upgrading your c4 to c5 brakes

Here they are, pics of C5 Brakes Installed!!
if someone can post more info on the brake upgrade please do so.
(heres limited info) but theres still a great deal thats very useful here!
these links hit most of the common tips and areas of info
keep in mind having a SHOP MANUAL HANDY to refer too HELPS

Re: trouble shooting brakes

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=3556&hilit=brakes
bleeding brakes is generally done like this , picture below depicts, with one person pumping the brake petal, while a second person opens the bleed valve, as pressure is applied, and the second person opens the bleed valve to let air and oil fluid bleed out down into the container while the person opening and closing the bleeder valve watches the clear tube to see its contents until clear new air free fluid emerges from the bleed valve several times in succession. the guy at the bleed valve closes it before the petal is allowed to return to it fully up location,and opens it as pressures applied, generally to a voice command of " push down, hold, release", " push down, hold, release", " push down, hold, release", " push down, hold, release", until the fluids clear and air free

theres a second faster way,
a vacuum hand pump like the one pictured below can be located at harbor freight or most large auto parts stores, a clear section of hose can be connected to the medical container pictured below with only two vents connecting to clear vynil tube (usually 5/16") from the brake bleeder to the container and the second medical container connection with a second hose to the brake caliper or slave cylinder brake fluid bleeder valve, you simply open the valve and use the vacuum pump to lower the container vacuum, the brake fluid drains rather rapidly into the container thru the open path, as you pump the brakes a few times, so you,ll want to locate the medical container where you can watch the master cylinder brake fluid level if your doing it by yourself,or more likely have a friend watch and fill it as you drain the contents of oil brake fluid so they refill it as required with new fluid.
http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_hvp.asp

http://www.aaawholesalecompany.com/bem-484410-pk.html


NOTICE THEY COME 12 to a carton and cost about $40 a dozen so get two buddies to split the cost
medical supplys can be useful bleeding brakes

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=3190

Here's a list of parts (except the adaptor brackets) needed to do the conversion:

https://www.superchevyperformance.com/Articles.asp?ID=124

if you have the J55 big brake option on your mid year C4 corvette the brake pad part numbers from http://www.autopartswarehouse.com
are front W0133-1615589
rear W0133-1621818
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/baske ... d=&rq=true

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...n-instructions-seldom-hurts.11937/#post-56697


http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/brakes/1606-how-to-change-c4-corvette-disc-brake-pads-and-rotors/

http://www.pozziracing.com/12_corvette_ ... n_fgen.htm

http://www.dougrippie.com/drm/brake_conversions.htm

http://www.electro-dynamics.com/brakes/brakes3.html

http://www.coppercorvette.com/c5toc4brakes.htm

http://www.vbandp.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=331

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=1848&p=16080#p16080

http://www.joby.se/corvette/mods/2006-0 ... nt_brakes/

http://www.teamzr1.com/eric.html

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/august/brake-upgrade/brake1.asp

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=45780&dept_id=1033

http://www.speedtech-performance.com/pd ... _Rotor.pdf

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/ ... +installed

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=41806&dept_id=1033

http://www.idavette.net/hib/C5diy/c5diy2.htm


http://www.soec.org/forum_photos/daves_ ... de2006.pdf

http://www.grumpysperformance.com/

btw does anyone know where to get a significantly smaller in dia power brake booster thats an improvement over the stock booster

The car stops AWESOME now; I can't recommend this mod enough! For those wondering it cost me $500 for the complete conversion using new parts I got from various sources.

These pics are VERY large thats why they are linked.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36908/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/553

Here are some comparisons if the stock 12" rotors I took off vs. the new 13" C5s.....what a difference!!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36912/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/677

Almost twice as thick!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36910/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/652

Calipers side by side:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36906/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/553

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/data/553/medium/22599C5_Brakes_Mounted_on_C4.JPG

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/data/553/medium/22599C4_vs_C5_calipers.JPG

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/data/677/medium/22599C5_vs_C4_Frt_Rotor.JPG

There u go...BTW this will help
http://www.classicperform.com/TechBook/ ... eshoot.htm
CorvZ061- thanks for the resize

Grumpy- The backs are new stock C4 parts. The swap was very easy anyone with basic brake knowledge can do it - no machine work needed.

Here are the Steps:

1. Remove Wheel
2. Unbolt brake hose from caliper
3. Unbolt caliper mouting bracket
4. Remove Caliper assembly
5. Remove rotor
6. Clean off rotor mouting surface (i also clean controlled arms and spindle)
7. Bolt-on C5 Conversion bracket using included bolts.
8. Mount C5 rotor
9. Bolt on Preassembled C5 caliper assembly to Conversion bracket using included bolts
10. Attach stock brake hose to Caliper
11. Bleed brakes
12. enjoy

Parts I needed:

C5 Rotors
C5 Calipers
C5 Caliper Mounting brackets
C5 Pads
C4 - C5 Conversion brackets and mounting bolts purchased from: http://upfronttechnologies.com/

Here are the brackets:for the latter C4s

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/data/652/medium/22599Conversion_brackets.JPG

Here is how they look behind the ZR-1 wheels:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/corvette-photos/data/626/medium/22599C5_Brakes.JPG


Here they are, pics of C5 Brakes Installed!! :devil:

The car stops AWESOME now; I can't recommend this mod enough! For those wondering it cost me $500 for the complete conversion using new parts I got from various sources.

These pics are VERY large thats why they are linked.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36908/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/553

Here are some comparisons if the stock 12" rotors I took off vs. the new 13" C5s.....what a difference!!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36912/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/677

Almost twice as thick!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36910/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/652

Calipers side by side:

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/cor...photo/36906/size/big/password//sort/2/cat/553

later c4 brackets

early c4 brackets

http://www.corvettefever.com/techarticl ... index.html

Everyone that has driven a C-4 and a C-5 knows that the C-5 brakes are far superior but don't fear there are people out there that make brackets that allow us to bolt up the bigger, better brakes to the cars we love. I got my brackets from member Jeffvette so that's where I'll tell you to get yours too.:laughing:
First we'll start off with some comparison shots.
Here (in the next few pics) you see the size differences between the calipers and rotors. Sorry for the crappy rotor on rotor pics buy the old ones are boxed up and headed out and I didn't know how bad the pic was untill later.







OK so now we see why to do the swap let's look at how.
We'll start with your tire removed, if you need directions on this step, put down your tools and step away from the car. You shouldn't be doing this.

With the tire removed locate and remove the bolts that hold your cailpers to the caliper brackets. On my car these were a 15mm bolt and a 17 mm wrench for the pin.





With these bolts loose you can set the caliper up on the a-arm for future use.
Leave the brake line hooked up to it for now so there isn't a lot of fluid leaking while you work.


Now using a 13/16" socket I removed the caliper bracket. I didn't this in two steps to show how the two go together. More experienced people can remove the caliper and caliper bracket together.




Now you are down to the bare rotor. Some stock setups will have a spring clip holding the rotor on the spindle just use a pair of needle nose pliers and remove it. I've changed my brakes in the past so I didn't have a clip to remove. Just pull the rotor off now.



You should now be looking at this:


Now you can put your adaptor bracket on the spindle using the hex head bolts to secure it.



The bracket shown is for an 84-87 car. The bracket shown below is for 88- up cars.



Then put your C-5 rotor on the spindle and attach the caliper bracket. This picture shows the brackets installed with out the rotor to show how they go.



Here is how it should look with the rotor installed.



Note I have to shave the washers for clearance to the spindle so that they would sit flush


Now when installing the caliper be sure you have the rubber gaskets that go from the pin to the caliper bracket. I had to use the ones from my old brakes as my new ones didn't have them.
Here is a picture of what I am talking about and below that is how to remove them.





These will just pop into the grooves in the pin and caliper bracket.

Now install your brake pads and bolt your calipers onto the brackets this is just the reverse step from the begining. It should look like this when done.(of course you will have brake pads as I don't in this picture)





Now you will remove the brake line from your old caliper and let it bleed just a hair then bolt it to your new caliper and bleed the brakes as you normally would. You are now ready to go for some retina sheering stops. Have fun.:buhbye:

if someone can post more info on the brake upgrade please do so.
(heres limited info)

http://www.electro-dynamics.com/brakes/brakes3.html

http://www.corvetteguys.com/corvette-brakes.html

http://www.teamzr1.com/eric.html

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...n-instructions-seldom-hurts.11937/#post-56697

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/august/brake-upgrade/brake1.asp

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=45780&dept_id=1033

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=41806&dept_id=1033

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wil-1 ... refilter=1

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/ ... pgrade.jpg


btw does anyone know where to get a significantly smaller in diam power brake booster thats an improvement over the stock booster






Quote from Jeff Kopp
QUOTE
Here's the parts required list I've put together (don't forget you'll also need the non-GM special bracket kit):
C5 Brakes on C4
Qty Needed P/N Description
2 12455799 Caliper Bracket
1 88895129 -or- 12530682 Caliper
1 88895128 -or- 12530683 Caliper
1 10445856 Rotor
1 10445857 Rotor
4 10139097 Hose Gasket
4 12530697 Pin
4 12530703 Seal
1 12530681 -or- 88909667
(Or Non-OEM) Pad Kit


the prices below were from superior chevrolet's website, and at last check, the site was updated last sometime in 2002 if i recall correctly
Calipers
12530682 Reg C5 Caliper - RH $100.80
12530683 Reg C5 Caliper - LH $100.80
88895129 Z06 C5 Caliper - RH $97.65
88895128 Z06 C5 Caliper - LH $97.65


Rotors
Part Number Description Price
10445857 C5 Rotor - LH $55.83
10445856 C5 Rotor - RH $55.83
88926732 C5 Rotor - LH (Durastop Performance) $44.40
88926731 C5 Rotor - RH (Durastop Performance) $44.40

Caliper Brackets
Part Number Description Price
2455799 Caliper Brkt - 2 required $31.67

Misc Parts
Part Number Description Price Order?
12530697 Caliper Guide Pin (4 reqd.) $3.95
12530703 Caliper Guide Pin Seals (4 reqd.) $3.30
10139097 Brake Hose Gasket (Copper Washer - 2 per caliper) $0.42
12530681 C5 Brake Pads $65.87
88909667 C5 Ceramic Durastop Pads $54.87
Review My Order and/or Checkout
*Prices current as of 1/04/02



here is info about the ADAPTERS to adapt the C5 or Z06 brake caliper bracket
QUOTE
the place i got mine from said this

The brackets to mount the C5 brakes on a C4 are $95 ea. The 14mm blots and lock washers are $40. We are selling the brackets and bolts for $200 plus shipping.

his name is rich gardner
and the guys at car-vette referred me to him
and Ed Salinas is the one who referred me to car-vette, as Ed Salinas is one of the originators of the C% adapter bracket, however, he did not have any parts in "stock" and didn't see himself producing any in the forseeable future.

he can be reached here
rgardner@upfronttechnologies.com
http://www.upfronttechnologies.com

i couldn't find a link to purchase JUST the brackets on his site, but you can email him for the info - i think it cost me like $26 or so to ship them here.




these prices may not be accurate - as i just pulled this data from the text document i have saved on my work computer - and i believe they came off of SUPERIOR CHEVROLET's website.

LD85 POSTED THIS

I know, it has been done many times before, just wanted to document the lower cost for parts.

Rock Auto C5 Rotors = $50 shipped ($20.99 each)
14x2 mm Bolts (Dominic) = $10.00
C5 Calipers, brackets & PAds = $190 shipped

Conversion brackets made by me = $0 See JeffVette for brackets you can buy

Since these are NOT Z06 Calipers, I have to paint them the color of my choice

LD85 POSTED THIS

I know, it has been done many times before, just wanted to document the lower cost for parts.

Rock Auto C5 Rotors = $50 shipped ($20.99 each)
14x2 mm Bolts (Dominic) = $10.00
C5 Calipers, brackets & PAds = $190 shipped

Conversion brackets made by me = $0 See JeffVette for brackets you can buy

Since these are NOT Z06 Calipers, I have to paint them the color of my choice



HAVING A SHOP MANUAL COMES IN HANDY HERE! as does having (4) 12 ton jack stands , a easy rolling mechanics seat,and a couple floor jacks to make working on the brakes much easier


you might want to try premium ceramic brace pads , they have in my experience lasted a bit longer and done less wear to the rotors than the metallic pads, and they don,t puke as much debris
https://www.corvettemods.com/C4-Corvette-1984-1996-Hyper-Ceramic-Brake-Pads-_p_14378.html

https://www.vbandp.com/c4-corvettes...-96-hawk-ceramic-front-brake-pads-detail.html

https://thmotorsports.com/i-1823350...MIhPSQ96PE2AIVBB1pCh0FKwkKEAYYAyABEgJGfPD_BwE
http://www.corvetteguys.com/c4-corvette-brakes.html

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=526&p=651#p651

http://www.corvetteguys.com/hawk-ceramic-c4-front.html

http://www.carid.com/1996-chevy-corvette-brakes/

http://blog.zip-corvette.com/corvette-t ... -corvette/

http://stevenemichael.com/57Corvettepage12.html

http://www.performancechoice.com/pc.html?frame=5.1121

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1996+che ... tml?cat=87

http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/BrakeK ... 22%20Rotor

http://www.performancechoice.com/pc.html?frame=5.7436

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette ... -1996.html

INSTRUCTIONS
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech-ar ... tallation/
INSTRUCTIONS
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tag/c4-corvette-brakes/

http://corvette.wikia.com/wiki/C4_Brakes_Tech_Paper

http://keenparts.com/pages/catalog2.php ... &year=1996





BTW its ALWAYS a good idea to completely replace old brake fluid and NEVER mix old and new brake fluid if it can be avoided simply because old brake fluid can contain moisture and might not be compatible with the new brake fluid

some of the newer synthetic brake fluids are far less prone to absorb moisture and boil at much higher temps that the OEM brake fluids
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/AFCO-6691 ... 65622.html

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Wilwood-2 ... ,1386.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILWOOD-DISC-BR ... r&x=38&y=6

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-about-the-intelligence-of-some-people.14815/

If you have some mechanical skills and $3400 you can buy and install a top of the line 13' wildwood brake system for your 1985-87 vette







if you don,t think brake pads and calipers and rotors are subjected to a good deal of heat energy slowing down a ton or more of car from speeds exceeding 140 mph youve never been to a sports car race like the 12 hours a sebring florida

any info on the difference between c5 brakes and the 96 collectors/GS brakes? i know the cars came with a brake upgrade similar in size to that in the zr1...

I tackled this over the weekend on my 84 corvette.

I found the 9mm plate was to thick, I spent several hours grinding the plate down until I had the correct thickness, and then I ordered new steel plate in the correct thickness.

in the end I found that 1/4 inch plate was nearly perfect.

End results...
Adapter plate is threaded, and then a locking nut for extra piece of mind.




Installed

Installed with C5 wheels

thank you for posting the info on the adapter plate install process, and pictures,
I'm sure the info and pictures you posted will help others.
obviously any more additional insight & pictures or additional details will also be welcome

http://www.tcpglobal.com/DUPBCP104.html?gclid=CL2I9M78xNACFQyffgod1A8Igg#.WDjk4eYrLcd

Were the disks the same diameter? Did you have to use the later wheels for the clearance?

I used later rotors and I had to have larger wheels to clearance the new brakes.

since this is an early C4 I also needed to use a 1 inch wheel spacer to get the wheels flush with the sides.

The front wheels are 17 inch, and the rear wheels are 18 inch.
The 18 inch wheels also raised the car slightly in the rear, the result was a stance I'm a bit more happy with, no more need to lower the front to correct the rake.
However now I'm thinking a total lowering of maybe 1/2 inch or so look pretty sharp.

There is also a new spring for the master cylinder available, it's suppose to apply more to the rear end.
cost was about $20 shipped.

Link: DRM Brake Bias Spring

So far there is a massive difference in my braking, also the C5 rotors are built with what looks like a little turbine in the middle, they are directional and when I give them a little spin there is a nice breeze coming out of the sides.

I also had to use the C5 brake lines (my calipers came with used but serviceable pads and used brake lines in good condition), my C4 lines were to short in a full turn, and the c5 lines are a little longer than I would like.
I found I needed to bend the banjo fitting slightly in so it would clear the mount in full turn, but if you bend it to far in you will rub the line against the tire in a full turn.

last time I stopped by a local hose and line shop to have my AC lines rebuilt, they had this nice display of custom stainless and Kevlar (I think) brake lines, I'm thinking they would be the ticket to get it perfect.

Little more feedback, the new front brakes are great.
It now stops a bit more like a modern car, however i can feel very little braking in the rear of the car even with the new brake bias spring installed where i did notice a difference with it installed.

This weekend I'll rebuild the oem rear calipers and install fresh brake lines, however i'm thinking i want to do the same conversion on the rear now.

Does anyone have the specs for the rear bracket?

The other option is a new spindle that will give me c5 parking brakes along with everything else, however the conversion spindle is about $800...

Correction: the rear conversion with parking brake is $700
Does not include calipers or rotor...
Link: http://www.streetshopinc.com/brakes/c4-c5-c6-emergency-brake-kit.html

THANKS FOR POSTING THAT LINK

heres a fairly in expensive modification to any car that has wheels that allow you to easily see the disc brake calipers,and rotor hats
that in my opinion , is well worth the time, cost and effort to help the cars appearance.
simply painting the brake calipers with a high heat tolerant and glossy , paint makes the car look much better than allowing the rusty or oxidized brake calipers to show though

http://www.iammoon.com/c5tech/caliper_painting.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Brake-Calipers

I used G2 paint for the calipers and it's holding up great so far.

It's been a while, but i have been rocking my C5 brakes with great success.

After rebuilding the rear 84 calipers, and replacing the brake hoses it helped a ton.

Fast forward to about a week ago, i decided it was finally time to replace the used pads that came with my c5 brake hardware.

I was impressed with the selection of brake pads for the C5 brakes.
So many affordable options!

For my rear 84 calipers, not so much.

So i started looking into what it would take to run the rear C5 calipers.

What i found was a someone that had an early C4 (with the drum parking brake like my car), and running the C5 calipers and rotors.

While he bought his car with the setup, he did confirm that he has the original 2 piece parking brake shoes.

So I'm now headed down this road.

I have a set of used rear C5 brake hardware on hand, and a set of rotors on order.

What i have not been able to find is the plans for the rear brake adapter bracket...

Any help with this would be very much appreciated.