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Difference between 87 and up brake question

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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 11:47 PM
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Default Difference between 87 and up brake question

I just got back from Corvette Carlisle and it really sucked for C4 parts. I did manage to buy a pair of large Wilwood calipers and C4 brackets. He threw in a set of braided lines for front and rear and 2 ecm's, all for $100. So I bought it. I have an 87 and the calipers and mounts came off an 89. I know that the brakes are different but will I be able to make them work. He said they would work with stock rotors. I also know the 88-up rotors are larger. Can I just pick up a set of newer rotors or is there going to be a bigger issue? Thanks
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by blown1981z28
I did manage to buy a pair of large Wilwood calipers and C4 brackets. I have an 87 and the calipers and mounts came off an 89. I know that the brakes are different but will I be able to make them work. He said they would work with stock rotors. Can I just pick up a set of newer rotors or is there going to be a bigger issue? Thanks
The caliper mounting holes on the spindle are different ;early vs late
I am not aware of any brackets to mount base (12" rotor ) late calipers to early cars.There are adapter brackets for the J55 /GS calipers on early cars.
Might be making something custom?

Originally Posted by blown1981z28
I also know the 88-up rotors are larger.
Base '88+ rotors are same 12" as early cars but different
J55/GS brakes have 13" rotor ( also thicker than 12" rotor )

Last edited by vetteoz; Aug 29, 2010 at 01:47 AM.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 08:44 AM
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I kind of guessed that. So the caliper mounting for the 87 earlier and 88 up are different. So I won't be able to use these calipers on my car. That sucks.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 12:36 PM
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sell them and let me know !

wrong ..i have a 87 as well
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 02:48 PM
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I am going to put it on the lift monday and try them out. I will get a pair of the 88-up 13" rotors to try.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by blown1981z28;1575159508.
I will get a pair of the 88-up 13" rotors to try.
If your " new " calipers are for stock 12" rotor it won't work because 13" rotors they are thicker
28mm vs 20mm
Measure the throat of the caliper to see width you have
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 06:58 PM
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They aren't but he said they would work. The Wilwood calipers came off a road race car. He was running 2 piece rotors. I am going to have a both the 88-up 12" and 13" rotors handy to see if I can get either to work. Before I give up on them I am going to give tham a try.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by blown1981z28
The Wilwood calipers came off a road race car.
In that case the calipers may well be for the larger ( thicker ) rotor and you can get commercially made adapters to mount to your early car
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 11:22 PM
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I think the only way they will work is if you use Wilwood rotors. All the Wilwood brake upgrade kits I've seen come with the appropriate Wilwood rotors; never seen a kit that only came with calipers (unless the calipers were purchased individually and the previous owner made his/her own custom brackets to fit the stock rotors).

I'd advise calling Wilwood and ask them if they will fit your car. I'm sure if you provide the part number(s) off the calipers they will be able to tell you whether they will fit and what you'll need in order to complete the install.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 11:42 PM
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Wilwood dosen't make a kit for the 87 and earlier fronts. I already searched their website. The stock rotor meets the thickness required for the caliper. I just need a rotor with the right hat height.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by blown1981z28
The stock rotor meets the thickness required for the caliper.
12" or 13" rotor ?
8mm (1/4" ) difference in thickness
Regardless of rotor fitment you are still going need an adapter to mount late style caliper to early spindle
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:26 AM
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I understand that. Wilwood dosen't make one and the max spec for the caliper is a 13" rotor. The rotor size depends on the caliper mount. The calipers I have look to have a pair of one off mounts. They are not a production forged piece. So I will try to bolt them up.
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Old Aug 30, 2010 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by blown1981z28
So I will try to bolt them up.
The point I was making is that the bolt hole spacing on the spindle for the caliper brackets is different between early and late ( later are wider apart ) so irrespective of any other differences; the late style caliper will not bolt directly on to a early spindle
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