C5 brakes question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 1
From: Zagreb, Croatia
C5 brakes question
I would like to install C5 brakes (front) on my '90.
I've checked and it looks like it should fit on '90 rims.
But my question is, are Z06 brakes same as any C5 or
bigger?
Will Z06 brakes fit on '90 C4?
I've checked and it looks like it should fit on '90 rims.
But my question is, are Z06 brakes same as any C5 or
bigger?
Will Z06 brakes fit on '90 C4?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
Z06 brakes are the exact same as regular C5 brakes, except for the color of the caliper and the type of pad. All the parts are physically the same.
I have C5's on my Trans Am, the red calipers look sweet beind my Z06 replica wheels.
I have C5's on my Trans Am, the red calipers look sweet beind my Z06 replica wheels.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
The clearance to the stock 88-90 wheels is very tight but most people have been able to make it work just fine. I am one of the unfortunate few that had interference with stock 89 wheels, but a 1/8" spacer fixed that problem.
I originally had J55 brakes on my 89, so I didn't really gain any ultimate stopping power, but the brake pedal feel is so much better it's amazing. I do highly recommend that you order a performance brake bias spring and install it when you do the caliper conversion. The C5 brakes will skew the brake bias heavily to the front -- the bias spring will get the bias back roughly to stock.
I originally had J55 brakes on my 89, so I didn't really gain any ultimate stopping power, but the brake pedal feel is so much better it's amazing. I do highly recommend that you order a performance brake bias spring and install it when you do the caliper conversion. The C5 brakes will skew the brake bias heavily to the front -- the bias spring will get the bias back roughly to stock.
Last edited by Z51L9889; Aug 1, 2005 at 12:32 PM.
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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[QUOTE=Z51L9889]The clearance to the stock 88-90 wheels is very tight but most people have been able to make it work just fine. I am one of the unfortunate few that had interference with stock 89 wheels, but a 1/8" spacer fixed that problem.
ISnip
If you use balance weights that are stuck on the inside of the rim as opposed to clipped to the outside of the rim, you will probably have a problem. Clearance is just too tight, even with Y2K wheels
seeya
ISnip
If you use balance weights that are stuck on the inside of the rim as opposed to clipped to the outside of the rim, you will probably have a problem. Clearance is just too tight, even with Y2K wheels
seeya
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Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
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From: Tomahawk WI
yes, I believe they are the zr1 replicas. They looklike this:
Edit: Is there a specfic year caliper i should be looking for? I need to replace all 4 as they will be highly visible. I could use some advice. Someone pointed me to a kit for the front but it was almost $1000.00.
I would spend that kind of money if it was the only option. Can't I just buy calipers and bolt them on?
Edit: Is there a specfic year caliper i should be looking for? I need to replace all 4 as they will be highly visible. I could use some advice. Someone pointed me to a kit for the front but it was almost $1000.00.
I would spend that kind of money if it was the only option. Can't I just buy calipers and bolt them on?
Last edited by AZC4Guy; Aug 2, 2005 at 03:35 PM.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
[QUOTE=jackdaroofer]
I have my racing tires mounted on 9.5 sawblades. Well when I got to my last autocross, it never dawned on me that I wouldn't be able to bolt the fronts on since I had recently done the C5 brake upgrade. I knew this but just didn't think about it. Luckily my buddy had a spare pair mounted on cuisinarts and they worked just fine. Looked real sharp, sawblades in the back and cuisinarts on the front. 
Originally Posted by Z51L9889
The clearance to the stock 88-90 wheels is very tight but most people have been able to make it work just fine.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 417
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From: Audubon PA
I have an 89 coupe and I feel like my brakes don't grab as good as a new Ford taurus that I drive. I just replaced the master cylinder and I don't have any leaks, but the brakes don't seem to be that good. I hear everyone talking about upgrading the calipers, has the C4 brakes always been sub-par??? I don't think there's anything wrong with my brakes, but I guess I can't keep comparing them to a new car. I just thought corvettes are so far ahead in technology that my 89 brakes should stop on a dime. Can I get some feedback on C4 brake performance??? jzvette
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by jzvette
I have an 89 coupe and I feel like my brakes don't grab as good as a new Ford taurus that I drive. I just replaced the master cylinder and I don't have any leaks, but the brakes don't seem to be that good. I hear everyone talking about upgrading the calipers, has the C4 brakes always been sub-par??? I don't think there's anything wrong with my brakes, but I guess I can't keep comparing them to a new car. I just thought corvettes are so far ahead in technology that my 89 brakes should stop on a dime. Can I get some feedback on C4 brake performance??? jzvette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Fishin' Pole FL
Originally Posted by jzvette
I have an 89 coupe and I feel like my brakes don't grab as good as a new Ford taurus that I drive. I just replaced the master cylinder and I don't have any leaks, but the brakes don't seem to be that good. I hear everyone talking about upgrading the calipers, has the C4 brakes always been sub-par??? I don't think there's anything wrong with my brakes, but I guess I can't keep comparing them to a new car. I just thought corvettes are so far ahead in technology that my 89 brakes should stop on a dime. Can I get some feedback on C4 brake performance??? jzvette
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From: Kennesaw Jawga
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 86
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I understand all of that but i have an 85 and the studs are a diifernt offset than your's, so in my case the C5 rotors are not going to just slide on like yours. The holes on the C5 rotor are not going to line up with my lug studs.
Ok I know I need:
17" wheels
calipers
rotors
mounting brackets
lines
pads
But what else am I going to need to corect the offset for the rotors to fit???
thanks in advance
Ok I know I need:
17" wheels
calipers
rotors
mounting brackets
lines
pads
But what else am I going to need to corect the offset for the rotors to fit???
thanks in advance
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by jzvette
I have an 89 coupe and I feel like my brakes don't grab as good as a new Ford taurus that I drive. ... I hear everyone talking about upgrading the calipers, has the C4 brakes always been sub-par??? I don't think there's anything wrong with my brakes, but I guess I can't keep comparing them to a new car.
Your new Taurus has rear drum brakes, 11.5?" front discs, and relatively bad (145ft) stopping distances for a 3300 lb car.
The C4 simply takes more pedal effort to realize it's potential. Should stop in less than 120 feet.
Push harder or get stickier pads.
