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

Brake conversion??

Old Jun 20, 2003 | 05:15 PM
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Default Brake conversion??

Is it possible to put brake rotors and calipers from a C-5 on a C-4? Or is such an upgrade possible? Need good strong technical advice!
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Old Jun 21, 2003 | 03:52 AM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

ttt
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 08:25 AM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

ttt
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 08:52 AM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

:D

I've done it :D
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 09:26 AM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

:cheers:

Yes and it is a very worthwhile upgrade. Stopping power is awesome

You can buy a complete kit from Ecklers or MAD for around a grand

Or you can go to superior chevy, and buy the pieces.

Or you can watch C5 parts for sale. Those guys are always upgrading to something "better" and selling roters and calipers cheap

Most expensive piece could be the necessary adapters required to fit the C5 caliber brackets to the C4 knuckles. They range in price up to 290.00 for the pair.

If you ask around, someone from a local machine shop has probably fabricated some.

You will need 17" wheels. Not all stock C4 17" wheels can be used without adapters. The C5 caliper is mucg wider. I put C5 wheels on so I didn't have a problem.

It's a simple bolt on once you have all the parts.

Don't bother with the rears, it is basically the same brake on both models.

I installed the DRM proportioning spring at the same time and the combo is awesome

:seeya

:steering:


[Modified by jackdaroofer, 9:31 AM 6/29/2003]
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 10:45 AM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

Is it possible to put brake rotors and calipers from a C-5 on a C-4?
Yes. There are at least two different routes and you can buy everything
you need or fabricate the brackets (if you feel comfortable with this) and
get the rest from a vendor/GM. In either case, you will need to have
wheels that clear the calipers - GS/ZR1 five-spoke 17x9.5x56mm and
17x11x50mm offset wheels work for the 88(?)-96 cars, 'salad spinner'
and 'saw blade' wheels do not work. OEM and aftermarket C5 wheels
bolt on and clear the calipers. Several members are using 18" C5
wheels. See the following thread for discussion on brakes 'n wheels

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=573360

The two approaches both use C5 calipers, but one uses Camaro brackets
and pads with an adapter that is fairly simple to fab while the other
approach uses all C5 hardware with a CNC-cut and heat-treated
adapter that is available bare or cad-plated. Several members
have traveled these routes to better C4 braking. In my case, I have
C5 parts from Chris at Superior Chevrolet and CNC brackets from
Gene at Electro-Dynamics and I am very happy with the combo.

Some forum vendors offer kits for the upgrade, I do not know
first-hand whether these are all-C5-part setups or if they use the
C5/Camaro approach.

For a parts list (all-C5 route) take a look at the following link to
Superior Chevrolet. (Many members here will step forward with
high praise for this vendor - great prices and service. Chris May
is your man there now.) On their site you will find a link to the
source for the CNC brackets I refer to above - these are attractive
and well-made pieces.

http://www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/c5brakes.asp

For some insight into the C5/Camaro approach and discussion
about the relative merits between it and the all-C5 approach,
take a look at this thread started by EricTheWolf. Be patient,
it starts to get interesting at the bottom of the first page. One
important message to take away is that the two approaches
lead to different outcomes in price and braking performance.


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=563072




[Modified by Slalom4me, 12:32 PM 6/29/2003]
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 07:39 PM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (Slalom4me)

:cheers: I thought that was what I said :rolleyes:

I have noticed that my responses are often invisible and that others need to post similar info for it to be seen :rolleyes:

Oh well! PS I have actually done the conversion

:seeya

:steering:
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 09:32 PM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (jackdaroofer)

I thought that was what I said

I have noticed that my responses are often invisible
and that others need to post similar info for it to be seen
Unfortunately, that is fair comment. I'm pretty sure that your
post wasn't there when I started my reply but I was distracted
by something here and it took a while before I hit the 'Send'
button. Didn't seem like it took over an hour though, so maybe
I'm mistaken.

In any event, sorry to be a me-too'er.

Oh, you beat me on the install, too. But I think you might
recognize these:




You might find this kind of interesting, however:



Haven't got it in, yet. I'll post when I have some miles under the belt.




[Modified by Slalom4me, 9:26 PM 6/29/2003]
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Old Jun 29, 2003 | 11:31 PM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

Thank you everybody for the information so far! :thumbs:
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Old Jun 30, 2003 | 01:02 PM
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Default Re: Brake conversion?? (quickie350)

If you do the math on the dimensions provided by Ericthe wolfs caliper measurements, the FBody pads are actually bigger than the C5 pads. The FBodys weigh more dont they? I used this approach, stopping power is excellent, I see no issues with clearances or stress failure on MY setup. I also did the whole thing for $550, you decide what is best for you. I think this forum is about members helping members make decisions, not about making Vendors rich. I think all vendors should have their products listed and available to members. We should encourage purchasing from good vendors, but ingenuity and resourcefulness should not be hindered because the vendors dont like it. That is the way I would hope this forum works....I hope I dont lose any points for that...for those that have the cash or want only the best solution, by all means get the electro-dynamics adapters, they are perfect. For all the rest, consider what Eric and I have done. Make an intelligent decision based upon what you have read and learned, and be responsible for it and yourself. I have seen many things recommended here wich I would not do, (MAT relocation, and flamethrower exhaust comes to mind!) and many that I did(removing the frisbee), so take that into consideration
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