Suspension & Brakes - Affordable brake upgrade over stock

Just curious as to what everyone would recommend as an affordable upgrade over the stock brakes for my 98 TA......Something reasonably priced that stops better than stock and doesn't require tons of work to install. I want something that performs well, looks good and will last but is not thousands of dollars. Am I asking too much? :)

DUDE come on hit up the search button. there is a shit ton of posts on this. Look up C5 brakes.

Just curious as to what everyone would recommend as an affordable upgrade over the stock brakes for my 98 TA......Something reasonably priced that stops better than stock and doesn't require tons of work to install.

Better pads. That is all you need.

Have a couple extra bucks? Throw some Brembo OEMs and fresh fluid at it.

DUDE come on hit up the search button. there is a shit ton of posts on this. Look up C5 brakes.


I have looked at quite a few threads, and the brake review thread and I see a lot of mixed thoughts and opinions. :judge:

I have looked at quite a few threads, and the brake review thread and I see a lot of mixed thoughts and opinions. :judge:
I've had two different front brake set ups on the car (LT1 and LS1) and I've tried four different front brake pads including stock.

Last year using only stock LS1 brakes equipped with PBR Metal Master front pads and Brembo OEM (blank) rotors, I was able to turn the front rotors a light shade of blue on one particular course that had multiple heavy braking areas. I never noticed any appreciable fade over 8 runs.

This year I can induce excessive ABS engagment even with extremely grippy 315/35/17 Kumho V710s on heavy wheels using the same brakes equipped with the same rotors and Hawk HP+ front pads.

How much more brake could you possibly need on the street?


PBR Metal Master front pads - maybe $70
Hawk HP+ front pads - maybe $120
Brembo OEM rotors - maybe $140 for the pair

There is a sticky on this topic:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6954791&postcount=5

what size wheel do you need in order to run a C5 brake conversion?

what size wheel do you need in order to run a C5 brake conversion?

17"

There are a few that don't fit well (TTII's are one), but generally you'll need a 17" wheel.

You haven't mentioned any kind of racing so therefore I'm going to make this as a recommendation.

Hawk HPS pads all around (WS6 Store) $129.99
Earl's Stainless Lines (Tbyrne) $99.99
Ate Super Blue Fluid $10-14 depending on where you get it
New blank rotors if you need them (Autozone) roughly $80 for 4

Like I've said a couple times before, pedal feel was greatly improved and in my opinion so was stopping distance especially after the pads heat up alittle bit.

I did my C5 conversion for around $500. I went from LT1 11" rotors with single piston calipers to the big 13" rotors with dual piston calipers. Needless to say, my pedal feel is stiff and the car stops quicker than I've ever needed. But, I love them. They fill up the wheels better than Ls1 brakes. I also enjoy explaining why my car is a Camaro but the calipers say Corvette.

lg c5 bracket....
hawk pads....
c5 front rotors....
steel lines....
dot 5.1 fluid....

thanks for all the recommendations and suggestions......

I want to do some road racing and a little autocross with the car this summer so brake upgrades and some new shocks should be useful. I had a good link sent to me for the C5 upgrade that I will be looking into soon.