Guys, I'm REAL close to pulling the trigger on a Hawk's 8.8 rear end, and I had some questions regarding brakes. I currently have a stock 89 3.27 9 bolt with the PBR brakes. I'm sure there are other options but the Hawk's 8.8 options are for backing plates for either LT1 or LS1 brakes. I had THOUGHT that my PBR calipers and rotors were the same as LT1, with just different backing plates. The guy at Hawk's admittedly wasn't positive, but thought they were NOT the same.

First question: Except for the backing plates, what's different, and why can't I run my PBR's? ..and yes I know ANYTHING is possible....but this isn't a brake upgrade. I'd rather not spend money I don't HAVE to spend. FWIW, both Strange and Moser ALSO say "we" can't use stock brakes for our thirdgens, and need LT or LS brakes. With these rears being fabbed to order....why is this???

Second....if I need to buy a brake kit, which is cheaper? LS or LT? does anything from the PBR and LT1 kit work together? From my reading, LS is marginally better. I don't race, and with my LS1 front kit, I'm happy with my PBRs out back. Was kinda hoping to stick with it as much as possible.


Thoughts?

 

If you have a manual transmission go with the LS rear brakes. The LS uses an internal parking brake which works far better than my previous pbr brakes e brake. The LS brakes also use the same brake cables as a 90-92 rear disc e brake.

 

I've found that to be the case too, but again, I'm not trying to upgrade any brake parts IF....I can use what I have. ...and I think I can. But I don't know. The guys from Hawk's Motorsports wasn't sure.

I actually just emailed Bruce. If he doesn't jump in here, I'll letcha know what he says.

 

Ive been looking into this as well.I also have the 9 bolt w/ 89 PBR rear disc.Im 99.9% sure LT1 calipers/rotors are the same.The trans tunnel end of the e-brk cable may differ from early 3rd gens though, but i believe the equalizer bracket can fix that.What im pretty sure is different, are the backing plates.

Im thinking either re-drill the 9 bolt backing plates or acquire a set from a 4th gen LT1.Im fine with my old PBRs as well & would rather not "upgrade".Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

 

Bruce emailed me back a few hours ago. He said I DO need LT1 backing plates. Sounds like I CAN use my PBRs, but he mentioned a few options, and I wasn't totally clear if he was giving me performance options or if they were required. I thought they were the same, but maybe not 100%?? He offered to discuss it with me if I wanted to over the phone, so I'm going to take him up on that and will report back with the details.

 

Hey guys, Bruce actually just called. I CAN use my PBRs off my 89 and the rotors. I will need to use LT1 backing plates, and I'm just going to purchase them when I order the 8.8. Beyond that, everything should work. He said that in the event that I run into any fitment issues, he'd swap my PBRs for LT1s at no charge, but he said I should be fine with the PBRs.

 

Excellent. Do you know if these are bearing retainer or c-clips.Guessing the latter, but doesnt say on their site.

 

I'm not exactly sure how it all works, but I'm fairly certain they are NOT C clips.

 

they use an axle end similar to what you see on ford 9" such as what is in the attached link

http://www.moserengineering.com/othe...lip-axles.html

it makes a nice combination using big bearing, eliminating the c clip, and your brake set up

i have two of Bruce's 8.8s and they have been great... likely ordering another shortly for this winter's project