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

C5 Brake up grade question.

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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 12:27 AM
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Default C5 Brake up grade question.

Hi guys,
I've been looking at different brake set ups for my car (1993 ZR1). I see that some guys are using the C5 brakes. Doesn't look like much of an upgrade from my ZR1 set up, but was just curious if they can use the C5 brakes because the C4 and C5 spindles are the same size?
Thanks
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 12:43 AM
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Need brackets for the C5 calipers on a C4.
I had the C5 calipers upgrade on my 89. Big difference in stopping power
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 01:13 AM
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Thanks coupe89. When you say brackets, am I to assume you are referring to the caliper mounting brackets. If so, I thought that would be the case. What I was really curious about is are the spindles the same so that the C5 rotor will fit directly onto the C4 spindle?
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 07:08 AM
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The rotor slips right on to the hub, same as the C4 rotor. It's the caliper mounting that requires the bracket.

Last edited by VetteMed; Feb 15, 2012 at 07:10 AM.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 09:04 AM
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Your car should have the J55 big brake package. The rotors are already 13" in diameter. Have you tried different pads to get improved braking performance?

Also, the OEM "sawblade" wheels will not clear the C5 caliper without some grinding of the outside edges of the C5 caliper or removal of some wheel material where the wheel center meets the rim. It's easier to go to a set of the ZR-1/Grand Sport 5-spoke wheels.

The "brackets" are a custom piece that bolts to the knuckle and the C5 caliper abutment (mounting) brackets bolt to those. That additional bracket provides the necessary offset for the C5 caliper and rotor.

Figure on something like $700 to $750 for a C5 conversion package.

Look at this post and scroll down to the part numbers and pics.

Last edited by c4cruiser; Feb 15, 2012 at 09:10 AM.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 09:25 AM
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For street driving, autocross and HPDE track sessions your J55's are adequate!
If you do a lot of braking from 125+ down to 45 then you can find the inadaquacies with them.
I run Carbotech xp12/10 on mine that sees a LOT of track time. I'm starting to get tired of caliper spread and constantly replacing calipers. So I'm going big brakes, probably a willwood 6 pot for the front and a 4 pot for the rear.

The C5 brakes are slightly better than the J55, takes a little longer to spread the caliper. In my case it costs the same amount of points to go C5 brakes or willwood brakes. For me its a no-brainer to go willwood.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by jaa1992
For street driving, autocross and HPDE track sessions your J55's are adequate!
If you do a lot of braking from 125+ down to 45 then you can find the inadaquacies with them.
I run Carbotech xp12/10 on mine that sees a LOT of track time. I'm starting to get tired of caliper spread and constantly replacing calipers. So I'm going big brakes, probably a willwood 6 pot for the front and a 4 pot for the rear.

The C5 brakes are slightly better than the J55, takes a little longer to spread the caliper. In my case it costs the same amount of points to go C5 brakes or willwood brakes. For me its a no-brainer to go willwood.
Thanks guys,
I've got to agree with you on the willwood. That is what I was planning on going with also. I do plan on seeing quite a bit of track time.
Thanks,
Rob
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by vetteguy22
Thanks guys,
I've got to agree with you on the willwood. That is what I was planning on going with also. I do plan on seeing quite a bit of track time.
Thanks,
Rob
I will be happy to help you with track pads for your application.
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Old Feb 15, 2012 | 04:57 PM
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Thanks Adam.
I'll probably be getting in touch with you when I get to that point.
Rob
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