Brakes needs more braking!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
Brakes needs more braking!
My 92 is the only Corvette I have owned/driven so I have nothing to compare to. The brakes do not seem to 'grab' like I think they ought to. Since I have owned it, the booster, rotors, pads (twice) and rubber lines have been replaced (lines with S/S). The pedal is not too soft or hard, it just does not feel like it is grabbing as it should. The only thing I can compare it to is a car I drove that had gotten oil on the brakes. You feel the rotor/pad contact but it just doesnt seem to have enough friction. Anyone have any ideas? Is this just the way the 92 works?
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: los angeles ca
Re: Brakes needs more braking! (dburgjohn)
I had the same problem with my '84 and now my '94, these brakes just suck. What seems to help is get a good quality set of pads. For the '84 I tried a CarbonMetallic pad, I don't remeber the brand, but the bottom line is the friction rating, usually printed on the edge of the pad, get at least EE, or better FF, the rating range is somewhat alphabetic CC=sucks (really never saw this one), DD=mediocre, EE=OEM, FF=great, GG=really grabs. Avoid so called race pads, they require quit a bit of heating up to work properly, not good for a daily driver. Your only other alternative is to totally replace the calipers & rotors with a high performance brand and that will cost you plenty.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek OR
Re: Brakes needs more braking! (dburgjohn)
If I'm not mistaken you have the 12' rotors and single piston callipers. An upgrade to HD or GS brakes, you can even go to C5 brakes pretty easily I believe. I upgraded my 86, with a little more difficulty and there's a world of difference.
Look up EdSalinas here on the forum. He knows this stuff well, and I think manufactures adapters for the C5 upgrade. I think you're gonna have to spend some bank to get better results. You can also install a brake "bias spring" from DRM I believe that adds some additional work outa the rears.
Look up EdSalinas here on the forum. He knows this stuff well, and I think manufactures adapters for the C5 upgrade. I think you're gonna have to spend some bank to get better results. You can also install a brake "bias spring" from DRM I believe that adds some additional work outa the rears.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Re: Brakes needs more braking! (dburgjohn)
I have noticed that with my 94, which has the J55 setup. Now on my 85 I had some CarboTech Panther pads. They are low-end racing pads (okay for occasional DE days or Autocross). They do not require much heat to work well. First or second stop is like stock, after that they BITE. Now they dust and make noise quite a bit. But great stopping power. They were better then my 94 with PFC-Z pads. But I really think ABS is making my braking worse. Next Autocross I'm disabling the system, see if that helps me out.
Pads are a lot cheaper then a whole rotor/caliper setup. Call up Carbotech, they can set you up with some awesome pads, they have a lot of different compounds. My last set of Panther compound cost $89 for the front.
Pads are a lot cheaper then a whole rotor/caliper setup. Call up Carbotech, they can set you up with some awesome pads, they have a lot of different compounds. My last set of Panther compound cost $89 for the front.
