Okay, I'm going to re-do my rears soon, but I don't know if I have the High-Performance brake option, whatever that means. I got 4-wheel disk and a Borg-Warner rear axle, if that helps. As soon as I can figure this out, I can accurately order the correct parts. How can I tell what I'm supposed to have, without having RPO codes available?

 

Iron calipers and 10.5 rotors are J65.
PBR aluminum calipers and 12 inch rotors are the higher performance option. There's a bunch of posts in this section about the upgrade parts, also elsewhere in TGO.

I was too lazy to search around for the parts, so bought a set from Ed Miller with all the good stuff ready to install, cost is around $500-600. Scott got a whole rear with the PBRs and went the route of rebuilding the calipers, etc, so his cost is probably around half that.

 

Well if your is 1988 even with BW 9-bolt you have the Iron calipers and 10.5 rotors on the rear. 1989 BW 9-bolt was the only year for the PBR Aluminum calipers and 11.655 rotors.

Picture of 89 PBR rear brakes.

 

Ah, neat. So, my question now is, why can I choose between two different set-ups when I go to a parts store? I know I don't have 1LE, but what's this about two choices? Even the NAPA website said I had two grades of disk brakes available for my car. I'll go pull a rim off and look at the things myself. Thanks for the picture!!

Oh, killer swaybar, too.

 

Usually the "performance" brakes are talking about the 1LE (fronts) but since there is only one type of rear disc setup per year, you won't have any mix up with those.

What part are you talking about? The only time there would be a choice for the parts are the fronts (regular or performance discs).

If you are talking about the rotors, usually they'll list a factory replacement or a "performance" slotted or drilled rotor.

When I went to check prices at the regular parts stores, I had to specify "Performance Brakes, Rear" and "Non-performance, Front." There might be confusion otherwise. Hope that helps.

Scott

 

Another option to ensure there is no mixup of parts is to tell them you have a '86 or '87 instead.

I think 1LE's were available starting in '88 so by going earlier they won't have any other options on their computers to confuse themselves with.

What will you be replacing?

Scott

 

Don't forget the different size rear rotors 10.5 82-88 and some 89's then the 11.655 dia for 89-92. And the sizes are NOT interchanable.

 

In 1989 there were only two options for Camaro rear brakes:

1. cheap iron calipers and 10.5 inch rotors.

2. expensive PBR aluminum calipers and 11.655 rotors.

Just tell the parts people you have an '89 with option #2 and show them a picture from this link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=266910

Keep in mind that installation requires the PBR backing plates also shown in the picture, new brake hard lines, and emergency brakes lines [calipers mount in rear instead of front].

Here's the parts list:

New Raybestos 12” x .81” rotors;
Rebuilt/Remanufactured calipers complete with new GM banjo bolts, copper crush washers, and (if needed), new caliper bleeder screws;
GM Caliper carriers and guide pins;
New brake pads;
New GM disc backing plates, 9 or 10 bolt rears;
New emergency brake cables;
New Earl’s braided SS flex brake lines (3 pc.);
New OEM axle hard brake lines (2);
New flex line to hard brake line brackets and clips;
mounting hardware.

Buying this stuff from a variety of sources is a PITA, and since you don't have core PBRs, the cost goes up pretty fast. Estimate about $600-700. Ed Miller's kits are the best value. Cheapest way to do the conversion is to strip a boneyard 3rd Gen PBR rear, but I've only seen two in the past six years.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tarami...er72/my_photos

 

Right. I'll go get the cheap stuff - I don't have the funds to refit to the better system, and I STILL have to get the fronts done after I do the rears. One end of the car at a time, until I get a nice raise or win the lottery or whatever. Thanks for all the input, gentlemen, I really appreciate the input.

 

The stock iron caliper brake systems on both my Camaros work fine, adjusted properly and with enough line pressure they'll work OK.