'89 C4 Brake Upgrade?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: St James New York
'89 C4 Brake Upgrade?
OK, after searching the forum for brake upgrade threads and spending a couple of hours reading them, I have a few questions.
I'd like to upgrade the brakes on my '89 C4 coupe. It has the factory JL9 non HD brakes on it now. I would like to upgrade to C5 ZO6 brakes if these will fit with my OEM wheels.
If I need new wheels should I just look into a complete wilwood kit for my vette that doesn't require new wheels but costs more $$?
I have factory OEM 17"X9.5" wheels. I would like to keep them!
Will C5 ZO6 calipers fit using these wheels? I realize I will need the newer OEM C5 ZO6 calipers with brackets, C5 rotors and pads, and aftermarket C4~C5 mounting brackets to make this all work. I read a forum member (Jeffvette) has made these brackets for the C4 to C5 brake upgrade, does he still make and sell them??
Any input will be greatly appreciated ~ especially would like to hear from forum members who have done this upgrade on a late model C4 ('88 and up!) who may have kept their OEM wheels.
Can I do this and not have to go for new wheels?
I'd like to upgrade the brakes on my '89 C4 coupe. It has the factory JL9 non HD brakes on it now. I would like to upgrade to C5 ZO6 brakes if these will fit with my OEM wheels.
If I need new wheels should I just look into a complete wilwood kit for my vette that doesn't require new wheels but costs more $$?
I have factory OEM 17"X9.5" wheels. I would like to keep them!
Will C5 ZO6 calipers fit using these wheels? I realize I will need the newer OEM C5 ZO6 calipers with brackets, C5 rotors and pads, and aftermarket C4~C5 mounting brackets to make this all work. I read a forum member (Jeffvette) has made these brackets for the C4 to C5 brake upgrade, does he still make and sell them??
Any input will be greatly appreciated ~ especially would like to hear from forum members who have done this upgrade on a late model C4 ('88 and up!) who may have kept their OEM wheels.
Can I do this and not have to go for new wheels?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
I don't know much about non-sawblade '89 wheels, but you may find you need either spacers or new wheels to accommodate the c5 brakes. The c5 z06 calipers are the same as the regular c5 calipers but come painted red. If you can find c6 front calipers cheaper, they can be mounted with the c5 brake adapter (this is what I've gathered from reading forum threads, NOT hands-on experience). A few people have made the brackets in the past: Jeffvette is no longer a member, but his personal website is here. Exoticmuscle also sells them for $180 here. Electro-dynamics sell them for $285 here . You may also want to PM forum member 1989vette who may be making some adapters.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: St James New York
I don't know much about non-sawblade '89 wheels, but you may find you need either spacers or new wheels to accommodate the c5 brakes. The c5 z06 calipers are the same as the regular c5 calipers but come painted red. If you can find c6 front calipers cheaper, they can be mounted with the c5 brake adapter (this is what I've gathered from reading forum threads, NOT hands-on experience). A few people have made the brackets in the past: Jeffvette is no longer a member, but his personal website is here. Exoticmuscle also sells them for $180 here. Electro-dynamics sell them for $285 here . You may also want to PM forum member 1989vette who may be making some adapters.
Anyone know if I can do this upgrade using my '89 OEM 17"X9.5" wheels?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: St James New York
Anyone have any input as to whether I can do this upgrade while having no clearance issues with my OEM '89 17"X9.5" wheels??
Or if I want to keep my OEM wheels are my only upgrade choices, complete kits from wilwood or baer??
Or if I want to keep my OEM wheels are my only upgrade choices, complete kits from wilwood or baer??
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
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From: Winchester Virginia
This upgrade will not work with your stock sawblades.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
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From: St James New York
I'm sure after you have completed several 120MPH to zero stops back to back with your HD J55 brakes you won't think your Vette "stopped pretty damn well"
Try it, then maybe you'll be looking to upgrade your brakes as well!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I'm sure your Z-51 HD J55 brakes are a hell of a lot better than my base JL9 brakes, but if I'm going to spend about the same amount to upgrade the brake system why would I only go to J55 when I could go to superior C5 Grand Sport or ZO6 brakes??
I'm sure after you have completed several 120MPH to zero stops back to back with your HD J55 brakes you won't think your Vette "stopped pretty damn well"
Try it, then maybe you'll be looking to upgrade your brakes as well!
I'm sure after you have completed several 120MPH to zero stops back to back with your HD J55 brakes you won't think your Vette "stopped pretty damn well"
Try it, then maybe you'll be looking to upgrade your brakes as well!
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From: St James New York
I didn't say you were stupid or wrong!
I asked about upgrading my brakes with better C5 parts.
What I did say was do several back to back 120+MPH to zero stops with your HD J55 brakes and then re-evaluate your my vette "stops pretty damn well" statement!
You might want to try it before you post in this thread again.
I asked about upgrading my brakes with better C5 parts.
What I did say was do several back to back 120+MPH to zero stops with your HD J55 brakes and then re-evaluate your my vette "stops pretty damn well" statement!
You might want to try it before you post in this thread again.
Last edited by mako41; Oct 13, 2008 at 06:57 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 289
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From: Montoursville PA
c5 brakes and saw blades
I have c5 brakes on my 91. I have saw blades wheels for track use. they fit with a 1/4" spacer. I would rather not run the spacers but it works and I have not had any issues. I would also agree with your statement regarding the 120 stops back to back. My c5 setup has been great for track use.
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From: St James New York
I have c5 brakes on my 91. I have saw blades wheels for track use. they fit with a 1/4" spacer. I would rather not run the spacers but it works and I have not had any issues. I would also agree with your statement regarding the 120 stops back to back. My c5 setup has been great for track use.
Were did you get the spacers? Do you feel the install is safe?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 289
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From: Montoursville PA
well my sawblades are 17x9.5 from a 96 I think. I would say its been safe so far. I recheck the torque on them every run at the track. I would say that longer wheel studs would be a better option. I have never had one come loose yet but you do loose some threads with the spacers in. Hope that helps
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
If you know so much wiseazz, why do you need to ask such a simple question. There are straightforward C5 upgrade kits and spacers or wheels with a deeper offset. I don't believe you researched at all. This subject is an old well known issue. I think you need to get over yourself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
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From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
I didn't say you were stupid or wrong!
I asked about upgrading my brakes with better C5 parts.
What I did say was do several back to back 120+MPH to zero stops with your HD J55 brakes and then re-evaluate your my vette "stops pretty damn well" statement!
You might want to try it before you post in this thread again.
I asked about upgrading my brakes with better C5 parts.
What I did say was do several back to back 120+MPH to zero stops with your HD J55 brakes and then re-evaluate your my vette "stops pretty damn well" statement!
You might want to try it before you post in this thread again.
If you want to use that argument......I say try doing several back to back 120+ mph to even 40-50 mph then tell me how well you think the C5 setup works.....about the same as the J55's. They both fade and spread apart. Spend the money on Wilwoods or better if you are serious about tracking the car.
The stock parts are fine for a few quick laps but if you are going to see 30+ minute sessions at full-tilt then spend the money and do it right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,456
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From: MichAgain
Dude...I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the Duck has more high-speed braking in his 'vette than you. You're a junior member: check your attitude at the door and pay 'tention to what experience has to say, and if it doesn't exactly fit what you're looking for, smile and say thank you!
That being said, when I did the conversion, reseach indicated my 91 sawblades will not fit and need 1/4" spacers. Haven't gotten around to getting them yet (they will also require longer wheel studs, and I just haven't had the time to change mine out).
That being said, when I did the conversion, reseach indicated my 91 sawblades will not fit and need 1/4" spacers. Haven't gotten around to getting them yet (they will also require longer wheel studs, and I just haven't had the time to change mine out).
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Montoursville PA
I would also say that on a stock c4 the c5 brakes are more than fine for a 30 min session as I have had no issues. If they aren't then you are using them to much! A stock c4 simply does not have that much power to need more than a c5 setup. I am aware of spreading issues but have not had any issue on my stock c4
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: St James New York
Dude...I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the Duck has more high-speed braking in his 'vette than you. You're a junior member: check your attitude at the door and pay 'tention to what experience has to say, and if it doesn't exactly fit what you're looking for, smile and say thank you!
That being said, when I did the conversion, reseach indicated my 91 sawblades will not fit and need 1/4" spacers. Haven't gotten around to getting them yet (they will also require longer wheel studs, and I just haven't had the time to change mine out).
That being said, when I did the conversion, reseach indicated my 91 sawblades will not fit and need 1/4" spacers. Haven't gotten around to getting them yet (they will also require longer wheel studs, and I just haven't had the time to change mine out).
I think you should check your attitude, quickly!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 694
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From: St James New York
If you know so much wiseazz, why do you need to ask such a simple question. There are straightforward C5 upgrade kits and spacers or wheels with a deeper offset. I don't believe you researched at all. This subject is an old well known issue. I think you need to get over yourself.
It is you who needs to get over yourself and stay out of this thread if you don't have anything meaningful to add!