ivan1137

Hey guys i have an 89 Trans Am with rear drum brakes that i want to get swapped out to disc brakes. I have a 85 Trans Am that i want to remove the rear disc brakes from and install into the 89. Wanted to know if anyone knows if the 85 set up will work with the 89? Please and thanks in advance!

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Yes but you need adapter brackets and changes to the e-brake cables. Go to the brake board and do some searches there. You should find all the info. you need. And make sure you know if you're dealing with 9 or 10 bolt and which disk brakes. There are two different models. Yours should be the iron ones with one caliper in front and one behind the disk. There are some issues with those which you can read about. Post pics if you can.

ivan1137

Im almost positive its a 9 bolt with the iron disc brakes. Will post pics in a few hours when i get home to confirm. Assuming i remember right and it is that set up what would you recommend as far as the brake conversion goes?

Base91

iTrader: (1)

If you've got them and they work then go ahead and do the swap. However, most people recommend going to the later model PBR aluminum caliper brakes. They are much better but cost more as they are desired and the iron ones aren't. I found a deal (<$100) on a complete PBR set up and swapped out the iron ones. Depends on what you can find. You still need some conversion stuff.

ivan1137

What all would i need to do the conversion with the set up on my 85?

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Essentially a bracket to mount on the axle flange that the caliper carrier bolts to. Redo the brake lines and redo the e-brake cables. Check the FAQs on the brake board and there are instructions and pictures somewhere.

ivan1137

Thank you very much!

Base91

iTrader: (1)

Good luck. I bought a parts car ('86 TA) for the 9-bolt posi with iron brakes. I rebuilt the posi, swapped the brakes to PBR, redid the lines and swapped out the e-brake system. It took a long time and a lot of reading but it was interesting and it all works perfectly. I'm really happy with it especially as it's the first and only time I've worked on a rear end. I've got a built 10-bolt posi with drums so I'm getting ready to do the drum to disk swap now. You can get the brackets (and other stuff) you need from flynbye.com (amongst others).