Okay, I have the aforementioned 9-bolt with disk brakes. Does this mean automatically that I have the High-Performance brake system, or not? I gave Checkers a funny look when they asked if I had the Hi-perf system or not. I do NOT have the RPO sticker. Is there a way of physically checking if I hve run-of-the-mill brakes or the hi-perf (whatever that means) setup, like rotor diameter, different calipers, ect...? I need to know so I can replace the calipers, rotors and pads with the proper stock-replacement equipment.

Thank you!

 

Sure easy tell. If your rotors are 12" dia and you have aluminum calipers then you have a very good PBR set up that originated with the legendary 1LE which is not called "high performance" but they sure are compared to.... If you have a 10.5" rotor then you have the crappo J65 saginaw discs which never worked properly especially with regards to the parking brake.

 

The 1LE option has nothing at all to do with the rear brakes, and neither does your 9 bolt. There were no high-performance options for rear brakes. If your brakes are original to the car, then you have the same cast-iron delco moraine rear brakes that absolutely every other thirdgen got from 82 to 88.

 

You don't have the good brakes, your car is an '88 and they didn't get them. If you're gonna have to replace all those parts anyway, why not upgrade to the better '89-up PBR rear discs while you have it all apart? You can get all those parts in kit form so you'll have all you need to do the job in one package. Other than that, you're only other option would be to install the stock calipers and I'd only do that if they have the recall kit installed.


Ed

 

Although the 1LE RPO does not specify the larger rear brakes they did first appear on the seven 1988 prototype 1LE's designed for the Canadian Players series and only because of the huge problems GM was having with the Saginaw J65 junk did they appear as regular production equipment on third gens in 89. You have to admit it seems a tad odd to put better performing rear brakes on without upgrading the fronts too. Kind of backwards no? It was done because of the huge issues that even factory recalls could not remedy on the J65 junk and the easiest fix for the problem was to swap systems completely like the already tested and race proven versions they were using on the prototype 88 1LE's

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=246768

JamesC

 

So, essentially, take off a rim, get a ruler and if I have anything else besides 10.5" I'm off hunting for special parts. Stupid Checkers, I guess since a few '88's were made with the better design, the have to ask everyone who has an '88, even though, as you all say, it is doubtful that I have the better rear setup. Oh well, I'll go do that this weekend. Thanks!

 

No need to take a wheel off. Look and see if you have iron or alum calipers. If iron, 10.5 rotors, if alum 11.7 rotors. Check the link above to see the calipers in question.

JamesC

 

Pvt 11, since you're in HI, check with Duck (Ed) about his brakes he just upgraded to. He went with the PBRs in kit form. Here's pics of both types. Old style:

 

New PBR style:

 

Ah, excellent. Yeah, I asked in the Pacific Forum, too, just to get a 'local' feel to the problem. (Bad boy - no double-posting!)

 

Well, it's not just Checkers. Pretty much every auto parts store will ask if you have the "high performance" brake option. It's just how it is listed in their books.

 

Performance option is technically for the 1LEs up front but when buying rear PBR brake parts, just tell them it's a '91 or '92 year car and you should be fine, all those cars got "performance" rear brakes.


Ed

 

Excellent. Something for me to keep in mind for later. For now, I was looking at some Hawk HPS pads front and back. Anyone have any issues with those?

 

If they had Rr discs