Rear Disc Brake Conversion Using Parts from Other GM Vehicles

[84imsa]

There's a fellow on eBay who sells weld-on brackets for rear disc brake conversions. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ponti...mZ220097550908 The conversion calls for installation of 4WD S-10 front rotors on the rear axles after turning down the hubs to fit inside the hats. Calipers from a Cadillac El Dorado are used. Searching Auto Zone and other online suppliers, I have discovered that the S-10 rotors have the same part number as rear rotors for various GM cars. The same thing goes for the El Dorado calipers. The GM parts are not expensive. The fact that they are readily available from places like Auto Zone makes them attractive. Brackets - $129 including S&H Rotors - $25.99 to $158.99 each Calipers - $273.99/pair loaded including $68 core charge So for $455++ you could have brand new disc brakes out back. I am aware that complete rear disc brake rear ends with posi are available for about the same price. However, since I live on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, there would be considerable drama getting a piece like that delivered to my garage. My questions are: Has anyone on TGO done this conversion? What is the downside of this conversion? TIA for your responses!

[alloy]

Or if your not afraid of a little work and less $$$, you could have rear LS1 disks with 12" rotors and a drum parking brake. For around $250 shipped on ebay you can get the calipers, backing plates, cables and cable brackets. The LS1 swap is well documented here. Do a and you will be rewarded with lots of info. I just finished my LS1 rear swap and couldn't be happier with the outcome.

Also your forgetting one critical component. A disk/disk prop valve. If you lucky you can find one in the junk yard, or Ed Miller has them for around $100 as I recall.

[84imsa]

Thanks for your reply.

A little work (or even a lot) and less $$$ out is always a good combination.

I shall do some research on the LS1 conversion. I suppose that LS1 front brakes would complement the rear brakes nicely.

Cheers!

[alloy]

Front LS1's, or any of the other big brake kits would work fine with them. I'm running 13" wilwoods out front. The rear LS1's are probably the ultimate set of stock rear brakes that came factory on a 3rd or 4th gen. You have to do some slight mods to the flange on the drum rear, but it's easy. With a sawzall and a sharp drill I got both sides done in an hour or less.

When you do your LS1 rear research, take a look at this thread. It explains the solution to the ebrake cables. You just need to get a 4th gen parking brake handle, the front cable, and cut the cable bracket off a 4th gen floor pan and mount it in your car. Works perfectly. The handle and bracket can come off any 4th gen. Mine are all off a 6 banger auto car.



http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/br...-question.html (LS1 e-brake Question)

[the_am_man]

I know this thread is a bit old but the subject is exactly what I'm looking into.

I'm going to a $50 all u can carry day at the junkyard and was wondering which vehicles, besides f-bodys of course, that I could get disc brake assemblies, that would be close to fitting my car (16" rim) or would fit with minor modification.

[//<86TA>\\]

Originally Posted by the_am_man

I know this thread is a bit old but the subject is exactly what I'm looking into.

I'm going to a $50 all u can carry day at the junkyard and was wondering which vehicles, besides f-bodys of course, that I could get disc brake assemblies, that would be close to fitting my car (16" rim) or would fit with minor modification.

nothing will fit with "minor mods" every brake upgrade will require modify the spindle, turning the stock rotor down into a floating hub, drilling and re-threading 2 of the dust shield holes, ect. sorry, but you will ahve to do some work. Unless you can find a 1le/b4c f-body in the yard, but you wont.

the rear would require a bit of work too, depending on what you have now. Still nothing "minor"