Vette Calipers?

Topic: Vette Calipers? (Read 771 times) previous topic - next topic

Vette Calipers?

November 05, 2009, 09:17:36 PM

So an auction i was shooting for with a Cobra brake setup hit my limit (And still didnt meet reserve...)

But after looking at the coolcats write up, Eric mentions C4 Vette Calipers to be the same as Cobra/Mach/Bullits... And got me wondering how hard (Easy?) it would be to do a C4 Brake swap in the front.

From the write up it sounds like its just the same as installing "Cobra's", But could it really be that easy?

I'm not finding any info on this subject anywhere besides that mention in the coolcats write up. :(

It would sure cost a little less, And theres probably a higher chance you might even run accross a C4 in the boneyard or someone parting one.

Vette Calipers?

Reply #1 – November 05, 2009, 09:42:24 PM

IIRC the C4's had 12" and 13" brakes, so you'd have to make sure you got parts from cars with the PBR 13" brakes option.

I only know about the 13" setup, and just a little at that. Calipers and pads work. The brake hoses probably would work, although you could just as easily use Cobra hoses. You would definitely need the Mustang spindles, though, for the hub fitment (see below).

Now the mounting brackets...from what I can tell, they might just work. It depends on the bolt holes where they mount to the spindles. Never got a definitive answer on the brackets...those may have to be Cobra-spec. The bolts and bleeders are the same on the C4 and Cobra. Hubs would probably have to be from a Mustang.

That just leaves the rotors. I don't know if C4 rotors would fit on Mustang hubs, even if the bolt pattern were the same. Don't forget, the C4 has the 5-on-4.75" bolt pattern, which won't fit over the smaller 5-on-4.5" Ford bolt pattern on the hub. I suppose the holes could be slotted but I wouldn't trust those.

So it could, at least theoretically, partially work. But for all that effort, may as well go Cobra.

Vette Calipers?

Reply #2 – November 05, 2009, 09:48:26 PM

That was quick and detailed.

I figured rotors and mounting would be the problem areas, More so mounting as you could probably get away with using cobra rotors. :hick:

I may just look further into this, Thanks Eric!

Vette Calipers?

Reply #3 – November 05, 2009, 10:41:07 PM

Just by looking at pictures of factory caliper brackets, The holes look to be dead on or close...

If anyone has access to a C4 or parts and can measure, that would be pure awesome.

Vette Calipers?

Reply #4 – November 05, 2009, 11:45:38 PM

I put 12" C4 Vette stuff on the front of the '80.

The caliper mounting holes are in the same location, but the Vettes use 14mm instead of 12mm mounting hardware. This means you would need to drill the spindle out to 9/16".

I used the 12" stuff because it's what I had, and since I can mod stuff, I made it work, but attaching the calipers to the spindles would be the same with the 13" stuff.

Using the 13" stuff with the Cobra rotors, the calipers would be pretty close to the Cobra stuff, but the Vettes use a different sized piston, which would affect braking feel/force.