Speaking of brakes

[six_speed]

What is the deal with putting C5 brakes on a C4? I've heard it was relatively easy.

Also, I need to do a brake job on Vette and I'm debating several options.

1 - Given the amount of work that needs to be done on the car, I may just turn the stock rotors and put on new pads, which I think is the cheapest option.

2 - I have the "big brakes" that I bought off of Woodsy but the callipers need to be rebuilt (NBD) and I need to buy new rotors. I also need to buy the brackets and bolts. The way I see it, I'm up to $180.00 for the new rotors and rebuild kits. The brackets are $36.00 each in TLD, which I think is pretty cheap. I know I can get them used but how much cheaper can they be used?

Opinions?

[urtoslo]

The C5 rotors are supposedly thicker and the calipers beefier. It would probably be around $1000 to get setup and running with this option. IMHO, if you don't hop up the engine on a C4, the J55 big brake package, with steel brake lines, cooling ducts, fancy brake fluid and performance pads, is all you need to stop repeatedly - if you are doing track days. If all you're doing is autoxing and street driving, the 12" (non J55) brakes are sufficient.

[Black396]

Starting from scratch upgrading an non-J55 C4 to J55 brakes is more expensive the upgrading to C5 brakes.

Here are the links to Superior Chevy's websites with the costs for the parts

J55 GS Brakes (http://www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/gsbrakes.asp)

C5 Brakes (http://www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/c5brakes.asp)

I agree with Andrej on everything he said except the part about non-J55 being sufficent. He is probably right, but I never did like the small brakes on the 86 even on the streets. Of course that could have been because I was accustomed to the J55 brakes on the 96.

The other thing to think about is that going to the C5 brakes will put your car in 3RP. If I remember correctly, your car is 2G. If so you can upgrade to J55 using either the stock J55 calipers or your can use the GS/CE calipers without changing classes.

[six_speed]

I KNEW Mike would know the answer. [:D]

It looks like it costs around $700.00 to upgrade a C4 to C5 brakes and that includes the Non-GM bracket but not including pads. That is a BARGIN compared to some of the other aftermarket brake upgrades. I'd love to see someone do it to see how well they perform.

I think I'm going to stick with the J55 upgrade if I need new rotors this time around simply because I already have the J55 calipers.

Thanks for all the info guys and nice work Mike on getting the mention on the Superior website!

[Black396]

Let me know what you want to do. I haven't rebuilt calipers before but it shouldn't be difficult. Everything else is a walk in the park.

In fact I may have some of the parts you need that you can have just to get them out of the garage.