1986 With C5 Brakes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
1986 With C5 Brakes
I have a 1986 coupe. I am doing a C5 brake upgrade to all four wheels. I have to install new rotors and pads. Does anyone have any thoughts on rotors and pads? I need 13" rotors all around.
thanks
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I went with some base C5 rotors, Durastop or something.
I picked a higher value pad, like EBC, Stoptech, Hawk HPS, but just about anything will work better than the 86's stock Girlings. I prefer the ceramics due to the lesser dust. Just be sure that you pick one that's for your intended use, not race pads if you don't race it.
I picked a higher value pad, like EBC, Stoptech, Hawk HPS, but just about anything will work better than the 86's stock Girlings. I prefer the ceramics due to the lesser dust. Just be sure that you pick one that's for your intended use, not race pads if you don't race it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 27
From: Athens Ohio
I went with some base C5 rotors, Durastop or something.
I picked a higher value pad, like EBC, Stoptech, Hawk HPS, but just about anything will work better than the 86's stock Girlings. I prefer the ceramics due to the lesser dust. Just be sure that you pick one that's for your intended use, not race pads if you don't race it.
I picked a higher value pad, like EBC, Stoptech, Hawk HPS, but just about anything will work better than the 86's stock Girlings. I prefer the ceramics due to the lesser dust. Just be sure that you pick one that's for your intended use, not race pads if you don't race it.
Very good advice. I have C5 brakes on my 86. I did exactly what Vader is recomending to you.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
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Likes: 2,737
what if you track race your daily driver
can i get a pad that will let me eat my cake and brake it too?
ha. really though, i am doing a c5 upgrade and would like to know, if i am track racing on weekends but drive the car on the street, am i swapping pads for the weekend or can i do both with one set of pads.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
can i get a pad that will let me eat my cake and brake it too?
ha. really though, i am doing a c5 upgrade and would like to know, if i am track racing on weekends but drive the car on the street, am i swapping pads for the weekend or can i do both with one set of pads.
ha. really though, i am doing a c5 upgrade and would like to know, if i am track racing on weekends but drive the car on the street, am i swapping pads for the weekend or can i do both with one set of pads.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
can i get a pad that will let me eat my cake and brake it too?
ha. really though, i am doing a c5 upgrade and would like to know, if i am track racing on weekends but drive the car on the street, am i swapping pads for the weekend or can i do both with one set of pads.
ha. really though, i am doing a c5 upgrade and would like to know, if i am track racing on weekends but drive the car on the street, am i swapping pads for the weekend or can i do both with one set of pads.
I also have a Doug Rippie brake bias spring in the master cylinder. When I first did the C5 front brakes, the rears would lock up much sooner than the front brakes. Putting that spring in brought the bias back to where braking efforts front to back is near equal.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If I were doing HPDE more than a few laps at a time, and depending on the track speeds, I'd be changing pads for the race and back again. Many race pads will not work well without enough heat, which you're not going to get in daily driving use, so don't start with a race pad and not change back.
But as a start I'd try the Hawk or some good street pad brand pads and see how the brakes react to the abuse at the HPDE.
But as a start I'd try the Hawk or some good street pad brand pads and see how the brakes react to the abuse at the HPDE.
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Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
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For my '87, I am using stock Z06 pads up front and Hawk HP+ pad in the rear (stock calipers). This combination works well for autocross, track use and even on the street. There are good aftermarket pad sets that will work well for the type of braking performance you want.
I also have a Doug Rippie brake bias spring in the master cylinder. When I first did the C5 front brakes, the rears would lock up much sooner than the front brakes. Putting that spring in brought the bias back to where braking efforts front to back is near equal.
I also have a Doug Rippie brake bias spring in the master cylinder. When I first did the C5 front brakes, the rears would lock up much sooner than the front brakes. Putting that spring in brought the bias back to where braking efforts front to back is near equal.
If I were doing HPDE more than a few laps at a time, and depending on the track speeds, I'd be changing pads for the race and back again. Many race pads will not work well without enough heat, which you're not going to get in daily driving use, so don't start with a race pad and not change back.
But as a start I'd try the Hawk or some good street pad brand pads and see how the brakes react to the abuse at the HPDE.
But as a start I'd try the Hawk or some good street pad brand pads and see how the brakes react to the abuse at the HPDE.
Thanks guys. This is what I'll do to start with right down to the spring.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
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From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
If you don't mind noise and dust on the street you can use a XP series pad from Carbotech like XP8 or XP10. These will work on the street along with being more than adequate for HPDE. If the noise and dust is a issue you can use the street pad Carbotech 1521 and switch to XP series for track use. All Carbotech compounds are compatible with each other so, all you need to do is swap pads and go on the same rotors. As for rotors I would get some Centric premium plain face rotors they great for the $$.
I will be happy to help you with the Carbotech's if interested.
I will be happy to help you with the Carbotech's if interested.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 28
From: Montclair New Jersey
Pads
If you don't mind noise and dust on the street you can use a XP series pad from Carbotech like XP8 or XP10. These will work on the street along with being more than adequate for HPDE. If the noise and dust is a issue you can use the street pad Carbotech 1521 and switch to XP series for track use. All Carbotech compounds are compatible with each other so, all you need to do is swap pads and go on the same rotors. As for rotors I would get some Centric premium plain face rotors they great for the $$.
I will be happy to help you with the Carbotech's if interested.
I will be happy to help you with the Carbotech's if interested.
I would like to order front and back pads for my 86 conversion. The car is used only on the street, no track time.
thanks for the help
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non-corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.