JonF

The car is a 1984 berlinetta with a 383 stroker built around an edelbrock "450 hp power package. " the car will be used mainly for agressive street use and the ocasional day at the drag strip. I currently have 14x7 front rims and 15x10 rears. I have brand new rubber for the rears so would kind of like to stay with those wheels but have no reason not to change fronts.

I understand the physics behind brakes like your braking power is limited to available traction so it doesnt make sense to put some crazy stoppers on a 225mm wide tire. That said, I know nothing about what products are out there and what will fit with what. I have spent some time streaming through the "brake and wheel fitment" thread but have not found much on 15" wheels other than the 1LE option or perhaps a c4? Jegs offers a "stainless steel front brake upgrade kit" for 1200 bucks but they offer very little info.

What are my options for 14" wheels up front? Do I need to go to at least a 15? Can a 15x255 tire offer decent stopping power? Also I am going from drum to disc in the back, and will need to replace proportioning valve and likely master cylinder?

Thanks ahead of time for any help, I know its a lot to answer.

paul_huryk

14" wheels are a major hinderance when it comes to brake clearance, even 15" limits the size and type of brakes you can run - depending on the wheel of course.

I know you can get a 12" 2 piston front set that will fit under 15" wheels from a few sources. Question is what is your budget?

What wheels do you have in the back now? Maybe a set of matching fronts in 15" x 8" will work...

zenish

the front brakes do most of the stopping because of weight transfer.i just installed brakes from a 2000 camaro because they are 1.5 inches larger rotor and dual caliper.unfortunately they require at least 15"aftermarket or 16"factory wheels.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

The last time I checked the cost of upgrading brakes far outweighed the cost of any rims or tires. So you might be better off including the cost of wheels in the package so that you're not limiting yourself based on what you happen to have. Write down the costs vs. stopping power of each (Ie. LS1, C5 etc.) and then decide where to go from there. BTW, what you have invested in the tires is called a sunk cost. Write it off so you can think clearly on the upgrade.
You may be able to run stock 16” rims with LS1 brakes, but from what I've read lately, the tires for the 16's are getting harder to find. If you go with a C5 or better set up you could run corvette rims, probably have a better tire selection as well as better handling and stopping power.

You may also want to consider adding the triangle braces up by the front frame rails, a wonder bar, rear sway bar, and whatever else the Berlinetta didn't come with that I can't think of off hand. Sometimes people upgrade to the 1LE bearings when upgrading brakes. '91 and later spindles are supposed to be beefier as well.

paul_huryk

In terms of bang for the buck and also overall braking power, a 13" front kit is probably the best choice - whether it be LS1, C5, Baer, Wilwood...

Problem is that you will need minimum 16" wheels to clear and even if they do, just the BFG G-force tire remains in the 245-50-16 size in a summer pattern worthy of mention. 17" will be the best choice for any sort of serious braking power - 275-40-17 is a great size for the 3rd gens.

It isn't that hard to sell your wheels and use that $ toward new ones and a brake kit.

JonF

Woops just missed your last post.

Is there usually any modification needed to squeeze a 17" wheel under these cars?

zenish

the lsi conversion brackets are 80 dollars,i was charged 40 dollars to turn my rotors into hubs,maybe twenty dollars for longer wheel studs,plus used lsi calipers and rotors[turned ten dollars apiece]plus new pads.two seals.wheel bearing grease.can of brake fluid.two drill bits and two taps if you don't already have them.i think thats all i have in my lsi brakes.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

The point of my comment was for him not to let his investment in wheels determine his decision on what brakes to run. Especially for 14" front and 15" rears. Besides, he still can't run LS1 brakes with 14" fronts. FWIW, I sold my last brake kit for around $500, and that was for just the front end parts minus the brackets. You'd still have rear brakes, proportioning valve, new hoses, and possibly a master along with it. If you're paying to have it done, then there's modifications to the spindles to consider as well.

JonF

I'm a welder by trade so modifications to parts would be no issue for me. I havent even mounted the new tires yet and bought them from a local retailer so likely can return them, further helping with the issue of my wheel size and cost.

paul_huryk

Yes and no...

If you choose a wheel 10" wide or less that has the proper bolt pattern, hub hole, and backspacing - no.

If the wheel has the wrong hub size, bolt pattern, and/or backspacing - yes. But spacers can make 90% of 17" wheels 10" or smaller in width fit.