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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
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Forum virgin
Hi,
Just got myself a Spiral Grey 2003 50th anniversary hatch (coupe, lift back?) over here in the UK and I'm most pleased. I'd not had much interest in Vettes prior to the C5, classic home grown and European stuff was more my thing. The C5 & 6 hit the spot though and left looking for one, or a 996 ...
Even over here spares for a leggy Porsche are far in excess of importing - even with VAT and import duty - C5 parts from the colonies 😁. So far I have scared myself poop less on our narrow, rippled and gouged roads but also ripped around a deserted airfield. Downsides? Brakes and, er, brakes. So much so that I've been using the auto box to help reduce speed but still, a short, spirited drive blackens my rims. As I am planning a track day next week, they will soon be dead so what do I replace them with? I can't stretch to Willwoods, I've thought about C6 calipers for less flex but what about pads and discs? There just seems so much choice
Just got myself a Spiral Grey 2003 50th anniversary hatch (coupe, lift back?) over here in the UK and I'm most pleased. I'd not had much interest in Vettes prior to the C5, classic home grown and European stuff was more my thing. The C5 & 6 hit the spot though and left looking for one, or a 996 ...
Even over here spares for a leggy Porsche are far in excess of importing - even with VAT and import duty - C5 parts from the colonies 😁. So far I have scared myself poop less on our narrow, rippled and gouged roads but also ripped around a deserted airfield. Downsides? Brakes and, er, brakes. So much so that I've been using the auto box to help reduce speed but still, a short, spirited drive blackens my rims. As I am planning a track day next week, they will soon be dead so what do I replace them with? I can't stretch to Willwoods, I've thought about C6 calipers for less flex but what about pads and discs? There just seems so much choice
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
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From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your C5!
You may want to post your question in the road racing section at https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...roadracing-23/. You could also try posting in the Tech section of the C5 forum at https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-1997-2004-2/. I'm sure you'll get some excellent advice in those two areas.
C6 Z06 calipers would be a great starting place along with their larger rotors, but if you're still running the stock 17" front, 18" rear wheels, I'm not sure these will fit. Again, though, I believe many of our forum members in both those areas can provide you all the right info.
You may want to post your question in the road racing section at https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...roadracing-23/. You could also try posting in the Tech section of the C5 forum at https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-1997-2004-2/. I'm sure you'll get some excellent advice in those two areas.
C6 Z06 calipers would be a great starting place along with their larger rotors, but if you're still running the stock 17" front, 18" rear wheels, I'm not sure these will fit. Again, though, I believe many of our forum members in both those areas can provide you all the right info.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Welcome and congrats on your good choice of a C5. Hope you get a lot of enjoyment from the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 378
From: NSL UT
Welcome to the forum! You might try a good Brake fluid like a Castrol SRF and track pads, even a hawk ST 40s or 60s depending on what tire you run, will go along way I improve stock brake performance and feel
Last edited by z06801; Sep 5, 2018 at 10:32 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 309
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From: Wabash Indiana
Welcome to Corvette Forum. You can't ask a question here that won't be answered by some smart wise men. I've read questions on here that are always answered. Some answers can be different ways to accomplish the final goal. "Make your car run like a bat out of Hell, or just fixed. These men have answered many of my questions. I'm truly grateful they take their time to respond. Now go smoke some BMW, Porsche, and other non-belivers butts.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
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What can I say? The metal on the floor is from the soft top of the my e36 328i(hard top in background) to show friends the width of the C5. Xc90 is the daily bus. I'm in rural Norfolk, nearest city is Norwich. We are surrounded here by old WW2 US bomber bases which means, if you have access to the solid runways, a great place to test engine mods. Most of them were grass though. I was going to ask about handheld tuners... But I won't it seems to cause friction!
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
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There were thoughts from the other side of the bed that a c5 was not practicle. This shows my racing wheelchair happily in place and, if you look closely you can see my sons mini BMX. I'm not sure if you can do this with a 911.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
It's generally reckoned that C5 brakes with decent pads are very good. Road tests of the day had them with equal or better braking stats than the then 911's. Things that can go wrong include "frozen" pistons in the calipers and old brake fluid that has absorbed a lot of moisture and tends to lead to a soft pedal. I use Hawk HPS pads, with Baer rotors but I don't think you can get those rotors any more in C5 sizes. Plus, they were very pricey.
I would start by making sure all the calipers are working properly, get the brakes bled and add in decent pads. At that point, braking should not be an issue at all. Further upgrades include SS brakelines, and obviously big brake kits. But you will need 18" front wheels to fit over the rotors/calipers - and you might still need a spacer as well, depending on whose wheels you get.
As a longtime US resident expat Brit, you're a braver man than I, taking on narrow English roads with a wide, "steering wheel on the wrong side" vehicle. Not to mention tiny (by US standards) parking places. When I worked in the Netherlands, I used to take my company car back to England frequently. A "spotter" in the passenger seat made overtaking a lot easier.
I would start by making sure all the calipers are working properly, get the brakes bled and add in decent pads. At that point, braking should not be an issue at all. Further upgrades include SS brakelines, and obviously big brake kits. But you will need 18" front wheels to fit over the rotors/calipers - and you might still need a spacer as well, depending on whose wheels you get.
As a longtime US resident expat Brit, you're a braver man than I, taking on narrow English roads with a wide, "steering wheel on the wrong side" vehicle. Not to mention tiny (by US standards) parking places. When I worked in the Netherlands, I used to take my company car back to England frequently. A "spotter" in the passenger seat made overtaking a lot easier.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Welcome to C5 ownership and the forum. We have many members from the other side of the pond! Brakes. The aforementioned Hawk HPS are a great compromise for street and track. Go any further into the 'track style' pad and your asking for lots of squeaks. I have Wagner Ceramic pads and I'm very happy with them.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 5
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I'm fully on board with a set of decent after market discs/pads and ss lines. The e36 is that way with Brembo stuff and it's calipers are weedy. The ss lines improved feel no end. I'm off to get a low entry jack!