Is there a reason that more 3rd genners don't...
ditch the factory brakes and go with calipers
from Wilwood, Brembo, etc?
Cost?
Alligience to the General?
Fitment?
My assumption is that the 'caliper mounts' are too
close to the wheel to be 'a generic mount',
but I don't know that for a fact.
Please enlighten me.
contactpatch

 

Cost and availability for me. I like the idea that I can go to any parts counter and ask for parts from an 89 1LE with no hassle.

 

there are two problems that slow the majority of people from making their own generic brake upgrades.

one is, the spindle has to be modded. you have to cut it and in some cases, tap a hole.

the other is, our rotors are also our hubs.. they're one piece. you have to machine down a rotor to make it a hub.

but, if you're willing to do that, you can easily do almost anything.
theres C4, C4HD, C5, LS1, Brembo, Wilwood and other brake upgrades everywhere... tons of pics and info on this board.

 

Its the problem of either having the car torn down for months waiting for the proper parts to be shipped or made after fitment, or its having the extra cash to buy spare parts and assemble an entire second system.

 

Dude, The first step is so easy. takes about 30mins per spindle to cutoff the excess brackets, and then drill & tap the new holes.

The second step is not necessary if he is leaving the factory rotors. Heck if he already has a 1LE setup, then he doesn't even need to do the spindle mod- its already done on the 1LE package brakes from the factory.
Here's a shot of mine finished-http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/show_image.pl?fg=000000&bg=FFFFFF&migration=1&image=http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/2/web/518000-518999/518752_53_full.jpg

 

Since I STILL cant edit my posts, I guess I will have to continue usuing up extra space typing things correctly because I can't always figure out this computer crap. I am trying to simply install a spoace above for the link to work.


http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...52_53_full.jpg

 

im aware of that.

it doesnt make it seem any less intimidating to a newbie though.

im sure you're aware that theres alot of people out there that go, "what?! home made brakes?! brakes shouldnt be modified unless its a kit bought from a known maker.."
they look at it as somthing that shouldnt be touched from stock.. mostly out of either fear of failure, or that they simply dont understand how brakes work.


in anycase, yea, if you want 12" rotors, you could use the 1LE rotors, and they bolt on.. you just have to mod the spindle.

 

I think you nailed it right there. Quite a few people have made those similar comments about my C5 brakes. THey all kind of look at it and then give me one of those "you crazy fool" looks. They just don't understand that the "big companines" do the same damn things to make up their commercial kits. And for many, they just don't have a clue when it comes to using tools or fixing/designing/fabricating things. You know, the kind of people that have to call a handyman to change a light bulb!!! And the C5 brakes are not even hard or time consuming to change too...

 

Interesting question. I think that there are several reasons that folks go with GM stuff. One would be cost, it is probably cheaper then the race stuff. Another is availability, it may be purchased at any auto supply store.

I think one of the biggest reasons is that the parts are 'around' for someone to look at, measure, fit up, and generally use.

To engineer out a braking system requires access to parts that can possibly be used. If a buddy has a newer LS1 Camaro it is an easy matter to measure the stuff right there and then. I have actually done this with other parts.

A big item with brakes is what rotor/caliper combination fits what wheels. Nothing worse then putting together a killer brake system and not being able to bolt up the wheels

As it is now I am in the midst of building a C4 brake system for the front of my Camaro. In this regard there have already been others theat have done this. So a lot of footwork has already been done. Just the fact that knowing the C4 Corvette rotors are a one piece w/o hub design is a help. Then the bracket layout, offset, part numbers and such also help.

There has been a lot of different wheels tested for fit with the C4 setup. For me this is an ideal setup as much is known about the swap. The odds that I'll get it half done and run into major problems is almost non-existent.

RBob.

 

Bingo. However I am finding that no one in town stocks 13" C4 vette rotors. They do stock 1LE.

 

Does annyone have basic positional info, about the
caliper mounts, for the gen3....axial offset, radial offset,
distance between, (of the two mounting ears) v the hub.
I know there are bracket drawings, but, I would like to
check the numbers, for myself

Also, does anyone know the scrub radius of stock alignment.?

Also, I am trying to compile brake info, caliper piston diameter,
MC piston diameters, installed bias spring force, etc,
(for C4 and Gen3) but I'm not getting much input.