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

C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please

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Old May 31, 2003 | 04:09 PM
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Default C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please

This again, is for an 86. For those who have done a brake upgrade, I'd appreciate some feedback. On the rear brakes, did you replace the emergency drum brake? Or I guess I should ask if U also upgraded the em. brake to a newer style. I guess the newer ones just work on a disc. I'd be interested in any info or opinions. Baer, GM, or what? Thanks in advance.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 05:03 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Trixie*)

Since no one answered, I will suggest that you do a search here for brakes, brake upgrade, etc. Look in this forum and general and product reviews. There is a lot of information. Then you can ask a more specific question if necesssary.

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Old May 31, 2003 | 05:26 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Trixie*)

:cheers: Many folks don't mess with the rear brakes other than to install a new roter. The rear brakes are, I believe, all 12" single piston, atleast from 88 up and I believe back to the 84's as well. C5 is 12" single piston as well.

C5 roters are thicker.

Most people go to either the J55 (C4) 13" brake or the C5 13" brake on the front.

You will need 17" wheels for either one of these. I have done the C5 deal on mine, so if you have any questions I will be happy to try to answer

:seeya

:steering:
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Old May 31, 2003 | 05:58 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Trixie*)

I did the GS brake upgradee on the front, left the rear stock and added the brake bias spring from Doug Rippie and I'm very pleased with my braking performance at this point.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 06:24 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Trixie*)

You have to get 17" wheels, and buy a set of outrageously priced adapters to make a C5 brake upgrade (Electrodynamics sells them).

I'm going to do the C5 upgrade on my 86, and install the DRM bias spring, but otherwise leave the rears alone for the moment.

Maybe later when my rich uncle gets out of the poorhouse, I'll do a complete Baer or Brembo upgrade for the whole car.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 08:13 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (vader86)

"You have to get 17" wheels, and buy a set of outrageously priced adapters to make a C5 brake upgrade (Electrodynamics sells them). "

After your next brake service you will make up the adaptor price due to the cheaper pricing on the C-5 parts. Better stuff, cheaper price, Go figure?

I have the C-5 stuff in my car and it's the best bang for the buck out there.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 08:42 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please

Isn't it true that you not only need 17" wheels, but not sawblades or salad shooters? I also believe that you can have the adapter fabbed for you for much less than Electrodynamics charges as a few people have mentioned that around here.

MF
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Old May 31, 2003 | 09:07 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (matt fury)

Isn't it true that you not only need 17" wheels, but not sawblades or salad shooters? I also believe that you can have the adapter fabbed for you for much less than Electrodynamics charges as a few people have mentioned that around here.

MF
:iagree: Matt

First, adapters (C%) are available for a lot less money...you need to discreetly ask around, a lot of guys have had them made at local machine shops. I hear DRM has them cheaper and there was a vendor at CI IV, in the first trailer on the right, who had them for $125.00, and

second, I have never read it or heard it, but I do believe from my observation of my set up, therefore I could be wrong, that the C5 brakes might require c5 wheels. the calipers come very close to the spokes on my y2k wheels

:seeya
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Old May 31, 2003 | 09:15 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (jackdaroofer)

second, I have never read it or heard it, but I do believe from my observation of my set up, therefore I could be wrong, that the C5 brakes might require c5 wheels. the calipers come very close to the spokes on my y2k wheels
A molds or another AFS style 5 spokes. Or most aftermarket rims will fit. Saw blades and salad shooters need spacers to work with the C5 package.

C5 rims are not required.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 09:27 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Trixie*)

This might be some good reading...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=569020
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Old May 31, 2003 | 10:08 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Jeffvette)


A molds or another AFS style 5 spokes. Or most aftermarket rims will fit. Saw blades and salad shooters need spacers to work with the C5 package.
Sawblades or salad shooters? :nono: Well, while everyone is running around buying 5 spoke late zr1, gs, c5, rims that look like every other suv, supra, honda civic rim, some vette owners have rims that go with their year of car. This makes them look unique. Star patterns have been around since the model T. yawn: Boring.

Meanwhile, are my 2 piece 90's "sawblades or salad shooters"? Oh, and I would love to have someone who really knows tell me whether C5 calipers fit these rims. I have read that they do - I have read they don't. No guesses or third-hand info, please. Thanks.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 11:23 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Skippy Stone)

Hey, if you like your "salad shooters" then more power to you. I've had my car for over 8 years now and have had the AFS A-Molds on them for the last 6 years. Personally, I like the look.

As for whether or not the C5 calipers will work, I cannot tell you. There are a number of people on here who are using them however. I'm sure you can search the archives to get the answers you are looking for...

Mike


[Modified by luvmy92, 10:24 PM 5/31/2003]
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Old May 31, 2003 | 11:52 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Skippy Stone)

Sawblades or salad shooters? :nono: Well, while everyone is running around buying 5 spoke late zr1, gs, c5, rims that look like every other suv, supra, honda civic rim, some vette owners have rims that go with their year of car. This makes them look unique. Star patterns have been around since the model T. yawn: Boring.
It is a good look and opens things up for those of us who have a nice brake system and can show them off. Luvmy92 will agree. The other factor is you have to use spacers to mount a large brake system behind sald shooter (88-90) or sawblades (91-96)




Meanwhile, are my 2 piece 90's "sawblades or salad shooters"? Oh, and I would love to have someone who really knows tell me whether C5 calipers fit these rims. I have read that they do - I have read they don't. No guesses or third-hand info, please. Thanks.
They will not!!!! Unless you are using spacers. The C5 caliper will not clear the face of the rim.
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Old May 31, 2003 | 11:57 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (luvmy92)

Hey, if you like your "salad shooters" then more power to you. I've had my car for over 8 years now and have had the AFS A-Molds on them for the last 6 years. Personally, I like the look.

As for whether or not the C5 calipers will work, I cannot tell you. There are a number of people on here who are using them however. I'm sure you can search the archives to get the answers you are looking for...

Mike


[Modified by luvmy92, 10:24 PM 5/31/2003]
:iagree:

I went for the y2k wheels for three reasons:

1] My 88 17" wheels were just too much of a PITA to keep clean even though I invested probably a hundred hours in sanding and polishing, and

2] The look is different...not saying better, that is opinion, but it does change the looks of the car

3] I believe, can't prove, therefore MHO, that C5 brakes work better with C5 Wheels. When GM did the design, they took heat removal and brake cooling into consideration.

I can tell you this, after a run, I can feel more heat emanating from the wheels than I could before.

I also agree with others who have posted about the proportioning spring. If you add that, I don't think you have to modify or change the rear brake set=up

Just my HO

:seeya

:steering:
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Old May 31, 2003 | 11:58 PM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (luvmy92)

Hey, if you like your "salad shooters" then more power to you. I've had my car for over 8 years now and have had the AFS A-Molds on them for the last 6 years. Personally, I like the look.

As for whether or not the C5 calipers will work, I cannot tell you. There are a number of people on here who are using them however. I'm sure you can search the archives to get the answers you are looking for...

Mike


[Modified by luvmy92, 10:24 PM 5/31/2003]
Better than your "lawn edgers". And you should do a search and you'll see why I wrote the post. I have spent hours reading and researching the information. Look before you leap. I hope I will get the right info from the actual manufacters on Monday. But that depends on who answers the phone. Just like here.
:cheers:
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Old Jun 1, 2003 | 12:13 AM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Trixie*)

Haven't done the upgrade because according to published brake tests, a J55 equipped C4 has virtually the same braking performance as a C5 for one time stops. I don't know if anyone has done fade tests of the two systems.

The C5 calipers have bigger pistons so you would get lower pedal effort, and that is worth something.
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Old Jun 1, 2003 | 12:14 AM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (Skippy Stone)

e
I hope I will get the right info from the actual manufacters on Monday. But that depends on who answers the phone. Just like here.
:cheers:
:cheers: So Skippy! the info you get from the manufacturer's might not be any better than what you get here? That's what I get from your post!

It's not my intention to create a flamable situation here, but since there are people who have actually done the upgrades responding to this post and you apparently have not, you might want to avoid "name calling" such as "lawn edgers" and contribute to the body of knowledge more positively.

That's just MHO! I will contact my manufacturer tomorrow at church and see what he says :blueangel: Hope the right angel answers the phone :blueangel: :D

:seeya

:steering:
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Old Jun 1, 2003 | 01:18 AM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (rcdk)

Yuk, has this turned into a messy thread. Lots of mis-information, and naive supposition.

FYI, larger pistons in a caliper adapted to a system with a master cylinder designed for smaller diameter pistons yield a long pedal. Not real fun.
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Old Jun 1, 2003 | 02:37 AM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (h rocks)

I just did a brake upgrade on my '94 that I'm very happy with. I went to a junkyard and got Grand Sport (black with 'corvette' in silver letters) calipers and 13" GM rotors for $250. I also replaced all the stock rubber lines with Goodridge braided stainless steel lines.
The GS calipers bolted right on to my steering knuckles with no adapters necessary. They fit under my OE "sawblade" 17" wheels, barely. The pads that were in the calipers appear to be OE. They are very thick, and are performing well, so I'm sticking with 'em.
I'm very happy with the performance improvement, which is most noticable the faster you are stopping from, and the simplicity and low cost of the upgrade compared to what the catalog houses offer. Hope this helps. Jeff
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Old Jun 1, 2003 | 09:46 AM
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Default Re: C4 Brake Upgrades - Info Please (jz94)

I went with the Baer Eradispeeds...front rotors, stainless steel lines, calipers, and rear rotors. All slotted and cross drilled.






[Modified by 95AquaC4, 8:16 PM 6/1/2003]
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