I expect to need to do some clearancing when I mock up my C5 13" brakes with my 16" wheels. In my reading, it seems there are two ( at least ) approaches - spacer or grind the caliper.

Any pro's/con's? Recommended spacers?

Which wheels are you going to run again Rick??

The C5 caliper is a lot bigger in the area of consideration to grinding.....and I think it would take way too much out of the caliper strength to grind all that much. As I did with my 16" Vintage/13" PBR, I did a little of both. I use a 3/16" spacer (only needed when the pads are new) and took a little off of the caliper itself (I can send you pics for reference). This mininumized modification to either component.

I myself made the spacer myself on the lathe and some billet stock. That way I could make any offset and trim it at will, and make the fit as tight as possible.

A good pro is that the track width is widened in realation to the rear, which improves handeling, especially in tight turns.

A bad can is that you have to modify the caliper, which means future service parts will have to modified as well to replace ant failed components (but that isnt a biggie).


Let me know.......

Hi, Tom. I have the same as you - VWW V45's. That's a good idea splitting the differences.