Is there any reason why you can not use front calipers on the rear. The reason for asking is, the front calipers are more redely avalible in my area the the rears (IN SALVAGE YARDS). Any help would be greatful.

 

May I ask why you wouldn't simply remand from a local parts store?

JamesC

 

I've looked and they all want a chore exchange which i don't have. In turn that means that the calipers will be well over $150 each. I am looking to replace the rear drums with dics thats the need for the caliper question.

 

I'm uncertain of your plan, but to swap discs to the drum rear, you'll need to modify the axle flanges and use the correct backing plates, which means pulling the axles themselves. With that said, perhaps going the PBR route would be the best bet.

JamesC

 

It can be done, I know someone who did it, hes running 13 inch ZR1 front brakes and put the front calipers on the rears with I believe 12 inch rotors. The major downside is you would lose the parking brake. My friend is running an automatic so hes not worried about it. However for someone like me running a stick I need rear calipers with the parking brake. But like James said, why go through the trouble? What did you have in mind other than running the front calipers on the rears?

 

what is the PBR route? Not sure.

 

read this
https://www.thirdgen.org/ls1reardisc

one of the most commonly overlooked brake upgrades, its not hard to do and works quite well.

pbr refers to the later 3rd gen 89-92 and lt1 year rear disc brakes, which also work.

 

My plan is to remove the the rear drums and replace them with disc brakes. Will be running an automatic tranny so the parking brake is not all that important, but if I can keep it and use it would be great

 

As 86TA said, it refers to the later 89-92 rear calipers. Along with LT1s. The method to do the swap is similar if not almost identical to the LS1 rear brake swap he linked you to. The advantage I found with the 3rd gen PBRs was, I didn't have to do any real custom work, just needed the correct backing plates. You can get all the hard lines pre-bent and ready to go on, rubber lines can be found at just about any parts store, the same could be said for the parking brake cables. But if you want to go rear discs, I think there are better ways of doing it than using front calipers on rear discs.

 

What is the correct backing plate? in advance thanks for the info.

 

There are a couple people/places who sell backing plates for the PBR swap. One being this one at Hawks Third Gen Parts.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/90...rordriver.aspx

Watch which one you get, they seem to be slightly different for 9 and 10 bolts. I linked you to a 10 bolt one since they're common. I believe there is a different flange bolt pattern on the axle tubes between the 9 and 10 bolt rear ends.

Ed Miller of Flynbye.com does them too, and I got them from him, but based on the fact that people seem to have a hell of a time getting in touch with him and a long wait for the product I would hold off on him for now.

 

Andy also makes the backing plates:

http://www.andyz28.com/catalog.htm

L69 is correct: The 9- and 10-bolt backing plates have a different bolt pattern, one that can be seen seen in the conversion I did several years ago. Pics and part #'s below.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/faq-...iscs-89-a.html

For best braking performance, you'll need one of the 1LE combination valves (or an adjustable). There's a first- and second-design based on the year of your car.

Ed Miller does fab hassle-free drum to disc conversion brackets:

http://www.flynbye.com/catalog/i30.html

More braking info below:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-10-bolts.html

JamesC

 

For the PBR swap the easiest way is to find a V8 4th gen (93-97) in the salvage yard and get the rear disc brake set up off of it. The Mounting bracket is not a straight bolt on to a drum rear. It may be able to be made to work ( 10 bolt only) or buy the correct mounting brackets from one of the above sites. With the 10 bolt you may require shims. Andy's site has them.