C5 brake upgrade
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Indianapolis IN
C5 brake upgrade
Hello all,
So I am considering the C5 brake upgrade for my 1996. As I understand it, the 1996 came standard with heavy duty brakes (J55.) I just wonder if this upgrade makes the difference the way it does with earlier, non-J55 models. Does this upgrade give a good bang for the buck? I will be using this for spirited street driving as well as a few track events a year, maybe some HPDE type events. What do you guys think?
1996 LT1
Coupe
A4
Thanks.
So I am considering the C5 brake upgrade for my 1996. As I understand it, the 1996 came standard with heavy duty brakes (J55.) I just wonder if this upgrade makes the difference the way it does with earlier, non-J55 models. Does this upgrade give a good bang for the buck? I will be using this for spirited street driving as well as a few track events a year, maybe some HPDE type events. What do you guys think?
1996 LT1
Coupe
A4
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,957
Likes: 706
From: WI
Will it brake better? No, that's really more in the pad selection. It will cost less to replace the C5 pads and rotors though. That's why I have them on my car. Until you get more experience with track events, use what you have with a good track pad.
Le Mans Master
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Actually it will brake better. The pistons are 2mm bigger and farther apart, and the pad has more surface area. I noticed a night and day difference in braking performance over the J55. I also upgraded to a 1" bore master cylinder at the time.
Last edited by Kubs; Jun 19, 2010 at 04:34 PM. Reason: spelling
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: WI
It doesn't really matter if it has more surface area. A high torque pad in J55 size or even base pad size can lock up the tires. Just like a C5 pad can. It would be more accurate to say the C5 setup will handle heat better, the rotor has more mass and directional cooling vanes.
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wow the other other day a member stated on the the number of new members that are showing up in here lately. My question is where those C4 sold my CF members or these are "New C4s to the Forum"?
To answer your Q
Yes, the C5 brake upgrade is a good "BFTB" but if you are a street driver, the J55 and HPS pads will work great for you.
If you already made up your mind, there are few vendors in here and out there that offer the front upgrade for your 96. Before you ask, leave the rears the way they are, the C4 rear brakes do a great job. A set of HPS for the rears would also help
To answer your Q
Yes, the C5 brake upgrade is a good "BFTB" but if you are a street driver, the J55 and HPS pads will work great for you.
If you already made up your mind, there are few vendors in here and out there that offer the front upgrade for your 96. Before you ask, leave the rears the way they are, the C4 rear brakes do a great job. A set of HPS for the rears would also help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 830
Likes: 6
Best upgrade I have seen yet are C6 brakes on a C4. We have a C4 running in SM Autocross that put the rear calipers and form a C6 on the front of the C4. Stopping power is excellent and heat properties are killer. Car is also tracked. Most like my next upgrade after seats.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Lincoln NE
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,957
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From: WI
Best upgrade I have seen yet are C6 brakes on a C4. We have a C4 running in SM Autocross that put the rear calipers and form a C6 on the front of the C4. Stopping power is excellent and heat properties are killer. Car is also tracked. Most like my next upgrade after seats.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Castro Valley CA
After 7 years, 50+ events and probably over 100 track hours on J55's, I just switched over to the C5's. Pad availability, especially slightly used pads from racers is dramatically better and CHEAPER. You can also swap pads in any location to equalize wear which can't be done on the J55's. The greater heat sink of the thicker rotors is a plus but I had my heat management under control the last few years with the J55's. As for braking power, its all in the pad selection.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
A major down side is that the rotors have directional cooling veins...but there is only one part number, so one rotor (the right one IIRC) is "backwards" and doesn't cool nearly as well.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 68
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From: Indianapolis IN
wow the other other day a member stated on the the number of new members that are showing up in here lately. My question is where those C4 sold my CF members or these are "New C4s to the Forum"?
To answer your Q
Yes, the C5 brake upgrade is a good "BFTB" but if you are a street driver, the J55 and HPS pads will work great for you.
If you already made up your mind, there are few vendors in here and out there that offer the front upgrade for your 96. Before you ask, leave the rears the way they are, the C4 rear brakes do a great job. A set of HPS for the rears would also help
To answer your Q
Yes, the C5 brake upgrade is a good "BFTB" but if you are a street driver, the J55 and HPS pads will work great for you.
If you already made up your mind, there are few vendors in here and out there that offer the front upgrade for your 96. Before you ask, leave the rears the way they are, the C4 rear brakes do a great job. A set of HPS for the rears would also help
I have certainly not made a decision on brakes. I am currently running the HPS pads and may just do that for a while, but this C6 idea now has me intrigued. What is needed for that upgrade?
And thanks for the replies.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
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I am pretty new to both the forum and the C4, about a year on both accounts. Been reading a lot on here.
I have certainly not made a decision on brakes. I am currently running the HPS pads and may just do that for a while, but this C6 idea now has me intrigued. What is needed for that upgrade?
And thanks for the replies.
I have certainly not made a decision on brakes. I am currently running the HPS pads and may just do that for a while, but this C6 idea now has me intrigued. What is needed for that upgrade?
And thanks for the replies.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,957
Likes: 706
From: WI
They are two piston, floating calipers. The benefits of the C6 Z51 brakes are the "drilled' (cast) rotors which provide more bite, and the fact that the rotor is a larger 13.5" diameter for better heat management.
A major down side is that the rotors have directional cooling veins...but there is only one part number, so one rotor (the right one IIRC) is "backwards" and doesn't cool nearly as well.
A major down side is that the rotors have directional cooling veins...but there is only one part number, so one rotor (the right one IIRC) is "backwards" and doesn't cool nearly as well.
I don't see having more bite as a benefit. That will make the brakes more difficult to modulate. The rotor being drilled will have less surface area. They weigh more and have one backwards like you mentioned. I had the chance to use that setup and decided against it. Mostly because of the extra cost with little benefit over the C5 size rotor.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
