[BlueBear1969]

Hi all,

I want to convert the front drum brakes to disc brakes on my 69 chevelle with either C5 or 98-02 Camaro parts in a cost effective way so I’ll be piecing parts together. I have 18” wheels so the 13” C5 parts would clear just fine and I’d prefer these so they fill out the wheel (and I am sure slightly better performance). This is a street car so I don’t really do much heavy braking. From some research here, the corvette and Camaro calipers have very similar dimensions just a different manufacturing process..if I’m wrong on this please let me know. So my question is there any reason not to use camaro calipers with 13” C5 rotors? Or is it worth spending the extra ~$100 on C5 stuff? As of now on rockauto Camaro calipers are about half the cost as C5 calipers. Thanks a lot.

 

[68Malibu]

You may want to use C6 calipers. They are more rigid than C5 and bolt in place of C5 calipers if you have correct adapters. I have C5 rotors with C6 calipers using the Kore 3 kit.

 

[j498]

I haven't done that conversation but I have a 4th gen (98-02) f-body and it stops pretty good with the stock brake setup and you can get some better pads that will make it stop even better. I think it's probably a matter of preference. If it's only $100 difference it might be worth doing the C5 conversation now.

However, even the with the 4th gen f-bodies the front calipers and rotors are fairly big, the minimum wheel size you can run is a 16". I'd assume that would get bumped up when going to the C5 rotors. This might be a problem down the road if you're looking to go back to stock size/stock looking wheels, or selling the car to someone who does.

 

[Pete 67]

I did the 98-02 Fbody swap F&R on my '67 pro touring car, along with a hydroboost. Unless you're seriously auto crossing the car, you won't need more stopping power than they provide.

With that said, I would go with the set up that is the most cost effective. I think the Vette calipers are more expensive due to cosmetics of their appearance being much "cooler" than the Camaro counterparts.

 

[shovelrick]

Are the F&R Caddy brakes worth looking into as another option?

 

[BlueBear1969]

Thanks for the replies. This car also has a 5.3/4L60e and a jeep steering box so Its far from original and no plans to go back. I’m planning on getting brackets from kore3 or bph depending on what I settle on. I may just go with ls1 brakes then since for me the larger 13” rotor is purely for looks. I know they’ll meet and exceed my needs. Just trying to get the best of both worlds I think..having the larger rotors with less expensive calipers.
I’m not familiar with caddy brakes on this kind of swap but it’s worth looking into thanks for the idea. Thanks everyone!

 

[Jasons 69 Chevelle]

I have the C5 uprights/spindles ,rotors and calipers c7 xtracker hubs. I also have a hydro boost system. Car stops amazingly.
I ordered the kore3 c5 rear brake adapters for when I need to replace the rears. I purchased the ones without the corvette name on them I think I paid like 80 each for the calipers a couple years ago. They where the AC Delco ones.

 

[shovelrick]

Well I think I'm going to look into an upgrade for the crappy 4 whl disc kit I put on my 68 8-10 yrs ago, D52 front & rear and after 3 or 4 MC's I'm finally using a 68 vette MC I can at least stop the car lol

 

[Monkey]

Check out the Baer kit. By the time you are all said and done, these price out well.

 

[Tom Mobley]

Baer stuff prices out well? yeah, if you've got an extra grand or two laying around.

 

[Hotwire]

As above, LS1 brake setup is plenty for our cars. If you go to a pull a part 98-02 F-body brakes are the same, V6 or LS.

I've got an 05 Tahoe hydroboost, 80's corvette master cylinder, 00 V6 F-body brake setup, and wilwood proportioning valve. I quickly found that they outperform my tire's grip, even with the junkyard rotors and pads..

Someone cut me off on the highway, only thing worse than cheese grating all 4 tires was the tent in the driver's seat.

 

[BlueBear1969]

While I’d love Baer or Wilwood brakes they’re well out of my budget. I could probably do the whole car for a less than half of just a front kit I think.

I am also wondering what size the large spindle bolt is? I’ve read there are two different sizes but I’m not sure what I have without removing wheels/drum. One more question..I have an 11” booster.. is there a common disc/drum MC size people use for this swap? I’ve read around a 1” bore is a good starting place. Hotwire,any recommendations? Thank you!

 

[Hotwire]

I'm running the 80s corvette master, 1 1/8" bore. It's a nice pedal for me.

Quick Google search turned up the bolt size, lots of vendors carry them. Google chevelle backing plate bolt.

Bolt has 5/8"-18 RH threads with a 1" overall length and 3/4" underhead length. Fits the following applications: 1964-72 A-Body - Chevelle, Malibu, GTO, LeMans, 442, Cutlass, GS, Skylark.

 

[BlueBear1969]

That’s good to know thanks. That’s Interesting..I ask because I noticed the kore3 website has two bolt size options for their drum spindle brackets…1/2”-20 and 5/8”-18. Looks like 5/8”-18 it is then.

 

[71350SS]

That’s good to know thanks. That’s Interesting..I ask because I noticed the kore3 website has two bolt size options for their drum spindle brackets…1/2”-20 and 5/8”-18. Looks like 5/8”-18 it is then.

You can use a 1/2" or 5/8" wrench on the bolts shank to accurately measure the size bolt that you have.It's much better than eyeballing it with a tape measure.Of course the best way is to use a caliper to make that measurement but in a pinch the wrench trick works.

 

[AZCamino]

I have examples of both C5 and LS1. LS1 front and rear on my 66 El Camino, and C5 on the front of another project. The caliper setups will interchange. The abutments have some differences, including the mounting holes are different diameters. Here is a comparison photo.