brakes upgrade
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 38
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From: floral park ny
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 48
From: NCM Lifetime#2195 Bulverde, Texas 78163
St. Jude Donor '13
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
The problem with most big brake kits is that you can not use the stock 16" rims.
I did some research and bought rotors from a BMW E39 540i (2003-).
The BMW rotors are 324mm x 30mm, almost exactly the same as the Corvette C5 rotors, 325mm x 32mm.
The differance compared to the C5 rotors is that they have much more 'backspace'. The C5 rotors are almost flat.
The extra backspace makes room for Wilwood Forged Superlite 4-piston calipers in the stock 16"x9.5" rims without any spacers.
My stock rotor compared to the BMW rotor.
On the Corvette:
( Click pictures to enlarge )
As you see this requires som modification of the rotor to clear the mounting bolts for the caliper pracket. ( simple to do in a lahthe )
It also requires a custom bracket to mount the caliper.
I did some research and bought rotors from a BMW E39 540i (2003-).
The BMW rotors are 324mm x 30mm, almost exactly the same as the Corvette C5 rotors, 325mm x 32mm.
The differance compared to the C5 rotors is that they have much more 'backspace'. The C5 rotors are almost flat.
The extra backspace makes room for Wilwood Forged Superlite 4-piston calipers in the stock 16"x9.5" rims without any spacers.
My stock rotor compared to the BMW rotor.
On the Corvette:
( Click pictures to enlarge )
As you see this requires som modification of the rotor to clear the mounting bolts for the caliper pracket. ( simple to do in a lahthe )
It also requires a custom bracket to mount the caliper.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 3
From: South Eastern MN
Here you go. We are running a special (GP) on our C4 to C5 brake adapter kits this week. Add C5 brakes to your C4 and get rid of that mushy feeling every time you step on the brakes at the track. Our kits include the adapter, bolts, instructions, and a complete easy to read parts list.
85-87MY kits on sale with free shipping for $115.00 this week!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1626372
88-96MY kits with free shipping are available for $125.00
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1611445
85-87MY kits on sale with free shipping for $115.00 this week!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1626372
88-96MY kits with free shipping are available for $125.00
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1611445
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ.
JoBy,
Were the BMW rotors a direct bolt on and do you have the model# of the Wilwood calipers ?
Were the BMW rotors a direct bolt on and do you have the model# of the Wilwood calipers ?
The problem with most big brake kits is that you can not use the stock 16" rims.
I did some research and bought rotors from a BMW E39 540i (2003-).
The BMW rotors are 324mm x 30mm, almost exactly the same as the Corvette C5 rotors, 325mm x 32mm.
The differance compared to the C5 rotors is that they have much more 'backspace'. The C5 rotors are almost flat.
The extra backspace makes room for Wilwood Forged Superlite 4-piston calipers in the stock 16"x9.5" rims without any spacers.
As you see this requires som modification of the rotor to clear the mounting bolts for the caliper pracket. ( simple to do in a lahthe )
It also requires a custom bracket to mount the caliper.
I did some research and bought rotors from a BMW E39 540i (2003-).
The BMW rotors are 324mm x 30mm, almost exactly the same as the Corvette C5 rotors, 325mm x 32mm.
The differance compared to the C5 rotors is that they have much more 'backspace'. The C5 rotors are almost flat.
The extra backspace makes room for Wilwood Forged Superlite 4-piston calipers in the stock 16"x9.5" rims without any spacers.
As you see this requires som modification of the rotor to clear the mounting bolts for the caliper pracket. ( simple to do in a lahthe )
It also requires a custom bracket to mount the caliper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
http://www.wilwood.com/Products/001-...-FSL/index.asp
They are available with different piston sizes.
The bolt pattern and 'backspace' of the rotors are perfect.
The center hole is a bit too big so you must make an adapter ring in a lathe to center the rotor on the hub.
You also have to modify the rotor in a lathe. Remove the inner rotor near the center to clear the caliper bolts on the knuckle.
The outer diameter on the Corvette hub was slightley too big and the rotor got a bit narrower near the hub mounting surface, so I removed some material from the rotor there too.
You can see both modifications on this picture:
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Nice tip. Saves having to buy 2 piece rotors with custom hats.
I posted a link over in the road racing/Autocross section. Hope you don't mind
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1638433
I posted a link over in the road racing/Autocross section. Hope you don't mind
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1638433
Last edited by BrianCunningham; Mar 2, 2007 at 11:30 AM. Reason: added link
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
This is a mock up caliper bracket I made.
The real bracket will be made from thicker aluminum.
As you see in the last picture the caliper has to be moved out slightly.
For extra support I will use distances and bolt the bracket to the original caliper mountings too.
The real bracket will be made from thicker aluminum.
As you see in the last picture the caliper has to be moved out slightly.
For extra support I will use distances and bolt the bracket to the original caliper mountings too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 534
That's amazing!
I do enjoy the look of the 16 inch rims, it's crazy that someone found a way to stuff super thick breaks into that space. Joby, you're pretty innovative with what you can do in your time. Please keep us updated. This would be something I would like to try.
And the size of the BMW rotor next to the C4's rotor. That thing is a dinner plate and a half.
I wonder how much that would reduce your stopping distance.
I do enjoy the look of the 16 inch rims, it's crazy that someone found a way to stuff super thick breaks into that space. Joby, you're pretty innovative with what you can do in your time. Please keep us updated. This would be something I would like to try.
And the size of the BMW rotor next to the C4's rotor. That thing is a dinner plate and a half.
I wonder how much that would reduce your stopping distance.
Last edited by 1985 Corvette; Apr 14, 2007 at 11:08 PM.
