C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

J55 Brake Upgrade Questions

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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 11:53 PM
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Default J55 Brake Upgrade Questions

I'm in the process of the upgrade on my 93 and it appears the outboard face of the calipers will not clear my stock sawblades. You can just feel the wheel kissing the caliper when you rotate by hand. Is this normal?

If I changed my wheels to the 9.5 inch width, would this cure the problem?

How much clearance do I need to allow for wheel flex? Would a 1/8 inch wheel spacer be a good solution?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Joe
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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It sounds like something's wrong -- stock sawblades will fit J55 brakes (all 95's and 96's had J55s with sawblades). Going to a wider wheel won't help as the clearance is the same.

Are you sure the brackets are installed correctly? Also i'm assuming here that the dimensions of '93 sawblades are the same as '95-'96 sawblades.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 04:24 AM
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I concur, something is amiss. I will measure the clearance on mine and report back.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 11:14 AM
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I am assuming this is the J55 setup. I bought these used here on the forum where they were supposed to have come off of a 1996.

Here's a link to pics.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-p...ake-setup.html

I have yet to pressurize the system. Maybe the caliper will be pushed in once
pressure is applied.

I do not see the brackets going on but one way. I've only done the RH side and the caliper pin is down, just like the original.

Thanks for the help!

Joe

Last edited by ccford; Nov 26, 2008 at 11:16 AM.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 12:05 PM
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Those look like GS calipers not J55, J55's will work but the GS will not work with sawblades... Need GS wheels.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 01:55 PM
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Not true....the GS calipers will work with the sawblades. I have the GS calipers on my 96 LT1. There is an article on this. I will attach if requested.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:19 PM
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Ah Haaaaa!

What is the difference? Is the GS rotor thicker than the J55?
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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Once again, The GS caliper will work with the sawblades. The rotor is the same regardless.

Here is some usefull information on the GS / J55 comparison.

https://www.superchevyperformance.co...les.asp?ID=123
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 04:01 PM
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Thanks!

If you have an article that would be great. I definately think there's not enough clearance between the caliper and wheel on my car.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 06:58 PM
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I just checked my sawblades and J55's; it is a 1/2 inch of radial clearance! I think you should disassemble it completely and check all the mating surfaces, etc. and put it back together. I have run GS calipers with sawblades before, no problem at all.
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 07:18 PM
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J55 will fit under early 16x9.5 wheels (not GS) we had to file the very top of the caliper slightly for clearance.
I posted a link to pictures.
You might need to get the pads seated, it might push the caliper in since the calipers slide on the brackets.
If you were talking C5 stuff, I hear they hit out front on sawblades.

JS
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Old Nov 26, 2008 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Sidney004
I just checked my sawblades and J55's; it is a 1/2 inch of radial clearance! I think you should disassemble it completely and check all the mating surfaces, etc. and put it back together. I have run GS calipers with sawblades before, no problem at all.
My problem is the outboard caliper to wheel not the radial clearance.

Tx
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Old Nov 27, 2008 | 03:25 AM
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I should have read your post more carefully. Just a couple of questions, you have the 8 1/2" factory sawblades in front and the 9 1/2" in the rear? You did not mistakenly place any washers in mounting the abutement brackets where it interfaced with the suspension? Try swapping one of the rear wheels up front to check the difference, if any?
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 08:23 AM
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I converted my '93 from 12" to 13" with GS calipers years ago. It still has the 8.5" wide sawblades. No clearance problems. Check part numbers to insure you received what you think you purchased. Could your car have been altered in some fashion?
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