Well heres a quick run down of braking issues with my 91 Z28 1LE 355 Auto.
Car has horrible braking. Cannot for the life of me come anywhere close to locking up my brakes even if I two foot her. The pedal isnt spongie or soft. It feels like it used to when I could lock up the brakes. However, the pedal goes hard after 3-4 rapid pumps. It feels like there is no vacuum left in the booster. Has lower vacuum due to the cam. Heres what I have done so far with no real improvement

1) Added EARLS stainless braided flex lines
2) Tried a vacuum resevoir
3) Replaced can with SSBC vacuum pump so no low vacuum issues
4) Flushed and bled and bled and bled fluid
5) Verified visually the calipers are moving and not binding
6) Changed rear calipers
7) Cahnged brake master cylinder
8) changed booster check valve

Thought it was a low vacuum issue but with the electric pump there is no change so Im not really sure which way to go at this point. Not sure now if this is a booster problem (tried the test listed on this site about pumping up the booster with car off and hold pedal while starting and the pedal sunk)
bad front calipers, combination valve or junk rotors and pads? I havent changed the pads / rotors since the time I was able to lock them up so I dont know. Just looking for some guidance or suggestions etc. Really appreciate any replies. Thanks

Kris

 

What pads are you running? When did the bad performance start?

Ed

 

In all honesty I cant remember. I havent driven the car more than a handful of times in 3 years due to issues, lack of $$$ and time. Im pretty sure they are just NAPA pads. I also dont remember when they went bad. I think they went bad during the time it sat while I did a cam swap and intake swaps.

Kris

 

I still feel 1LEs are great braking cars, mine stops great. Here's my thoughts..you've replaced practically everything so it's not the lines or the vacuum. Odds are if you haven't driven the car much, it's a combination of the calipers and pads. I'd rebuild or just go through the calipers, it's not that hard and I can send you the instructions on how to do it. Replace the pads and either scuff the rotors with emory cloth or light sandpaper or just have them turned to bring the surface back. Also, if you care to, take it to GM and have them either pressure or vacuum bleed the system. See if that does it. No need to go to GM for the parts, most are discontinued and will be high money if they do have them.

Good luck!

Ed

 

Hey Ed,

Did you get my PMs?

Kris