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while ordering rotors and pads for my 89 i noticed the option for "with heavy duty brakes" how do i know if i have that option and what does it entail?
it would appear my car no longer has its rpo code sticker, not in door jamb or under the center console cover. anywhere else i should look? anywhere online i can use the vin to decode?
it would appear my car no longer has its rpo code sticker, not in door jamb or under the center console cover. anywhere else i should look? anywhere online i can use the vin to decode?
Measure the diameter of the rotors on the front.
Is your car an M6 or an A4 auto? That won't tell you but it could maybe help.
*** Years ago I mentioned this: The standard 12" are something very close to 3/4+ very little and are "non" directional, the 13" are just better than 1.1" and are directional. If you have 13" make sure you get them mounted correctly. Generally they will be marked RH/LH
it would appear my car no longer has its rpo code sticker, not in door jamb or under the center console cover. anywhere else i should look? anywhere online i can use the vin to decode?
look on the rear storage lids also, that’s where mine was
Is your car an M6 or an A4 auto? That won't tell you but it could maybe help.
*** Years ago I mentioned this: The standard 12" are something very close to 3/4+ very little and are "non" directional, the 13" are just better than 1.1" and are directional. If you have 13" make sure you get them mounted correctly. Generally they will be marked RH/LH
It's certainly possible I'd think that it's maybe a Z51 so there's good reason to check other options that would be applicable. Do you have engine oil cooler, auxiliary fan front of the cooling module? Measure sway bar diameters while checking for 13" rotors.
It's certainly possible I'd think that it's maybe a Z51 so there's good reason to check other options that would be applicable. Do you have engine oil cooler, auxiliary fan front of the cooling module? Measure sway bar diameters while checking for 13" rotors.
i dont think its a z51 because I don't have the adjustable suspension.
i do know the seats are out of a base model c5 but other than that i dont know too much, will check under the compartment lids when i get home, sent the wifey out earlier to check door and center console. but its about 102 right now and im not gonna have her climb all over lol
look on the rear storage lids also, that’s where mine was
Checked rear storage compartments. No rpo sticker.. Reached out to local dealer. Too old. Reached out to gm direct they don't give the build sheets anymore can only pay 50$ for original invoice reprint.... But they did advise me that the seat belt retractor recall on my car is still active. Lol. Can't get me an rpo sticker but can randomly get me a 35 year old blue seat belt....... Riiiiight. Gonna try to call the corvette museum tomorrow morning.
Checked rear storage compartments. No rpo sticker.. Reached out to local dealer. Too old. Reached out to gm direct they don't give the build sheets anymore can only pay 50$ for original invoice reprint.... But they did advise me that the seat belt retractor recall on my car is still active. Lol. Can't get me an rpo sticker but can randomly get me a 35 year old blue seat belt....... Riiiiight. Gonna try to call the corvette museum tomorrow morning.
It would be 'very unusual' for an '89 VIN to work on compnine.com BUT if it said yes just a few $$$ would get you RPO information. VERY UNUSUAL but it costs nothing to try! In the past I've always thought that if earlier than '90 appeared it was a VIN that had been submitted to them from a source other than GM, owner supplied maybe.
The non-heavy-duty brake rotor diameter for that year is 12" diameter. The J55 heavy-duty brake rotors are 13" in diameter, and slightly thicker than the 12" also. If I remember correctly, the calipers are slightly different for each and have a different look through the wheel spokes, but I could be wrong on that.
Lou, I live just east of Sacramento and could look at your car to help ID which brakes you have pretty easily if you want. Just PM me if you like. My '89 Z51 has the J55 brakes so I'm familiar with them.
It would be 'very unusual' for an '89 VIN to work on compnine.com BUT if it said yes just a few $$$ would get you RPO information. VERY UNUSUAL but it costs nothing to try! In the past I've always thought that if earlier than '90 appeared it was a VIN that had been submitted to them from a source other than GM, owner supplied maybe.
The non-heavy-duty brake rotor diameter for that year is 12" diameter. The J55 heavy-duty brake rotors are 13" in diameter, and slightly thicker than the 12" also. If I remember correctly, the calipers are slightly different for each and have a different look through the wheel spokes, but I could be wrong on that.
Lou, I live just east of Sacramento and could look at your car to help ID which brakes you have pretty easily if you want. Just PM me if you like. My '89 Z51 has the J55 brakes so I'm familiar with them.
This is a PITA scavenger hunt suggestion (not recommended just to figure out brakes) but there's sometimes a paper build sheet stuffed into the gap above the fuel tank, and also one of the K Member sections that mount the upper control arms.
This is a PITA scavenger hunt suggestion (not recommended just to figure out brakes) but there's sometimes a paper build sheet stuffed into the gap above the fuel tank, and also one of the K Member sections that mount the upper control arms.
lol im a parts guy, i love scavenger hunts, next time its up in the air ill see if i can find anything.
As was mentioned earlier, just measure the diameter of the rotors; 12” standard brakes, 13” heavy duty brakes (J55).
In 1989 one had to order the Z51 performance package to be able to order the FX3 adjustable shocks. The FX3 could not be ordered without the Z51 package. Unfortunately GM in their infinite wisdom switched the Z51 springs & swaybars to a less strong springs & smaller bars. Only the Corvette Challenge race cars were equipped with true Z51 springs bars & FX3 adjustable shocks.
Last edited by Cornhusker; Jul 11, 2024 at 11:51 PM.
well, i just got off the phone with the corvette museum guy that handles all the build sheets, i have the full z51 handling pkg suspension and brakes. he was kind enough to send me a pdf of the build sheet.
