Nova C5 brakes help
Nova C5 brakes help Hello everyone, I have a 1970 nova with C5 brakes all around. Stock C5 mc, booster, porpotioning valve. I need to install brake hard lines next. What size of brake line should I use For the front? And rear? Also has anyone use copper nickel tubing? Any good? Should I just stick to stainless? Thanks everyone!
C5 brakes On all my street rods I used 3/16" hard lines but some used a slightly larger size for the back. On the last two projects I used the new copper nickel lines and I won't use anything else. It bends easy, double flaring is a dream and it will not rust. If you want bling it can be polished. Stainless is hard to work with, cost more and is covered up on a Nova so why bother.
Lots of experience with the Cunifer tubing (copper/nickel) as Volvo pioneered the use of it as corrosion resistant brake lines back in the 70's. Most recently, had a bend in the first portion of my high pressure power steering line done in it. Easy to work with, tough as nails, good stuff. And it polishes up quite nicely too.
If you don't have one I purchased an Eastwood flaring tool. It was a bit expensive but it makes near perfect flares. Does double and single flares along with metric bubble flares.
Depending on how you do it the standard C5 brake hoses will use a bubble flare where it meets the hard line.
If you need it a 37 degree kit can be added for -6 hard lines.
I've used C5 brakes on a number of swaps and have had nothing but good luck.
You might want to consider an adjustable proportioning valve to give you some adjustment for the rear discs.
Depending on how you do it the standard C5 brake hoses will use a bubble flare where it meets the hard line.
If you need it a 37 degree kit can be added for -6 hard lines.
I've used C5 brakes on a number of swaps and have had nothing but good luck.
You might want to consider an adjustable proportioning valve to give you some adjustment for the rear discs.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Orange, Texas
Another thumbs up for the Eastwood flaring tool here, it works very well.
I used all 3/16 Nicopp line for my 55 and it works very well. I think I got it off of Amazon if I remember right.
You can also get the protector shield that looks like a spring to go over it
I used all 3/16 Nicopp line for my 55 and it works very well. I think I got it off of Amazon if I remember right.
You can also get the protector shield that looks like a spring to go over it
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Verdad Gallardo I think JIMB is spot on with this counsel. The factory Vette prop valve is designed to manage rear pressures/brake force with the Corvette chassis/weight distribution/Corvette front-rear wheel/tire size, etc. Doubt your Nova has anything in common with that at all. The only way to get bias close to correct is with an adjustable and some "testing".
Just like most of the other's have posted, I used the NiCopp lines in 3/16 and loved working with them. I have a similar setup, with C5 front and LS1 rear brakes. I made and bent all of my lines with one roll of 25' line from Right Stuff on ebay. It's cheap and flares very easily.
