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

c4+c5+c6=?

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Old May 18, 2013 | 02:41 AM
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Default c4+c5+c6=?

Hello all i need some advice as even my local corvette specialist was stumped.

i have a 1984 front c4 suspension. I have already purchased c5 calipers. not sure if they are z06 or not. does not matter because i had them PC chevy orange.


now i was going to originally just purchase the conversion bracket for 120 or so and be done. However ive read that with c5 calipers you are able to use the C^ z51 rotors (which are beautiful). Now i am not at all concerned about wheel clearance as i plan on running 20" up front.

My question is is ths do able? I know a z51 caliper bracket must be used but besides that are there any hick ups or dead set reasons to stick with the c5 rotors? those 13.4 inch rotors really got me thinking.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 11:44 AM
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Use the C5 parts only. Aside from that for an 84 you also need to replace the "uprights" with ones from an 85-87.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 11:31 PM
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You will need a custom caliper bracket to bolt the caliper to the upright.

I don't know the details on how the spacing changed over the years, but I do know that the caliper bracket mounting holes got about 1/2" farther apart starting in 1988.
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Old May 19, 2013 | 03:20 PM
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hey cliff do you mean the c4 to c5 bracket? yes that is the 120$ Bracket i was referring to, any complications i may run into with using the conversion bracket in conjunction with the z51 specific caliper bracket? does it push out the wheels any further?


mcm what are uprights called on a parts site or parts database? and do you mean i have to do this in addition to the c4 to c5 conv bracket i previously mentioned?
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Old May 19, 2013 | 04:09 PM
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C6 z51 brackets and rotors are different. If you have C5 calipers & brackets, they are all the same. The C5 Z06s were just red. The 84 I believe has a different caliper mounting size, and I haven't heard of anyone making adapters for 84 only, so you'd need custom adapters or newer front spindles from an 85-87.
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Old May 26, 2013 | 09:58 PM
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are uprights the spindles or the knuckles? both are fairly easy to replace just wantto replace the correct part. also im assuming the k member and related parts will all still work with the 85-87 uprights instead of the original 84 parts.

basically end result i want the c6 z51 rotors on my stock c5 calipers. but the rest of my suspemsion is 1984
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Old May 27, 2013 | 02:29 AM
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i have this interesting write up on my document folder,don't remember if it cover the C6 z51 rotors but very informative,the guy says standard C6 calipers are apparently equivalent to C5 calipers and interchangeable...
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette.84/C5brakes.html

Last edited by tunedport85inject; May 27, 2013 at 02:34 AM.
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Old May 27, 2013 | 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by tunedport85inject
i have this interesting write up on my document folder,don't remember if it cover the C6 z51 rotors but very informative,the guy says standard C6 calipers are apparently equivalent to C5 calipers and interchangeable...
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette.84/C5brakes.html
thank you for the post. i already have c5 calipers.
So to run the c5 calipers with the c6z51 rotors on a 1984 front suspspension i need what?

new spindles (85-87)
New knuclkes(85-87)

end result is to be able to mount the c6z51 rotors up front. car is not a corvette but a 1956 nomad fwiw. Thanks in advance for your input
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Old May 27, 2013 | 09:47 PM
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My understanding is the the C6 2 piston calipers bolt up the same as the C5's.

The 84's use a 12 mm fixing bolt, so ur bracket adapters have to be specifically for an 84. Or you have to do a spindle swap for the larger ones. (Which year brackets did you order)

I've got the C6 calipers and rotors for my '84 and have been assured it will all work..

Good luck
Jon





QUOTE=nomad253;1584002929]thank you for the post. i already have c5 calipers.
So to run the c5 calipers with the c6z51 rotors on a 1984 front suspspension i need what?

new spindles (85-87)
New knuclkes(85-87)

end result is to be able to mount the c6z51 rotors up front. car is not a corvette but a 1956 nomad fwiw. Thanks in advance for your input[/QUOTE]
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Old May 27, 2013 | 11:57 PM
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I have an 86 with C5 brakes.
I used 3/16 plate, measured the holes and drilled them.I made the edge that meets the spindle a radius so it would clear.
I used the C5 abutment brackets and the stock C5 rotors. The calipers came with hoses, and since they were 20 years newer than mine, I used them. Bolted right on.
I went to the hardware store and bought grade 8 bolts and steel locking nuts and washers and lock washers to be safe.
I used 1 inch spacers in the front and 2004 C5 wheels all around with 1.5 inch spacers in the rear.
<-------------------------------------

The rear brakes are almost the same diameter as the C5 cars, so I left them alone and put in more agressive pads.

Last edited by coupeguy2001; May 28, 2013 at 12:00 AM.
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Old May 28, 2013 | 10:35 PM
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You Do Not have to change the 84 uprights to later ones.....you can but you don't have too.

The only reason is that the 84 to c5 brackets are harder to find since they use a 12mm bolt instead of 14mm.

If you machine your own brackets(easy) you can fit them to the correct size bolt you currently have. If you pm me with your email, I will email you the drawings.

Or if you buy brackets...make sure they are the 84 brackets.

Finally...there is nothing wrong with upgrading the spindles... they are a better design....however...you do not HAVE TO.
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Old May 31, 2013 | 10:51 PM
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Here is a pic of a homemade bracket on an 84


And here is the design....you just need to use two 12mm Holes to match the 84s pattern.

Last edited by The Plastic Lizard; May 31, 2013 at 10:52 PM. Reason: Spelling
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