Brake Upgrade
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 533
Likes: 6
From: Poinciana Florida
Brake Upgrade
This has probably been beaten to death but some assistance would be appreciated. E mail reply appreciated.
The turn off on the local 1/8th mile strip is coming up too fast and I'm running out of brakes.
I want to upgrade my 93 C4 fronts and keep the stock wheels. I don't need to hang C5 units on the front. Whats
the most effective cost efficient way to do this. I drive this vehicle. I don't worship it. Gold plated hydroginized
rotors arn't necessary.
The turn off on the local 1/8th mile strip is coming up too fast and I'm running out of brakes.
I want to upgrade my 93 C4 fronts and keep the stock wheels. I don't need to hang C5 units on the front. Whats
the most effective cost efficient way to do this. I drive this vehicle. I don't worship it. Gold plated hydroginized
rotors arn't necessary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Brake Upgrade (RVY)
How fast are you comming out of the 1/8th?
I would think that you first need to make sure that your brakes are working properly - not fading etc. I don't see any need for C-5 brakes either.
Your stock brakes should handle that use very well. First thing is to figure out what's wrong. Is it fading (when was the last time the fluid was flushed)? Are the pads glazed, rotors messed up? Is the braking even, or could some of the calipers not be pulling their load? Booster working right?
EDIT, just read your sig (I have them shut off). If you have the 12" rotors up front it is fairly cheap and easy to change to the 13" (J-55) upgrade. This will help some. Do a search for 18carfan, he has a great write-up on this with part numbers - you just want stock 13" rotors (left and right), the caliper and caliper mounting brackets ( and all the pins, bolts, etc).
Good Luck,
Pete
[Modified by PeteL, 3:50 PM 11/2/2001]
I would think that you first need to make sure that your brakes are working properly - not fading etc. I don't see any need for C-5 brakes either.
Your stock brakes should handle that use very well. First thing is to figure out what's wrong. Is it fading (when was the last time the fluid was flushed)? Are the pads glazed, rotors messed up? Is the braking even, or could some of the calipers not be pulling their load? Booster working right?
EDIT, just read your sig (I have them shut off). If you have the 12" rotors up front it is fairly cheap and easy to change to the 13" (J-55) upgrade. This will help some. Do a search for 18carfan, he has a great write-up on this with part numbers - you just want stock 13" rotors (left and right), the caliper and caliper mounting brackets ( and all the pins, bolts, etc).
Good Luck,
Pete
[Modified by PeteL, 3:50 PM 11/2/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Re: Brake Upgrade (RVY)
Upgrading to C4 J55 brakes is a pretty cheap and easy solution. You swap out your stock 12" fronts for 13" rotors (slightly thicker also). You'll need rotors, calpiers, brackets, caliper pins, and pads. Jeff (18carfan is his handle) can hook you up pretty cheap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,738
Likes: 76
From: Bloomington IL
Re: Brake Upgrade (RVY)
The GS brake upgrade is probably the best bang for the buck. I swapped mine out over a year ago and it was the best mod I've done to my car so far. The 13" rotors, GS calipers, & steel lines are awesome. There is no more shuddering under hard braking, no fade, and the pedal doesn't have anymore slushyness.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Brake Upgrade (91Vette)
GS upgrade is NOT the best bang for the buck. Even through I bought the GS calipers on Jeff's GP (thanks Jeff), this guy is not looking for flash - just works. The GS calipers will make no difference in this use, and probably most uses. I bought them because I needed replacement calipers, the GS calipers are supposed to flex a little less (who knows), and the GP price was right! [So what the heck, add a little flash - I covet all those C5s' with the beautiful red/yellow/green/black/purple calipers!!!!! :rolleyes:
Plain old every day 13" rotors, stock J55 calipers, J55 brackets and associated peices parts is all that is necessary. SS lines make little to no difference in stopping distance.
Stock rubber lines can screw up and make the brakes hard and should be checked.
J55 is the upgrade, if that car is not J55 to begin with (RPO should be listed).
Pete
Plain old every day 13" rotors, stock J55 calipers, J55 brackets and associated peices parts is all that is necessary. SS lines make little to no difference in stopping distance.
Stock rubber lines can screw up and make the brakes hard and should be checked.
J55 is the upgrade, if that car is not J55 to begin with (RPO should be listed).
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Brake Upgrade (RVY)
I installed Hawk HPS pads, braided lines and Ford hi-po fluid for occasional track use. This setup has given me greatly improved braking performance. 60 to 0 is now in the 110 foot range and I can do that all day long. At PIR, I have repeatedly hit 130 at the end of the long (3000 ft) straight and there's no indication of fade. Total cost of parts was in the $260 range.
With ABS you should just be able to stand on the brake pedal after the traps and stop quickly and easily.
With ABS you should just be able to stand on the brake pedal after the traps and stop quickly and easily.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Brake Upgrade (PeteL)
Plain old every day 13" rotors, stock J55 calipers, J55 brackets and associated peices parts is all that is necessary. SS lines make little to no difference in stopping distance.
Stock rubber lines can screw up and make the brakes hard and should be checked.
Stock rubber lines can screw up and make the brakes hard and should be checked.
If the rubber lines are not up to the job of delivering the required pressure to the calipers, you will experience longer stopping distances, and a mushy pedal, which, makes the driver less confident in the braking power available.
I do agree that the GS calipers are an improvement, but only by a matter of degrees (or is that de grease??). A good quality pad and bigger rotors will help. I just installed EBC Greenstuff pads. very nice. QUIET!!!!
Basically, for $300.00, you can get 85% of the braking power of a high dollar brembo setup... may not have the high-techness thing, but will do the job... also, it will not be as resistant to fade, but, when you are only laying into them once an hour, who cares!
I would also recommend the bias spring. depending on year, it goes into the master cylinder or the diverter... it causes more brake pressure to go to the back brakes. which, in turn, shortens stopping distance. I have one, but have not installed it... my master is of questionable lifespan right now...
the bias spring is about 12.00 or so from any number of corvette parts suppiers.
[Modified by bogus, 10:35 AM 11/3/2001]
