Brakes Looking to upgrade or get the most out of what you have stock? All brake discussions go here!

LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-21-2008, 11:41 AM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
frloude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

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.
Old 06-21-2008, 02:06 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Reid Fleming's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: SuperRam 350
Transmission: Pro Built S/S TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

Originally Posted by frloude
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.
Old 06-21-2008, 02:26 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
chevyowner02's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Kingsport Tenn
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1992 camaro
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

Originally Posted by Reid Fleming
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".
Old 06-23-2008, 11:19 PM
  #4  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
RevItUpZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: '91 Camaro Z28
Engine: 383 Vortec HSR
Transmission: Pro-Built 700-R4;Vig 4000 stall
Axle/Gears: Moser M9 9" / 3.89
Re: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

Nice to hear some data on the "before" and "after"
Old 06-24-2008, 01:01 AM
  #5  
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
SLP-GTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: northwest
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Formula (sold)
Re: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

great post frloude thanks for taking the time..

I wonder what the distance would be with rear disks
Old 06-24-2008, 02:18 AM
  #6  
Guest
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Re: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

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

Last edited by Vetruck; 06-25-2008 at 12:56 PM.
Old 02-08-2009, 01:00 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
 
Carlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data

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..)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hotrodboba400
Firebirds for Sale
3
12-10-2019 07:07 PM
dbrochard
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
6
09-19-2015 08:13 PM
84 TA NV
Firebirds for Sale
1
09-06-2015 08:02 PM
Formula_88AE
Engine Swap
1
09-03-2015 01:47 PM
Hotrodboba400
Firebirds for Sale
0
09-02-2015 07:28 PM



Quick Reply: LS1 Upgrade Performance Data



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:45 PM.