I need opinions on braking for my rs. Im going with the baer "track" 13" front rotor and twin piston caliper setup. but for the rear i cant decide if i should swap the rearend out for a disc brake rear or convert the drums to discs. what would you guys do? is there a disadvantage to converting to discs since it mounts the caliper on top of the rotor or is it just as good as the factory arrangement behind the rotor. i know the conversion kit comes with an adj. proportioning valve, so i could customize my brake performance. ive already got some money in this rearend(auburn limited slip, richmond gear, moser axles, axletubes welded) so i guess my question is would the extra money be better spent on a conversion kit or for a disc brake rear that i could upgrade. Also i am planning on making some serious power and i dont expect the 10 bolt to live too long. if i blow it up, would the baer drum to disc conversion kit bolt up on a moser 12 bolt. thanks to all who reply.

 

http://members.fbody.com/86firebird/ls1/ls1brakes.htm

that should help you out !!!

 

To each his own, but why not save a little...I mean..a LOT of cash and go with a C4 or LS1 brake upgrade? That will leave you with a lot more money for other upgrades. The Baer Track kit is $877 on sale at Thunder Racing (not counting the $150 spindle core) and you can do a C4 or LS1 upgrade for less than $500 all day long. My C4s pictured below.


Ed

 

Here's the LS1s:

 

Not to be off topic, but you can also go with the Z06 front brakes. Basically the same as LS1, just a different caliper...

I am doing a Z06 upgrade and I figure I will have about $700 total in it. That's all the parts including Hawk pads, drilled/slotted rotors, and NEW calipers...

Just a thought...

 

Yep, the C5s are indeed a great setup. The only reason I haven't messed with them is that they require 17" wheels, which I don't have and won't have any time soon.


Ed

 

True about the 17s, though not an issue for me. Good thing you mentioned it...

 

your going to need some different things if you change your rear. best idea is do whatever you like on the front and leave the rear alone until your certain. the rear touring kit from baer is the exact stock disc brakes that were offered on our cars. the difference is in the bracket which allows for a larger rotor.

i have to agree with some of these guys if you don't care about looks. if you have the money though you certainly won't be disappointed. the best 850 i ever spent and it looks better then any other similar option out there.

good luck.

 

The $850 was for the rear brakes right??

If that is for the front, where did you find a Baer kit for the front so inexpensive.

Thanks...

 

the front. i bought mine last january....do a search and you'll find most of the info.

the company i bought them from is no longer in service however if you shop around you can find good deals on the kits.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=213391

 

I was thinking about the bear claw "track" drum to disc conversion brake package from year one. It says everything that is needed is included. The cost isnt really important, but they damn well better perform as good as they look for that kind of money. Ive also got the ronal thirdgen firehawk 17's, so i know 13 inchers will fit up front. the part number is pn-e4gf10050.

 

Better double check. Last I heard Baer 13" brakes wouldn't fit.

 

I also heard they don't fit the hawk rims - but the four pot 13" wilwood set up that spohn has should fit i think

 

What wheels are you running George? I ask because we test fitted the wilwood setup on my 16" crosslace wheels and on another buddies 16" formula rims - no luck - the inner wheels are tapered and interfere.

-Schultzy

 

I have the hawk rims but I've still got the J65 setup on there.

There was a post awile ago about the two pot Baer 13" not fitting the Ronals.

Here's the Spohn link if you havn't already seen it:

http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1453

Seems that the 4x13 Wilwood setup fits the 16" Z28 and IROC rims but not the 16" GTA and Firebird rims.

 

Does anyone know for sure if the 13" track system fits with the 17" ronal firehawks. Ive seen this kit used with 91-92 z28 16" wheels with no clearance problems. I dont see how it couldnt work if it fits those wheels.

 

Well it might not work with those wheels even though it fits the 16's. It depends entirely on the drop center of the 17" wheel. As I recall, the track setup uses a 2 piston caliper and has less clearence than a 4 piston style caliper would.

 

What size were the Brembo brakes on the Firehwks? I thought they were 13".

My friend has the Baer brakes on his 82 with the Ronals, I think his are the 12 or so inches. I think they are the Touring ones.
$900 for the fronts and $700 for the rears since he had drums originally.

Those brakes make a huge difference in braking power. I can't wait till I upgrade my fronts (I already have the LS1 rears)

 

just for reference there were 3 different makes of the 91 wheel and they only fit on one of them....my chrome rims not being one which is why i have what i have now.

 

The Brembos and Wilwood calipers have an open window at the top of the caliper for ventilation which also gives some more clearance. The Baer 2piston caliper does not. This is why they 13" Baer's will not work with Ronals and the others do.