C5 front brake conversion vs spare tire?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
C5 front brake conversion vs spare tire?
Many people on the forum have talked about their conversion of installing C5 brakes on the front wheels of their C4, so I'm in the process of doing it myself.
It has occured to me that early C4's have 16" spairs while later C4's have 17" spairs. I don't believe I've ever heard it discussed on this forum, but I was wondering if either, both or neither (16"or 17") work on the front with such a conversion?
It has occured to me that early C4's have 16" spairs while later C4's have 17" spairs. I don't believe I've ever heard it discussed on this forum, but I was wondering if either, both or neither (16"or 17") work on the front with such a conversion?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 421
From: Ventura County, CA
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
The C5 brake upgrade will require 17" wheels from what I've heard...Spare...I dont think the dimensions changed in the spare compartment
Last edited by ElisTwoCents; Oct 20, 2005 at 09:23 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
No such thing as a C5 spare. The C5's didn't have a spare or a jack.
The later C4's that got 17" wheels used a 12" front rotor as standard; the older 16" spare wheel probably would not have worked on the 12" rotor. The C4's that got the J55 big-brake option (13" rotors) got the same spare tire/wheel as the standard brakes so I would think that the 17" spare will work.
The later C4's that got 17" wheels used a 12" front rotor as standard; the older 16" spare wheel probably would not have worked on the 12" rotor. The C4's that got the J55 big-brake option (13" rotors) got the same spare tire/wheel as the standard brakes so I would think that the 17" spare will work.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
No the spare wont clear the C5 fronts. This has caused me to think long and hard about going to runflat tires and deleting the spare.
If you were to have a blowout in front, you would have to put the rears on the front and the spare on the rear.
If you were to have a blowout in front, you would have to put the rears on the front and the spare on the rear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Runflats are a poor second choice as a performance
tire and it would be costly to change over to these.
Plus, the C4 spare plays a role in crash protection.
When they deleted the spare in later years, they
substituted an aluminum structural piece to
maintain crashworthiness.
For the number of times that flats occur, and the
odds that this will happen on the front vs the rear,
I'm inclined to stick with the spare and switch a
rear wheel to the front if my luck craps out.
.
tire and it would be costly to change over to these.
Plus, the C4 spare plays a role in crash protection.
When they deleted the spare in later years, they
substituted an aluminum structural piece to
maintain crashworthiness.
For the number of times that flats occur, and the
odds that this will happen on the front vs the rear,
I'm inclined to stick with the spare and switch a
rear wheel to the front if my luck craps out.
.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Originally Posted by vader86
If you were to have a blowout in front, you would have to put the rears on the front and the spare on the rear.
Now thats using your head, now I have no wories just a little extra work if I get a flat.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
Runflats are a poor second choice as a performance
tire and it would be costly to change over to these.
tire and it would be costly to change over to these.
Plus, the C4 spare plays a role in crash protection.
When they deleted the spare in later years, they
substituted an aluminum structural piece to
maintain crashworthiness.
When they deleted the spare in later years, they
substituted an aluminum structural piece to
maintain crashworthiness.
Besides, if anyone ran into the back of me, they better kill me.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Originally Posted by vader86
They will be necessary if someone takes the
C5 fronts and puts them on the rear however.
C5 fronts and puts them on the rear however.
onto the rear of a C4?
If you mean the wheels, then your earlier suggestion
about installing the spare onto a rear and then
transfering the good rear to the blown front position
works. People with asymmetric wheels (17fr/18rr)
wouldn't want to drive too far with the stagger this
creates.
Like Harry said: 'you've got to ask yourself a question:
Do I feel lucky?....Well, do ya ...'
Seriously, however. I agree that for more than a few
situations the practicality of run-flats out-weighs their
somewhat degraded NVH characteristics.
Originally Posted by vader86
As infrequently as rear crashes happen, and as
much as the spare weighs, that is not a serious
issue to most of us.
Besides, if anyone ran into the back of me, they
better kill me.
much as the spare weighs, that is not a serious
issue to most of us.
Besides, if anyone ran into the back of me, they
better kill me.
BTW - my spare and jack weigh about 45 lbs.
.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
Strike, the c5 brake upgrade is for the front only....
Dude, if you get a flat up front, take a tire off the back, put on the spare, take the rear tire and put it on the front.
Seriously... you didn't think of this?
Dude, if you get a flat up front, take a tire off the back, put on the spare, take the rear tire and put it on the front.
Seriously... you didn't think of this?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by Strike3
Many people on the forum have talked about their conversion of installing C5 brakes on the front wheels of their C4, so I'm in the process of doing it myself.
It has occured to me that early C4's have 16" spairs while later C4's have 17" spairs. I don't believe I've ever heard it discussed on this forum, but I was wondering if either, both or neither (16"or 17") work on the front with such a conversion?
It has occured to me that early C4's have 16" spairs while later C4's have 17" spairs. I don't believe I've ever heard it discussed on this forum, but I was wondering if either, both or neither (16"or 17") work on the front with such a conversion?
On my '92, the space saving spare will not fit over my C5 calipers.
So, if I have a flat on the front, I have to put the spare on the rear and take the good rear tire and put on the front.
Others have suggested a spacer, I don't want to carry one.
Tom Piper
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
I put C5 wheels and tires on my '94 after the brake upgrade. The tires are EMT's. Without a LTPWS I now have to constantly monitor the tire pressure because it is difficult to tell if you have a tire going down with runflats. As soon as these EMT's wear out I will go with normal tires, buy a spacer and keep it with the spare.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
GTO Spare?
Check out this thread...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ire&forum_id=1
The GTO spare will fit on the C5 (probably the C4).
I purchased one from these folks... http://www.gandrautoparts.com/
...for $80 shipped.
GUSTO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ire&forum_id=1
The GTO spare will fit on the C5 (probably the C4).
I purchased one from these folks... http://www.gandrautoparts.com/
...for $80 shipped.
GUSTO
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 2
From: Thomson Georgia
You can use the 17" spare, IF you put at least 1 flat washer on the stud before the wheel. You need about .030 thick washer.
I posted on this a couple of years ago.
You can grind the welds down where the rim face is welded onto the rim itself. This holds true using the 89, 90 17" spare. Some of the weld is puddled and that was what hit the caliper. I haven't tried the newer space saver spare, but I would think that it is the same rim.
Johnny
I posted on this a couple of years ago.
You can grind the welds down where the rim face is welded onto the rim itself. This holds true using the 89, 90 17" spare. Some of the weld is puddled and that was what hit the caliper. I haven't tried the newer space saver spare, but I would think that it is the same rim.
Johnny
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by 88BlackZ-51
when u guys say C5 upgrade? is that Z-06 upgrade as well?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
Will any C5 brake be an improvement on the C4 or does the brake have to be a specific one? I see a lot of the black C5 brakes with the word "Corvette" on it, but not as many reds. Will any black one work or does it have to be the Z06 or GS one specifically?
Thanks for the clairification.
Thanks for the clairification.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Doesnt have to be either, I just liked the reds. There is no difference but the color for the C5 brakes. C5 fronts are definitely an improvement over the C4 fronts, and should be better than the GS/J55 brakes.
My website has a link to the parts, its spotty though.
My website has a link to the parts, its spotty though.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by GUSTO14
Check out this thread...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ire&forum_id=1
The GTO spare will fit on the C5 (probably the C4).
I purchased one from these folks... http://www.gandrautoparts.com/
...for $80 shipped.
GUSTO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ire&forum_id=1
The GTO spare will fit on the C5 (probably the C4).
I purchased one from these folks... http://www.gandrautoparts.com/
...for $80 shipped.
GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
I agree.
I had wondered whether anyone had checked out
spares from other models but then thought that
run-flats had made spares obsolete. The GTO is
not sold in Canada and was not on my radar -
doesn't mean I can't order new/recycled parts.
johnnyevans, thanks for the information about how
little additional clearance is required and the tip
about smoothing the welds. Before I order a GTO
spare, I will examine my '89 spare to see if it will
clean up enough to use as is.
.
I had wondered whether anyone had checked out
spares from other models but then thought that
run-flats had made spares obsolete. The GTO is
not sold in Canada and was not on my radar -
doesn't mean I can't order new/recycled parts.
johnnyevans, thanks for the information about how
little additional clearance is required and the tip
about smoothing the welds. Before I order a GTO
spare, I will examine my '89 spare to see if it will
clean up enough to use as is.
.