The 1LE brake kit from spohn includes caliper carriers. I know that the C4 brake calipers are very similar to the 1LE calipers , and the C4 setup does not require a similar bracket. Would it be possible to install the 1LE brakes without these brackets. I am thinking that the adapter bracket that attaches to the spindle could be made differently to eliminate the carriers. The $200 for the extra brackets just puts the cost beyond what I would like to spend.

What do you all think

Ummm...C4 calipers also use a similar carrier bracket, just not exactly like the 1LEs so you'll still have to use some type of bracket. And no, the C4 carrier cannot be used instead of the 1LE carrier.

Ed

Okay so they have a carrier, but do you think that one could be fabricated. Welding would be no problem and minor machining could be accomplished. They are a relatively weak looking part so I would think that a weld would hold just as well. They really dont appear to be an item that is being subjected to too much stress.

I have more time than money.

I don't think you could just fab one up, too many measurements to deal with. Do you just not want to buy them? And do you have to have 1LEs? Why not go with C4s or another setup?

Ed

I have most of the parts for a C4 setup. Just looked at the pile and noticed that there are carriers. I only need the adapter brackets and a prop valve. It just seems to me that the 1LE brakes are will hold up better under extreme conditions than the C4's. A wider rotor should cool better. I figure that I can pass off the C4 calipers as 1LE to the average counter guy, the pads are the same and I will sell the rotors that I have to along with the hubs to someone that wants the C4 setup.

how much would you want for the c4 setup?

Just checked on the 1LE caliper brackets 10132829 & 10132830. They are no longer available from GM.

Is there an alternative?

Can the calipers be ordered with the carriers included from one of the replacement parts places, ie Autozone?

No, AFAIK, Spohn is the only place to get them. A set will show up on Ebay every now and then but you'd be better off to go through Spohn.

Ed

double post..

Spohn is the only place I have seen them as well$195 plus shipping.

10181207 and 10181208 are the caliper carriers for the Non HD C4 calipers, correct?

No, 1207 and 1208 are HD carriers.

Ed

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I would not trust hand-welded and fabricated carriers. I wouldnt ride in your car if I knew they were on there. I dont doubt your welding skills, but the carriers are definitely not a "weak" part: They are castings that are precision machined to encapsulate the brake caliper assembly and transfer the torque of the stationary spindle to the spinning wheel. If that fails and the caliper pops off, you will spin wildly out of control.

Steve Spohn worked very hard to secure those parts from the original manufacturer AFTER GM discontinued them. I think he invested a lot of money to convince them to make one more production run to ensure the availability of the 1LE brake package for the third-gen. If I needed to do it again, I wouldnt hesitate to buy them from him.

There's chronic do-it-yourselfs (and I am one of them) but I think that this is one particular part where you should outsource. That caliper needs to float back and forth on the pads, but also must be firmly encapsulated to keep it from sliding fore/aft along the perimeter of the rotor. Only the machined cage can do that.

If you want to save yourself some money, fabricate your own torque arm, lower control arms, and panhard rod. You can save $200 there, easy. It's just tube steel with some 3/4-16 inserts welded into the ends. (One left-hand and one right-hand thread)