jsygrovehpi

Has anyone done the C5 brake upgrade on their 98 - 02 f body? I am thinking about doing it and was looking for some advice. I plan on buying the BMR relocation brackets ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/290767092298...84.m1423.l2649 ) and then installing these Ac Delco C5 calipers ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/280937991606...84.m1423.l2649 ). Can anyone tell me how difficult it is to cut the mounting ears off the factory spindle and if its just as easy as it sounds to put it together?

Also, I was wondering if anyone can tell me if the factory rear brake rotors and calipers on a 98-02 f body are the same as the rear ones on the C5 corvette? I am looking to buy these and need to know so I dont get stuck with something that doesnt fit. ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/390442844882...84.m1423.l2649 ).
Thanks!

ROCNDAV

iTrader: (100)

I did mine. I had some old 93-97 spindles laying around and cut those up (more cutting required on those). It's fairly soft metal, but I did use an air powered cut-off wheel.

Check out some of the sponsors, some of them have good deals.

You can actually stay with your Fbody calipers, but have to use Vette pads. They are offset a small amount and staying with Fbody pads will rub against the outside of the rotor. I think the rear rotors are the same, but have never compared the two.

I have a brand new set of Russell Steel braided brake lines if you need them.

cookba

iTrader: (10)

WHY would you spend the money for a C5 "upgrade" when you can go CTS-V????????????

bene

iTrader: (16)

Because it's just as effective and fairly straight forward.

z28bryan

iTrader: (7)

The C5's allow you to use most 17 inch wheels too. The CTS-V's might... I don't know.. do they? I was thinking you need 18's for them

Black_Z28

iTrader: (1)

Because C5s are much cheaper to service. Pads are cheaper and so are the rotors. Rotors can be had for like $25, brand new. Which is extremely important if you're tracking the car.

And the real difference between the two isn't huge. Most people think they need bigger rotors and more pistons, but a simple pad change is going to give you the biggest difference.

Sourcing parts for the CTS-V upgrade has become a little bit of a hassle as well. Buying a set of C5 calipers is as simple as going to ebay or a vette forum.

Yes, the CTS-V does add a little more bling, but at a little more cost; either in cash money or the fact that you need to run a 18" wheel. Unless you plan to do some modding to the caliper.

ROCNDAV

iTrader: (100)

jsygrovehpi, don't forget you also need the abutment brackets.
I don't think the calipers you listed come with them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200776934939...84.m1438.l2649

Remember, as I said before, you can use the Fbod calipers (still need the brackets that I just listed) but you do need to use Vette pads, even if you stick with Fbod calipers on vette brackets & adapters.

brigade24

I was looking at a C6 upgrade kit from Kore3...the C6 (JL9) caliper is a little beefier than the C5 but they do cost more...and the caliper pistons in the C6 are smaller than the C5 and LS1 caliper pistons so they require less fluid to "activate" but logic tells me smaller pistons=less piston surface area=less braking capacity?

I don't know...i'm an enthusiast, not an engineer. If nothing else, the option to install bigger C5/C6 rotors is welcome.

there is a thread on here that compares the C6 and C5 setups... apparently there is a user who ran both setups and he said the C6 will outlast the C5...This application was for trackday/racing.

food for thought.

bene

iTrader: (16)

I'm running the Kore3 C6 calipers and the brake calipers are beefier than the fbody and C5. I've ran them in the Nurburgring track without any problems.

SF 1HOTLS1

iTrader: (24)

Exactly how much more bite will a c5 brake upgrade give as appose to the stock f body caliper with upgraded rotors, hawk pads and steel braided brake lines?

Is it really that much of a difference?

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

check these out... http://www.kore3.com/products.php?cat=11

and I know UMI also has the C5 complete brake kit with brackets (which hopefully ill be getting soon) they are sponsors here in LS1 Tech

BTC

I'm also looking at upgrading my brakes and would like to make a decision soon. I guess I'm currently torn between the Kore3 C6/Z06 upgrade and the WS6 store C5 package. I'm not a racer, and just want to enjoy driving my car. I guess the C5 offers a little more flexibility when it comes to wheel choices, rotors, pads, and not to mention it's just cheaper. And then there is the CTS-V route. Does anyone offer a CTS-V package?

What options are available for rear upgrades? I don't really want to bother piecing stuff together, and would prefer to just buy a package.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Ctsv brakes I believe are a bit cheaper, but I have always liked the C5 or C6 brakes better imo. As you mentioned I think C5 brakes do let you be more flexible on wheel sizes and such you can do the samething on the back as in the front, just make sure you buy the whole packages together with what they need

BTC

I haven't actually seen any C5 packages for the rear. I think Kore3 might have a C6 package. I was kind of thinking about just doing an LS1 upgrade on the rear, but I don't know where people get the parts for that upgrade.

jsygrovehpi

Just wanted to say that I went with the BMR Relocation Brackets, the AC Delco Black C5 Calipers, and Hawk HPS pads on R1 Concepts Drilled and Slotted Rotors. They Look fantastic, haven't run them hard yet but seem to be holding their own.


Here is the assembly off the car:


Here is a a picture of the results:

lees02WS6

iTrader: (5)

Cutting through the metal is easy with an angle grinder and a cut off wheel. You cut off the lower ear.

jsygrovehpi

Looks great man. Its the same work that I had to do when I did mine. Of course your parts look a lot better than mine did (more rust).

formula218

iTrader: (2)

i wondered if the replacement calipers from AC delco said "corvette" on them, guess so!

lees02WS6

iTrader: (5)

Grind it off, and have them re-powdercoated, or paint them. Afterthoughts used to have caliper decals, they still might.

RickSS

iTrader: (2)

Kore3 offers a c6 rear package. Give them a call, they are really helpful. I ended up going with their c6/z06 front caliper kit.