'87 brake upgrade
Thread Starter
kevinmi
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Flint MI
'87 brake upgrade
My 87 Vette is all original (mechanically) with 35,xxx miles on it, and I noticed it wasn't stopping all that well. After driving my wife's '95 with the J-55 option, I decided I needed to do something. Since I don't drive the car more than a few hundred miles a year and never go over 80, I did a minor upgrade.
I decided on Hawk HPS pads all around, and since I had to take the tires off anyway, I thought a set of slotted/drilled rotors would look nice.I went with Eline rotors, mainly because of the silver coating instead of the black offered on other rotors. I also replaced the old, dirty brake fluid with Valvoline synthetic fluid. I've only logged 10 miles on her just breaking in the pads/rotors, and I'm happy with the results. Although it doesn't stop as well as the 95 with the J-55 brakes, it does stop a whole lot better than it did before. For less than $500.00 I have a brake system that I feel confident in when I unleash all 240 horses! No sense in overkill, I always say!
I decided on Hawk HPS pads all around, and since I had to take the tires off anyway, I thought a set of slotted/drilled rotors would look nice.I went with Eline rotors, mainly because of the silver coating instead of the black offered on other rotors. I also replaced the old, dirty brake fluid with Valvoline synthetic fluid. I've only logged 10 miles on her just breaking in the pads/rotors, and I'm happy with the results. Although it doesn't stop as well as the 95 with the J-55 brakes, it does stop a whole lot better than it did before. For less than $500.00 I have a brake system that I feel confident in when I unleash all 240 horses! No sense in overkill, I always say!
Last edited by kevinmi; Oct 2, 2012 at 04:27 PM. Reason: add pics
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 5
From: West Palm Beach FL
I have a similar problem on my 84. Several shops, including a reputable Corvette ONLY shop in my area have said the brakes are functioning properly. The 84's jsut have crappy brakes. I appreciate your posting this...I am going to use the forum supporters and do the same thing.....hawk pads and drilled/slotted rotors. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Appreciating that for street use they only have bling value and you get what you pay for
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578252621-post9.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1557930587-post12.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578252621-post9.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1557930587-post12.html
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Port St Lucie FL
since you replaced the rotor... make sure you lock-tight the bolts on the calipers. The factory bolts have lock-tight on them, but once you remove the bolt, you have to re-apply.
otherwise the screws WILL back themselves out at speeds over 50mph, causing the caliper to fall off, lock up the wheel, and oval your rim.
ask me how i know this.....
otherwise the screws WILL back themselves out at speeds over 50mph, causing the caliper to fall off, lock up the wheel, and oval your rim.
ask me how i know this.....
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
My 87 Vette is all original (mechanically) with 35,xxx miles on it, and I noticed it wasn't stopping all that well. After driving my wife's '95 with the J-55 option, I decided I needed to do something. Since I don't drive the car more than a few hundred miles a year and never go over 80, I did a minor upgrade.
I decided on Hawk HPS pads all around, and since I had to take the tires off anyway, I thought a set of slotted/drilled rotors would look nice.I went with Eline rotors, mainly because of the silver coating instead of the black offered on other rotors. I also replaced the old, dirty brake fluid with Valvoline synthetic fluid. I've only logged 10 miles on her just breaking in the pads/rotors, and I'm happy with the results. Although it doesn't stop as well as the 95 with the J-55 brakes, it does stop a whole lot better than it did before. For less than $500.00 I have a brake system that I feel confident in when I unleash all 240 horses! No sense in overkill, I always say!
I decided on Hawk HPS pads all around, and since I had to take the tires off anyway, I thought a set of slotted/drilled rotors would look nice.I went with Eline rotors, mainly because of the silver coating instead of the black offered on other rotors. I also replaced the old, dirty brake fluid with Valvoline synthetic fluid. I've only logged 10 miles on her just breaking in the pads/rotors, and I'm happy with the results. Although it doesn't stop as well as the 95 with the J-55 brakes, it does stop a whole lot better than it did before. For less than $500.00 I have a brake system that I feel confident in when I unleash all 240 horses! No sense in overkill, I always say!
I am converting my 1987 over to the J55 big brakes, Grand Sport calipers with the Corvette script.
Did you need any special brackets for the conversion, besides the bigger caliper brackets? I know you do for the C5 conversion. some say to convert to C5 brakes and thats fine for some, but I like to keep my vette period correct. I like the script on the Grand Sport calipers and the braking has got to be an improvement over the single piston caliper.
Thanks,
Thread Starter
kevinmi
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Flint MI
Hi Kevinmi,
I am converting my 1987 over to the J55 big brakes, Grand Sport calipers with the Corvette script.
Did you need any special brackets for the conversion, besides the bigger caliper brackets? I know you do for the C5 conversion. some say to convert to C5 brakes and thats fine for some, but I like to keep my vette period correct. I like the script on the Grand Sport calipers and the braking has got to be an improvement over the single piston caliper.
Thanks,
I am converting my 1987 over to the J55 big brakes, Grand Sport calipers with the Corvette script.
Did you need any special brackets for the conversion, besides the bigger caliper brackets? I know you do for the C5 conversion. some say to convert to C5 brakes and thats fine for some, but I like to keep my vette period correct. I like the script on the Grand Sport calipers and the braking has got to be an improvement over the single piston caliper.
Thanks,
Thread Starter
kevinmi
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Flint MI
since you replaced the rotor... make sure you lock-tight the bolts on the calipers. The factory bolts have lock-tight on them, but once you remove the bolt, you have to re-apply.
otherwise the screws WILL back themselves out at speeds over 50mph, causing the caliper to fall off, lock up the wheel, and oval your rim.
ask me how i know this.....
otherwise the screws WILL back themselves out at speeds over 50mph, causing the caliper to fall off, lock up the wheel, and oval your rim.
ask me how i know this.....
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