I have recieved a message that these are the part numbers for 13" vette rotors. since they are left and right specific, they MAY be the curved vane heavy duty rotors and very desireable.
Speed Tech is producing swap kits and brackets made of annodized billet aluminum, very nice! http://www.speedtech-performance.com/C5%20brakes.php
Exel spreadsheet parts list.xls click to download
Clarisworks Macintosh spreadsheet parts list click to download - Mac version of above
The following instructions assume you are starting with the original equipment first generation drum brake hub, spindle, steering arm, and bearings. The required C4 Corvette components are outlined on the included table and should be on hand when trying to attempt the installation. (Some trial and error fitting of components is required.) PLEASE NOTE: Although the installation is a bolt on, some grinding and crafty engineering is required.
Corvettes between 1992 and 1996 had two brake options available, the 12" JL9 Standard, and the 13" J55 Big Brake option. On deciding which option to go with, a few things should be considered. One item is that going with the 13" rotor will not allow you to use 15" wheels or any aftermarket rally wheels due to caliper interference with the inside of the rim and/or wheel center. Another item is that the caliper will now stick out past the hub face and may require new wheels or modifications to your current ones for clearance. (Torque Thrust II's will clear without a problem, but Torque Thrust D's will not.) Now, decide what diameter rotor you would like to have, and order the corresponding calipers, brackets, rotors, and pads.
First off, you need to chuck the gutted and cleaned hub in a lathe and take a little off the OD (outside of the studs) until it slips into the C4 rotor, seating flat on the face of the hub. Then, you need to install slightly longer wheel studs (which you should do anyway for safety) and re-install the grease packed OEM bearings. The spindles then need to be modified by grinding about 3/16" off the top bolt boss, making the top and bottom bosses even. (Alternatively, a disk spindle can be used, by adding a 15/32" thick shim to the top boss.)
The custom adapter plate that I created for this swap will work for both the 12" and 13" conversion, but only if matching calipers and brackets are used. (ie. the 12" JL9 caliper and bracket with the 12" rotor, or the 13" J55 caliper and bracket with the 13" rotor.) I do not have the exact dimensions on the adapter plate, therefore I recommend measuring the distance between centerlines of your spindle bolt holes and enlarging/reducing the photograph until it matches. Then, take the paper template and glue it to some cardboard to make a mock-up part that can be tweaked until the caliper fits properly. At this point, mock-up the parts and check for concentricity of the brake pad to rotor and make sure the pad does not overhang the edge of the rotor. Finally, cut the custom adapter plate from 1/4" thick steel plate based on the mock-up part that you created. Metal finish and test fit the adapter plate, making sure it fits the same as the mock-up part.
Now you can bolt the adapter plate and steering arm to the spindle using the OEM steering arm bolts and the threaded portion of the shoe pivot stud (after grinding off the upper stud portion making it resemble a regular bolt). The modified drum brake hub can then be re-installed on the spindle in the factory manner. Next, install the rotor onto the hub with two or three finger-tight lug nuts. Now, attach the cast iron C4 caliper bracket to your new adapter plate loosely with the M14x2.0 bolts and measure the shim thickness required to center the bracket on the rotor. Add the required amount of shims (M14 flat washers) between the custom adapter plate and the factory caliper bracket and tighten it down. Slip the caliper into one end of the bracket and slide it down onto the rotor. Install the retainer pin and e-clip, then step back and admire your work.
The C4 calipers require a 10mm x1.0 banjo bolt and a custom brake hose, which you can make with braided line and AN fittings, or have someone else make for you. I am not sure whether these calipers require a quick take-up master cylinder or not, but I plan on using a 94-97 F-car master cylinder and power booster. (The C4 Calipers have the same bore sizes as the late model OEM F-car parts and by installing 94-97 F-car rear discs brakes, should make a proportioning valve unnecessary.) I do plan to install a Summit adjustable proportioning valve on the rear brakes, though, purely for tuning purposes.
New AC-Delco components can be purchased for around $550 for the 12" package, and $625 for the 13" package (the 13" rotors are uni-directional and thus more costly), excluding the brake hoses and miscellaneous hardware. This cost, however, can be reduced significantly by purchasing re-manufactured calipers, lower grade brake pads, and non AC-Delco rotors.
Note the thinner than stock rotor. The LS1 brakes are better.
First gen drum brake hub and spindle
I don't believe he is still selling these brackets, but this info is what is needed
My brackets are finished, ready to ship. Before i finish shipping all of them, i'm going to have the web site that shows every part, the GM part number, and instructions on making the swap work. My brackets will only work with the C5/LS1/Zo6 calipers. These calipers must then be mated with a 98+ LS1 Fbody caliper basket. C5 and Zo6 versions will not work (baskets only, calipers are fine.) You will also need a 98+ Fbody front brake hose, as these magically fit the stock hard line on first gens. In addition to those parts, you will need a new set of bearings/races for the stock 1st gen spindle, a set of longer wheel studs, an inner hub seal, bearing grease, a machine shop (to level the upper anchor point on a drum spindle with the lower steering arm hole, and a lathe to take out the OD of the hub.), a 98+ LS1 Fbody 12" disc brake rotor. Combine them all together, and you have a killer brake setup going. My brackets will not work with C4 PBR calipers at all. I'm working on a new bracket that will allow the use of a C5 rotor (13") and calipers, but you still need the 98+ Fbody caliper baskets. When using the C5 rotor, and a drum spindle, you will not need to machine the upper mount, but you will need to turn the hub OD. these are not ready yet, but will be soon. So in review:
drum spindle/hub from 1st gen
97+ C5 caliper, or Zo6 caliper, or 98+ Fbody caliper (all the same)
98+ Fbody caliper basket
98+ Fbody rotor (12" only.)
98+ Fbody front brake line
new bearings and lug studs
My brake bracket (CNC laser cut)
So, there we have it. I'll have PN and pics soon, i'm working on my web site, t56kit.com and it will have all my products, and pics and install on it.
Tyler
* NOTE: here is a correction I was sent about the brake hoses.
"Just figured you might want to change the following statement in Tyler's write up about putting vette
brakes on a 1st gen.
"You will also need a 98+ Fbody front brake hose, as these magically fit the stock hard line on first gens."
98+ F-body brake hoses do not 'magically fit' the stock hard line. They are metric 'bubble' flare
(ISO/DIN bubble w/10x1.0mm) lines just like every other GM car of the decade. You need to either swap the
hard-line's flare nuts to match (and put a bubble flare on them), or buy adapter fittings. Edelman makes one,
part number 271300... I got a pair at OReilly's auto, and surely other places carry them.
I just found this out b/c I read this info on the write-up page and went out and bought 98 F-body lines.
-James"
CURRENT KNOWN VENDOR FOR CALIPER BRACKETS
Rich Hoag is selling caliper brackets for the 98-02 ls1 Camaro firebirds they fit 67-69 Camaro, 64-72 Chevelle, 68-74 Nova. Price is $60 plus shipping. contact him at:
rwhoag.camaro1@verizon.net
ai