Brake Upgrade
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Brake Upgrade
I am toying with the idea of upgrading my front brakes. Currently, I have the base 12" rotors. I don't know whether I should bother upgrading the brakes or not. I do not race at all in my 93 Vette. Is this worth while to bother doing or just go with some good rotors and pads? My Vette is basically stock. I will be upgrading the rubber bushings in the suspension to polyurethane bushings and thought that if I have the front end apart, it might be a great time to do the upgrade as well. Your input is very welcome. What advantages/disadvantages between the C4 or C5 brake upgrade? I have been considering:
Vette Brakes Rotors & Hawk Brake Pads kit (staying with 12" Rotors)
C4 ZR1/GS Big Brake Upgrade (go to 13" Rotors)
C5 Brake Upgrade (go to 13" Rotors)
Wheel interference has been taken care of since I have upgraded to the Z06 18" Rims.
Thanks in advance for your input!!
:cheers:
Vette Brakes Rotors & Hawk Brake Pads kit (staying with 12" Rotors)
C4 ZR1/GS Big Brake Upgrade (go to 13" Rotors)
C5 Brake Upgrade (go to 13" Rotors)
Wheel interference has been taken care of since I have upgraded to the Z06 18" Rims.
Thanks in advance for your input!!
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 5
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Brake Upgrade (Whitvette)
Stick with the J55 brakes. Less of a hassle, especially if you don't want to upgrade your rims, if you're still running the sawblades or salad shooters.
Even in race applications the C5 are inadequate. You can find the J55 gear pretty cheap.
Even in race applications the C5 are inadequate. You can find the J55 gear pretty cheap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Brake Upgrade (Jeffvette)
Well, since you went out and bought C5 gear, specifically the Z06 wheels, you are duty bound to upgrade to Z06 brakes. Gotta keep the look correct you know. :jester
I'll be doing the same thing in a few months.
I'll be doing the same thing in a few months.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Re: Brake Upgrade (Goody)
Well, since you went out and bought C5 gear, specifically the Z06 wheels, you are duty bound to upgrade to Z06 brakes. Gotta keep the look correct you know. :jester
I'll be doing the same thing in a few months.
I'll be doing the same thing in a few months.
Goody, are you going with the red Z06 brakes for yours then as well? I see you have the Z06 rims too.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: Brake Upgrade (Whitvette)
:cheers: I did the C5 up grade and am VERY pleased. I think, IMHO, that there is more disk pad area on C5 than the 13" C4 option. You will need either C5 wheels or adapters for most C4 wheels.
While you are at it, ad the DRM brake bias spring. I am embarasssed when approaching a stoplight, I stop 20 feet short of the light :D
:seeya
:steering:
While you are at it, ad the DRM brake bias spring. I am embarasssed when approaching a stoplight, I stop 20 feet short of the light :D
:seeya
:steering:
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Re: Brake Upgrade (jackdaroofer)
I did the J55 upgrade to my 87. I did it because the mounting brackets were not supported or available.
If you don't do any hard driving, I wouldn't bother blowing a whole bunch of money on something your really won't notice much. Yes my car stops better with the J55's, but if I coulda stayed with what I had I would have. After all is said and done, I spent over $1000Cdn, or about $800USD.
IMO, wanna do a worthwile upgrade. Put stainless flex lines on. I got mine from DRM, and it is a noticeble improvement. Not to mention, when we started taking the original lines off, one was chaffing and wasn't to far from failing.
just my 2 cents worth :D
If you don't do any hard driving, I wouldn't bother blowing a whole bunch of money on something your really won't notice much. Yes my car stops better with the J55's, but if I coulda stayed with what I had I would have. After all is said and done, I spent over $1000Cdn, or about $800USD.
IMO, wanna do a worthwile upgrade. Put stainless flex lines on. I got mine from DRM, and it is a noticeble improvement. Not to mention, when we started taking the original lines off, one was chaffing and wasn't to far from failing.
just my 2 cents worth :D
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Brake Upgrade (Jeffvette)
[QUOTE] He has 12" stockers, so he can't "stick with" the J55 set-up.
He said he has 18" ZO6 rims, so clearence isn't a problem.
You should read the entire post before responding. Novel concept huh?
[QUOTE]
[Modified by edsalinas, 7:23 PM 10/8/2003]
He said he has 18" ZO6 rims, so clearence isn't a problem.
You should read the entire post before responding. Novel concept huh?
[QUOTE]
[Modified by edsalinas, 7:23 PM 10/8/2003]
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 5
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Re: Brake Upgrade (edsalinas)
He has 12" stockers, so he can't "stick with" the J55 set-up.
He said he has 18" ZO6 rims, so clearence isn't a problem.
You should read the entire post before responding. Novel concept huh?
He said he has 18" ZO6 rims, so clearence isn't a problem.
You should read the entire post before responding. Novel concept huh?
Big deal on the rims.
[Modified by Jeffvette, 7:07 PM 10/8/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Sunny Florida
Re: Brake Upgrade (Jeffvette)
The earlier 'Vette brakes were known to fade under extreme conditions.
This was the reason they made the ZR-1/GS/CE brakes bigger.
Doing the Big C-4 brake conversion will be more then enough.....
I love mine!
This was the reason they made the ZR-1/GS/CE brakes bigger.
Doing the Big C-4 brake conversion will be more then enough.....
I love mine!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota FL
Re: Brake Upgrade (Whitvette)
The C-5 brakes are a step above the 13" C-4 setup. The rotors are thicker and the pads are larger. Except for the one time purchase of the adapters the parts for the C-5 are cheaper. :crazy: Several companies sell the kits for $750. With the parts in my sig, I spent $950 doing the install myself.
I highly recommend them and the red Z06 calipers are pretty.
I highly recommend them and the red Z06 calipers are pretty.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
Re: Brake Upgrade (DON M)
With minimal shopping this upgrade can be done for 500.00. Adapter brackets from Ed Salinas, rotors from NAPA, everything else from GM Parts Direct. This upgrade is not a "hassle", it took me 3 hrs start to finish. If you want more stopping power, switch to Hawk or Performance Friction pads
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: Brake Upgrade (DON M)
I agree with Don. I purchased a set of C5 brakes (takeoffs from a Lingenfelter C5) for $350 off ebay, and the Electro dynamics adapters here on a group purchase...
I _did_ have to upgrade to a 96 master cylinder. It's got a larger capacity than my 89 had. ($75 from an online vette junkyard)
I _did_ have to upgrade to a 96 master cylinder. It's got a larger capacity than my 89 had. ($75 from an online vette junkyard)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Re: Brake Upgrade (RocketSled)
Quote:
Even in race applications the C5 are inadequate.
I don't see where he said he was going racing. Even if he was, why not start with the C5 brakes? Not everyone can jump right into a $5k brake package. The C5 brake package may not be adequate for racing when compared to high-end brake packages but it is TOTALLY adequate for the street.
The C5 upgrade is the way to go: cheaper and better-performing than the J55, easy to get parts for. The question to ask is: Why opt for the J55 when, essentially, you're traveling down the evolutionary chain (and spending more money to boot)? :seeya
Even in race applications the C5 are inadequate.
I don't see where he said he was going racing. Even if he was, why not start with the C5 brakes? Not everyone can jump right into a $5k brake package. The C5 brake package may not be adequate for racing when compared to high-end brake packages but it is TOTALLY adequate for the street.
The C5 upgrade is the way to go: cheaper and better-performing than the J55, easy to get parts for. The question to ask is: Why opt for the J55 when, essentially, you're traveling down the evolutionary chain (and spending more money to boot)? :seeya