J55 vs C5 brakes
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
J55 vs C5 brakes
The only time I take my wife's 89' 6-speed to the shop is for tire rotations/alignments or its yearly inspection. This year the inspectors outdid themselves, as pre obdII cars need to be spun for the dm240 test. This year they decided to do it with the e-brake engaged which fried every component in the rear, from the u-joints to brake caliper brackets, everything needs to be replaced. I have just settled with the shops insurance.
So now i am going to replace u-joints, bearings and complete brakes, front and rear and the car has the Z51/J55 brakes. My question is: Is going to the C5 front brake setup a distinguishable difference over the J55 brake? This is my wife's weekend car and she does not race it, but if the C5 brakes are that much better than the J55's, VBandP has a nice package to upgrade to, but is much pricier than to replace with the same components that came on the car.
If anyone has performed this mod, please chime in and let me know if it was worth it.
thanks
So now i am going to replace u-joints, bearings and complete brakes, front and rear and the car has the Z51/J55 brakes. My question is: Is going to the C5 front brake setup a distinguishable difference over the J55 brake? This is my wife's weekend car and she does not race it, but if the C5 brakes are that much better than the J55's, VBandP has a nice package to upgrade to, but is much pricier than to replace with the same components that came on the car.
If anyone has performed this mod, please chime in and let me know if it was worth it.
thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 228
From: Northeast FL
I swtiched to C5 fronts for my track only car. Had J55 brakes for several years prior to switching. Big difference in braking on the track and for autocross but for street use it's not worth the money. IMHO.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: CA
what if the rotor and pads both needs replacing, is it a good time to move up and can you sell those j55 parts to a non j55 owner looking to move up?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Also, If you have the factory wheels they will need to be replaced with GS style wheels or C5 OEM wheels to clear the caliper.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 13
From: Romeoville IL
I believe in the long run the C5 rotors are cheaper to replace, and that would be the only reason to upgrade on a street car. Most non J55 people upgrading bypass the J55 and go straight to the C5 upgrade.
Also, If you have the factory wheels they will need to be replaced with GS style wheels or C5 OEM wheels to clear the caliper.
Also, If you have the factory wheels they will need to be replaced with GS style wheels or C5 OEM wheels to clear the caliper.
If you sell your J55 kits, for the right price someone will buy it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,687
Likes: 3,440
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The diameter of the brakes is not an issue, the C5 caliper sits closer to the inside face of the wheel and the stock sawblades and salad shooters will hit the caliper.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Track car - depends on the class you want to run in. I still haven't put my C5 upgrade on because I would need gobs of horsepower, full cage, race seat, trailer, truck to pull said trailer, etc. If I leave the J55's I'm in a winable class without adding all that.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: CA
Street driven car - nope still not worth it.
Track car - depends on the class you want to run in. I still haven't put my C5 upgrade on because I would need gobs of horsepower, full cage, race seat, trailer, truck to pull said trailer, etc. If I leave the J55's I'm in a winable class without adding all that.
Track car - depends on the class you want to run in. I still haven't put my C5 upgrade on because I would need gobs of horsepower, full cage, race seat, trailer, truck to pull said trailer, etc. If I leave the J55's I'm in a winable class without adding all that.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
With cooling air and the right brake pads, J55 brakes are fine. I've literally spent hours at a time on road courses with mine, braking from speeds in excess of 150mph (depending on track of course).
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
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From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
When you re-do the brakes on the car, just use the best J-55 stuff. My car has the J- 55 option, and when I replaced the rotors/ pads and brake lines, it made a real difference. I used slotted rotors, Hawk HPS brake pads, S/S brake lines, and new synthedic fluid. The difference was amazing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,253
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley CA
When you re-do the brakes on the car, just use the best J-55 stuff. My car has the J- 55 option, and when I replaced the rotors/ pads and brake lines, it made a real difference. I used slotted rotors, Hawk HPS brake pads, S/S brake lines, and new synthedic fluid. The difference was amazing.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 567
From: Conroe Texas
well, sorry for not getting back sooner, seems like lunch time is about it for getting on the forum...everythings been popping around here. thanks for all the responces.
we've had the car since 1990, raced it for many years and my z06 does handle/brake better than the 89, but thats the c5 for ya' and since this is my wife's weekend ( no racing ) car, i think i will replace with new j55 components. i have pretty well decided on components except for rotors as there are so many out there now: drilled/slotted/cryo'ed and whatever, and so much controversy/benefits about each one. but i do know that i don't want any chinese junk.
we've had the car since 1990, raced it for many years and my z06 does handle/brake better than the 89, but thats the c5 for ya' and since this is my wife's weekend ( no racing ) car, i think i will replace with new j55 components. i have pretty well decided on components except for rotors as there are so many out there now: drilled/slotted/cryo'ed and whatever, and so much controversy/benefits about each one. but i do know that i don't want any chinese junk.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If your going to stick with the J55 and theres no reason not to .... check out forum vendor Corvette Recycling. You can purchase a complete set of rotors (2-13" 2-12") for $80.00. These are factory nos rotors in gm boxes. You can't come close to that price anywhere. I did this on my 95 3000 miles ago and am very happy with the results.
If you are not tracking your car these stock rotors are fine
I drive my vette "briskly" every day during my daily 50 mile commute.
If you are not tracking your car these stock rotors are fine
I drive my vette "briskly" every day during my daily 50 mile commute.
