Brake Pads
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Brake Pads
I have an 85 z-51 4+3.
I have Hawk HPS and would like better brakes as the 85 brakes sucks as stock.
Would changing the Hawk HPS to Hawk HP Plus give significant better brakes. There are of course some squeeking noise and rotor wear from them , but if the brakes are much better with HP plus I would accept the cons of squeek and wear
Anybody with experience regarding HPS and HP plus.
I have Hawk HPS and would like better brakes as the 85 brakes sucks as stock.
Would changing the Hawk HPS to Hawk HP Plus give significant better brakes. There are of course some squeeking noise and rotor wear from them , but if the brakes are much better with HP plus I would accept the cons of squeek and wear
Anybody with experience regarding HPS and HP plus.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
J55 or C5 upgrade depending on if you have 17" wheels.
C4 J55 will fit under Z51, Z52 enkie 16x9.5" wheels. Used parts new rotors and adapter bracket from Corvette Central cost me @$450 to do J55 on my 87.
JS
C4 J55 will fit under Z51, Z52 enkie 16x9.5" wheels. Used parts new rotors and adapter bracket from Corvette Central cost me @$450 to do J55 on my 87.
JS
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,939
Likes: 705
From: WI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
If you hav JL9 brakes the HPS pads are perfect. Something else in the brake system is contributing to your "bad" brakes.
I had an 88 with the JL9 brakes, ran PFZ pads at Beaver run after flushing ALL my brake fluid and slowing from 100 ish to turn in to turn 1 was a NON event. They worked great.
10 years later I have a 92 with J55 brakes. I run real race pads and this winter I replaced everything but the hard brake lines. Brakes were terrific at CMP last weekend.
I drove a Ford Flex last week on travel and those brakes SUCK worse than any Corvette brakes. I kept having to remember to brake early.
I had an 88 with the JL9 brakes, ran PFZ pads at Beaver run after flushing ALL my brake fluid and slowing from 100 ish to turn in to turn 1 was a NON event. They worked great.
10 years later I have a 92 with J55 brakes. I run real race pads and this winter I replaced everything but the hard brake lines. Brakes were terrific at CMP last weekend.
I drove a Ford Flex last week on travel and those brakes SUCK worse than any Corvette brakes. I kept having to remember to brake early.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 2
From: Dubuque Iowa
What Wheels? I have an 87 also, wish I could upgrade the brakes without new wheels.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
factory orginal Z51 or Z52 option cars have 16x9.5" wheels made by enkie. They will just barely clear the J55 13" brakes. Don't get the GrandSport calipers. I had to clearance the top of the caliper a little.
JS
JS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I have C5 brakes on the front. what a difference. now it stops. I have finally done a panic stop where the antilock activates.
You don't need it if the front brakes are ineffective.
If you want great brakes, try wedging in a C5 dual diaphragm booster and C5 brakes...You can't run stock wheels because the brakes are too big......So I have C5 wheels as well.
You don't need it if the front brakes are ineffective.
If you want great brakes, try wedging in a C5 dual diaphragm booster and C5 brakes...You can't run stock wheels because the brakes are too big......So I have C5 wheels as well.
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Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Bottom line for quick braking- clean, fresh fluid in system via gravity bleeding, good quality brake pads, and good tires. 
