10:38 PM

#16

rickhigginshtbr

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From: Hatboro PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodj

...which wouldn't matter if I change the wheels, which I plan to. Since no one has done the simple, obvious thing of comparing side by side the 2, guess I'll be the guinea pig

Jul 13, 2010 | 11:18 PM

#17

pologreen1

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You should probably take pics of what you all have, and show people. Someone here might be able to help through this a little better.

Jul 13, 2010 | 11:53 PM

#18

PLRX

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pologreen1

You should probably take pics of what you all have, and show people. Someone here might be able to help through this a little better.

Post pictures of your Corvette

Jul 14, 2010 | 08:55 AM

#19

flyingclay

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With the help of churchkey, I have figured out that I have the early version. I do appreciate all the help. I am now in the process of getting the parts. again thanks for all the help.