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. 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]

Originally Posted by DaveK

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.

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]

Originally Posted by Jeffvette

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?

Originally Posted by 1990 quasar blue

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.

Originally Posted by DaveK

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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?

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

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.