After swapping my stock drums for LS rears I ran into the same problem many of you have also........the parking brake won't work. So instead of pay $100+ and wait 6 months for Ed's cables I decided I'd make my own. Here's what you need:

1. Your stock cables (from whatever rear end since we're only concerned about the front part of the cable)

2. LS1 parking brake cables (98-02 camaro)

3. Welder

4. Small clamp

You're going to use the LS cables on your car, and simply mod the front part that connects to the equalizer. You have to cut the front part off of your stock cables, then weld it to the LS cables. Here's how:

From now on I'm only talking about the FRONT of the cables because the rear part (the part that connects to the axle) is already correct.

Here's the front of the LS cable:


Cut the stop off of the LS cable and remove some of the plastic lining since you obviously can't weld over it:


Here is your stock cable. Note the correct distance from the flat area of the chassis connector to the tip of the cable is 12.5". This is the distance your LS cables need to be:


Cut the front off your stock cable keeping it as long as possible then remove the lining just like before:


Now line the LS cable up with the piece of stock cable you cut off earlier making sure to mock them up at the correct length os 12.5":


Now use the clamp to secure the 2 pieces together before welding:


Now weld the 2 together making sure to go slow using small welds all around. You can then increase the size and duration of your welds and grind them down if you'd like:


Now at least spray the welds with primer so they won't rust. Sorry I didn't get a pic.

As far as cable routing, the drivers side followed stock and even fit in the stock guide on the axle. The passenger followed the same routing as the drivers: Around the panhard bar and straight to the equalizer just like stock.

The cables work very well, and that LS parking brake drum really holds!

Enjoy

 

nice idea but i just did this swap as well using 4th gen cables (all 3) and it all fit perfectly EXCEPT where the ends of the cables in the front, where they are supposed to be pushed into a holder/eyelet (not the equalizer) it seemed all i had to do was make an L bracket an drill out a hole large enough to push the eyelet into place to "snap" it in for each cable and it would be in like factory. ill take some pics of what i mean later on. Also, im doing this on a 91 firebird if they are any different.

 

I kinda know what you mean, but I'm using the stock 3rd gen parking brake handle and equalizer.

 

so am i, i got all 3 4th gen cables off ls1tech for $25 used in nice shape, all i did was swap out the handle cable then the rear cables fit right on since they were all 4th gen. The 4th gen front cable on the handle will fit right on the 3rd gen's handle...perfectly.

 

Ahh see I didn't have the 3rd LS cable. Isn't there a bracket needed too?

 

no, all i got when they sent them was 2 long rear cables and 1 short one for the handle that comes out under the tunnel with the equalizer that the rears hook onto, only issue i had was where the two long ones plug into the holders which means only 2 simple brackets need to be made, but, actually i dont even have to make those, the 4th gen cable holders on the rear end wouldnt work with my lower control arm brackets (wouldnt slide over, too wide) so i cut off the insides and used them like L brackets, well the piece i had left over might work as those brackets i need in the tunnel. which would make the total swap cost $25 + 10 minutes or less of welding/fabbing.

 

I actually modded my cable brackets same day. Came out pretty well.

 

yeah right where the "L" is on the bracket(the notch),i cut that L ear off so the whole bracket is L shaped and now i can use the L piece left over to use as the holders under the tunnel. it is still nice and rigid and lined up since it has that tab that keeps it from moving.

 

I wonder how relocation brackets for an LS camaro differ since they'd have the same problem we did. I simply widened mine by welding, but now I wonder.

 

Honestly i dont think they took those brackets into account when they designed them.

 

Well they'd have to account for those brackets somehow since it's OEM equipment and every LS camaro will have them.

 

The only way to know for sure is to order some specifically for a 98-02 c/f and compare, not worth the $ to me. when i ordered mine from founders perf., i wasnt asked what year the car was, said it fit 82-02. who knows, maybe one of the other companies that sells them have some fine print somewhere saying "some modifying required for 98-02 vehicles".

 

Bolt-on parts have softened the hot-rodding community so some fab here and there is welcome.

 

i agree with that, i think anyone with a car that visits a forum dedicated to that type of vehicle should at least have a small flux core welder and angle grinder at minimum.