I'm in the process of gathering the final parts I need for my front 1LE brake upgrade. I have an '88 Firebird GTA with the J65 disc/disc brakes. As I understand it from AndyZ28, ebmiller88, and other sources that I need the #14089496 prop valve (which I just orderd from gmpartsdirect.com) AND the J50 Master Cylinder #18014286 which was used on the disc/drum cars. However, gmpartsdirect.com DOES NOT list a master cylinder with part #18014286. Instead they show #18014287 for disc/disc cars (which is what I should already have) and #18060095 for disc/drum cars. The same is true for their 1989 and 1990 listing. 1991 & 1992 show the #18060095 master cylinder for all models. I have also checked the master cylinder currently on my car and it has two numbers stamped into the bottom. The first is A50 and the second appears to be 18006814. Okay gentlemen, let the debate begin. Anyone have any more details on this? I'm guessing that #18060095 is the "new" part number for the J50 master cylinder. Thanks.

Two things to consider.

1) Your current M/C is nearly 15 years old.

2) You can get the correct M/C for early 1989 cars. J50 and J65 were the same. With such a very limited market, GM chose to simplify the aftermarket M/C selection, even in their own catalog. I have an early 1989 (new) J50 M/C on my 1LE equipped car. It works great.

Thanx,andyZ28

GM often replaces part numbers with updated ones or "service" numbers since the change. I'd just get the one for '90-'92 cars as all of these will be the same, either disc/disc or disc/drum cars.

I'd just go with the updated P/N master.

Ed

"I'd just get the one for '90-'92 cars as all of these will be the same, either disc/disc or disc/drum cars."

I don't think he can do that. He needs the one for the early '89 cars (1st design), I think.

Thanx, andyZ28

Andy,
gmpartsdirect.com lists #18014287 as the M/C for 1984-1990 Firebirds with disc/disc and #18060095 as the M/C for the disc/drum cars. 1991 & 1992 shows #18060095 as the M/C for ALL models so that must be the M/C I need.

OK.

After some more online searching I have found a couple sources that do list the #18014286 M/C. One of which is a Chevy dealership not far from me. Their price is $163. That's probably the route I'll go to be sure I'm getting the M/C I want.

damn brett. I usually go to pep boys and get the $19.95 MC

Yeah, he should be fine with the master cylinder. Those should all have the same threads so it won't be an issue there, only with the prop valves.


Bret, call Dal at VanDevere Olds BEFORE you go out and pay $163 for a master cylinder, they can't be that much. I just got a used one off a drum car for $20, the only non-new part I used.

Ed

James,
I'm still searching for better pricing. I have an e-mail in to Dal and am waiting for a reply. gmpartsdirect.com wants $124 plus their "shipping and handling" charge.

As for Pep Boys, there are certain parts I don't buy from them - starters, alternators, master cylinders, etc... - basically the "big ticket" parts. Too many bad experiences with their so-called rebuilds. IMHO, you get what you pay for and I always prefer to go with genuine GM units whenever possible.

Okay gentlemen,
I have full clarifictaion on this. I ordered the J50 #18014286 M/C from Dal at VanDevere Olds and it arrived today. This is supposed to be the M/C used on the 1LE cars.

The GM part number on the invoice and box says #18060095 which matches what I found at gmpartsdirect.com. So, that is the new part number.

Now comes the pisser part - the number stamped into the bottom of the new M/C is A-50 18006814, which is IDENTICAL to the number stamped into the bottom of my current M/C on the car.

I have a sinking feeling I may discover the same thing with the prop. valve I bought.

I may keep the new M/C and install it since I've never relpaced the M/C on this car and I've owned it since the end of '93. For all I know, it's still the original M/C from the factory. But then again, I believe it may have been replaced at some point since it should have had the J65 M/C from the factory.

I guess I'll just chock it up to experience.

OK, after 3 years of doing nothing about my 1LE brake update where I installed the SS Brakes kit and not an MC.

So, after all this time, i want to bring back this thread.

What MC part # do I buy today 3/4/2005 ?

And are the GM parts lighter (made of aluminum) and the aftermarket shops have cast iron or steel MCs?


Does it make any real difference to get a GM part or from AutoZone, PEP Boys, etc. ?

Just get one for a '90-92 as they're all the same. Unless you have to have a GM unit, any one from a parts store will do or get a used one. I paid $20 for my used one and it works great. Mine are both aluminum.

Ed