This is about as easy a serious upgrade as you can do. If you can replace brake components, that's all there is to it. Ed Salinas' adapter brackets are the only non GM part needed. They are a nice piece of work too, I might add. I did the easy up to temperature break-in tonight. In the morning, I'll take it out and really stand on them.

 

congrats!! how much did it all cost you? smart move on doing brake upgrades after the motor work lol

 

Hell, I don't add it up, I just spend it! Roughly though, around $500. Everything was new except for some low mile ZO6 calipers that I got for about half the new price. This doesn't count the SS flexible lines that I already had and installed all around at the same time. Not necessary, your C4's stock lines will bolt right up.

 

I'm anxious to hear what you think about the new brakes. I've got mine painted and ready to go on, and I'm taking the rear calipers to work today to bead blast them. Hopefully I'll be done in a few days.

 

Good job Kid. I was so impressed with the RD cross Frame, which you led the way on, that I pay serious attention to what you are doing. Fill me in on the difference betweent he c-4 and c-5 brakes. I might start collecting parts for when the c-4 brakes start to go. The brakes on my c-4 seem good to a driver of old Mopars. What kind of improvement will I see? Do you need to change the balance on the proportioning valve?

 

Almost like night and day, much less fade. As for stopping distances, they would only show a serious improvement if you added the DRM valve because the C5 brakes will increase the front bias. But, you will see a shortening of the distance if you dont, I have.

 

I've been thinking of this upgrade where did you get the parts and did you change the bias spring on yours.
Thanks

 

How about giving us a list of the parts, and the vendors. Such a post might become a "sticky". It is fun to have a long term, serious project for a car. It gets your adrenelin up for sure. What about the c-5 parts produces less fade? Is it the rotors, calipers, or pads, or all of the above? Over the years I have gone from 9" drums, which were deadly, to 4 wheel disks on my '69 Dart, the rear of which came from a Monte Carlo. I certainly do not mind compromising the originality of a car to improve the stopping power. The 4 wheel disk project made this old DArt "feel" like a modern car. It would be cool to see a similar improvement in a car that was good to begin with, such as a C-4.

 

All necessary parts are here
http://www.superchevyperformance.com...s/c5brakes.asp

Except the bracket from Ed.

No stickies.

 

Here is everything you need you need
Adapter Brackets Ed Salinas (do a search)

Everything else
http://www.superchevyperformance.com...s/c5brakes.asp

 

Yeah, I installed a new M/C the other day that I'd already put the bias spring in. See parts links in above posts. Superior Chevy is the deal and their site has an excellent, simple breakdown of everything needed. Ed Salinas, as already mentioned, has the best deal on the adapters and they are an excellent bit of craftsmanship and come with bolts.

 

Way to go Kid!

I did this couple of years ago too. Yes, they are like day and night compared to my original 12" stock brakes.

I Did buy all GM stuff from SuperChevyPerformance, rotors and pads from Stillen and braided lines from Summit. C4->C5 brake upgrade thing was new then so I bought the only available brackets from Electro Dynamics with the polished stainless shields, I choose the plated brackets so they will not rust. I also serviced and painted the stock rear calipers and installed them with new hardware, rotors, pads and lines. Great upgrade, mine is the only C5 upgrade I've seen in my country this far and I get looks and questions about it in every Corvette gatherings I attend.

Only minus is that the Stillen brake pads didn't include the anti rattle clips and they are not available separately from my local Chevy dealers. They want to sell a complete kit of GM C5 pads with them clips. Don't really like to pay $200 for $1 clips So, my front brake pads rattle but I plan to take them out and glue anti rattle pads to them. Got those from a local speed shop.

I too have the brake balance spring on my kitchen table waiting to be installed. How is it guys, difficult to install or easy job?

EDIT: here is some pictures to inspire those who still ride with rusty stockers
Stock 1991 brakes: http://tinyurl.com/94f8x
Front installed: http://tinyurl.com/h70r
Front installed with wheel: http://tinyurl.com/h70t
Stock C4 vs Stillen C5 Sport Rotors: http://tinyurl.com/2fmlr
Stock C4 vs Stillen C5 Sport Rotors:http://tinyurl.com/yqw48
Rear brake after refurb: http://tinyurl.com/838sl

 

I did this mod as well using the Ed Salanis adapter. Great product, great guy!

He also gave me a good tip. Order the Z06 front calipers. For just a little more money you get an awesome looking red caliper. They look great behind my black GS rims.

I am also waiting to install the DRM bias spring. I am a little worried it is going to be too much of a PITA for such a small spring.

Anyone have any tips?

 

Is there a connection to Ed Salinas? A web site or e-mail? Thanks.

 

run a search, he's here on the forum, send him an IM

edsalinas

 

I did the conversion on my 90 last year. It's a great improvement vs stock.

The only problem that I've had is with the brazil rotors. I turned them 3 times before changing to canadian steel. The brazil rotors would cause serious steering wheel shimmy after a few thousand miles or so. Take them off, turn 3-4 thousandths off each side, put them back on, they'd be fine for a few k, then the same thing over again.

Changed over to the canadian metal from Autozone, been 4 k and haven't had the 1st problem.

I also ran the stock pads, changed them over to Bendix semis, tremendous difference in the pads. They dust a bit, but are tremendous vs stock pads.

The sawblades won't fit without adapters, the 89-90 wheels have no problems.

 

I did the conversion last year. My car came with the base 12" brakes so it was a great upgrade. I picked up my calipers from the C5 section for $90 shipped! The rest of the parts I got from Superior Chevrolet. I used Ed Salina's adapters and they fit great. He's a great guy to deal with so I highly recommend him. Here is a shot of my front brakes. By the way I spent around $700 because I used Baer EradiSpeed rotors instead of the GM ones.

 

Thanks for the info, its always better to know what to do versus going in blind so I appreciate it. this is something I hope to do before the summer ends. have a great summer and lock em up once for me

 

Is it me, or are your rotors on the wrong side? Following the arrow would seem to move the car backwards.
[RICHR]

 

I just put in the DRM bias spring this morning. Took all of 20 minutes. To get the new spring in, I put the spring in the cartridge, crimped the snap ring with ring pliers and held it on top of the spring, then pushed the whole thing down into the hole with the nose of a pair of short needle nose pliers. Once it's in, just release the snap ring and let it slide up the bore until it snaps into place. Don't forget to bleed the MC by using the two brake fittings. Saves time.

I have a second DRM spring if anyone wants it--$15 and I'll pay shipping.