Merry Christmas all,
I'm about to do a brake upgrade to my 90. I want to put the C5 brake system up front and the C4 grand sport system in the rear. My question is 1. Where can I buy the mounting hardware for the front C5 conversion. I know VBP makes a kit and one else, I just need the mounting hardware. 2. What all is involved in changing the rear to the grand sport calipers? I want to go with a 2 piece slotted/drilled rotor. What pads do ya'll recommend? Thanks

 

Are GS rear brakes any different than standard brakes? Upgrading rears is for looks only. (won't make a diff)

 

I believe they are a 2 piston system instead of a single. That's what I'

m seeing here.

 

Do not let the fluid drain from the lines and get air in the system.

 

Ill bleed them after the swap.

 

That's an image of a front caliper - there is NOT a 2 piston caliper for the "rear" it's just a cosmetic application to match the color of the fronts. Rear is a single piston/actuator ....

This is the later C4 rear caliper that functions as e-brake also

 

BOOM! good info, much appreciated. Looks like Ill just buy the complete VBP c5 conversation kit. What do you know of the brake bias spring? worth any stopping power?

 

Huh. Maybe. Those look like fronts to me.


EDIT: Single piston rear. See, HERE

 

As far as pads what are you using the car for?

 

That's what I thought but mid America has them as rears, I called and talked with their tech and he said yep they are dual pistons for the rear. But I didn't think any c4 came with dual pistons in the rear.

 

Don't know whats on there now as they came with the car when I bought it, got any suggestions?

 

The OEM rear C4 calipers are single piston. You should go to the Mid America website and find the upgrade kit and check to see if there is a pic of the calipers. The Vette Brakes C5 upgrade package also shows rear calipers to be single piston.

One thing you should verify is that the '90 wheels will clear the C5 front brakes. The C5 rotors are slightly thicker as are the calipers. Going with C5 front brakes, you will need a different brake bias spring. Without the spring, expect the rears to lock up quicker. Doug Rippie Motorsports has the spring for around $25.

Another option is the OEM J55 brakes. This brake option had 13" front rotors. All that you would need is the J55 caliper bracket, the J55 rotor, and calipers. The pads are the same as the standard pads. This system will fit with the OEM wheels.

Like Adam asked, what do you want in the way of braking performance? Just street driving, Autocross (stock pads will typically work here), track days? Some performance pads will generate a little dust and others will generate tons of dust The experience I have had with Hawk pads is that the HPS pads work well for "spirited" driving and will generate a small amount of dust. The Hawk HP+ pad will work for autocross and some track use, but these pads will turn your wheels black in short order. They also need some heat in them to work. When the HP+ pads are cold, they will squeal.

Same with the rotors; why a 2-piece? These will be substantially more expensive and there really won't be a lot of improvement. Consider staying with stock-style rotors or a slotted design. They are much cheaper and easy to swap out when they get worn.

 

Spirited driving is all I'm after so the hawk HPS sound perfect, I'm running the C5 Z06 speed line wheels so clearance should not be an issue. I like the look of the 2 piece and I know there allot lighter.

 

I am giving you a heads up.

 

thank you good sir.

 

If you let it drain and get air in the ABS you will play hell getting it out.

 

IMHO, for what it costs for the C5 conversion kit and the other parts you will need, I would think you'd get the same performance out of the J55 brakes for a lot less money and headaches. I've used the J55 on track events and with a good track pad and rotor (EBC, Hawk, etc) not had any problem with brake fade or failure with mine. You can buy a lot of pads and rotors for the price of the kit. The image you posted is a front caliper and is the same on the 96 Collector Edition, only in black.

 

For spirited street this would be my pad of choice Carbotech 1521.

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.

 

I pretty much agree with those that say for "spirited driving" you can easily get all you need and more from a J55 setup and wise selection of pads and fluid. I autocross my 96 that has enough power to pull on a stock C6 Z06, with 315-width BFG Rival S tires at all four corners - lots of power and lots of grip for the brakes to deal with. I am using the stock J55 setup with zero problems. I don't have good pads on it yet, and they are still fine. The only use where these would fall short is continuous laps on a road course. I have a set of Wilwood 6-pistons and two-piece rotors for the front for that purpose. But for everything else...

Get the Bobcats, Hawk HPS, or something similar. And use good fluid with a high boiling point like Motul 600. You might enjoy some braided brake lines too. Use the rest of the money would have spent on the upgrade on something more valuable...like autocross entry fees and the Evolution driving schools!