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baer gt+ vs c5 brake upgrade?

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Old 06-09-2005, 01:21 PM
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Default baer gt+ vs c5 brake upgrade?

Are the baer pbr two piston calipers better than our stock camaro calipers? I have heard mixed opinions that they are the same as the stock calipers? I have also heard that they are better since they hold a larger pad? I am just trying to decide which big brake kit to go with for the ft. the tbyrne sale has a great price for the baer gt+ ft brakes.
Old 06-09-2005, 01:28 PM
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title of post is baer vs c5. these are pretty comparable with baer being a little better, but you also pay more than a c5 conversion kit. if you aren't road racing, you won't notice a difference though. the baer rotor is slightly bigger diameter and weighs a little less than a normal c5 rotor (i use autozone c5 rotors at $25 each).
but in your post you ask if the pbr is the same as camaro caliper. it is not. its slightly stiffer but you won't notice it unless you are road racing/open tracking.
Old 06-09-2005, 01:33 PM
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thanks for the fast reply I thought the camaro caliper and corvette caliper is practicaly the same? My car is an 00 ss camaro so my option is using the stock calipers and going with the c5 rotors and brackets or getting the baer gt+ with two piece rotors. the price difference with the sale is nothing so I think I will get the baer gt+ since it is slightly better right? What do you think about the willwood superlight 6 big brake kit is it much better than the baer gt+? I will not be doing any road racing just very fast back road street driving and maybe a trip here and there to the autocross track? The willwood kit is 200 dollars more than the baer kit is it worth it? thanks again.

Last edited by 52172; 06-09-2005 at 01:39 PM.
Old 06-09-2005, 02:21 PM
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even very fast street driving will not tax your stock system. hot lapping is what stresses brakes out and over heats them (boils the fluid) or causes the calipers to spread (pad taper). the c5 caliper is slightly stiffer than the f-body caliper. the wilwood kit is nice. you won't see a difference in performance between c5 upgrade (c5 piston and rotor) or baer or wilwood since you won't be tracking it. so get whichever you like (based on price, status, bling, whatever). you can't go wrong.
Old 06-09-2005, 03:28 PM
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thanks, but I have taxed the stock brakes many times on the street where I live the roads that I drive are over 30 miles long with nice straights (140 mph) then nice banked turns and some very tight hair pins and real smooth pavement. My stock ft brakes with hawk hps pads heat way up and start to show some signs of fade. they have gotten so hot they glow at night just from driving this road. I am also running the synthetic brake fluid I guess it has a much higher boiling point. thanks for the great advice I think I will be getting the baer gt+ kit since the sale price is the same as the c5 brake upgrade kit. I was thinking about getting slotted and cross drilled rotors for looks, unless there are major drawbacks to the slotting and crossdrilling? Do they prematurely wear out the pads? I have heard of the rotors cracking when crossdrilled? I know the baer rotors are two piece and 1.25 inches thick so cracking I don't think is a problem with those?
Old 06-09-2005, 04:06 PM
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Okay, I'm a bit confused here...

I was told that the Baer PBR 2 piston caliper is a C4 caliper, nothing more than that...

When I was advised of this, the person said that the C5 caliper is lighter and more rigid than the C4 caliper, so getting the C5 calipers was a no-brainer...
Old 06-09-2005, 04:14 PM
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I would hope the baer pbr caliper is lighter and more rigid than the c5 caliper since they make a kit for the c5? Is this correct? the c4 caliper should be the heaviest and least rigid of the three right?
Old 06-09-2005, 04:57 PM
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Screw it all, go with the wilwood, that is what I would do. Very good reputation.
Old 06-09-2005, 05:37 PM
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Nothing wrong with Baers rep that is for sure! Why spend another 2-4 hundred dollars if not needed. The willwood calipers are six piston where's the baer are only two other than that they have the same stopping power supposedly.
Old 06-09-2005, 05:51 PM
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You can get the GT kit for the price of the Z06 kit or for the price of a C5 caliper bracket and 13 inch rotors?
Old 06-09-2005, 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by tump
You can get the GT kit for the price of the Z06 kit or for the price of a C5 caliper bracket and 13 inch rotors?
Yes the tbyrne sale you can get the baer gt plus kit for the camaro for the same price even 100 dollars less than lg's price!! The only thing is the sale ends tomorrow. I am making a purchase tonight or tomorrow.
Old 06-10-2005, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by 52172
Nothing wrong with Baers rep that is for sure! Why spend another 2-4 hundred dollars if not needed. The willwood calipers are six piston where's the baer are only two other than that they have the same stopping power supposedly.


Both are reputable, but I find that latter statement hard to believe. 6 piston, if properly installed and designed, should more than out break 2 piston, especially since it has 3 pistons on each side which means more clamping force (generally) and much more even pad wear.
Old 06-10-2005, 03:05 PM
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Id go for the C5 kit, just because parts for that kit are readily available.
Old 06-10-2005, 04:29 PM
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just ordered the baer gt+ and paid less than a c5 kit from lg! larger rotors and better calipers and they are painted to match the suspension components cant beat that! plust the rotors are two piece and lighter and stronger than c5 rotors.
Old 10-23-2005, 11:41 AM
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Just received the gt plus kit and it is very nice looking however the kit does not clear my 17" forgeline wheels but just about 1/8th of an inch!! I need to get a slightly smaller rotor. I will be calling baer tomorrow to see what I can do about it? I am wondering if I can run there 13" rotor instead of the 13.125 rotor? Then I will probibly need new brackets? I thought they would clear the 17" wheels, guess I was wrong I know they clear the factory 17" wheels.
Old 10-23-2005, 03:32 PM
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C4 caliper = Baer / PBR 2 pot

C5 caliper = Baer / PBR 2 pot, second design.

Weather you get the parts from GM or Baer or A1 Cardone........ they are the same.
Old 11-10-2005, 06:28 PM
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got the baers and love them!! Very nice looking kit and excellent performance. Much sharper initial bite vs the stock brakes. Had to grind on the cooling fins on the back side of the calipers in order to fit them inside my forgeline wheels!
Old 11-11-2005, 07:04 AM
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Originally Posted by 52172
Had to grind on the cooling fins on the back side of the calipers in order to fit them inside my forgeline wheels!
Those ribs also help strengthen the caliper......
Old 11-11-2005, 08:06 AM
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grinding = bad
Old 11-11-2005, 08:57 AM
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baer said it would be ok to do so I did it. I know I was a little apprehensive to do it also, but they said they will still be plenty strong. I just removed the cooling fins from the back so they are smooth.

Last edited by 52172; 11-11-2005 at 09:11 AM.


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