Difference between LS1 calipers and C5 calipers?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Hey guys,

I know that the C5 calipers and the Z06 calipers are exactly the same, save for the red color, but what, if any, are the differences between LS1 (late 4th gen f-body) calipers and the C5/Z06 calipers? Are LS1/C5 rotors the same thickeness? Could one just swap out caliper brackets and run the C5/Z06 calipers in place of the LS1 calipers?



Thanks,

[Q ship]

I believe you can, but the LS1 rotors are smaller and I believe that is reflected in the caliper dimensions. I'm running out right now but search the brake forums at www.frrax.com for the right info. Pay attention to posts by lateapex, he is real sharp. I'll look later if you don't get the chance.
Oh, just off the top of my head I think the bracket(abutment) mount bolts are 12mm on the LS1, and I know the C5's are 14mm.

[Steve1968LS2]

C5 calipers are made differently and are stronger (ie, stiffer).. i KNOW you can run C5 calipers on a F-body so that should answer that part

Not sure on the rotors..

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Brian,
Thanks for the site and the info. I'll dig through some of the old posts if I get a chance tonight.

Steve,
Thanks for the reply. Running the C5 rotors on the F-body was what I was hoping to get confirmed. I was pretty certain it could be done, but confirmation is a great thing .

Thanks guys!

[TitoJones]

Ralph-

Zero difference on the calipers. They are all the same and mount (to the abutment) the same.
I have '00 Z28 calipers with C5 rotors/pads/abutments on the front of my 92 Camaro.

Tyler

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Tyler,
Sweet, thanks. Sounds like it would be an easy swap.

[Q ship]

Here's one Ralph.

It would appear that the pistons are differant size. Looking for verification.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Brian,

Good find, thanks! There was a ton of great info in that thread. You're right, lateapex's posts are gold. It definitely got the gears turning in my head. I'll have to go back and read that thread again to absorb all the info.

[Mr_Roboto]

Don't quote me on this it's been a while since I've looked but I believe that the C5s use the same diameter/thickness rotor however rather than use universal calipers they are directional due to the venting.

[hi_im_sean]

i have been doing c5 and ls1 swaps for s10s, ill share what i can remember

-piston size: C5 is 40mm, LS1 is 45mm
-the C5 caliper casting is bigger, heavier, and much stiffer, with longer cooling ribs
-the bleeders on the ls1 are parallel with the piston bores, the c5 is at a slight (10 degreeish) angle
-the C5 caliper is taller and has a different radius for the 12.79" rotor vs the LS1s 11.92" rotor.
-the LS1 caliper can be used on a 12.79" rotor, but no bigger (IMO, because the pad starts to overhang the rotor)
-the C5 caliper is slightly wider, about 6.625" vs the LS1 at 6.2". may lead to clearance issues
-the pad opening on the C5 is 2.625", LS1 is 2.5"
-the LS1 mouting ears are thicker
-the slider pins and boots are identical, the slider pin bolts are longer for the LS1 for the thicker mounting ear, but same thread
-the mounting ears are the same distance, which makes the pin bores in the abutment the same distance between the C5 and LS1
-the wear clips and the anti-rattle clip are all identical
-the abutment offset (distance between mounting holes and slider bores) is taller on the C5
-the abutment mounting hole spacing is the same at 5.040"
-the rotor slot in the abutment is the same at 1.425"
-the pad friction material is almost identical shape and size, just different radii for the different rotors. the backing plates are the same width and height, the ears are the same with the below exception
-the pad ear offset is different, the C5 are lower pushing the pad outward, away from the spindle

theres more i cant think of right now im sure





C5 abutment on the left


LS1 pad on top


C5 pin on top


LS1 pad on top










pad ear offsets
C5


LS1


anti wear clips on rigth, used dirty C5 on top, new LS1 bottom


they are the same height and all the mouting bosses are in the same plane. the differences all lie in the "radial axis". C5 on the left


the LS1 rotors have about twice the vane count, but are straight (unidirectional). because the C5 caliper have about half the vanes, but are larger in diameter, they are almost the exact same weight, as measured by my calibrated arms. and yes, the C5 rotors are directional because of the directional vanes.

[amargari]

I found the following at the Kore3 website:

Q: Can I use LS1 calipers with your C5/C6 based big-brake kit conversion brackets?

A: Yes, LS1 calipers will interchange with the C5/C6 calipers, however C5/C6 calipers are more rigid and have a longer service life since they are pressure cast versus gravity cast, have full length stiffening ribs, and have 40mm versus 43mm pistons. Please note that the caliper abutment brackets are not interchangeable due to different overall heights between the mounting holes and the caliper pin locations and different sized mounting hardware. KORE3 big-brake conversion brackets are compatible with C5/C6 pad abutment brackets only

http://www.kore3.com/faq.php