johnnyevans

Just completed my C5 front brake install and have a few comments and pointers.

Brakes

Make sure that you bleed very good and have help, 90s up Bosch ABS will give problems by overcentering shuttle and give code 41s, which turns off the ABS. It will reset when you clear the code.

This will cause a fluid flow reduction to the front brakes and make brake bleeding near impossible.

Go ahead and bleed the entire system down and put new fluid all the way, while you're at it, replace the rear pads.

Ed Salinas adapters work fine, check the inner part of the caliper bracket to rotor clearance. It is a lot tighter vs the outside. It is no problem.

I tried the bracket on my 89 and 90 and it is the same clearance, so the chances of the 90 being a freak didn't pan out.

Make sure you use the 2 washers on the top adapter to spindle bolt. The bolt hits the rotor if you don't. You can grind the bolt down to clear, but why.

Wheels

I have read that you HAVE to use the A Molds for caliper clearance.

If you don't, you have to use a 1/2" spacer for clearance, bull.

If you use a 1/2" spacer, you will have about 3 threads holding the wheels on, not smart, on the 89, 90 and most likely all the others. I tried this with 6 different sets of wheels, all the same.

Wheels

AFS ZR1 style - much clearance
TPIS ZR1 style - much clearnce
90 Factory wheels - more than 5/16", plenty.
89 Factory wheels - more than 1/4", plenty.
Centerline Scorpion and Scorpion II - much clearance.
Did not try sawblades, didn't have any.

Don't worry about the clearance getting closer as the pads wear, the calipers will move away from the wheels as the pad thins. The caliper pulls the pads to the rotors on the outside and pushes on the inside, simple mechanics.

Hope this helps everyone thinking of doing this.

Oh yeah, most impressive improvement, going to do the rears soon.

[Modified by johnnyevans, 3:58 PM 12/14/2003]


[Modified by johnnyevans, 4:00 PM 12/14/2003]

edsalinas

Great info Johnny, really good stuff!!!!!

I tried both the a-molds (AFS) and stock '92 sawblades, and like you, found much clearence with the AFS'. The sawblades would only work with a 1/2 spacer, the ones I had were from MAD and there was enough thread to be comfortable with, should have noted a dimension, sorry......

:thumbs:

johnnyevans

Ed, thanks. Good info on the sawblades. I probably should have been a little more specific on the threads ... these measurements came from my cars and the studs aren't threaded all the way, if they are threaded all the way, the half inch spacer would be safe to use. Haven't done anything with the later models, the studs may be longer or threaded, but I wouldn't have done it with what I have.

The A molds do make the upgrade much more prettier tho'!!

BTW, Ed, brackets are nice.



[Modified by johnnyevans, 7:01 PM 12/14/2003]

edsalinas

:thumbs:

Yeah, the A-molds really allow those cooooool lookin' calipers to show thru. And the bigger rotors look good behind them as well.........

The spacers I used from MAD have a deep counter bore that the original studs come thru and then the lug nut (provided) sets in pretty deep. The lugs pressed into the spacers are almost as long as the originals, the finished lug nuts go way down onto the rim. I don't think there's a problem there, unless someone just doesn't want to use a spacer, which is understandable, the wheel will stick out abit.......

Glad it worked out for you.......

johnnyevans

A long shank on the lug nut will make a better grip on the wheel. I've just never been a fan of spacers or adapters. I'd rather cut the axle and narrow rather than space or adapt. I realize that hopefully they are temporary for anyone who uses them, because funds are tight or they like the wheels they have. I have had bad experiences with them and spacers.

Johnny "watchin my wheels pass me on the highway" Evans

johnnyevans

ttt

Cratzy

Who is Ed Salinas and where can I find him and his adapters?

Good information, thanks.

johnnyevans

Best way to contact him, also on ebay

Full Name: Eddie D. Salinas.
Email: asalinas2@***.net.

0ski_dwn_it

Will these C5 brakes work with 15" drag wheels. Weld Racing wheels to be specific. I KNOW I had to grind my rear calipers to make them fit, and they are still VERY close.

Ideas? :cheers:

johnnyevans

I have a set of the 15 X 8.5s that I can try, I don't think that they will fit the front tho'. I can try them and let you know.

Cratzy

ttt

94 M-6

I have a question sort of off topic, I just bought a set of Fikse wheels that came off a 99 vette, and I was assuming that they would be a bolt on. Will I have to change the wheel studs? The car is all stock except for the wheels going on.
What is an a-mould?

QuikZilver

You will not need to change the wheel studs to mount them to your Vette. Just unbolt your old wheels and bolt the new ones on.

As for A-Molds. This is the more technical term for the 5 star ZR-1/GS/CE wheels offered by GM for the Corvette. Camaro's had a similar design as well.
:cheers:

94 M-6

I gotcya, thanks for the info :cheers:

Curveit

johnnyevans....That's some good info, and I'm sure much appreciated here on the forum.Good work!! Thanks


:chevy

johnnyevans

ski_dwn_it
Just checked the weld drag lites, 15 X 8.5 will not fit, they do not clear the calipers at the hub, you'd need at least a 3/4" thick spacer to run them. You can't even start the bolts without destroying the wheel or damaging the studs.
Sorry, hope this helped.
Johnny

BTW the caliper wouldn't clear on the back if you used these calipers and rotors, I'm not sure about the Z06 rears, I haven't decided which I'm going to put on yet.


[Modified by johnnyevans, 7:59 PM 12/19/2003]

johnnyevans

ttt

IBEAM700

Thats what i needed to know, Thanx :hurray:

Bruce

What are the final cost for C4 to C5 Brake conversion. $700? or $1000?


Bruce
383LT1 Supercharged

VetteNoob

Far less if you shop around. The adapters from Eddie are less than $100 and if you're patient, you can buy the C5 brake hardware for $200-$400. This is all assuming you already have the correct wheels or adequate wheel clearance as previously noted.