C5 Caliper Conversion Pictures
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
C5 Caliper Conversion Pictures
Here's a link to my before and after pics:
http://home.woh.rr.com/z51l9889/
In general, these brakes are a major step up over the original, admittedly tired, J55 brakes. I did a pad burnish yesterday, and the brakes seem to be very strong. The pedal feel is quite a bit lighter than the stock brakes, but they feel much more linear and positive. The max stopping power doesn't seem to be any higher than new J55's, but I didn't expect that anyway. My only complaint so far is that I seem to have a bit too much front bias even with a bias spring installed. I'm hoping that will change once I have the pads and rotors fully bedded in.
Caution to 88-90 owners who are thinking about this setup: Your stock wheels may or may not fit without spacers. Several other forum members are successfully using C5 calipers with stock wheels, but I had solid contact between the caliper and the back side of the wheel face with my 89. I needed 1/8" spacers to get the wheels to clear.
http://home.woh.rr.com/z51l9889/
In general, these brakes are a major step up over the original, admittedly tired, J55 brakes. I did a pad burnish yesterday, and the brakes seem to be very strong. The pedal feel is quite a bit lighter than the stock brakes, but they feel much more linear and positive. The max stopping power doesn't seem to be any higher than new J55's, but I didn't expect that anyway. My only complaint so far is that I seem to have a bit too much front bias even with a bias spring installed. I'm hoping that will change once I have the pads and rotors fully bedded in.
Caution to 88-90 owners who are thinking about this setup: Your stock wheels may or may not fit without spacers. Several other forum members are successfully using C5 calipers with stock wheels, but I had solid contact between the caliper and the back side of the wheel face with my 89. I needed 1/8" spacers to get the wheels to clear.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Maybe with new pads they touch, but after the pads wear a little you might be able to remove the spacers.
Mine came with used pads so i have not the opertunity to check the clearence with new pads. I think i have the room though
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
I was lucky enough to get by with just a 1/8" spacer. The wheel still pilots properly and I have plenty of thread engagement on the wheel studs, so I'm not really worried about having to use them.One of the options I was considering was to sand down the outboard pad for clearance -- I'm sure I could remove the spacer in about 5000 miles if I wanted to.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 2
From: Thomson Georgia
That's really strange. I'm running the C5 conversion on both my 89, 90, and haven't had the 1st touch of the caliper on either 89, 90, or A-molds. I've used the stock pads, Bendix Titanium pads, and the Hawk Pads.
Yep, even with the bias spring, still a bit front heavy on braking. I'm going to settle it tho' ... C5 fronts on the rear and a 2003 Tahoe master cylinder, and a proportioning valve only if I need it.
That ought to be like throwing an anchor out.
Yep, even with the bias spring, still a bit front heavy on braking. I'm going to settle it tho' ... C5 fronts on the rear and a 2003 Tahoe master cylinder, and a proportioning valve only if I need it.
That ought to be like throwing an anchor out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
I have a second set of 89 wheels in the attic that I need to put on the car and check clearances. My guess is that the wheel vendor had multiple molds and my wheels are from a different mold cavity than you and IBEAM are running.
The bottom line, though, is that I definitely have interference with the stock wheels. If I have this problem, someone else will eventually have this problem too, so I want to make sure the word gets out so people thinking about this swap don't get an unpleasant surprise like I did.
The bottom line, though, is that I definitely have interference with the stock wheels. If I have this problem, someone else will eventually have this problem too, so I want to make sure the word gets out so people thinking about this swap don't get an unpleasant surprise like I did.
Last edited by Z51L9889; Jun 27, 2005 at 04:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
What are you doing with the stuff you took off?
Hey Z-51 - what are you doing with the stuff you took off? I'm looking for the following parts
'88-'96 Rear Calipers, one each right and left
'88-'96 Rear Caliper mounting brackets
'88-'95 Front Rotors, standard duty (NOT HD. Std is 12", HD is 13")
'88-'95 Rear Rotors, standard duty (NOT HD. Std is 12", HD is 13"
A friend of mine uses em to rebrake rebodied fieros.
Carl Johansson
'88-'96 Rear Calipers, one each right and left
'88-'96 Rear Caliper mounting brackets
'88-'95 Front Rotors, standard duty (NOT HD. Std is 12", HD is 13")
'88-'95 Rear Rotors, standard duty (NOT HD. Std is 12", HD is 13"
A friend of mine uses em to rebrake rebodied fieros.
Carl Johansson
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