C4 Factory Brake Swaps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
C4 Factory Brake Swaps
Im kinda new at C4s so please bear with me Just got my first Vette a older C4 its a 1985 and its got the smaller brake set up compared to a 1996 and Im not even sure of what size the later ones have.
I used to run a big block 4spd 1970 Cuda and with that I found out how to Install Huge calipers and Rotors off of a Fury with spindles from a 74-78 a body and certain caliper hat adapters off of another mopar I was able to mount on my 70 Ebody the biggest factory brake combo from later yrs onto my 70
So heres my Question First what factory parts are needed to install and run the bigger 13 inch 1996 rotor and calipers on a 1985 and is their bigger and better C5s or C6s that can be installed on the 1985
I used to run a big block 4spd 1970 Cuda and with that I found out how to Install Huge calipers and Rotors off of a Fury with spindles from a 74-78 a body and certain caliper hat adapters off of another mopar I was able to mount on my 70 Ebody the biggest factory brake combo from later yrs onto my 70
So heres my Question First what factory parts are needed to install and run the bigger 13 inch 1996 rotor and calipers on a 1985 and is their bigger and better C5s or C6s that can be installed on the 1985
Team Owner
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Im kinda new at C4s so please bear with me Just got my first Vette a older C4 its a 1985 and its got the smaller brake set up compared to a 1996 and Im not even sure of what size the later ones have.
I used to run a big block 4spd 1970 Cuda and with that I found out how to Install Huge calipers and Rotors off of a Fury with spindles from a 74-78 a body and certain caliper hat adapters off of another mopar I was able to mount on my 70 Ebody the biggest factory brake combo from later yrs onto my 70
So heres my Question First what factory parts are needed to install and run the bigger 13 inch 1996 rotor and calipers on a 1985 and is their bigger and better C5s or C6s that can be installed on the 1985
I used to run a big block 4spd 1970 Cuda and with that I found out how to Install Huge calipers and Rotors off of a Fury with spindles from a 74-78 a body and certain caliper hat adapters off of another mopar I was able to mount on my 70 Ebody the biggest factory brake combo from later yrs onto my 70
So heres my Question First what factory parts are needed to install and run the bigger 13 inch 1996 rotor and calipers on a 1985 and is their bigger and better C5s or C6s that can be installed on the 1985
The brackets for the early C4 to C5 are less complicated than the 88+ year models to C5. I've never seen it mentioned but a base C6 front caliper might share the same adapter. MIGHT! Don't know!!
This might be an interesting read regarding an '84 but it covers your needs also.
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette.84/C5brakes.html
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Thanxs WVZR-1 Really nice article but I really want to avoid custom fabricated brackets.
What I want to do is like my old Mopar Swap out Everything Factory. The key to my 70 E-body Mopar was the 1976 A-body Spindle Assy
I bet its there. Some spindle assy. Ive got to check on ball jiont interchangability that might give me a clue. Some newer swap out with a spindle assy from something newer
If the C5 or C6 Spindle Knuckle pops in Im good.
Got to find out what spindles interchange or maybe a spindle with upper and or lower control arms with a bigger Brake Booster and bigger master would be Sweet with a Adjustable portional valve with all Stainless Steel lines would be perfect
What I want to do is like my old Mopar Swap out Everything Factory. The key to my 70 E-body Mopar was the 1976 A-body Spindle Assy
I bet its there. Some spindle assy. Ive got to check on ball jiont interchangability that might give me a clue. Some newer swap out with a spindle assy from something newer
If the C5 or C6 Spindle Knuckle pops in Im good.
Got to find out what spindles interchange or maybe a spindle with upper and or lower control arms with a bigger Brake Booster and bigger master would be Sweet with a Adjustable portional valve with all Stainless Steel lines would be perfect
Last edited by cudamax; Apr 25, 2013 at 02:19 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
Do they bolt to the early C4 knuckle? That part, I don't know.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Do u know the differances in C4/C5 & C6 Spindles and if they can be interchanged and if not whats different Like maybe too tall?
Or different ball jionts?
Or if the upper and lower control arms on the C5 or C6 Interchange with the C4?
I cant see why C5 or C6 upper and lower control arms couldnt be put on an older C4 with their complete spindle knuckles on the front atleast or swap out a spindle
Or different ball jionts?
Or if the upper and lower control arms on the C5 or C6 Interchange with the C4?
I cant see why C5 or C6 upper and lower control arms couldnt be put on an older C4 with their complete spindle knuckles on the front atleast or swap out a spindle
Race Director
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Do u know the differances in C4/C5 & C6 Spindles and if they can be interchanged and if not whats different Like maybe too tall?
Or different ball jionts?
Or if the upper and lower control arms on the C5 or C6 Interchange with the C4?
I cant see why C5 or C6 upper and lower control arms couldnt be put on an older C4 with their complete spindle knuckles on the front atleast or swap out a spindle
Or different ball jionts?
Or if the upper and lower control arms on the C5 or C6 Interchange with the C4?
I cant see why C5 or C6 upper and lower control arms couldnt be put on an older C4 with their complete spindle knuckles on the front atleast or swap out a spindle
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Here is a kool kit on Ebay that uses C5 Hubs and I think the C5 13 inch Rotors and Calipers with what looks like some kinda factory spindle off of something no way they made them Anyways to Install everything onto a 1970 to 1981 Camaro/Firebird
Nice Real Nice and Cheep
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-1981-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-C5-Corvette-13-Disc-Brake-Kit-Tall-Spindles-/230966712250?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c6b057ba&vxp=mtr#ht_366wt_1159
Nice Real Nice and Cheep
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-1981-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-C5-Corvette-13-Disc-Brake-Kit-Tall-Spindles-/230966712250?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c6b057ba&vxp=mtr#ht_366wt_1159
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Here is another Trick Spindle I guess they are tooling these up. But this one adapts with their spindle complete C5 stock factory brakes as well as all the trick Brembos/Wilwood ECT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-1972-CHEVELLE-1967-1969-CAMARO-C5-Corvette-Disc-Brake-Spindles-/370802613955?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56558edec3&vxp=mtr#ht_401wt_1159
JUST GOT TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR THE 1985 VETTE OR A FACTORY ONE THAT WILL WORK
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-1972-CHEVELLE-1967-1969-CAMARO-C5-Corvette-Disc-Brake-Spindles-/370802613955?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56558edec3&vxp=mtr#ht_401wt_1159
JUST GOT TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR THE 1985 VETTE OR A FACTORY ONE THAT WILL WORK
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
Here is a Factory bare C5 Spindle
http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-04-Corvette-C5-FRONT-Spindle-Knuckle-Right-Passenger-/110997175712?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D15054%26meid%3D7219161086450328726%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1125%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D400396684189%26#ht_2564wt_1397
I bet I could bolt this up but Ill look to find a 1985 to compare
http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-04-Corvette-C5-FRONT-Spindle-Knuckle-Right-Passenger-/110997175712?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D15054%26meid%3D7219161086450328726%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1125%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D400396684189%26#ht_2564wt_1397
I bet I could bolt this up but Ill look to find a 1985 to compare
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
OK Here is a Factory 1985 bare spindle
http://www.ebay.com/itm/85-CORVETTE-C4-LH-DRIVER-FRONT-SPINDLE-14084047-LH-/160956303173?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1985%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item2579be4745&vxp=mtr#ht_580wt_1159
Looks pretty damn close. Id bet this would work
http://www.ebay.com/itm/85-CORVETTE-C4-LH-DRIVER-FRONT-SPINDLE-14084047-LH-/160956303173?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1985%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item2579be4745&vxp=mtr#ht_580wt_1159
Looks pretty damn close. Id bet this would work
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
OK Here is a Factory 1985 bare spindle
85 Corvette C4 LH Driver Front Spindle 14084047 LH | eBay
Looks pretty damn close. Id bet this would work
85 Corvette C4 LH Driver Front Spindle 14084047 LH | eBay
Looks pretty damn close. Id bet this would work
Keep s posted!
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Apr 25, 2013 at 05:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
[/URL][/IMG]
[/URL][/IMG]Here is the Answer Top Factory C5 Upper Control Arm
Lower Photo Factory Upper Control Arm 84-87
Anyone seeing what Im seeing
If they are the same distance apart or pretty close the end shaft can be installed on the 97-04 or its a cut and splice with the Mig
or this custom sweet 85 can be modified and I can do it or Ill call and maybe everyone here that wants one can also call SPC and ask them to graft a different nose on their custom upper control arm to just supply this for us. The one in the photo is only 225.00 If not Ive got guys that will do it for me and Ill have one soon
[/URL][/IMG]
Team Owner
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All we can do is wish you the best. It's not going to be done inexpensively and I doubt that the geometry can be duplicated at all. It's just really different and not actually very practical.
As straight forward as the early C4 is to the C5 brakes and I believe also the C6 "base" brakes there's no need for an attempt to re-engineer the entire front end components and geometry for what you might like to do. The bracket is very simple, straight forward and if you wanted to clean it up it could be machined out of a single piece of material. That would be something that if you're capable of accomplishing you might consider.
Now I believe if you wanted to be really different and want "BIG" brakes the Viper caliper would be an easier package to adapt. The anchor method is much easier to accomplish a correct bracket for I believe.
Brembo might actually do a hardware package presently. I'd investigae maybe a Brembo or Wildwood set up. Maybe some others AP or whatever. The geometry of the front end is "problem free"!
I understand some of what you've referenced in your links to eBay but they're not actually "relative" to the task mentioned.
As straight forward as the early C4 is to the C5 brakes and I believe also the C6 "base" brakes there's no need for an attempt to re-engineer the entire front end components and geometry for what you might like to do. The bracket is very simple, straight forward and if you wanted to clean it up it could be machined out of a single piece of material. That would be something that if you're capable of accomplishing you might consider.
Now I believe if you wanted to be really different and want "BIG" brakes the Viper caliper would be an easier package to adapt. The anchor method is much easier to accomplish a correct bracket for I believe.
Brembo might actually do a hardware package presently. I'd investigae maybe a Brembo or Wildwood set up. Maybe some others AP or whatever. The geometry of the front end is "problem free"!
I understand some of what you've referenced in your links to eBay but they're not actually "relative" to the task mentioned.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
I agree.
On the one hand, there is an opportunity here for you to be a pioneer in the C4 world...which is always cool when someone "plows the way" for the rest of us. But on the other hand, above, you shot down a simple one piece bracket b/c it's not stock. (?) Now you want to cut and weld suspension members to get it done?
Like I said above, keep us posted. I know that I am interested to see what you come up with.
On the one hand, there is an opportunity here for you to be a pioneer in the C4 world...which is always cool when someone "plows the way" for the rest of us. But on the other hand, above, you shot down a simple one piece bracket b/c it's not stock. (?) Now you want to cut and weld suspension members to get it done?
Like I said above, keep us posted. I know that I am interested to see what you come up with.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
U guys r right. The simple bracket is a sweet little mod. Real nice and simple.
The factory 97-04 entire swap isnt I reseached it a little more and the C5 Changes include a direct upper control arm frame mount
and the cammed the lower control arm for camber caster adjustments.
I think researching a 13 brake rotor factory Z51 set up with the trick SBC Upper control arm or going with the simple caliper hat bracket for the 12.8 C5 Set up would be just fine
Or just looking into swapping out the C4 1996 factory set up would be just fine with some good fresh air ducts pointed at the rotors
The factory 97-04 entire swap isnt I reseached it a little more and the C5 Changes include a direct upper control arm frame mount
and the cammed the lower control arm for camber caster adjustments.
I think researching a 13 brake rotor factory Z51 set up with the trick SBC Upper control arm or going with the simple caliper hat bracket for the 12.8 C5 Set up would be just fine
Or just looking into swapping out the C4 1996 factory set up would be just fine with some good fresh air ducts pointed at the rotors
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,131
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From: Illinois/Wisconsin Line
I did call and talk with a guy at the Reseach and Development Dept at Classic Performance and they said if they get enough emails at info@classicperform.com requesting that they make and provide the special C5 to C4 Spindle they will make and the spindles would be around just under 300 and about 700 for the spindles and complete c5 brake kit
So Ive emailed them and Im waiting
So Ive emailed them and Im waiting
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
I think researching a 13 brake rotor factory Z51 set up with the trick SBC Upper control arm or going with the simple caliper hat bracket for the 12.8 C5 Set up would be just fine
Or just looking into swapping out the C4 1996 factory set up would be just fine with some good fresh air ducts pointed at the rotors
Or just looking into swapping out the C4 1996 factory set up would be just fine with some good fresh air ducts pointed at the rotors
I'm running C5 calipers and rotors, HP+ pads, and so far they've handled track days without issues.
Adaptor knuckles (spindles are the part that the wheel bearing rides on) is a neat idea, but I would buy the adaptor brackets for ~$150 before I bought $700 knuckles. Maybe others would have a different opinion though.