Disc sizing 12" vs 13"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
Disc sizing 12" vs 13"
Hi everyone,
I'm thinking about upgrading my standard front brake rotors on my 94-LT1. I'm would like to go with 13" or bigger if possible. I have factory Z06 17" rims. Only wanting to upgrade the front at this time. My front rotors are cracking once again, this set lasted maybe a year. I drive aggressively and I've used some aggressive pads.
I'm guessing the larger 13" rotor will help with heat dissipation? I don't see how it does much else if the caliper is standard size. Do Z51 vettes have the same caliper as the standard vette? I would like to upgrade calipers too if that may help. I just installed factory Z06 wheels, so I need to at least paint the calipers now. Figure I might as well replace them with something that already looks nice. I've heard of people changing to Grand Sport calipers, what's the purpose of that? Are they better, if so how? Are they painted?
I want to be able to buy factory brake pads with whatever calipers I get. I've looked at Baer Eradispeed Plus 13" discs since they claim to be lighter weight and hopefully last longer. Also looked at Baer claw calipers.
Anyone have experience upgrading standard vette rotors to heavyduty rotors?
I'm thinking about upgrading my standard front brake rotors on my 94-LT1. I'm would like to go with 13" or bigger if possible. I have factory Z06 17" rims. Only wanting to upgrade the front at this time. My front rotors are cracking once again, this set lasted maybe a year. I drive aggressively and I've used some aggressive pads.
I'm guessing the larger 13" rotor will help with heat dissipation? I don't see how it does much else if the caliper is standard size. Do Z51 vettes have the same caliper as the standard vette? I would like to upgrade calipers too if that may help. I just installed factory Z06 wheels, so I need to at least paint the calipers now. Figure I might as well replace them with something that already looks nice. I've heard of people changing to Grand Sport calipers, what's the purpose of that? Are they better, if so how? Are they painted?
I want to be able to buy factory brake pads with whatever calipers I get. I've looked at Baer Eradispeed Plus 13" discs since they claim to be lighter weight and hopefully last longer. Also looked at Baer claw calipers.
Anyone have experience upgrading standard vette rotors to heavyduty rotors?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Dallas/Spring Texas
Originally Posted by Wildcat1
I'm guessing the larger 13" rotor will help with heat dissipation? I don't see how it does much else if the caliper is standard size.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I believe you'll need to change location of the caliper so they will fit over the larger (13") rotor. 
You'll need to consider larger wheels for a rotor larger than 13" as well.
I believe that, except for the word "corvette" cast in them, the GS caliper is otherwise same as other HD calipers.
The 13" rotor should be an improvement over the 12" unit....not just in more leverage, but in more mass to absorb heat.
Larry
code5coupe
You'll need to consider larger wheels for a rotor larger than 13" as well.
I believe that, except for the word "corvette" cast in them, the GS caliper is otherwise same as other HD calipers.
The 13" rotor should be an improvement over the 12" unit....not just in more leverage, but in more mass to absorb heat.
Larry
code5coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
If you drive very aggresively you might want to consider upgrading to C5 brakes up front. You already have Z06 wheels so the fit wont be an issue. The C5 rotors are also 13", but thicker than the C4 13" setup therefore they are more fade resistant. Do a search if you want to see what is involved in upgrading to the C5 brakes. By the way I went from the stock 12" brakes to the 13" C5 and it's a night and day difference.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Admiral94
If you drive very aggresively you might want to consider upgrading to C5 brakes up front. You already have Z06 wheels so the fit wont be an issue. The C5 rotors are also 13", but thicker than the C4 13" setup therefore they are more fade resistant. Do a search if you want to see what is involved in upgrading to the C5 brakes. By the way I went from the stock 12" brakes to the 13" C5 and it's a night and day difference.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by sickspeedvette
Remember simple machines in science class? The longer the lever, the more force can be applied, so...the further the caliper is away from the hub center the more effective the same clamping force is on the rotor (lever).
You should be able to upgrade to the J55 brakes with no problems.
http://www.superchevyperformance.com.../c4brakes.html
http://www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/gsbrakes.asp
http://www.superchevyperformance.com...4calipers.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Originally Posted by shotchkiss
13" rotors are much thicker than the 12" ones. Barkes pads are the same for either size rotor, but the calipers are different to deal with the thickness of the rotors.
0.8" vs. 1.1"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards the C5 conversion now. The pads are bigger on the C5 brakes too.
So far I've found the kit for sale on the DRM site, are there any other sites you recommend? Any places cheaper maybe?
So far I've found the kit for sale on the DRM site, are there any other sites you recommend? Any places cheaper maybe?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Wildcat1
Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards the C5 conversion now. The pads are bigger on the C5 brakes too.
So far I've found the kit for sale on the DRM site, are there any other sites you recommend? Any places cheaper maybe?
So far I've found the kit for sale on the DRM site, are there any other sites you recommend? Any places cheaper maybe?
Ebay for the calipers sometime. Also you can find them for sale every now and then used here in the C5 section. Thats the best and cheapest way.
Forum member Ed Salinas makes the conversion brackets also.
Do a search on C5 brake conversion.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
Thanks Victor! I tried a member search and it's not letting me do it. Can someone provide a link to a thread where he's posted so I can pm him or something to get the brackets. I did find another vendor that sells the brackets for $180. Is Ed less expensive?
Thanks,
Brent
Thanks,
Brent
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Ed's brakets are excellent. I have a set. His price is much better than 180. I beleive they are $100 or just a little more.
PM Ed and he will get back to ya.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?userid=34438
PM Ed and he will get back to ya.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?userid=34438
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Ed is the man! Ebay is your friend.
I got my calipers on Ebay. I would piece all the items instead of buying a kit. I saw kits for around $900. That is ridiculous.
I got lucky and was able to piece everything I needed for around $360-$380. If you buy new and search around, I am positive it can be done at or under $600 total. Rotors are cheap at $25 a piece from NAPA. Ed's C5 adapters were about $125. Then you need calipers, brackets, brake pads, misc items. You can reuse your brake hoses and banjo bolts.
You've got the wheels, so this is an easy swap.
Mojo linked a good source, but here is a direct link to the C5 parts:
http://www.superchevyperformance.com...s/c5brakes.asp
I got my calipers on Ebay. I would piece all the items instead of buying a kit. I saw kits for around $900. That is ridiculous.
I got lucky and was able to piece everything I needed for around $360-$380. If you buy new and search around, I am positive it can be done at or under $600 total. Rotors are cheap at $25 a piece from NAPA. Ed's C5 adapters were about $125. Then you need calipers, brackets, brake pads, misc items. You can reuse your brake hoses and banjo bolts.
You've got the wheels, so this is an easy swap.
Mojo linked a good source, but here is a direct link to the C5 parts:
http://www.superchevyperformance.com...s/c5brakes.asp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
Thanks again! Chris at superchevyperformance was a great help. And GREAT pricing. Easy to work with too.
He did say he didn't sell the conversion bracket itself though, he recommended a place called electrodynamics....however, I can't find them in a search on google.
My plan is to buy the bracket from Ed, the kit minus the rotors from Chris, and the Eradispeed Plus rotors from Baer.
He did say he didn't sell the conversion bracket itself though, he recommended a place called electrodynamics....however, I can't find them in a search on google.
My plan is to buy the bracket from Ed, the kit minus the rotors from Chris, and the Eradispeed Plus rotors from Baer.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Wildcat1
Thanks again! Chris at superchevyperformance was a great help. And GREAT pricing. Easy to work with too.
He did say he didn't sell the conversion bracket itself though, he recommended a place called electrodynamics....however, I can't find them in a search on google.
My plan is to buy the bracket from Ed, the kit minus the rotors from Chris, and the Eradispeed Plus rotors from Baer.
He did say he didn't sell the conversion bracket itself though, he recommended a place called electrodynamics....however, I can't find them in a search on google.
My plan is to buy the bracket from Ed, the kit minus the rotors from Chris, and the Eradispeed Plus rotors from Baer.
Thats a good plan.