Spacers / Brake Upgrade
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
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From: Kettering OH
Spacers / Brake Upgrade
We need to eliminate front spacers on 87'(really don't trust the spacers). We are also upgrading the brakes to 88 and up. We are running 275/40/17's on the front.(ZR-1 offset rims)
Our questions are:
1) Do I need to change upper/ lower A-arms?
2) Can I just change spindles and bearings?
3) Will my tie rods mate up?
4) What do we need to do to make this right besides buying an 88' and up corvette?
I've never done this before, I've searched this forum but
Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
Our questions are:
1) Do I need to change upper/ lower A-arms?
2) Can I just change spindles and bearings?
3) Will my tie rods mate up?
4) What do we need to do to make this right besides buying an 88' and up corvette?
I've never done this before, I've searched this forum but
Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Most brake upgrades only require the larger wheels to clear the calipers.That being said,some upgrades,there is a caliper bracket you need to fit larger calipers on there.
Im not sure what it required of your year and caliper changes will need so Ill wait for someone else to post it.
But as far as I know,theres no other changes.The suspension and etc doesnt have to be modified or have any problems with larger brake calipers and rotors.Larger caliper/rotor mods just places it taller or higher hence the need for taller rims,which you have.
Im not sure what it required of your year and caliper changes will need so Ill wait for someone else to post it.
But as far as I know,theres no other changes.The suspension and etc doesnt have to be modified or have any problems with larger brake calipers and rotors.Larger caliper/rotor mods just places it taller or higher hence the need for taller rims,which you have.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
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From: WI
Many people race with the spacers, there was just a topic about it over in the autox and road race section. You don't need to change any of those things. Why do you want to upgrade the caliper? If it's for racing, go right to the C5 caliper.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
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From: Kettering OH
Thanks for your post Aardwolf, we will keep this in mind especially if he decides to let the gf race.
What I want to know is the difference of the offset for suspension parts in 84-87 (38mm) and 88-96 (56mm)? I know its 18mm or 3/4"
What was changed in the 88 model year? A-arms? Spindles? Wheel bearings? or all?
Thanks again.
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
What I want to know is the difference of the offset for suspension parts in 84-87 (38mm) and 88-96 (56mm)? I know its 18mm or 3/4"
What was changed in the 88 model year? A-arms? Spindles? Wheel bearings? or all?
Thanks again.
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Billy: I run the c5z06 brake upgrade (front only) on my 87 and just have the adapter for the caliper, 13" rotors, no other changes, 17" rims on 275/40/17 tires, and have no issues
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
The front wheel bearings are the same from 1984-1990.
The rear wheel bearings are the same from 1984-1996.
The upper A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The lower A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The steering knuckle has many variations ...
1984, 1985, 1986-1987, 1988-1990, 1991-1993 and 1994-1996.
1985 - Larger bolts for the caliper bracket.
1986 - The ABS sensor.
1988 - New wheel offset, larger brakes and new A-Arms.
1991 - New wheel bearings with the ABS sensor in a new location.
1994 - No idea
Reference:
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...t&SubGroup=103
The rear wheel bearings are the same from 1984-1996.
The upper A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The lower A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The steering knuckle has many variations ...
1984, 1985, 1986-1987, 1988-1990, 1991-1993 and 1994-1996.
1985 - Larger bolts for the caliper bracket.
1986 - The ABS sensor.
1988 - New wheel offset, larger brakes and new A-Arms.
1991 - New wheel bearings with the ABS sensor in a new location.
1994 - No idea
Reference:
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...t&SubGroup=103
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
We need to eliminate front spacers on 87'(really don't trust the spacers). We are also upgrading the brakes to 88 and up. We are running 275/40/17's on the front.(ZR-1 offset rims)
Our questions are:
1) Do I need to change upper/ lower A-arms?
2) Can I just change spindles and bearings?
3) Will my tie rods mate up?
4) What do we need to do to make this right besides buying an 88' and up corvette?
I've never done this before, I've searched this forum but
Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
Our questions are:
1) Do I need to change upper/ lower A-arms?
2) Can I just change spindles and bearings?
3) Will my tie rods mate up?
4) What do we need to do to make this right besides buying an 88' and up corvette?
I've never done this before, I've searched this forum but
Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
I'm confused about the use of spacers on the front now. If you have ZR1 offset rims on the front(36mm) isn't that the stock offset that would not require the spacer? I have an 89 with 56mm offset and I had always heard that the 56mm wheels need a spacer for 84-87 vettes but the ZR1 offset would fit without spacer?
The rear ZR1 rims are 17"x11" 36mm.
The front ZR1 rims are 17"x9.5" 56mm, the same as 1988 and newer non ZR1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
"... We are running 275/40/17's on the front.(ZR-1 offset rims)"
I thought the reference to ZR1 offset was for the front.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Duluth Georgia
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
From: bakersfield cali
The front wheel bearings are the same from 1984-1990.
The rear wheel bearings are the same from 1984-1996.
The upper A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The lower A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The steering knuckle has many variations ...
1984, 1985, 1986-1987, 1988-1990, 1991-1993 and 1994-1996.
1985 - Larger bolts for the caliper bracket.
1986 - The ABS sensor.
1988 - New wheel offset, larger brakes and new A-Arms.
1991 - New wheel bearings with the ABS sensor in a new location.
1994 - No idea
Reference:
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...t&SubGroup=103
The rear wheel bearings are the same from 1984-1996.
The upper A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The lower A-Arm has two variations. 1984-1987 and 1988-1996.
The steering knuckle has many variations ...
1984, 1985, 1986-1987, 1988-1990, 1991-1993 and 1994-1996.
1985 - Larger bolts for the caliper bracket.
1986 - The ABS sensor.
1988 - New wheel offset, larger brakes and new A-Arms.
1991 - New wheel bearings with the ABS sensor in a new location.
1994 - No idea
Reference:
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...t&SubGroup=103
very valuable info
so according to this, you will need some 88 to 96 upper and lower a arms. you could possibly re use you steering knuckles and if you are a good welder just lengthen your current tie rods
at this point, you should probably get the whole suspension from an 88 to 90 vet, with the exception of spring.
i think a new set of wheels would be the best way to go. the new z06's have a front wheel offsett of 40mm. if you get some replica wheels from lake shore tire and wheels and sell your current wheels you could get rid of the spacer and almost break even, on top of that new wheels.
a lot to think about.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Kettering OH
Thanks Vinnie, I just saw that c5 upgrade adapters in parts for sale.
Joby, way cool
Thanks for this! Just what I needed to start on this.
Sorry for any confusion.
86vx1, a whole lot to think about
I think I will change out the a-arms, I have new ball joints to install and it would be a good time to replace the bushings. 
Anyone done this on 84-87'? (may be expensive but I won't have those damn adapters/spacers)
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
Joby, way cool
Thanks for this! Just what I needed to start on this.Sorry for any confusion.
86vx1, a whole lot to think about
I think I will change out the a-arms, I have new ball joints to install and it would be a good time to replace the bushings. Anyone done this on 84-87'? (may be expensive but I won't have those damn adapters/spacers)
Have a Blessed day,
Amber and Billy
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
very valuable info
so according to this, you will need some 88 to 96 upper and lower a arms. you could possibly re use you steering knuckles and if you are a good welder just lengthen your current tie rods
at this point, you should probably get the whole suspension from an 88 to 90 vet, with the exception of spring.
so according to this, you will need some 88 to 96 upper and lower a arms. you could possibly re use you steering knuckles and if you are a good welder just lengthen your current tie rods
at this point, you should probably get the whole suspension from an 88 to 90 vet, with the exception of spring.
Will the 88-96 a-arms bolt to the car? I was looking at my cousins '90 the other day and it looked way different than my '87, but they were not side to side so it could have been visual memory playing tricks.
-- Joe
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH