Early C4 braking
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Early C4 braking
I was never impressed with the stock pads and rotors on my 84. Its stops below average IMO of how a stock car should stop. Will upgrading rotors and pads be enough to make a difference so it stops like a newer stock car and if so what do you guys recommend?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,960
Likes: 707
From: WI
I like the Carbotech line of pads, they offer a forum discount. Does '84 have ABS? I can't remember sorry. If it doesn't then learning to threshold brake can be of benefit. When the tires skid grip is reduced thus increasing stopping distance. Same with ABS on but it's not as bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Not sure how far you're willing to go but after 27 years of service it may not be a bad idea to overhaul. Rebuild the calipers (or even get some rebuilt units from local parts store) replace the brake hoses and completely flush the fluid in addition to the new rotors and pads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Not sure how far you're willing to go but after 27 years of service it may not be a bad idea to overhaul. Rebuild the calipers (or even get some rebuilt units from local parts store) replace the brake hoses and completely flush the fluid in addition to the new rotors and pads.
On my 92 I was seeing not fantastic performance with the stock brakes and carbotech race pads. Replace the master, all 4 calipers and fresh fluid all around. now I'm confident and have the "best" stock brakes available for my car.
I started track days in an 88 with the small brakes (similar to your 84) there was a night and day difference with fresh brake fluid, and good pads (I used PF-Z pads but that was 11 years ago)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I changed to C5 brakes on the front. NOW it stops. I never was able to engage the ABS because the car couldn't slow down fast enough to get the rear tires to stop rotating.
Now, I can engage the ABS with a hard panic stop, but not just an all out braking effort.
The larger rotors will force you to put a 17" minimum tire and wheel on the front, so check your bank account.
Creative horse trading can net you the brakes and used tires and wheels.
For instance, I bought all 4 calipers off of a 12,000 mile C5 for $120, cleaned and painted the rear calipers and sold them for $100. They also came with a box of NEW pads for all 4 wheels. I sold the new rear pads for $40
Then I made my own adapters for the price of the steel and bolts. $11
The caliper abutment brackets cost me $20 for the pair.
THe C5 calipers came with hoses, and since they were 20 years newer than mine, I used them.
I bought new tires from someone who bought the wrong size tires for $75 each for the front.
I bought new 18" tires for the rear from someone who thought they had 18" wheels but had 17" wheels all around for $175.
Keep thinking, and you too can overcome the odds.
I found four used polished clearcoated C5 wheels on Craigslist for $225
Now, I can engage the ABS with a hard panic stop, but not just an all out braking effort.
The larger rotors will force you to put a 17" minimum tire and wheel on the front, so check your bank account.
Creative horse trading can net you the brakes and used tires and wheels.
For instance, I bought all 4 calipers off of a 12,000 mile C5 for $120, cleaned and painted the rear calipers and sold them for $100. They also came with a box of NEW pads for all 4 wheels. I sold the new rear pads for $40
Then I made my own adapters for the price of the steel and bolts. $11
The caliper abutment brackets cost me $20 for the pair.
THe C5 calipers came with hoses, and since they were 20 years newer than mine, I used them.
I bought new tires from someone who bought the wrong size tires for $75 each for the front.
I bought new 18" tires for the rear from someone who thought they had 18" wheels but had 17" wheels all around for $175.
Keep thinking, and you too can overcome the odds.
I found four used polished clearcoated C5 wheels on Craigslist for $225
Last edited by coupeguy2001; May 27, 2011 at 10:22 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
84 doesnt have ABS, no.
You'll need an overhaul of everything at that age, but pad/rotor changes do make a difference in feel and stopping power. I was so unimpressed with the selection of pads for the 84-87 though that I decided to go ahead and upgrade to C5 brakes, since I already had bigger wheels. Difference in clamping power is night/day.
I dont even know what the best pads they still make for 84-87 are, I know PFZ was good, as was EBC.
You'll need an overhaul of everything at that age, but pad/rotor changes do make a difference in feel and stopping power. I was so unimpressed with the selection of pads for the 84-87 though that I decided to go ahead and upgrade to C5 brakes, since I already had bigger wheels. Difference in clamping power is night/day.
I dont even know what the best pads they still make for 84-87 are, I know PFZ was good, as was EBC.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You can get Hawk HPS pads for the street or move up to HP+ pads for "spirited" driving. Carbotech should have also front pads for performance use but 84-87 pads are different in shape compared to 88-96. IIRC, 84-96 rear pads are the same so those should be easy to find.
Definitely consider doing a complete brake overhaul. Get all new or reman calipers, new rotors, flex hoses and a complete brake fluid flush.
You can find reman calipers at Rockauto.com and they also have good prices of Raybestos or Centric rotors. Tire Rack has Hawk pads and also check with Carbotec for good pads. You can use stainless flex lines from either Earl's (Summit Racing) or Goodridge (Tire Rack).
For brake fluid, a good DOT3 fluid works fine for street use. Try Castrol LMA or Valvoline fluids. You can upgrade to a DOT4 fluid for hard braking; try ATE Super Blue or TYP200. They are both good fluids that are not expensive (they are the same fluid, just different color) You need about 3 pints for a complete flush.
Definitely consider doing a complete brake overhaul. Get all new or reman calipers, new rotors, flex hoses and a complete brake fluid flush.
You can find reman calipers at Rockauto.com and they also have good prices of Raybestos or Centric rotors. Tire Rack has Hawk pads and also check with Carbotec for good pads. You can use stainless flex lines from either Earl's (Summit Racing) or Goodridge (Tire Rack).
For brake fluid, a good DOT3 fluid works fine for street use. Try Castrol LMA or Valvoline fluids. You can upgrade to a DOT4 fluid for hard braking; try ATE Super Blue or TYP200. They are both good fluids that are not expensive (they are the same fluid, just different color) You need about 3 pints for a complete flush.
