Brake upgrade

[DaveK]

I'm thinking of upgrading the brakes and considering options. I'm don't spend a lot of time on the track or anything so I don't see any real justification for spending a zillion $ on a 16 piston WillBearBro set up and have been considering the C5 upgrade.

I have a few questions for anyone who's done this - apologies if they've been asked before, I thought there was a C5 upgrade thread but haven't found it with the search.

The C5 kit only upgrades the front brakes, is that right?

If that's the case, what do people generally do at the back? I'd like to keep everything matching and looking good.

Partly the upgrade is for aesthetic reasons, and I like the idea of having the Corvette script on the calipers - is this standard on all the C5 brakes or just the Z06?

What disks would people recommend? I'd like something drilled and slotted for looks.

I know one of the brothers was offering a kit (Jeffvette?) and would prefer to buy from and support another member - but, being in the land of the white fluffy stuff, does anyone know of a more local option (really just thinking of shipping costs and the dreaded Canadian 'import' tax.)

On another note, I put my baby to sleep for the winter at the weekend. :cry: It was a bit of a sad occasion, but I know it will be safe and warm in the heated garage and I can still get to it to work on and so on so it's not too bad.

Thanks

[gbrtng]

try: http://electro-dynamics.com/

several possibilities.

[Bell Curve]

I know one of the brothers was offering a kit (Jeffvette?)

Yeah he offers a kit and if I go with the upgrade I wil probably buy it from him. Just PM him for details.

[Jeffvette]

Dave, I have sent my parts over the border to several different Canadian customers. One in particular is Mike D'Angelo who has a set of the C5 brakes on his ZR-1. There are ways to work around the tax.

I would suggest going with the newer C6 base/51 caliper. The Corvette script is larger and more defined and shows up more especially when doing any kind of coating on them. The caliper design is a better design than the C5.

The rear kit, the more popular option is to refinish the calipers to keep consistency. Upgrading the back is not necessary as the C5 and C4 rear calipers are about the same size as far as the caliper and piston size. The other issue when trying to upgrade the rear is the parking brake assembly. In the 88-96 cars, it was integrated in with the caliper. On the C5 it is a drum style integrated in with the hub of the rotor. So trying to convrt and make brackets is somewhat costly, and there is no benefit.

My brackets are 105 shipped in the US for registry members, and I charge actual shipping when going across the border.

[1990 quasar blue]

I would suggest going with the newer C6 base/51 caliper.
My brackets are 105 shipped in the US for registry members, and I charge actual shipping when going across the border.

Jeff, can I keep my salad shooters with these brackets, or do I need to go A-molds?

TIA
Mike

[DaveK]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Jeff - would the grand sport calipers add anything on the rear?

[Jeffvette]

Jeff, can I keep my salad shooters with these brackets, or do I need to go A-molds?

TIA
Mike

Mike, you would either need to run a very small spacer, or run the Amolds.

[Jeffvette]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Jeff - would the grand sport calipers add anything on the rear?

Dave, there is no advantage for upgrading to the GS rear calipers on your car, other than for looks, since they are just black.

[XfireZ51]

Dave, I have sent my parts over the border to several different Canadian customers. One in particular is Mike D'Angelo who has a set of the C5 brakes on his ZR-1. There are ways to work around the tax.

I would suggest going with the newer C6 base/51 caliper. The Corvette script is larger and more defined and shows up more especially when doing any kind of coating on them. The caliper design is a better design than the C5.

The rear kit, the more popular option is to refinish the calipers to keep consistency. Upgrading the back is not necessary as the C5 and C4 rear calipers are about the same size as far as the caliper and piston size. The other issue when trying to upgrade the rear is the parking brake assembly. In the 88-96 cars, it was integrated in with the caliper. On the C5 it is a drum style integrated in with the hub of the rotor. So trying to convrt and make brackets is somewhat costly, and there is no benefit.

My brackets are 105 shipped in the US for registry members, and I charge actual shipping when going across the border.


BTW, excellent quality adapters brackets from Jeff. Used them for my C5 upgrade just a couple of months ago. Don't forget the bias spring too.

Jeff,

With your suggestion of the Z-51 caliper, isn't it necessary to use 18" wheels for clearance?

[Jeffvette]

BTW, excellent quality adapters brackets from Jeff. Used them for my C5 upgrade just a couple of months ago. Don't forget the bias spring too.

Jeff,

With your suggestion of the Z-51 caliper, isn't it necessary to use 18" wheels for clearance?

The C6 base/z51 caliper is the same. The difference comes in as the brake abutment bracket that holds the caliper. It pushes it a little further out. You could use a Z51 bracket inside a 17" Amold rim, but clearance inside the barrel is very very minimal.

[DaveK]

So since I have 17 A-molds so I'd need to use the C6 base caliper?

Couldn't change the wheels as well right now - unless my company is extremely generous with its christmas bonus this year ;-)

(hopefully not the jelly of the month club lol)

[XfireZ51]

The C6 base/z51 caliper is the same. The difference comes in as the brake abutment bracket that holds the caliper. It pushes it a little further out. You could use a Z51 bracket inside a 17" Amold rim, but clearance inside the barrel is very very minimal.

Jeff,

I'd imagine if you had stick 'um wheel weights, that would present a real problem for clearance. :o

[Jeffvette]

Jeff,

I'd imagine if you had stick 'um wheel weights, that would present a real problem for clearance. :o

Exactly

http://www.pnwzr1.net/Jeff/brakes/IMG_8940.JPG

[Jeffvette]

So since I have 17 A-molds so I'd need to use the C6 base caliper?

Couldn't change the wheels as well right now - unless my company is extremely generous with its christmas bonus this year ;-)

(hopefully not the jelly of the month club lol)


The C6 caliper is the same for the base and Z51 .package. The Z06 is a completely different story. What you need is the C5 caliper abutment bracket, or the C6 base abutment bracket.


C5 Z06 caliper
http://www.pnwzr1.com/images/c5a.jpg
http://www.pnwzr1.com/images/c5b.jpg


C6 base/Z51 caliper that I refinished
http://www.pnwzr1.com/images/c6a.jpg
http://www.pnwzr1.com/images/c6b.jpg

[bobbyhi]

Boy, that is some close alignment. I don't think I personally would go with them (looks like a problem waiting to happen). I have the C5 calipers and don't do any track racing. They really stop just fine. I have slotted and drilled rotors and with the red trim and the wheels look pretty good. I have also painted the rear calipers red to match the front. The C5 calipers are a nice up grade and easy to install.

Dave - go with the C5's...........:thumbsup:

Then you have to paint the car WHITE and we will match!!!:mrgreen:

[DaveK]

Boy, that is some close alignment. I don't think I personally would go with them (looks like a problem waiting to happen). I have the C5 calipers and don't do any track racing. They really stop just fine. I have slotted and drilled rotors and with the red trim and the wheels look pretty good. I have also painted the rear calipers red to match the front. The C5 calipers are a nice up grade and easy to install.

Dave - go with the C5's...........:thumbsup:

Then you have to paint the car WHITE and we will match!!!:mrgreen:

I have to agree Bob, that looks very close. Which rotors did you go with out of interest?

Paint it white? Would that give me more clearance? :wink:

[Jeffvette]

It's not the caliper that poses the issue. It's the abutment bracket. C6 caliper is better overall in looks and strength.

[bobbyhi]

I have to agree Bob, that looks very close. Which rotors did you go with out of interest?

Paint it white? Would that give me more clearance? :wink:


No, but it would go faster.........:)

[DaveK]

It's not the caliper that poses the issue. It's the abutment bracket. C6 caliper is better overall in looks and strength.

Maybe I'm not quite understanding Jeff. The way I read what you originally said was that the C6 Caliper/bracket would be too close for comfort on a 17 A-mold. So that led me to think I would need to go the C5 route.

Sorry if I'm being a bit dumb.

By the way Jeff, those calipers look sweet!

[DaveK]

No, but it would go faster.........:)

Hey I'd save on P&P and all that tech stuff.. I'm sure I have a spray tin of white left over around here somewhere...

[Jeffvette]

Maybe I'm not quite understanding Jeff. The way I read what you originally said was that the C6 Caliper/bracket would be too close for comfort on a 17 A-mold. So that led me to think I would need to go the C5 route.

Sorry if I'm being a bit dumb.

By the way Jeff, those calipers look sweet!

No worries.

You have three major components

1) Caliper
a) C5 base or Z06
b) C6 Base or Z51

2) Caliper abutment bracket, sometimes referred to as a caliper basket
a) C5 base or Z06
b) C6 base

3) C4 to C5 adapter bracket



The C6 Z51 abutment bracket pushes the caliper to close to the rim, since the Z51 uses a 13.4" rotor upfront compared to the base car with 13".

[kenthompson]

Just got done (about an hour ago) with Stainless braided lines, drilled and slotted rotors, ceramic pads, and GS front calipers. I'm hoping that makes a BIG difference.

I should have the brakes bled by tomorrow night, and will be able to tell.

KT

[tomtom72]

Just got done (about an hour ago) with Stainless braided lines, drilled and slotted rotors, ceramic pads, and GS front calipers. I'm hoping that makes a BIG difference.

I should have the brakes bled by tomorrow night, and will be able to tell.

KT

Kent, I'm not trying to be a wise guy but the GS calipers are a bit stiffer than our std J55's on our 90's. That's about the only difference, swept area of the pads is the same so there is no improvement in brake t/Q on the rotor. Fade resistance will proly be way up with the rest of the equipment you installed and the pedal firmness will be improved.

For actual better stopping power though the C5 or C6 stuff is the cheapest way to go but then we can't use our salad shooters without spaces(?)....that's what stopped me...well that and I don't do AutoX or track days with my car.

FWIW, I bought a DRM bias spring and I swear that $20 part did more for the feel on my 90's brakes than I would have believed. I have OE rotors & calipers and just changed out to the s/s lines + bias spring and added Power Stop semi-metalic pads...I am amazed that I can feel less nose dive and have a firmer pedal and I actually feel the rear brakes now, or at least think I do! The next part of this for me will be G/S calipers & D'ed & S'ed rotors which I hope will improve the pedal feel a bit more....I guess I'll see.:redface:

:cheers:
Tom

[DaveK]

No worries.

You have three major components

1) Caliper
a) C5 base or Z06
b) C6 Base or Z51

2) Caliper abutment bracket, sometimes referred to as a caliper basket
a) C5 base or Z06
b) C6 base

3) C4 to C5 adapter bracket

The C6 Z51 abutment bracket pushes the caliper to close to the rim, since the Z51 uses a 13.4" rotor upfront compared to the base car with 13".

So I would need the C6 Base caliper, C6 base abutment bracket and C4 to C5 adapter bracket?

Or if I went the C5 route it would be C5 or Z06 Caliper, C5 abutment bracket and c4 to c5 adapter bracket?

[XfireZ51]

So I would need the C6 Base caliper, C6 base abutment bracket and C4 to C5 adapter bracket?

Or if I went the C5 route it would be C5 or Z06 Caliper, C5 abutment bracket and c4 to c5 adapter bracket?

YEP!

[kenthompson]

Kent, I'm not trying to be a wise guy but the GS calipers are a bit stiffer than our std J55's on our 90's. That's about the only difference, swept area of the pads is the same so there is no improvement in brake t/Q on the rotor. Fade resistance will proly be way up with the rest of the equipment you installed and the pedal firmness will be improved.

Yea, it does so far. Got it together tonight. Definately stops better now. I like the look a lot better.

FWIW, I bought a DRM bias spring and I swear that $20 part did more for the feel on my 90's brakes than I would have believed. I have OE rotors & calipers and just changed out to the s/s lines + bias spring and added Power Stop semi-metalic pads...I am amazed that I can feel less nose dive and have a firmer pedal and I actually feel the rear brakes now, or at least think I do! The next part of this for me will be G/S calipers & D'ed & S'ed rotors which I hope will improve the pedal feel a bit more....I guess I'll see.

Sounds like we will end up with the same equipment. I got the bias spring too. I have a touch of air still in mine, since I had the entire system apart. I'll get that out tomorrow. Now, just to seat in the clutch!

[HIZNHRZ]

What is a "bias spring"?

[tomtom72]

What is a "bias spring"?

DRM, Doug Rippie Motorsports, sells them. It's the spring that is in that side chamber on the M/C....the place the Brake Light switch is screwed into...it alters the front/rear bias just a bit...gives a bit more pressure to the rear calipers than the OEM bias spring.

lookie here...http://www.dougrippie.com/

I swear to ya it was the cheapest thing I've bought for my Z and it does what DRM says it will do.:mrgreen:

:cheers:
Tom

[RICKYRJ1]

I did Jeff's C6 Z51 upgrade with Baer 2 peice rotors. I am happy with the set-up. Jeff is another story.:mrgreen: LOL. He did a great job on the PCing and his adapter is a quality peice.

[Jagdpanzer]

Who has the best deal on the C6 base calipers and abutment brackets?

[djpatrick35]

What's the total cost on the C5 Z06 setup? I'm going to be broke for a while (wedding!) but I'd like to know what to budget for.

[DaveK]

I'm going to be broke for a while (wedding!)

I know the feeling... I keep trying to convince of all the benefits that those $1000s in upgrades would have but I think I'm on a loser here - we already postponed a year to buy the Z! lol :-D

[XfireZ51]

C5 adapters $105 from Jeffvette
C5 calipers $200
Rotors and Pads $250
SS Brake Lines $100 (not required but highly recommended)
Misc. $75

[kenthompson]

<Chuckle> I think your going to be broke for a little longer than you think!