johnnymo63

I finally finished the C5 brake upgrade on my 94 coupe.

I have taken pictures from start to finish to show the differences between the stock 12" set-up and the 13" Z-06 pieces.

This is the stock 12" fronts before anything was touched. (LS)


Same, from above.


Now, the RS.


RS from above.


I did the rears, also, so they match. Rear, before.

johnnymo63

Here are all of the new goodies for the swap.


Front: old vs new.

johnnymo63

Rear: old vs new.


After cleaning the calipers and abutment brackets, I sprayed them with ceramic caliper paint (Dupli-color).


I used Hawk HPS pads frt. & rear.

Slotted rotors, zinc plated. C5 frt., C4 rears from forum sponsor (Brake Designs, Inc., BDI).

Earl's braided stainless lines.

Z-06 frt. calipers from an auction site.

Abutment brackets from Lonestar Caliper & Superior Chevrolet.

Anti-rattle clips (needed for non-factory pads) also form Superior Chevrolet.

Adapter brackets from Pacific Northwest ZR-1. (Jeff)

Speed bleeders.

And finally, Valvoline synthetic DOT-4 brake fluid.

Here is a finished rear brake.

johnnymo63

If you aren't using stock (OEM) pads, you need to use anti-rattle clips.


Installed in the caliper and bracket.


One of the original brackets I bought turned out to be warped. None in stock, so I ordered another one from another source.


Two weeks later, I finally finished my brakes.

Here are the finished fronts.

johnnymo63

Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention I had to switch from sawblades to A-molds for clearance issues.




I hope this thread helps anyone wanting to do the same thing.

I will try to post all of the part numbers if I can track them down.

corvette_bob

Those brakes look really good! As a suggestion, you might want to get a brake bias spring from Doug Rippie Motorsports or some other forum vendor. It makes a BIG difference and keeps the car level and more contollable during a hard stop. Either way though, you have a good loking setup.

Lars87

looks good! The difference in rotor thickness is really gonna make a difference.

LD85

Awesome job, we have to hook up soon, maybe the Suds this weekend!

Kubs

What would you say the overall cost of the swap was? Did you make your own brackets for the different caliper mounts or buy a kit?

What does the bias spring do??? Does it go in the master cylinder?

I am looking to do this swap someday but I am on a limited budget.

Bluewasp

Very nice!

jsup

Nice work. Suspension is on my list next year, if the drive train holds up....looks great, and should really help performance.

Where did you get all the parts?

johnnymo63

Sounds good. I'll be there Saturday if the weather is decent around 7:00.
I have been piecing this set-up together for a few months. I think it cost me between $800-$900 for everything. That includes shipping, too.

I got the adapter brackets from a former forum member (Jeff) at Pacific Northwest ZR-1. Excellent quality. They came nickle-plated with all of the bolts for $125.
In post #3, I have some of the sources listed. Here are some that weren't.
Calipers- Eb@y (the partslady)

Guide pins and brake fluid- Advance Auto Parts

Earl's braided lines- Summit Racing

Hawk pads- same place I got the rotors from- Brake Designs, Inc., (BDI)


This upgrade is really worth your time and money. I've never had a car stop so strong before.
It's smooth as glass, too. No shimmies, vibrations or strange sounds either.

I may need to glue my carpets down to keep them in place.

corvette_bob

Yes, the bias spring goes inside the master cyl. The cost is around 15-20 bux. I think you can get them from mid-america or ecklers as well.
What it does is even out the pressure between front/rear systems and reduces the nose-dive effect under hard braking.

Kubs

Are there specific ones for a C4 to C5 conversion or just one spring works for all?

corvette_bob

Yes, there are different items for c4 or c5.

http://www.dougrippie.com/

on the left, find "BRAKES" under the components heading. click on that and you'll find it.

Kubs

Thanks. I assume this will improve event the stock Z51 brake setup??

bczee

Can you give a few more details on the parts.. which are OEM Part numbers and years as a donner part,

Which parts are after market with parts numbers.

- Abutment brackets from Lonestar Caliper & Superior Chevrolet. ?
- Adapter brackets from Pacific Northwest ZR-1. (Jeff) ?

johnnymo63

Okay, here's a run-down on part numbers and sources.

Donor parts come from C5 Corvettes (97-04).

If you want to use all AC/Delco parts, you can get all of the parts at Superior Chevrolet except for the adapter brackets.
GM part numbers available here.
https://www.superchevyperformance.co...les.asp?ID=124

For the adapter brackets, (they attach the caliper bracket to the spindle), talk to Jeff at Pacific Northwest ZR-1.
http://www.pnwzr1.com/brake_install.htm

You can get rotors and the Hawk pads from most major suppliers. I got mine from a forum supporting vendor, BDI.
Brake Designs, Inc.
Web: http://brakedesigns.com/

I chose braided flexible lines made by Earl's. I got them at Summit Racing. (They have speed bleeders, too.)
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...alse&N=700+115

I used Valvoline DOT-4 synthetic brake fluid. And if you want to paint your rear calipers to match the front, both of these items were purchased at Advance Auto.

I think that covers most everything. Any questions? I'll try to help.

AGENT 86

Ya done good !!

janarvae

Are those brake lines for your year or for the year of the calipers? Reason being I have a set of SS Earls also for my '91 unopened and don't want to use them if I'll have to buy another set with this upgrade in the future.

I would ASSume that they are for the year of your car as you bought a set of 4 and did not modify the rear calipers/rotors along with the fronts.

Thanks,

Jonathan