C4 Brake Upgrade
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C4 Brake Upgrade
I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck.. I've got a 1990 and since my last accident where someone pulled out in front of me and I could not stop.,.. I want to upgrade my brakes... Someone please help...
I've got about 1000 bucks to spend on just brakes and I will be buying new wheels so clearance will not be an issue... I can buy which ever I need ... Only concerns is I do not want to modify anything on the body or fender wells ... I want the best brakes I can get for the money... I want to upgrade all four wheels ... I looked at the c5 upgrade and that so far looks the best... any experience with that ... It's 995 bucks for the front and I was hoping to get all four done for 1000 ... thanks for the advice in advance...
I've got about 1000 bucks to spend on just brakes and I will be buying new wheels so clearance will not be an issue... I can buy which ever I need ... Only concerns is I do not want to modify anything on the body or fender wells ... I want the best brakes I can get for the money... I want to upgrade all four wheels ... I looked at the c5 upgrade and that so far looks the best... any experience with that ... It's 995 bucks for the front and I was hoping to get all four done for 1000 ... thanks for the advice in advance...
Racer
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From: Benoni Gauteng
I am in the process of buying baer upgraded brakes for my dads 90, it comes with calipers and 13" rotors, for $695. I'm not sure about the performance of them, but it's the kit they recommended. I'll let you kinow once they are installed
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Originally Posted by SupaVette
I am in the process of buying baer upgraded brakes for my dads 90, it comes with calipers and 13" rotors, for $695. I'm not sure about the performance of them, but it's the kit they recommended. I'll let you kinow once they are installed
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: VA
Originally Posted by 90SteelBlueCoupe
I've got about 1000 bucks to spend on just brakes
I want the best brakes I can get for the money...
I want to upgrade all four wheels ...
I looked at the c5 upgrade and that so far looks the best...
any experience with that ... It's 995 bucks for the front and I was hoping to get all four done for 1000 ...
I want the best brakes I can get for the money...
I want to upgrade all four wheels ...
I looked at the c5 upgrade and that so far looks the best...
any experience with that ... It's 995 bucks for the front and I was hoping to get all four done for 1000 ...
The upgrade to 13" brakes (if you have the 12") is cheaper than the C5, but the pads and rotors are more expensive, so in the long haul the C5 is cheaper.
I'd invest in a new MC while you're upgrading everything else, especially since you indicate there's problems with the current brakes.
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[/QUOTE]
I'd invest in a new MC while you're upgrading everything else, especially since you indicate there's problems with the current brakes.[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure if there is a problem but I WANT better brakes... I feel if my brakes were upgraded I could have possibly avoided the accident.. That's all
I'd invest in a new MC while you're upgrading everything else, especially since you indicate there's problems with the current brakes.[/QUOTE]
I'm not sure if there is a problem but I WANT better brakes... I feel if my brakes were upgraded I could have possibly avoided the accident.. That's all
Safety Car
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From: VA
In a 15 year old car the brake components are getting tired, and you will probably see a lot of improvement even if you just replace with stock components.
Not saying you shouldn't go ahead and upgrade to bigger brakes, but another option would be to get new MC, rebuilt calipers, and aftermarket pads.
Not saying you shouldn't go ahead and upgrade to bigger brakes, but another option would be to get new MC, rebuilt calipers, and aftermarket pads.
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Originally Posted by steve9899
In a 15 year old car the brake components are getting tired, and you will probably see a lot of improvement even if you just replace with stock components.
Not saying you shouldn't go ahead and upgrade to bigger brakes, but another option would be to get new MC, rebuilt calipers, and aftermarket pads.
Not saying you shouldn't go ahead and upgrade to bigger brakes, but another option would be to get new MC, rebuilt calipers, and aftermarket pads.
I just wanted advice on which kit to buy or not to buy for the money....
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Honolulu HI
The C5 brake pads have more surface area than the J55 13" brake pads so that alone will give you better braking. Call Chris at Superior Chevrolet and you will be able to get the C5 parts for well under your budget. Also, if you shop around for the adapter brackets, you can get them fairly cheap so the total package will be well within the $1,000.00 range (excluding labor).
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Originally Posted by Buddyvette
The C5 brake pads have more surface area than the J55 13" brake pads so that alone will give you better braking. Call Chris at Superior Chevrolet and you will be able to get the C5 parts for well under your budget. Also, if you shop around for the adapter brackets, you can get them fairly cheap so the total package will be well within the $1,000.00 range (excluding labor).
Thanks...
Le Mans Master
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From: Conroe Texas
If You Eliminate The Parking Brake, Most States Have An Inspection, And Part Of That Inspection Is Making Sure The Parking Brake Holds. Check Your State Inspection Laws Before Removing Your E-brake.
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Originally Posted by Sleazy Rider
If You Eliminate The Parking Brake, Most States Have An Inspection, And Part Of That Inspection Is Making Sure The Parking Brake Holds. Check Your State Inspection Laws Before Removing Your E-brake.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
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From: Hewitt NJ
There is no advantage to replacing your rear brakes with C5 components. I'm not even sure that anybody makes adapters for the C5 calipers.
Do the front and you will be very happy with the results, especially if you currently have the 12" brakes.
I was able to do my whole setup for well under $1000 and got the Baer EradiSpeed rotors. Here's a pic of the fronts:
Do the front and you will be very happy with the results, especially if you currently have the 12" brakes.
I was able to do my whole setup for well under $1000 and got the Baer EradiSpeed rotors. Here's a pic of the fronts:
Safety Car
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From: VA
Originally Posted by Buddyvette
The C5 brake pads have more surface area than the J55 13" brake pads so that alone will give you better braking.
If you already have the J55, then converting to C5 will gain very little. If you have the JL9, then it can make sense to go C5 instead of J55. The reasons I've seen given for choosing C5 over J55 if you have the JL9 are: cost, fade resistance, caliper strength. None of those affects single-stop performance.
If you roadrace, then the C5 brakes are better, but if you really roadrace, then the C5 brakes still suck.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Flushing NY
Just do the J55 upgrade its 13"either way you look at it.an upgrade in itself IMO the C5 is just that hype thats going on at the present moment plus the J55 13" is a direct factory swap no modifications. You would be able to do the mc,booster and the brakes and should be around the $1000 mark and get better pads with it and it will be money well spent
Advanced
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From: Honolulu HI
Originally Posted by steve9899
I've never seen a back to back test of brand new J55 vs brand new C5 components and I doubt I ever will. My expectation is that there would be little if any difference. I also expect that J55 with performance pads stops shorter than C5 with stock pads. In fact I expect that JL9 with performance pads stops shorter than C5 with stock pads. Talking about single-stop performance, which is what matters for a street car.
If you already have the J55, then converting to C5 will gain very little. If you have the JL9, then it can make sense to go C5 instead of J55. The reasons I've seen given for choosing C5 over J55 if you have the JL9 are: cost, fade resistance, caliper strength. None of those affects single-stop performance.
If you roadrace, then the C5 brakes are better, but if you really roadrace, then the C5 brakes still suck.
If you already have the J55, then converting to C5 will gain very little. If you have the JL9, then it can make sense to go C5 instead of J55. The reasons I've seen given for choosing C5 over J55 if you have the JL9 are: cost, fade resistance, caliper strength. None of those affects single-stop performance.
If you roadrace, then the C5 brakes are better, but if you really roadrace, then the C5 brakes still suck.
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Originally Posted by Buddyvette
I can't give you calibrated test results such as stopping distance and time from a given speed, but I can tell tell you that as the original owner of a 94 with the J55 brake package, the conversion to the C5 front brakes did make a huge difference. My garage is above the street and the driveway is fairly steep. With the J55 brakes, the car would not stop while backing down the driveway in gear (reverse). With the C5 brakes, the car will stop anywhere on the driveway while in gear. Also, everyday driving in traffic is much more pleasant now because the car stops faster than with the J55 setup.
Could that be because of fresh components?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Oviedo FL
Originally Posted by Jeffvette
Could that be because of fresh components?
Mike
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From: Honolulu HI
Originally Posted by Jeffvette
Could that be because of fresh components?
Safety Car
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From: VA
Originally Posted by Buddyvette
My garage is above the street and the driveway is fairly steep. With the J55 brakes, the car would not stop while backing down the driveway in gear (reverse). With the C5 brakes, the car will stop anywhere on the driveway while in gear.
If so, they were clearly defective.
Race Director
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From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Originally Posted by steve9899
You're saying your old brakes would not hold the car in place on the driveway in gear?
If so, they were clearly defective.
If so, they were clearly defective.
The C5 brakes are an adequate upgrade for the street, but they are not the cats meow.
C5 rotors are thicker, than the C4 rotors.
C5 rotors are smaller in diameter than the C4 rotors.
Pad swept area is slightly larger on the C5.
The thickness is going to combat the fade issue that is seen in constant high speed driving, not going to help in normal street use.
The diameter is negligible, just affects the torque that is going to be applied.
The swept area, is not going to make that much of a difference either.
The other big issue with braking, is the tires are the limiting factor. You have tires with poor adhessive properties, no brake set up is going to stop you.