So I'm finishing up my build sheet and pricing out parts and, unlike the rest of the car, I have no idea what to do with the brakes.

It's a 95 z28 A4 and I plan on doing a 383 (400rwhp + a 100hp shot) and a CPT transmission and complete suspension work. The whole 9 yards. This car will be a daily driver and I am going to upgrade all the other parts on the car while the engine is getting built (about 1 year total time). This will be a daily driver for now and a weekend driver after the engine is put in, no track time. Some other info, plan on keeping 10bolt (as of right now), 17x9 SS wheels will be used all around.

I've seen so many posts for brakes (c5 conversions; ls1 conversions) I have no idea in which direction to go. Just some questions:

-What is the best upgrade on my car?
-if it's LS1 upgrade, should I just try to get the whole rear end with everything?
-What should I upgrade for the front and rear?

Any input and suggestions would be great. Thanks

 

The LS1 conversion will probably be the best bang for the buck and the easiest on your wallet. I picked up a complete front LS1 brake assembly for a 150 bucks. I would just do the fronts, the rears just aren't worth replacing and better left stock.

 

Leave the rears alone and do the LS1 fronts. The c5 brakes are a bit bigger, but not enough to justify the increase in price, IMO. Get the spindles, calipers and lines. Usually goes for around $200 with everything. Mine was $150 with pads and rotors included.

 

A 3rd vote for LS1 front upgrade one. I have my parts, but haven't had a chance to do the upgrade....funny how things are breaking at 113K miles, so trying to get caught up to a solid running car, before upgrading again. Heck, that's the nature of this game.

To add something new, consider going to stainless steel brake lines as well...front and back. Earl makes a kit for 98-02 brakes, and I "think" the rear sent can be used on your stock LT1 rear brakes.

 

I considered the SS brake lines, but they weren't worth the $75 or so plus shipping. It might make installing the fronts easier, though, since you have to bend that bracket for the stock lines to fit.

 

I say, if you're gonna chop off the spindles on an LT1, make it worthwhile. Don't mess around with beat up baby shyte, rebuilding LS1 brakes, when you can get all new parts around the same price (I made a spreadsheet with all the possibilities). I paid around $500 from a Chevy dealer in CO, and a few more bucks for stuff here and there.

 

Just to confirm, the Earl's LS1 rear lines will work on LT1 cars, but the passenger side is a bit long. A little widening of the bolt hole on the bracket that holds the line helps.
For the fronts, with the LS1 swap you will need an alignment afterwards since you are swapping out the knuckles.
The C5 brakes have larger rotors which fill up the front wheels and looks more impressive if that's important to you. Also replacement rotors are dirt cheap.
On the rears no mods are necessary other than quality pads.