HOW TO:: Corvette front brake upgrade for 99-05 N Body cars!!

[Redog]

ALL THIS INFORMATION IF FROM GRANDAMGT.COM AND WAS DONE ON A FEW GRAND AMS

GM part prices updated on November 20, 2008

1) Order these parts:
- 98-02 fbody caliper brackets (front) (P/N: 18026163) $69.68/each
- 97-04 Corvette calipers
---grey calipers: (P/N: 12530682)(P/N: 12530683)$116.22/each
---red (zo6) calipers: (P/N: 88895128)(P/N: 88895129) $112.49/each
- 98-02 fbody brake pads (front)
- 00-05 Impala rotors (front)
- 97-02 corvette anti-rattle clip
* all part numbers are GM numbers.
** the calipers are available at auto part stores for less, but are not GM original parts.



2) Start off by removing the wheel. Make sure you remember to use a jack stand not just a jack.



3) Next you remove the top caliper bolt. You use a 13mm crescent wrench for the bolt, and a 16mm crescent for the guide pin. You then flp the caliper back to remove the brake pads.



4) You then remove the brake line bolt from the back of the caliper. It uses a 13mm bolt as well. You might need to put the top bolt back into the caliper and hold it in place while you loosen the banjo bolt (brake line bolt).

5) Next you remove the lower caliper bolt using a 13mm crescent and 16mm crescent for the retainer. You can now take the entire caliper off.




6) You can now remove the guidepins and boots and slide them into the new calipers.

7) You can now remove the caliper bracket. For this you use a 16mm crescent or socket wrench. theres two bolts, one on top and one on bottom. Now the caliper bracket and rotor come off.



8) You now install the new rotor and caliper bracket. Make sure to use threadloc on the threads, and reinstall with a torque of 85 lbs.



9) Check the dust shield to amke sure it is not touching the rotor. Mine was ( i discovered after 100 miles of annoying scrapeing). If it is touching then use a flathead and move it about 1/2 inch away from the rotor.
bad:
good:

10) Now you can bolt the brake line up to the new caliper, (tightening to a torque of 40 lbs) and bolt the bottom part of the caliper on using new bolts. The bolts that come with GM corvette calipers are 15mm bolts. 13 mm bolts also come with the camaro brackets (knuckles). Tighten the caliper bolts to a torque of 25lbs (verify all torque settings in a hayes manual).



11) Now you can put the pad retainers in place, and install the brake pads. You can then flip the caliper up and bolt it in place. The caliper bolts torque down to 23 lbs.



12) Make sure to bleed each side after it is done. Once the job is done, make sure that the brake fluid reservoir is filled to its line.

13) Now reinstall the wheel, torque them to 100 lbs. and lower the car back down.
This is about how it shoudl look when its all done:



Here is a pic of this brake upgrade behind a 16 inch Grand Prix Wheel

[billytheman1188]

This is one of the few important mods i will be doing when my alero turns into a SUMMER ONLY car.

[Redog]

According to his price list and the cost of pads and rotors on Summit, all the parts come out to $648 plus tax and shipping of course.

Not bad way to spend $650

[Redog]

Prices have gone up since this list was printed. Prices on GMpartsdirect.com are a little higher now, so I'm updating the costs of the parts for the GM part numbers given

[darksobsession]

the benefits are... better stopping power?

[Redog]

Yes, better stopping power and better looking behind aftermarket wheels.

[alerored04]

After this mod my car stops so hard the seatbelts hurt my chest. I have yet to lock it up with these brakes for fear of flatspotting my tires before ABS kicks in. The look is pure sex though.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

what about the rears? Obviously the same procedure would be used for the 4-wheel-disc guys, but are the parts the same?

[AJules]

You can get something very similar for under 300 bucks

http://www.mpracing.org/store/index....&productId=369

or you can try to get in on this group buy

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=95922

[Cliff8928]

You could definitely do it for less than $300 if you wanted to...

[Redog]

Originally Posted by alerored04

After this mod my car stops so hard the seatbelts hurt my chest. I have yet to lock it up with these brakes for fear of flatspotting my tires before ABS kicks in. The look is pure sex though.

How big are your wheels? And is the offset different with these brakes? That's the only thing that's on my mind about the upgrade

[Beholder88]

Would this work with the stock wheels? Does the clearance change between the caliper and the inside of the rim? I've got both a set of the stock Alero Aluminum rims as well as a set of steelies for the winter. If I upgrade the brakes as shown, will they work with the wheels I have?

[surreal_awakening]

Has anything ever developed on upgrades for the rears?

[hok666]

is there anyway to get rid of the corvette name on the calipers? Just think it would be dumb see corvette name on alero.

[surreal_awakening]

Can't you get the calipers from a parts store w/out the Corvette name on it?

[alerored04]

You can get them without the name. Redog, they actually fit with the stock 16" GLS wheels. If you have 15" wheels you will need to upgrade. The offset does not appear to have changed.

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by hok666

is there anyway to get rid of the corvette name on the calipers? Just think it would be dumb see corvette name on alero.

You can use GTO calipers. The name on those is just a decal.

The F-Body calipers also work, even if they aren't as well constructed they will be good enough for daily use.

Oh, and I agree. No logo on the calipers on the Olds. The Chevy is another story (have a freshly powdercoated set of C6 calipers for it)

[will176]

sorry to be a noob, but if i have the standered 16 inch 6 spoke wheels, will these fit? or will i need to upgrade?
these ones-

[alerored04]

I am not sure if those work. Those are the '99 16" wheels. The ones I am using are the 01 GLS 16"s. If they are the same offset as mine then they should.

[will176]

whats your offset?