Big brake upgrade.
#1
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Car: 87' IROC
Engine: 305 TPI
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Big brake upgrade.
Have desided to do a big brake upgrade on the IROC. Doing both front and rear with parts from BBU. Want to get started as I am taking the spindles off to redo my front suspension right now.
Last edited by SOCAL-Z; 01-31-2016 at 03:21 PM.
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: Big brake upgrade.
I'd like to make that change myself some day. I look forward to following your progress.
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Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
What kit are you going with?
What wheels will you be using?
What wheels will you be using?
#4
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Bought two new AC Delco rear disc backing plates for the LS1 conversion today.
Last edited by SOCAL-Z; 02-01-2016 at 04:07 PM.
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Car: 1992 Camaro RS
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
I can even make them look as sexy as mine
I also have them on the rear as well so LS1 brakes all around, but I cheated on the rear, used a LS1 rear, lol
#9
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Good to here you all like the LS1 conversion. I almost went with the c5, but wanted to keep my IROC 16's.
Last edited by SOCAL-Z; 02-03-2016 at 06:45 PM.
#11
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Car: 87' IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
A caliper was delivered today, it's huge compared to the stock 3rd gen. Ordered the AC Delco rotors today.
#15
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Car: 87' IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
E brake is on mounts. Works like a drum brake against the inside of the rotor. Rotor has a small drum built into the back of it that acts as the e brake. Pretty good idea.
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Car: 1989 GTA
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Correct, but the dust plates have 3 humps that hold the shoes to stop them from walking around. Are there documented installs where they work with them??
I've been pulling my hair out searching and repairing a PS dust shield so I can send them to strange. I'd love to see pictures.
#17
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Car: 87' IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
I found this picture on another site of a used LS1 rear disc mount is the round black piece the part your trying to fix? The e brake lever has a rubber boot/ dust shield shown here (torn in the red box)
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Car: 1989 GTA
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
I'm referring to the large black disc on the back. It helps hold it together.
#20
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Big brake upgrade.
Seen way to many of those internal drums cause problems. Material falling off, metal on metal dragging all over, spring falling out and getting wedged in there.
Big fan of the 89-97 setup over the rear LS caliper/e-brake setup.
Big fan of the 89-97 setup over the rear LS caliper/e-brake setup.
#21
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Car: 87' IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Have all my parts ordered for the upgrade. Scott at www.bigbrakeupgrade.com is great to do business with.
#22
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
I got my stuff from Scott in the mail this week... Now I have to wait for the base hobby garage to open up (of course they start a renovation the week I get my parts!) He was great to deal with.
#23
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Car: 87' IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
[QUOTE=WTR388;6005277]I got my stuff from Scott in the mail this week... Now I have to wait for the base hobby garage to open up (of course they start a renovation the week I get my parts!) He was great to deal with.[/
Are you doing the LS1 brakes?
Are you doing the LS1 brakes?
#24
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Yep, got all 4 calipers and drilled/slotted rotors for $50 off a wrecked 99 at the junkers (backing plates for the rear too).
#25
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Car: 89 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI / ZZ4 cam
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Aren't LS1 and C6 brakes the same...both have dual piston....
#28
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Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
when i did the LS1 brakes on the front of my Camaro, i bought everything at NAPA.. made the hubs out of new cheap stock rotors on a lathe at work, where i also modified the spindles and made the caliper brackets out of 1/4" steel..
i could have done everything at home with basic tools like i did when i put C4 front brakes on my 71 Nova back in '02, but i had access to the machines and equipment to do it the easy way so i did it..
when i did the rears, i took the really easy path and bought a complete rearend out of a wrecked '02 Z28 convertible that got hit in the front end..
you need those rear backing plates to use the stock internal parking brake.
i could have done everything at home with basic tools like i did when i put C4 front brakes on my 71 Nova back in '02, but i had access to the machines and equipment to do it the easy way so i did it..
when i did the rears, i took the really easy path and bought a complete rearend out of a wrecked '02 Z28 convertible that got hit in the front end..
you need those rear backing plates to use the stock internal parking brake.
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Car: '91 RS Camaro
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
when i did the LS1 brakes on the front of my Camaro, i bought everything at NAPA.. made the hubs out of new cheap stock rotors on a lathe at work, where i also modified the spindles and made the caliper brackets out of 1/4" steel..
i could have done everything at home with basic tools like i did when i put C4 front brakes on my 71 Nova back in '02, but i had access to the machines and equipment to do it the easy way so i did it..
when i did the rears, i took the really easy path and bought a complete rearend out of a wrecked '02 Z28 convertible that got hit in the front end..
you need those rear backing plates to use the stock internal parking brake.
i could have done everything at home with basic tools like i did when i put C4 front brakes on my 71 Nova back in '02, but i had access to the machines and equipment to do it the easy way so i did it..
when i did the rears, i took the really easy path and bought a complete rearend out of a wrecked '02 Z28 convertible that got hit in the front end..
you need those rear backing plates to use the stock internal parking brake.
Specifically what do you have to do to modify the factory spindles to make the adapter plate work for the new calipers. I have a machine shop near me that could do the work cheap enough.
Last edited by usmechanix; 02-22-2016 at 03:26 PM. Reason: forgot something
#30
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
sorry can't load pics.
Last edited by tvc 15; 02-25-2016 at 10:48 PM. Reason: pic would not load
#31
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Hey guys check out this page. I hate to step on BBUS toes but I found a website that details everything needed to be done to change your spindles as well as Autocad/PDFfiles for making the anchor brackets! The website is a little bizarre but the information is amazing.
http://lukeskaff.com/projects/car/th...-modification/
http://lukeskaff.com/projects/car/th...-modification/
#32
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Scott's page also has the info on spindle modification... Hopefully mine will be finalized tomorrow, I've spent the last few nights prepping my calipers/brackets/hubs (cleaning and painting), and I'm doing a-arm bushings which has proven a chore, original 87 bushings with a rusted in bolt that required the torch, and then removing the stock double flared bushings from the arms also sucks up time. Tomorrow the a-arms get painted, bushings/balljoints installed, spindle mods completed and then just maybe get it all bolted up if I'm fast enough!
#33
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Car: 87' IROC
Engine: 305 TPI
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Scott's page also has the info on spindle modification... Hopefully mine will be finalized tomorrow, I've spent the last few nights prepping my calipers/brackets/hubs (cleaning and painting), and I'm doing a-arm bushings which has proven a chore, original 87 bushings with a rusted in bolt that required the torch, and then removing the stock double flared bushings from the arms also sucks up time. Tomorrow the a-arms get painted, bushings/balljoints installed, spindle mods completed and then just maybe get it all bolted up if I'm fast enough!
tie rods, center link, new springs, struts and founders strut mounts. It Sounds like lots of fun! Post some pics! I did buy a 12 ton shop press to help do the bushings.
#34
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Hey guys check out this page. I hate to step on BBUS toes but I found a website that details everything needed to be done to change your spindles as well as Autocad/PDFfiles for making the anchor brackets! The website is a little bizarre but the information is amazing.
http://lukeskaff.com/projects/car/th...-modification/
http://lukeskaff.com/projects/car/th...-modification/
#35
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Didn't get as far as I wanted today, I took my time with tapping the bolt holes in the spindle, I'm used to aluminum more than I am cast steel.
Cutting the first spindle took me longer than the second one, used a saws all, worked great!
Here's the first one mocked up before final dressing and paint of the spindle:
Everything is now fabricated and painted, Monday it's pure assembly.
I removed the turn stops from the A-arms since they no longer function and from what I hear create interference with the Caliper, so I got myself some hardware so I can weld up my own turn stop that will retain my turn radius. Sort of like what was done here: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...s1-brakes.html
Cutting the first spindle took me longer than the second one, used a saws all, worked great!
Here's the first one mocked up before final dressing and paint of the spindle:
Everything is now fabricated and painted, Monday it's pure assembly.
I removed the turn stops from the A-arms since they no longer function and from what I hear create interference with the Caliper, so I got myself some hardware so I can weld up my own turn stop that will retain my turn radius. Sort of like what was done here: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...s1-brakes.html
#37
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
It sure has taken a lot longer than I originally expected!
If I was only doing the brake swap and not the A-arm bushings and ball joints and cleaning/painting, I could do it in a weekend in an every day garage.
I would suggest people buy the pre-made spindle if they haven't done much fab type stuff, it would be easy to make a dangerous or expensive mistake.
If I was only doing the brake swap and not the A-arm bushings and ball joints and cleaning/painting, I could do it in a weekend in an every day garage.
I would suggest people buy the pre-made spindle if they haven't done much fab type stuff, it would be easy to make a dangerous or expensive mistake.
#38
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Well, this happened tonight... Finally. Still not done, need to weld my adjustable steering stop to the other A-arm then I can put it all together... Rotor is used but still serviceable.
The steering stop I made hits on the knuckle before the banjo bolt hits the a-arm, giving it about 1/16" gap.
The steering stop I made hits on the knuckle before the banjo bolt hits the a-arm, giving it about 1/16" gap.
#41
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
It will, how much I'm not sure quite yet... It's better than the banjo fitting hitting the a-arm though!
Scott included a couple of hub spacers for me, luckily he did because I needed one on my passenger side, the inner face of the rotor was contacting the pad bracket. Drivers side was fine without.
It's all together, tomorrow it's just line to caliper connections and bleed... We got about 2' of snow the last 24 hours so it's hostage in the shop right now though.
Scott included a couple of hub spacers for me, luckily he did because I needed one on my passenger side, the inner face of the rotor was contacting the pad bracket. Drivers side was fine without.
It's all together, tomorrow it's just line to caliper connections and bleed... We got about 2' of snow the last 24 hours so it's hostage in the shop right now though.
#42
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Car: 1990 IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
another option for big brakes that fit with 16" wheels is the Wilwood FSL 4-piston/C4 HD 13" rotor set up. i have that set up on my car. they are CLOSE but they fit, function and look awesome! they are a bit more expensive only because it's not likely to find used wilwoods in a junkyard, let alone the FSL....but all the information for the brake bracket and parts needed is cover between here and LukeSkaff. i got my brackets from flynbye (ebmiller88) not sure if BBU has the brackets or a kit for that setup. i was going to
use their kits when i was originally going to go with the SS/CTS-V 14 and 14.5 set up but i also wanted to be able to keep the factory 16" IROCs for winter tires.
use their kits when i was originally going to go with the SS/CTS-V 14 and 14.5 set up but i also wanted to be able to keep the factory 16" IROCs for winter tires.
#43
Re: Big brake upgrade.
Sort of old news but yes we have that conversion, and its not the most popular but it does fill a void (13 inch rotor & 4 piston caliper in a 16 inch stock wheel ! )
http://www.bigbrakeupgrade.com/fsl.html
http://www.bigbrakeupgrade.com/fsl.html
#44
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Car: 1990 IROC
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Yes! It is old news haha I just don't want people to forget that if they want the best braking under a stock 16, that's definitely the way to go. My car stops AMAZING and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Your kit looks super nice. I will be upgrading to Wilwood hat/rotor combo soon but by the time I add it all up, it's not very "budget" friendly anymore
#45
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Good question, the 13 inch is actually the biggest that should be paired with the FSL according to Wilwood`s diagram on the 4 & 6 piston Lug Mount superlite`s.
Once you move into the Radial Mount calipers 14 inch is the max, but there again is a huge difference in caliper price ( more than double per caliper)
I can make the brackets if you`d like to experiment
#47
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
And you can get a radial 6pot and 13" rotor to fit the Formula 16" wheels! But it doesn't fit everyone's budget.
#48
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Looks killer Ted !
#49
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Thanks TTOP350,
Of course, If your budget can fit the fronts, you have to do the back!
Of course, If your budget can fit the fronts, you have to do the back!
#50
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Re: Big brake upgrade.
Hey derrik. I'd love to see pictures of that stuff! I'm a tech and I get great pricing from NAPA so seeing someone whose done the work already is a huge plus!!
Specifically what do you have to do to modify the factory spindles to make the adapter plate work for the new calipers. I have a machine shop near me that could do the work cheap enough.
Specifically what do you have to do to modify the factory spindles to make the adapter plate work for the new calipers. I have a machine shop near me that could do the work cheap enough.
all you are doing to the spindles is cutting off the stock caliper mounting ears and drilling the dust shield mounting holes out to tap them for bigger bolts. it's what GM did on the 1LE cars, so it's a safe modification.
then i made hubs out of a set of new cheap replacement rotors by cutting the rotor part off and just leaving the hub, making sure that they actually fit inside the LS1 rotors.. i used a lathe for this, but did it with a bench grinder 15 years ago when i put C4 brakes on my Nova.. that wasn't pretty, but it worked..
to make the mounting brackets, i mocked it all up by putting the hubs on the spindles, the rotors on the hubs, and the caliper/basket over the rotor. then i made a cardboard template of where to put the holes in the 1/4" steel to make the bracket and how to contour it.