Big Brake Conversion Questions

[66 C10 383]

I'm building a 66 C10 and plan on swapping in an 81 crossmember. Before ordering my drop spindles, I'm wondering which 13" brake setup to go with. I plan on it being mostly/eventually a daily driver and my concerns are durability and replacement parts.

C5 Corvette brakes - I have these from a project I abandoned and never used. I'd more than likely get the 4.75 spaced hubs so I can run stock Vette calipers and rotors. The Vette rotors are the same 1.25" thickness as the HD truck setup but my main concern with these, is the caliper stout enough to adequetely stop a full size truck at normal highway speeds? I'd say they gotta be better than the stock drums

McGaughys 13" 2.5 Drop brakes - This setup uses the truck dual piston caliper. The truck caliper uses 2 52mm pistons vs the Vettes 4xmm (?) pistons. Also, this setup uses either the 5x5 or the 5x4.75 bolt spacing of your choice. Does the 4.75 use a stock Vette rotor making replacement as easy as going down to the local parts house? Where (besides McGaughys) would you be able to find a 5x5 13" rotor?

I like being able to get replacement parts locally if repairs are needed.

Is there any disadvantage to running the 4.75 bolt spacing over the more common 5x5 as far as durability goes? I'll be running 17" wheels with the good billet adapters so I can go with either bolt spacing.

Thanks

Doug

[andrewmp6]

I would do the c5 brakes you can get the swap parts from http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=465140 I would do them 5x5 just because its more common more wheel options later on,And worse case you need rotors you could just redrill the corvette ones to 5x5.Anything bigger i would go baer or wilwood.

[66 C10 383]

He's the one I am getting the setup from if I decide to go that route.

I failed to mention in my first post that I also have the 2000 (LS1) Camaro rear disc setup for the truck which is also 4.75" spacing. Since I have to either get my stock axles redrilled or new 5 lug axles then my rear rotors will fit too.

Or, I could get both front and rear rotors drilled to 5x5 ... decisions decisions ...

Thanks for the input ... anybody else have opinions?

Thanks

[Pro Performance]

I think the plans you have outlined is a great way to go. Going with 5x5 has it's advantages of finding wheels, but if you are going with a custom built wheel, then it won't matter much. If looking for off the shelf wheels that will fit, then you will have better luck with the 5x5 bolt pattern.

As for brakes, dis-regarding the bolt pattern situation, I think the corvette direction is a good way to go, since you have the pieces already.

- Travis

[andrewmp6]

The brakes should be enough to stop your truck fast,The c5 brakes are popular swaps on anything rwd gm has made.Bolt pattern i would look at wheels see what you like in both bolt patterns and look at the prices.If its a lot cheaper go 5x5 if its not much price difference go 4.75.

[66 C10 383]

As far as wheels go, I've got a set of 17 x 8.5 BMW bolt pattern wheels (5x120mm vs Chevy 5x120.65mm 4.75) that are 5.25" backspacing. I don't have my adapters yet so I can go with either 4.75 or 5x5 adapted to the BMW 120mm with differing thickness for front and rear to make up for the narrower rear track.

`I've looked at wheels in both bolt pattern and I'm sure I could find something I like. New wheels are just not in my budget presently.

All the parts I have now for the 66 was stuff I was going to put on my GM G-body project. That's why I have the C5 Vette & LS1 Camaro rear discs in the first place. Just trying to make do SAFELY with what I got now.

Thanks guys. The knowledge base in here is huge and I'm gonna need to tap into as much of it as I can. I'll be giving back as I learn myself...

Doug

[andrewmp6]

And with the 4.75 you could always run 4th f body rims later on if you want different rims.