C4 Braking Performance
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Milton, FL
C4 Braking Performance
I have a '92 LT1 with auto trans and compared to other vehicles I've owned it seems like you have to push the brake pedal quite a bit farther/harder to get it to stop. It stops okay but with not without considerable effort/pedal travel. A couple of years ago I had to replace the brake booster but that didn't seem to make much difference. As far as I know, the pads and rotors are OEM. I considered replacing the brakes with either Wilwood or Brembo but for me the cost would be prohibitive. Is it normal for alot of brake pedal travel in the C4s? Any response would be appreciated.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 118
From: Alpharetta GA
I found out one of the previous owners of my ZR-1 had 12" rotors installed when 13" rotors should be there. I can put a finger between the caliper and the top of the rotor. Make sure you don't have something similar. I'm replacing rotors and pads back to factory sizes. I'll see if this improves my brake feel, as I notice the brakes don't bite like a halo car should, even for the time. I'll reserve final judgement until I can get the proper parts installed.
My 1980 Datsun 280ZX has better break feel. Not sure how it actually translates into stopping distance at same speeds, though.
My wife's former Audi A3 had touchy brakes. I would always slam on the brakes once every time driving that, as I was used to my daily driver which required a lot of effort to stop the car.
My 1980 Datsun 280ZX has better break feel. Not sure how it actually translates into stopping distance at same speeds, though.
My wife's former Audi A3 had touchy brakes. I would always slam on the brakes once every time driving that, as I was used to my daily driver which required a lot of effort to stop the car.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 15
Likes: 19
From: SW PA
When I bought mine my ex-mechanic put front brakes on it and didn't consult with me on what he sourced. The pedal feel is good, fairly firm by modern standards without excessive travel, but the actual stopping power is so-so and the pads don't do well stopping from triple digit speeds. I wouldn't track it without fully redoing them. Conventional wisdom would say that if your pedal is soft and with excessive travel you'd want to make sure they're bled properly but based on what you've said about them being high effort I don't think that's the case. I would get them looked at but I would also have the brake lines inspected, I'm not actually sure what our cars use but my understanding is that rubber lines that most cars use can deteriorate and have a detrimental effect on pedal feel and stopping power as they flex and expand under pressure. I'm sure there's some more mechanically savvy users here who will have a better idea of what you should look at, though.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,427
Likes: 6,543
From: Melbourne, FL
Effectively all road cars use rubber brake lines. Even aftermarket stainless lines are rubber with a stainless mesh around them.
My c4 stop like it dropped an anchor. A c4 should still have very competitive stopping distance by modern standards. I have the j55 brakes with stoptech street pads, it will shave off speed up to the limit of the tires.
I'd you can't stomp the pedal and trigger your ABS, something is wrong unless you're on seriously sticky tires. Tough to say what, but I would first determine if your car had j55 brakes, then replace pads, hoses, and ensure you don't have undersized rotors. Brake fluid flush and bled of course too. A previous owner may have put on some garbage ceramic pads or something to reduce dust, but also reduced effective braking.
Edit: After reading over again, sounds like you've had this car a long time? How many miles? You may just have some real worn down pads?
My c4 stop like it dropped an anchor. A c4 should still have very competitive stopping distance by modern standards. I have the j55 brakes with stoptech street pads, it will shave off speed up to the limit of the tires.
I'd you can't stomp the pedal and trigger your ABS, something is wrong unless you're on seriously sticky tires. Tough to say what, but I would first determine if your car had j55 brakes, then replace pads, hoses, and ensure you don't have undersized rotors. Brake fluid flush and bled of course too. A previous owner may have put on some garbage ceramic pads or something to reduce dust, but also reduced effective braking.
Edit: After reading over again, sounds like you've had this car a long time? How many miles? You may just have some real worn down pads?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 280
Likes: 83
From: Indiana
92-94 had 12 inch front rotors and yes they do require force to get them to stop. It's normal. Now the pedal should not travel and further than a normal car, if it does travel almost to the floor check your brake fluid level and pad thickness. 95-96 usees a 13 inch rotor and it's makes a big difference in stopping force with minimal effort.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,427
Likes: 6,543
From: Melbourne, FL
92-94 had 12 inch front rotors and yes they do require force to get them to stop. It's normal. Now the pedal should not travel and further than a normal car, if it does travel almost to the floor check your brake fluid level and pad thickness. 95-96 usees a 13 inch rotor and it's makes a big difference in stopping force with minimal effort.
Rotor size (and the caliper difference between the j55s and base brakes) should not change your pedal feel. It might make a modest change in stopping distance, but the big upgrade is in thermal capacity, how many times can you stop hard before you get brake fade.
Last edited by FAUEE; Jan 29, 2023 at 12:06 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
92-94 had 12 inch front rotors and yes they do require force to get them to stop. It's normal. Now the pedal should not travel and further than a normal car, if it does travel almost to the floor check your brake fluid level and pad thickness. 95-96 usees a 13 inch rotor and it's makes a big difference in stopping force with minimal effort.
2. worn pads do not cause increased pedal travel; the system is self adjusting.
3. Depends on the pads. 13" rotors do not change pedal effore in a meaningful way.
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