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

C4 brake upgrade

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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
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Default C4 brake upgrade

I am in the middle of a dilemma I want to upgrade my front brakes to 13" rotors I have considered the C5 caliper with the aftermarket bracket and power slot rotors, also I was wondering if the 96 Grand sport calipers would bolt right into my 94 and still give me the 13" rotor. I am looking for suggestions on the best way to do my upgrade for a reasonable price.
:banghead:
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:05 AM
  #2  
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

Rottweiler,
Hello, It's Tony from Vette Brakes & Products. If you want to do the upgrade from C-4 to C-5 I will give a special price today only for $ 789.65. contact me at tony@vettebrakes.com or 800-237-9991. The part number for a 1994 Vette is 22501. If you have any questions please just ask.

Sport 718
Tony
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:08 AM
  #3  
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Sport 718)

What does the C5 upgrade kit have in it and how involved is the work.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:20 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

You may also want to check the pricing at Superior Chevrolet for the parts and Forum member Edsalinas for the brake adaptors. That is the route I went to do my upgrade. I am still waiting for the parts from Superior. I got the adaptors from Edsalinas for $110 shipped. The parts at Superior ran around $550. I got the Durastop rotors, Z06 calipers, ceramic pads and the mounting hardware from them. I also bought stainless steel hoses from Mid America to replace all 4 hoses I currently have. For the GrandSport upgrade, you need the mounting brackets, which I could not find by themselves. They only came in the kits and the kits were the same price as the kits to go to the C5 brakes. Edsalinas can help you with questions too! Great guy to deal with!
:cheers:
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:24 AM
  #5  
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

I see you have a 94, and I am not sure if this applied to that year.

My friend just went thru this with a 92 that had original sawblades. The C5 calipers would not clear without special spacers that made the tire stick out to clear the calipers. He ended up getting 5 spokes (Yes another $1k).

So it might be something to check into before you leap.

You will not have this concern with GS calipers.

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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:29 AM
  #6  
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

This kit will include:

2 cryogenicly treated 13" Sport rotors ( 11% lighter than O.E. )
1 set of Hawk HPS brake pads
2 C-5 calipers
2 stainless braided brake hoses
2 C-5 caliper mounting brackets
All mounting hardware and instructions

Part 22501 88 - 96 Corvettes
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:40 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

do I need the same bracket for the GS calipers as I do for the C5 calipers.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 10:47 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

Yes, the bracket is the same.

This kit will not work with sawblade wheels.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 11:11 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

i recently did the same upgrade on my 93.

here is what my shopping list consisted of:

'GS' calipers
'GS' hangers
Goodridge stainless lines
C4 Brake Uprgrade PKG - from Zip Products cost $500 (on special)
13" front cross drilled & slotted
12" rear cross drilled & slotted
HAWK high perf carbon fiber brake pads

be sure to use dot 5 synthetic brake fluid.

all said and done i spent aprox $800

the new brakes are strong and fade is rare. on the street the brakes are great. also, this upgrade fit with stock sawblades.





[Modified by RTTN 1, 4:02 PM 11/14/2003]
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 11:44 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Sport 718)

have 1994 vette 350ci lt1 want to replace front brake pads only as stock rotors are in good shape was thinking about hawk hb111 brake pads $85.00 for front am not a maniac driver but would like something better than stock and would like an opinion on these pads or a recomendation hope someone can help as I would like to replace as soon as possib;le
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 11:55 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (dave beaudoin)

The Hawk HPS brake pads are about the best yo could buy. They are made of high performance street material, produce extremely low dust, high friction, are rotor friendly and silent running. I'll give a price of $ 83.00. Part # 14405 88-96 front pads Hawk. 800- 237-9991 or tony@vettebrakes.com. Going to lunch, be back in 45 minutes.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 01:32 PM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

Most of the larger aftermarket brake kits will require spacers if you plan on using sawblade wheels with them.As seen in the photo

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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 01:47 PM
  #13  
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (JAYK)

He is absolutly correct.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 02:02 PM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Rottweiler)

do I need the same bracket for the GS calipers as I do for the C5 calipers.
Yes, the bracket is the same.

I don't think that statement is 100% clear.

The GS caliper or J55 will bolt up using the stock GM bracket that holds the caliper.

On the C5 conversion, you need the caliper, the caliper bracket, then an additional bracket to mount that gear to the spindle.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 03:04 PM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Jeffvette)

If you have a '94, didn't it already come with 13" rotors and J55 calipers? I thought all 94's did or was that in '95?

Mike
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 03:26 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (luvmy92)

95 came standard with the J55 calipers.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 07:29 PM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (RTTN 1)

be sure to use dot 5 synthetic brake fluid.
GM states in the service manuals that Dot 5 is not compatible with ABS systems. Not a good idea. Use the Dot 3/4 stuff. Besides, Dot 5 absorbs water faster rendering it useless for street stuff unless you like changing fluids all the time.
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Old Nov 14, 2003 | 07:47 PM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (Goody)

GM states in the service manuals that Dot 5 is not compatible with ABS systems. Not a good idea. Use the Dot 3/4 stuff. Besides, Dot 5 absorbs water faster rendering it useless for street stuff unless you like changing fluids all the time.
I thought Dot5 was synthetic and the idea was it wouldn't absorb water ?? Or was it just better at taking higher temps.

True, don't use it with ABS. My understanding is that the pulsing of the ABS causes foaming of the fluid.
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Old Nov 15, 2003 | 02:12 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade beyond J55's

I have a 90 with J55's already. I also have a set of Wilwood GN calipers and I wondered if it is worth making brackets to mount them up. Is there a significant benefit on the track with the GN calipers compared with the J55's? They seem to have about the largest pads for the lowest average cost. It seems that fixed calipers would be better than either the j55's or the C5 type by design.

Thanks
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 11:46 AM
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Default Re: C4 brake upgrade (corvette-pilot)

re: dot 5 brake fluid

i have to post a correction. i was wrong about what brake fluid that was used. my guy at the shop used dot 4 brake fluid - not dot 5.

my mistake. :banghead:
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