Brake life question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: Laguna Niguel California
Brake life question
I had new brake rotor and pads put on about 18 months ago and 13,000 miles. I presume that they were just the standard oem brake setup probabily made by ac delco. I do primarily city driving and with the auto live on the brakes. Any idea how much life I will get out of these?
Also in the future, which may be now I am looking to do an upgrade for both better stopping power and duribility. Anyone have any recommendations. I am working on a budget, but could spend around a grand total with install.
I would appreciate anyone insite on either or hopefully both categories.
Also in the future, which may be now I am looking to do an upgrade for both better stopping power and duribility. Anyone have any recommendations. I am working on a budget, but could spend around a grand total with install.
I would appreciate anyone insite on either or hopefully both categories.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Aledo/Waco Tx
Well, how long your brake pads last will depend on how you drive. Could last anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 (my dad got about 65,000 off of the original pads on his 2003 GMC truck).
As far as upgrades go, you can do the C5 brake upgrade for less than a grand. I think people usually spend somewhere around $600 to do the fronts (rotors, calipers, pads, adapters and brake bias spring), and they don't do the rears because the C5 rears aren't any better and the C4 rears.
As far as upgrades go, you can do the C5 brake upgrade for less than a grand. I think people usually spend somewhere around $600 to do the fronts (rotors, calipers, pads, adapters and brake bias spring), and they don't do the rears because the C5 rears aren't any better and the C4 rears.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I got 106,000 miles out of a set of pads in my truck, in my vette I've replaced at 48,000 mile intervals for no particular reason, just because.
My other vette I did the fronts at 40,000 simply because I wanted to know when they were done.
My other vette I did the fronts at 40,000 simply because I wanted to know when they were done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by LT1CORVETTE
...looking to do an upgrade for both better stopping power and duribility. Anyone have any recommendations....
You have a 96, it comes stock with the 13" J55 front brakes. If you go to upgrade your brakes you'll need to change your wheels (I assume you have the stock sawblade rims).
I'd skip the brake upgrade, the C5 set up requires new rims and isn't much better than your J55s). If you can DIY, you could use the $1,000 to change your rear gear and add a new higher stall speed torque converter. You'd really like your vette after those two mods.
Eric
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Cape Cod Ma
Why would he need new rims? The sawblades are 17s. I have 17s and im fine. The c-5s have 17s in the front. The older c-4s need the larger rims if you put the larger roter's on cuz there 16s. Just wondering? And if you need better braking power you could always get some good cross drilled rotors and some performance brake pads next time.
Last edited by redfast; Sep 18, 2004 at 12:14 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by redfast
Why would he need new rims?
...if you need better braking power you could always get some good cross drilled rotors and some performance brake pads next time
Eric
Last edited by silver & red CE; Sep 18, 2004 at 08:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
From: Laguna Niguel California
Thanks for all the info guys. New wheels arn't on list right now so guess I'll be sticking with the stock brakes for a while. Might spend the money doing a shift kit and some new tires.
I really appreciate the help.
I really appreciate the help.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
can you do a torque converter and shift kit yourself? If so, you can do both those mods for ~$500-$600 depending on the TC you choose. A shift kit and TC really wake up the 4 speed auto, perfect set up for a lower rear gear 