I know, I know...

I have, I've read until I was crosseyed, then read some more after they straightened out. I've read all about the C4, C5, and LS1 swaps, but I'm still fuzzy about just what the differences are in terms of stopping power, cost, ease of install, and brake bias issues.

I've got the stock 4 wheel disk brakes on my 85. They're garbage. They don't even work as well as they aught to, but rather than pour money into them, I'd rather upgrade.

I was thinking that the C5 brake upgrade would be nice, but since I also need to do a rear brake upgrade, I want everything to go well together.

So... if I do a C5 upgrade in front, and an LS1 rear setup, is there a prop. valve that's suitable or am I looking at an adjustable unit as my only option?

What other rear brake options do I have?

On to the front... what's the difference between the LS1 and C5 brake upgrade? Rotor size? Calipers?

Where do the C4 brakes come into the equation? How do they measure up to the C5 or LS1 systems?

It would be nice if my upgrade fit behind the stock IROC wheels, but since there's a good chance I may upgrade my wheels before I do the swap, it may not be necessary... though going back to the stockers on occasion might be nice.

So... can somebody help me figure out the differences in brake options, or at least point me to threads that do that?

Thanks. :cheers:

 

I am just now undergoing a full c5/z06 brake swap. At first I didn't think it would be that bad to do the rear, and it still isn't, but for me there is quite a bit to get working. For 1, the LS1 rear brakes have that e-brake drum INSIDE of the rotor. In order for me to put c5 brakes on I will have to use LS1 rotors, backing plates and e-brake. Not a problem so far. In order to get the axle on my LT1 rear to fit inside of the parking brake drum I have to have it milled down a little. Don't want to, but still not too bad. Then I have researched and it said that I have to start cutting away at the anti-rattle plate for the pads and calipers from a c5 to fit the LS1 rotor.

I started thinking it wouldn't be very hard. The calipers, LS1 and C5 are practically the same with the exception of the C5s being a tad bit stronger. I starting piecing everything together and between brackets, hubs, spindles, calipers, hardware, pads, abutments, parking brakes and hardware i am fastly approaching 1200. Supposedly the LS1 rears are identical to the c5 calipers so no need to pay more for a "corvette" part. I still need to buy rotors so a FULL C5/Z06 conversion is going to run me about 1400.

 

Ouch. My plan is to do this on a budget. I'm going to the Spring Carlisle swap meet with a plan, which is why I'm doing this homework now. There should be an abundance of used parts at that show for me to choose from, but I want to be well aware of the pros/cons and what will work with what so that I don't come back with a pile of crap that's going to cost me more money.

My goal is to come home with used front & rear pads, calipers and rotors, so that all I'll have to buy new is brake lines, e-brake cables, caliper adapter plates, and small do-dads.

 

Im glad Im not the only one pondering these questions. it would be great if someone came up with a table that lists the different options, and labled them as something like stock, good, better, best, then added in a column of rims that will fit, rims that wont, and maybe a parts list.

I would even be willing to help make the chart if someone had all the info.

 

I believe there's a sticky that says what fits behind what wheels, but I haven't found a good, concise comparison of the various available upgrades.

 

I swapped in the 1LE fronts on my 85 IROC (this was before the more recent crazes), and the PBR rears.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...iscs-89-a.html

Stopping power over the stockers? You betcha.

JamesC

 

Well here is what I have been told.
ls1 brakes will fit under the stock 16 inch wheels (and this I am hopeing is true)
the c5 needs 17 inch wheels, so before you go camaro$$ vs corvett $$ think wheel size.

Also I too would like to know more about the rear set up guidelines I am soon doing the ls1 front and am thinking I have to stay with my 9 bolt rear

 

here go read all 678 pages and about 15 chapters, or just do a search under this post. it will tell you more than you ever wanted to know

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...1o-brakes.html

 

I'm using 1LE fronts with LS1 rears off a 1LE prop valve.

 

PonyKiller87, I sent you a PM with brake info,
maybe someone can put this stuff in one place.

 

how do you like that setup so far? i'm gettin LS1 rear end put in sometime this spring or summer, and thinkin of gettin LS1 fronts as well. i was thinking the 1LE might work.. else i might need an adjustable one

 

Works great. I'm using Hawk HPS pads right now. Going to switch to HP+ pads to see how they stop. Right now it will stop in a hurry.

 

Ok I did some searching around and started a chart with a bunch of the info. Let me know what you guys think and if you have anything to add just send me a PM or something and I will update it. And if anyone has an idea for a better way to Post this table that would be good too. Thanks

 

The 1LE fronts are dual piston, PBR rears single.

JamesC

 

C4HD's have dual piston calipers.

 

C5 and C5 Z06 are the same caliper just different colors.

 

PonyKiller,

can you possibly post the stuff in some other format?
preferably text,
mu excel reader doesn't like it as is

tia

 

I'll also be using a C5 front/LS1 rear setup. My rears are already done since I'm using a rear end from a 99 TA. I'll be buying the C5 front kit soon (total cost 650) and also want to know about a suitable proportioning valve. I saw another post that showed that this setup has too much rear brake bias.

 

I have the chart in MS Excel, but the board wouldnt let me attach an excel file so I had to paste into word to beable to post it. If there is a better way, let me know because the way I did it was a PITA.

As far as the proportioning valve, I was thinking about making another area under the wheel options for proportioning valves. Not sure what the best way to do that would be, being that every combo could be a little different.

 

can this be posted on this board somehow?

or perhaps someone could post it on a website

 

Hello,

Is there a difference between brackets when using a LS1 rotor as opposed to a C5 rotor, which in my understanding is larger? 12 vs 12.75"?

Thanks,

Kyle