Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
#1
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Hey guys,
I'm planning on redoing the rear brakes. Looking on Rockauto there are many options for both the pads and drums. Anybody have suggestions on which parts to select?
Thanks!!!
I'm planning on redoing the rear brakes. Looking on Rockauto there are many options for both the pads and drums. Anybody have suggestions on which parts to select?
Thanks!!!
#2
On Probation
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
And brand name bonded shoes and your choice of drums (if needed) is fine IMO.
A new set of springs and hardware is my choice on a 30+ yo car also.
A new set of springs and hardware is my choice on a 30+ yo car also.
#3
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
That was the original plan, just hit the more reputable stuff but a few options are out there.
Example: The Centric heavy duty shoes, are they a better compound?
#4
On Probation
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Wheel cylinders..................
Try and find US/Can. made stuff.
Check the part for origin stampings.
$pendy tho............
Try and find US/Can. made stuff.
Check the part for origin stampings.
$pendy tho............
#6
On Probation
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Even the GM stuff (and many others) can be chinese or another 3rd world country
mfrd. and packed in a USA box!
Went thru this trying to get front bearings for my 72 Pontiac.
NDK stamped/GM boxed and bearing stamped china.
Another stamped USA.
Found US made/stamped wheel cylinders at NAPA for the Pontiac
and the Z-28.
This was a couple years back so who knows whats quality or US/Can. made.
mfrd. and packed in a USA box!
Went thru this trying to get front bearings for my 72 Pontiac.
NDK stamped/GM boxed and bearing stamped china.
Another stamped USA.
Found US made/stamped wheel cylinders at NAPA for the Pontiac
and the Z-28.
This was a couple years back so who knows whats quality or US/Can. made.
#7
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Even the GM stuff (and many others) can be chinese or another 3rd world country
mfrd. and packed in a USA box!
Went thru this trying to get front bearings for my 72 Pontiac.
NDK stamped/GM boxed and bearing stamped china.
Another stamped USA.
Found US made/stamped wheel cylinders at NAPA for the Pontiac
and the Z-28.
This was a couple years back so who knows whats quality or US/Can. made.
mfrd. and packed in a USA box!
Went thru this trying to get front bearings for my 72 Pontiac.
NDK stamped/GM boxed and bearing stamped china.
Another stamped USA.
Found US made/stamped wheel cylinders at NAPA for the Pontiac
and the Z-28.
This was a couple years back so who knows whats quality or US/Can. made.
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#8
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Car: '84 Z
Engine: L69
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Aluminum drums are available. My 1984 Z came with aluminum drums from new. I don't know if better than iron. Possibly cool quicker. Lighter. Could also be some disadvantages, but I have not researched.
#9
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Car: '83 Firebird (T/A Clone)
Engine: 350 carbed with L-69 components
Transmission: 700R-4 w/2000 RPM stall converter
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt/3.73 Let's Go Brandon
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
I learned the hard way about skimping on shoes/pads. Get the best available.
#10
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
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Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Absolutely except in this case what is the best available. Some times just because there is a higher cost doesn't necessarily mean they are better.
#12
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Took a look at those and considering them but asking myself if I really need them. With 170 hp (and no more in the horizon) I don't have too much to slow down haha!
#13
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Car: '91 GTA, '92 T/A Convertible
Engine: GTA: 350 w/Vortec heads, T/A: 305
Transmission: Pro-built 700R4
Axle/Gears: GTA: 3.27, T/A: 2.73
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
A good brake and suspension setup pays more dividends in everyday driving than people typically think about. I put those shoes inside the drums of my mostly stock '92 with a 305. Not for wow factor, but because the brakes on these cars are very outdated and can use every upgrade we can afford.
#14
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
So when you're cruising down the highway and some moron decides to slam on his breaks, does physics give a crap about how much horsepower your car is pumping out? Nope. It pretty much only cares about how fast you are going and how much your car weighs.
A good brake and suspension setup pays more dividends in everyday driving than people typically think about. I put those shoes inside the drums of my mostly stock '92 with a 305. Not for wow factor, but because the brakes on these cars are very outdated and can use every upgrade we can afford.
A good brake and suspension setup pays more dividends in everyday driving than people typically think about. I put those shoes inside the drums of my mostly stock '92 with a 305. Not for wow factor, but because the brakes on these cars are very outdated and can use every upgrade we can afford.
Are those shoes going to really make that much of a difference when jackass slams his brakes? Probably not that much. The upgraded stock setup in my mint 5.0 LX coupe didn't do **** when I rearranged her front sheetmetal in a nasty wreck. If I had the Cobra brakes my current car has I would have probably been able to rebuild. Oh well.
Maybe I'm wrong, Idk. You're running those shoes. How do they feel?
#15
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Car: 1980 El Camino
Engine: Turbocharged 305
Transmission: TH350 (future 4L80E)
Axle/Gears: stock 2.56 posi
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Is this a daily driver, auto cross, road race, etc?
Tires, wheels, and pads/shoes are the most important part of any brake system.
You could have the biggest rotor, 6 piston, 4 wheel disc brake system with low performance tires, and you will not stop significantly better if that tire combo was on a stock brake system.
Lighter wheels will help you stop better. Add a performance tires and this will help even a stock brake setup. Lighter wheel tire setup will also help acceleration and gas mileage.
Choose the pad for its intended purpose. A quality street pad (semi metallic or organic), for a daily driver, is all you should need. There are heat limitations to a street pad, so I wouldn't auto cross or road race them. If auto x or road racing, I would always switch out the pads for the event with a pad with a higher heat range, but I would NOT use these pads on the street. A lower heat range pad will have great initial bite. I higher heat pad will have a much lower initial bite and will need some heat before they start work well.
Determine what your brakes are going to be used for and work towards that.
If you want to save money, use your stock drums unless they are highly scored or warped. An aluminum drum setup is the lightest and cheapest upgrade for the rear.
Wheel cylinders are pretty cheap, even for the more expensive name brand ones. Only real wear item is the seals and I'm sure there is not a big price difference between a high quality seal and a low quality seal. DO NOT buy clearance items from rockauto, its not worth the risk. There is a reason they are on clearance and its most likely (I'm guessing here) from getting significant returns.
Tires, wheels, and pads/shoes are the most important part of any brake system.
You could have the biggest rotor, 6 piston, 4 wheel disc brake system with low performance tires, and you will not stop significantly better if that tire combo was on a stock brake system.
Lighter wheels will help you stop better. Add a performance tires and this will help even a stock brake setup. Lighter wheel tire setup will also help acceleration and gas mileage.
Choose the pad for its intended purpose. A quality street pad (semi metallic or organic), for a daily driver, is all you should need. There are heat limitations to a street pad, so I wouldn't auto cross or road race them. If auto x or road racing, I would always switch out the pads for the event with a pad with a higher heat range, but I would NOT use these pads on the street. A lower heat range pad will have great initial bite. I higher heat pad will have a much lower initial bite and will need some heat before they start work well.
Determine what your brakes are going to be used for and work towards that.
If you want to save money, use your stock drums unless they are highly scored or warped. An aluminum drum setup is the lightest and cheapest upgrade for the rear.
Wheel cylinders are pretty cheap, even for the more expensive name brand ones. Only real wear item is the seals and I'm sure there is not a big price difference between a high quality seal and a low quality seal. DO NOT buy clearance items from rockauto, its not worth the risk. There is a reason they are on clearance and its most likely (I'm guessing here) from getting significant returns.
#16
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
Is this a daily driver, auto cross, road race, etc?
Tires, wheels, and pads/shoes are the most important part of any brake system.
You could have the biggest rotor, 6 piston, 4 wheel disc brake system with low performance tires, and you will not stop significantly better if that tire combo was on a stock brake system.
Lighter wheels will help you stop better. Add a performance tires and this will help even a stock brake setup. Lighter wheel tire setup will also help acceleration and gas mileage.
Choose the pad for its intended purpose. A quality street pad (semi metallic or organic), for a daily driver, is all you should need. There are heat limitations to a street pad, so I wouldn't auto cross or road race them. If auto x or road racing, I would always switch out the pads for the event with a pad with a higher heat range, but I would NOT use these pads on the street. A lower heat range pad will have great initial bite. I higher heat pad will have a much lower initial bite and will need some heat before they start work well.
Determine what your brakes are going to be used for and work towards that.
If you want to save money, use your stock drums unless they are highly scored or warped. An aluminum drum setup is the lightest and cheapest upgrade for the rear.
Wheel cylinders are pretty cheap, even for the more expensive name brand ones. Only real wear item is the seals and I'm sure there is not a big price difference between a high quality seal and a low quality seal. DO NOT buy clearance items from rockauto, its not worth the risk. There is a reason they are on clearance and its most likely (I'm guessing here) from getting significant returns.
Tires, wheels, and pads/shoes are the most important part of any brake system.
You could have the biggest rotor, 6 piston, 4 wheel disc brake system with low performance tires, and you will not stop significantly better if that tire combo was on a stock brake system.
Lighter wheels will help you stop better. Add a performance tires and this will help even a stock brake setup. Lighter wheel tire setup will also help acceleration and gas mileage.
Choose the pad for its intended purpose. A quality street pad (semi metallic or organic), for a daily driver, is all you should need. There are heat limitations to a street pad, so I wouldn't auto cross or road race them. If auto x or road racing, I would always switch out the pads for the event with a pad with a higher heat range, but I would NOT use these pads on the street. A lower heat range pad will have great initial bite. I higher heat pad will have a much lower initial bite and will need some heat before they start work well.
Determine what your brakes are going to be used for and work towards that.
If you want to save money, use your stock drums unless they are highly scored or warped. An aluminum drum setup is the lightest and cheapest upgrade for the rear.
Wheel cylinders are pretty cheap, even for the more expensive name brand ones. Only real wear item is the seals and I'm sure there is not a big price difference between a high quality seal and a low quality seal. DO NOT buy clearance items from rockauto, its not worth the risk. There is a reason they are on clearance and its most likely (I'm guessing here) from getting significant returns.
Tires are new Falken Ze950s. A very whatever all season tire. In the next few weeks I'll be installing new stock calipers up front and changing the hoses (rear hose too). Powerstop Z16 pads (ceramic)
#17
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Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 Auburn
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
I used the powerstop Z23 kit with powder coated calipers, drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic, kevlar pads. Set of Russell SS brake lines. New wheel cylinders and a set of american made brake shoe kit(all springs and clips included)from a local parts store. Not sure of the brand on those but if you stay away from the parts boys the quality should be good. All I can say is WOW. My brakes work great and the car stops like it should, better than ever. The best part is it is all stock fitment stuff so no mods necessary and I got all the parts including the fluid for around $400.
#18
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
I used the powerstop Z23 kit with powder coated calipers, drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic, kevlar pads. Set of Russell SS brake lines. New wheel cylinders and a set of american made brake shoe kit(all springs and clips included)from a local parts store. Not sure of the brand on those but if you stay away from the parts boys the quality should be good. All I can say is WOW. My brakes work great and the car stops like it should, better than ever. The best part is it is all stock fitment stuff so no mods necessary and I got all the parts including the fluid for around $400.
#19
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Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 Auburn
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
If the Russell lines are a budget buster I would just do new rubber ones. I am a firm believer that on cars of are age that all the parts that could fail should be replaced if you are already there. If you plan on a caliper replacement you just took 50% of the brake line off already.
#20
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Car: 1989 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Brake shoes and drums - Any suggestions?
If the Russell lines are a budget buster I would just do new rubber ones. I am a firm believer that on cars of are age that all the parts that could fail should be replaced if you are already there. If you plan on a caliper replacement you just took 50% of the brake line off already.
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