Thought folks might be interested in stopping distance experimental data for the thirdgen to LS1 front brake conversion.

My car is a 92 Z28 Convert. with 23k miles (weekend toy). It has front discs and rear drums. I did three stops from 60 to 0 prior to the upgrade. The discs and pads were original GM as installed at the factory, with 23k miles on them so they were in fine shape. Stopping distances in order were 217, 215, and 195 feet for an average of 209 feet.

I installed the front LS-1 conversion kit with slotted, cross-drilled rotors and ceramic pads. Drove the car for a couple of hundred miles to break them in and repeated the three stops in exactly the same location. Stopping distances were 185, 168, 165 for an average of 173 feet.

So on average, my stopping distance from 60 - 0 improved by 36 feet. To me, this was a very significant improvement and I have much more confidence that I can stop the car when I need to.

Also, it seems that I saw some guys saying they did the conversion in a couple of hours - good for them. I'm a 50 year old engineer and life long weekend shade-tree recreational mechanic. I'm not the fastest mechanic around, but I'm not the slowest either. I'd suggest people plan on a full weekend if replacing struts like I did. And the full weekend time estimate is assuming the calipers and pads have already been mounted on the spindle.

 

Drum in the back? Way to go GM.

I agree with you on the time issue. Brakes are something that are worth taking it slow and doing everything precisely right. Sounds like you're happy with the upgrade. I've been debating the LS1 upgrade myself and enjoy reading stats and impressions from threads like these.

 

Do it it's a big improvement. Well worth the money like said before " I can stop the car when I need to".

 

Nice to hear some data on the "before" and "after"

 

great post frloude thanks for taking the time..

I wonder what the distance would be with rear disks

 

A factory IROC did 60-0 in 147 feet. ???

Heres a video of my car downhill at aprox 85mph coming to a stop in probably aprox 200-250 feet, again "downhill". Watch the video and you'lll hear me slack off the gas a for a moment and relax the suspension before pedaling the brake pedal. You'll hear the whirl down noise of the binders and a slight lock and the tires heat up quick and get greasy.

This car is far from stock though and does a 60-0 in 102 feet. 173 feet average is either bad tire grip, bad fade from inferior brake pad compound, or you may just have bad bias (Even a combination of the three).

I start braking just after the last white marker on the guardrail.
http://www.zippyvideos.com/681124941...ilwaffarn_010/

I have Wilwoods version of the LS1 rears, but my fronts are completely custom. (rears kindof match the fronts) ps those are 6-piston 13" rotors.
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...52_74_full.jpg

 

Will the front breaks from an LS1 fit on a thirdgen bolt on? I found a "kit" from an LS1 http://www.blocket.se/vi/20170262.htm?ca=11_s (FYI I'm from Sweden..)