C5 Big Brake Upgrade Rotor Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 2
From: Auburndale FL
C5 Big Brake Upgrade Rotor Question
Hi all,
I bought a C5 big brake upgrade kit but in my infinite wisdom decided to buy the rotors separately. So now I am kicking myself because what I thought would be easy is not ands is turning out to be a PITA because I didn't realize how much I didn't know about brakes until now.
So here is my really stupid question, is a 12.79 inch rotor considered 13 inch? I find rotors at 12.79 and they have size specifications with the add, but when I search for 13 inch rotors I find adds without size / dimensions being posted.
I guess a more prudent question, will 12.79 inch rotors work with the C5 two piston brake calipers?
Thanks in advance for the insight and assistance.
Beerme!
I bought a C5 big brake upgrade kit but in my infinite wisdom decided to buy the rotors separately. So now I am kicking myself because what I thought would be easy is not ands is turning out to be a PITA because I didn't realize how much I didn't know about brakes until now.
So here is my really stupid question, is a 12.79 inch rotor considered 13 inch? I find rotors at 12.79 and they have size specifications with the add, but when I search for 13 inch rotors I find adds without size / dimensions being posted.
I guess a more prudent question, will 12.79 inch rotors work with the C5 two piston brake calipers?
Thanks in advance for the insight and assistance.
Beerme!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you order front rotors for a C5, they will be the "correct" size. No need to worry about a specific diameter. The stock C5 front rotors are just under 13" in diameter.
There is no difference in the diameter of the base rotors and Z06 rotors.
There is no difference in the diameter of the base rotors and Z06 rotors.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 21
From: Franklin TN
Hi all,
I bought a C5 big brake upgrade kit but in my infinite wisdom decided to buy the rotors separately. So now I am kicking myself because what I thought would be easy is not ands is turning out to be a PITA because I didn't realize how much I didn't know about brakes until now.
So here is my really stupid question, is a 12.79 inch rotor considered 13 inch? I find rotors at 12.79 and they have size specifications with the add, but when I search for 13 inch rotors I find adds without size / dimensions being posted.
I guess a more prudent question, will 12.79 inch rotors work with the C5 two piston brake calipers?
Thanks in advance for the insight and assistance.
Beerme!
I bought a C5 big brake upgrade kit but in my infinite wisdom decided to buy the rotors separately. So now I am kicking myself because what I thought would be easy is not ands is turning out to be a PITA because I didn't realize how much I didn't know about brakes until now.
So here is my really stupid question, is a 12.79 inch rotor considered 13 inch? I find rotors at 12.79 and they have size specifications with the add, but when I search for 13 inch rotors I find adds without size / dimensions being posted.
I guess a more prudent question, will 12.79 inch rotors work with the C5 two piston brake calipers?
Thanks in advance for the insight and assistance.
Beerme!
Thanks
Goose
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Vette Brakes has the C5 upgrade kit. Note that they offer two versions; one for 85-87 cars, the other for 88-96. The adapter brackets are different. The 85-87 cars will require 17" wheels like the ZR-1-style.
It's also a good idea to get the Doug Rippie brake bias spring. It installs in the master cylinder and changes the rear brake bias. Costs about $20. There are two versions; one for non-ABS C4's and the other for ABS-equipped C4's.
It's also a good idea to get the Doug Rippie brake bias spring. It installs in the master cylinder and changes the rear brake bias. Costs about $20. There are two versions; one for non-ABS C4's and the other for ABS-equipped C4's.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Metairie LA
I just did mine (and replaced all the bushings with poly). Grabbed the adapters off of eBay. Used calipers off of here (C5 parts section). Caliper rebuild kits off eBay. Pads and rotors for C5 from BrakeMotive (supporting vendor). Also grabbed the DR spring but haven't changed that yet.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 2
From: Auburndale FL
I ordered the kit in Red and am ecstatic with the powder coating, the calipers look good as do the adapters.
I also bought the bias spring as suggested from Doug Rippie.
Finally I just put new AFS ZR1 17x9 and 17x11 wheels on front/rear. According to research ZR1 style 17inch wheels should clear the calipers, but I haven't confirmed this yet by installing mine.
Best of luck with your upgrade.
Beerme!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 21
From: Franklin TN
Hey goose, I bought Part#: 22500fr from VBandP, but I had them delete the rotors and SS lines. I already had SS Lines installed and supposedly the stock lines work with the kit so I didn't see any sense in having extra lines.
I ordered the kit in Red and am ecstatic with the powder coating, the calipers look good as do the adapters.
I also bought the bias spring as suggested from Doug Rippie.
Finally I just put new AFS ZR1 17x9 and 17x11 wheels on front/rear. According to research ZR1 style 17inch wheels should clear the calipers, but I haven't confirmed this yet by installing mine.
Best of luck with your upgrade.
Beerme!
I ordered the kit in Red and am ecstatic with the powder coating, the calipers look good as do the adapters.
I also bought the bias spring as suggested from Doug Rippie.
Finally I just put new AFS ZR1 17x9 and 17x11 wheels on front/rear. According to research ZR1 style 17inch wheels should clear the calipers, but I haven't confirmed this yet by installing mine.
Best of luck with your upgrade.
Beerme!
Goose
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 15
From: Wallingford Vermont
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
just some info. I've read the C5 people who track their car with stock brakes get rotors from NAPA. At one time I think they were in the $25 each range. Supposedly they last as long as any single piece rotor.
One thing I can say for sure only the C4 J55 will fit under 16x9.5 wheel.
JS
One thing I can say for sure only the C4 J55 will fit under 16x9.5 wheel.
JS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 2
From: Auburndale FL
just some info. I've read the C5 people who track their car with stock brakes get rotors from NAPA. At one time I think they were in the $25 each range. Supposedly they last as long as any single piece rotor.
One thing I can say for sure only the C4 J55 will fit under 16x9.5 wheel.
JS
One thing I can say for sure only the C4 J55 will fit under 16x9.5 wheel.
JS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 2
From: Auburndale FL
What a PITA...Doh....
So I replaced 3 calipers yesterday, the 4th received a banjo bolt with different threads which resulted in stripping the threads out of the caliper. So I need to buy another caliper before I have all 4 replaced. Thankfully it was the rear caliper.
Next, I received 1 new rotor which was for the front drivers side, but while the slots cut in it are correct, the venting vanes are actually backwards which means this rotor should have been for the passenger side but someone cut the slots in it incorrectly and that means it is going to run hotter, so I ultimately need to replace this one again.
Finally, I have no front brakes, have gravity bled, have bled with pedal method but still have no front brakes.
Oh yea, the pedal is going all the to the floor, I am going to get a second vacuum bleeder today, as the Powermotive I bought doesn't have a lid to fit my reservoir's so it is useless for this job.
Sometimes I think I should just go back to driving a Schwin.....
So I replaced 3 calipers yesterday, the 4th received a banjo bolt with different threads which resulted in stripping the threads out of the caliper. So I need to buy another caliper before I have all 4 replaced. Thankfully it was the rear caliper.
Next, I received 1 new rotor which was for the front drivers side, but while the slots cut in it are correct, the venting vanes are actually backwards which means this rotor should have been for the passenger side but someone cut the slots in it incorrectly and that means it is going to run hotter, so I ultimately need to replace this one again.
Finally, I have no front brakes, have gravity bled, have bled with pedal method but still have no front brakes.
Oh yea, the pedal is going all the to the floor, I am going to get a second vacuum bleeder today, as the Powermotive I bought doesn't have a lid to fit my reservoir's so it is useless for this job.
Sometimes I think I should just go back to driving a Schwin.....
