Brake Upgrade
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 10,008
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From: cincinnati ohio
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
Brake Upgrade
I have an '87 - 12" rotor's. When I upgrade to 13", will it be necessary to do 13" rotor's all the way around, or just the front? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Brake Upgrade (codyusa)
Going to 13" fronts is the J55 upgrade, I amagine you have read the posts and links here to know the necessary parts. The rears remain the same.
The GS upgrade is very similar, but includes painted calipers that MAY flex somewhat less then standard J55 calipers (and have 'CORVETTE' cast into them), and the very same J55 rotors that the only difference is the painted center section.
Make sure you do a really good brake fluid flush, in fact do this first and then see how the brakes work.
Good Luck with your choice,
Pete
The GS upgrade is very similar, but includes painted calipers that MAY flex somewhat less then standard J55 calipers (and have 'CORVETTE' cast into them), and the very same J55 rotors that the only difference is the painted center section.
Make sure you do a really good brake fluid flush, in fact do this first and then see how the brakes work.
Good Luck with your choice,
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,142
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Brake Upgrade (PeteL)
it depends on what you want to do really, but you have to do the front. I'm looking into the GS/C5 upgrade too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 799
Likes: 1
From: Fremont CA
Re: Brake Upgrade (codyusa)
There was a major suspension and brake change between '87 and '88. The later J55 (heavy duty brakes) and GS calipers will need aftermarket adaptors for use on '84-'87 cars.
Since the front brakes do most of the work, most people don't upgrade the rear brakes. In fact, only the front of the the J55 and GS brakes are different from "base" brakes. The rear brakes are the same on base and J55. OK, the GS rear brakes are color matched to the fronts.
Going to 13" front rotors MAY require 17" wheels. I hope you can find more info on that cause I don't know much more about it. I remember one guy on the Forum who ground off the fins on the caliper to get it to clear the wheel.
Good luck.
Since the front brakes do most of the work, most people don't upgrade the rear brakes. In fact, only the front of the the J55 and GS brakes are different from "base" brakes. The rear brakes are the same on base and J55. OK, the GS rear brakes are color matched to the fronts.
Going to 13" front rotors MAY require 17" wheels. I hope you can find more info on that cause I don't know much more about it. I remember one guy on the Forum who ground off the fins on the caliper to get it to clear the wheel.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,142
Likes: 1,729
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Brake Upgrade (chaos on wheels)
yes, you will have to upgrade to 17" wheels and get a 1" spacer plate
