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

Question about Big Brake upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 1, 2019 | 06:45 AM
  #1  
rgauder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 10
From: Windsor, Ontario
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Question about Big Brake upgrade

Which big brake upgrades use a 1LE hub?

Reply
Old Dec 1, 2019 | 07:50 AM
  #2  
LiquidBlue's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 244
From: Austin, TX
Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: MD8
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

1LE brakes (period correct) would require 1LE spindle up front (or equivalent) and a differential capable of mounting J65 disks in back.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 11:06 AM
  #3  
Fullmonte77's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 117
From: Kylertown,PA
Car: 85 Berlinetta
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.42 with Torsen posi
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by rgauder
Which big brake upgrades use a 1LE hub?
Just do the LS1 upgrade. Easier to find parts and better than the 1LE brakes. You can also get a hub from Bigbrakeupgrade.com with the larger outer 1LE bearing. And as far as the rear all 90-92 rear disc are the same. They have the PBR calipers. The 1LE had the same rear brakes as the other disc brake cars only the front brakes are different.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...e-upgrade.html

Last edited by Fullmonte77; Dec 2, 2019 at 11:10 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 02:47 PM
  #4  
427seven's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 576
Likes: 507
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

a 1LE hub is a machined caprice rotor...
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 03:24 PM
  #5  
fireball451's Avatar
Member
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 14
From: Gray, TN
Car: 91 Z28, 91 Z28, 92 Z28
Engine: LB9, LB9, L98
Transmission: T5, T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:42, 3:42, 3:23
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

C4HD brakes use the 1LE hub. The hub is a turned down 1LE rotor.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 03:32 PM
  #6  
Drew's Avatar
Supreme Member
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (58)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 20,310
Likes: 1,066
From: Salina, KS
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Shots fired! Shots fired! Send a wambulance! 1LE hype down!

You can't just go around dropping bombs like that.

Maybe OP needs to be a bit more specific about what he is trying to accomplish. Technically, there is no such thing as a 1LE hub. 1LEs have the hub machined into the rotor. You can cut that rotor down into a hub, but does that make it a 1LE hub? Hmm...
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 04:43 PM
  #7  
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

wow the bad info or I just didn't understand the post above

no difference I 1le spindle and standard spindle the 1le you don't have to modify
1le hub and standard hub there are differences in the outer bearing and in offset

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brakes/117262-1le-rotors-interesting-measurement.html#post2195191

see
post #5 on the offset difference

but bigbrakeupgrade he offers the larger 1le bearing in standard hub

1le hub if preference and depending on your wheel you will run as well as it might push your wheel to far out depending on your wheel specs
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 05:32 PM
  #8  
427seven's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 576
Likes: 507
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

when GM created the 1LE, the 'heavy duty" spindle was modified to accept a bracket for the PBR 2 piston caliper, and the rotor was a parts bin 12" from the front of caprice wagons and police specials, it was machined for the f body's 5x4.75" bolt pattern (the caprice wagon was 5x5). the hub was integral just like the 10 inchers used on the cast iron f body fronts

c4's use a sealed bolt on hub, front and rear

if you want to use a caprice rotor or a 1LE rotor to create a hub, the track width will not be any different than the 1LE, the wheel bolts to the outside of the newly created hub just as it would bolt to the outside of the rotor.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 05:52 PM
  #9  
fireball451's Avatar
Member
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 14
From: Gray, TN
Car: 91 Z28, 91 Z28, 92 Z28
Engine: LB9, LB9, L98
Transmission: T5, T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:42, 3:42, 3:23
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Good write up on C4HD brake upgrade.
Also has different measurements and other options for brake upgrades.

https://lukeskaff.com/projects/car/t...brake-upgrade/

I did the C4HD set up on one of my 91s and almost have the all parts for my other 91.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 07:22 PM
  #10  
QwkTrip's Avatar
COTM Editor
25 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,421
Likes: 2,083
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by Drew
Shots fired! Shots fired! Send a wambulance! 1LE hype down!
LOL!
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2019 | 07:25 PM
  #11  
QwkTrip's Avatar
COTM Editor
25 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,421
Likes: 2,083
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by Zach/90\irocZ
no difference I 1le spindle and standard spindle the 1le you don't have to modify
1le hub and standard hub there are differences in the outer bearing and in offset
I've got a set of 1LE spindles on the shelf and they sure look beefier in certain areas than my standard spindles.

Currently running a standard spindle with larger bearing.
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 06:33 AM
  #12  
rgauder's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 654
Likes: 10
From: Windsor, Ontario
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

I want to run a turned down 1LE rotor (now a hub) for the increase in track width. This I believe will let me use my new wheels without any spacer. Was just wondering if I could do it with any of the brembo brakes from the newer vettes or if the C4HD was the only swap I could do?
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 10:18 AM
  #13  
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
I've got a set of 1LE spindles on the shelf and they sure look beefier in certain areas than my standard spindles.

Currently running a standard spindle with larger bearing.
yea I've had the 1le setup been a min but didn't see big enough difference extra casting is around the caliper mounts IIRC
but I run standard spindle on 2 other builds no issues
the extra meat doesn't justify the hassle to look for them tho unless you just personally
want them
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 10:29 AM
  #14  
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by rgauder
I want to run a turned down 1LE rotor (now a hub) for the increase in track width. This I believe will let me use my new wheels without any spacer. Was just wondering if I could do it with any of the brembo brakes from the newer vettes or if the C4HD was the only swap I could do?
you can run any brakes you want I'm not sure what your question is trying to ask if you use 1le hub you may have to space out caliper to center over rotor
the hub doesn't determine what brakes you can run the caliper bracket design does
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 12:02 PM
  #15  
427seven's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 576
Likes: 507
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

The bottom line is that you can make any combination of caliper and rotor work with your spindle, you just have to experiment with different combinations of parts or trust someone who has already done it. If you want to make your own custom system, there are many 2 piece rotors with hats that have offsets to make your combination work. Your wheel tire combination has to play, and so it's a matter of math. Measure and figure.

It seems that many people who think of doing these things want it cheap. If you can source a combination of parts from previous or other applications, it is possible to create neat, unique setups. I've done many, and I know what parts work. Example, you have stock 16" wheels and you want to keep them. You want 1LE brakes, but parts are virtually impossible to source. If you have access to a wrecking yard that has C4 parts, many of those parts can be used. That would include your spindles, a mount pattern, 12 inch front rotors from a non big brake C4, calipers, brackets and pads from a big brake C4 and your modified 10.5" rotors (make hubs out of them). You don't need anything else. Your wheels and tires fit, and you have front brakes that are far more serviceable than the 1LE brakes were.

If you don't have wheels yet and plan on getting aftermarket, put whatever you want on, you can make it work.




this is on a standard spindle cut to accept the caliper mount


Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 12:06 PM
  #16  
427seven's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 576
Likes: 507
Car: 1989 Firebird GTA
Engine: Motown Aluminum 427
Transmission: TH400/GVO
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 IRS 3.75:1
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade



1LE on the right, BAER C4 13 inch knock off on the left


Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 01:28 PM
  #17  
Fullmonte77's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 247
Likes: 117
From: Kylertown,PA
Car: 85 Berlinetta
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.42 with Torsen posi
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by 427seven
It seems that many people who think of doing these things want it cheap. If you can source a combination of parts from previous or other applications, it is possible to create neat, unique setups. I've done many, and I know what parts work. Example, you have stock 16" wheels and you want to keep them. You want 1LE brakes, but parts are virtually impossible to source. If you have access to a wrecking yard that has C4 parts, many of those parts can be used. That would include your spindles, a mount pattern, 12 inch front rotors from a non big brake C4, calipers, brackets and pads from a big brake C4 and your modified 10.5" rotors (make hubs out of them). You don't need anything else. Your wheels and tires fit, and you have front brakes that are far more serviceable than the 1LE brakes were.
LS1 brakes also fit under the 16" wheels. That stuff is easy to source and pretty cheep. i did my complete swap for under $350
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 01:32 PM
  #18  
QwkTrip's Avatar
COTM Editor
25 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,421
Likes: 2,083
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by Zach/90\irocZ
the extra meat doesn't justify the hassle to look for them tho unless you just personally want them
Yep. Sometimes using rare parts is just a hassle.
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 03:01 PM
  #19  
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
Yep. Sometimes using rare parts is just a hassle.
trust I know and by the time you find them you lost interest and they just sit around lol
but for car restoration period correct upgrades its worth the hassle
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2019 | 04:40 PM
  #20  
fireball451's Avatar
Member
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 295
Likes: 14
From: Gray, TN
Car: 91 Z28, 91 Z28, 92 Z28
Engine: LB9, LB9, L98
Transmission: T5, T5, 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3:42, 3:42, 3:23
Re: Question about Big Brake upgrade

Originally Posted by rgauder
I want to run a turned down 1LE rotor (now a hub) for the increase in track width. This I believe will let me use my new wheels without any spacer. Was just wondering if I could do it with any of the brembo brakes from the newer vettes or if the C4HD was the only swap I could do?
The C4HD set up will increase you track width around 1/2” on each side. The set up barely squeezes inside of 17” Ronal R15 wheels which have a taper to them. Factory 16” 91-92 wheels clear the C4HDs no problem.


Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ineeedmorespeed
Brakes
11
Sep 19, 2007 06:13 AM
boussole
Brakes
7
Mar 19, 2006 02:02 PM
pasky
Brakes
21
Apr 29, 2004 09:29 AM
SLP_GTA
Suspension and Chassis
5
May 21, 2003 04:51 PM
89ProchargedROC
Suspension and Chassis
4
Mar 6, 2003 02:31 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:25 AM.