esc

iTrader: (6)

Anyone?

I'm exploring my options right now and would like to hear about/see what others have done. Especially those in/near Houston so that I might be able to take a look in person.

I'm in the process of completing the LT-1 rear disk conversion and will probably go back with stock rebuilt components in the front for now. But I hope by early next year I'll be ready to upgrade my front brakes.

The 1LE conversion is a no-go since the parts are no longer available. I'm leaning away from the LS1 conversion due to the caliper spread issues.

I'm thinking about this...
http://www.metzcon.com/bigbrake/products2.htm



So what have you done?
How much trouble was it?
How do you like it?
When can I see it?

Thanks,

TexasLT1

C5 brakes is what I'm leaning to for an upgrade. It looks kinda funky right now having stock 3rd gen brakes on the front and larger LT1 brakes on the rear.

Zap Racing

U will probably need to go to the brake tech board here on thirdgen.org to get the info u are after.
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/for...ne=&forumid=85

I know that there are a few companies that make front calipers for thirdgen, that are a bolt-on job. Go to Summit and do a search with their new system of entering the car info, that narrows down the choices to what actually fits our cars it makes it a lot easier to see what is available.

esc

iTrader: (6)

I've already looked over the brake board and feel like I have a good idea of what is available.

What I am really after is the experiences of locals who have upgraded their brakes. Plus I want to check out the finished product in person if possible.


BTW, the link I included in the first post is to a C5 kit.

Zap Racing

Just for grins, I just did a Summit search, just to see if there is anything new since I researched all this a couple years ago.

I'm not sure there was any new ones, but there are a few different ones to choose from that are bolt ons, that are worth considering!



Knowing U though, U would probably want to do something different--different from the rest of the crowd?

Zap Racing

I think that buddy of 1bad91z --Neil --has upgraded but I don't remember what they were--think they were off a vette?

1bad91Z

iTrader: (1)

My friends and I have done a few brake upgrades. Niel has Z06 brakes on the front of his car with slotted and drilled rotors, 17 in wheels are required for the conversion. I've done rear disc conversions for a couple of people .........

What are you looking to do?

esc

iTrader: (6)

I'm in the middle of the LT-1 rear disk conversion. I'm thinking about SOME KIND of 13" conversion for the front.

I would love to see what Neil has done and hear about how it went.

As far as the LT-1 conversion I ran into a little problem. The space between the brackets and the rotors is too small. When the calipers are installed the caliper cages rub on the rotor. I'm going to pull the brackets off and mill 0.075" off so that it will fit. That should be the right amount to center the rotor in the caliper cage.

Sonar_un

My rear brakes are LT1's, however if you are going through all the effort to upgrade your brakes, it would probabally best to choose C5 corvette front brakes. The process is not disimilar to the 1LE conversion and can be done cheaper.

The LT1 rear brakes in my car do look pretty funky with the smaller 3rd gen front brakes.

esc

iTrader: (6)

Did you run into the same fitment issues with your LT1 rears?

Sonar_un

LT1 rear end + 4th gen rims FTW

esc

iTrader: (6)

I ran in to a few difficulties putting the LT1 rears on my Dana 44. I expect to have everything sorted out by Saturday, then I will start on the front. Probably a stock rebuild for now, but I hope to be able to install some 13's by the end of the year.

Then I can do some more auto-xing next year.

Anyway I would like to see any front brake converions that anyone has done before I start mine.


BTW, I will be chronicaling my rear conversion on the brake board, once it is complete, if anyone is interested.

Neil

Here is a pic of my C5-ZO6 brake upgrade. In this photo I am using the 2.25" spacer, however, I just switched to the 1.25" spacer (which I had in the rear, now running 1/8" spacers out back w/ 17x11, 315's) It looks MUCH better now, the wheels tuck really nice! Hopefully will have new pics of the car soon.

Zap Racing

Hey Neil,

Long time since we heard form U!

Gonna make the 2005 Fall Brawl?

Would like to get a closer at those brakes ETC.

esc

iTrader: (6)

That is nice! What did it take to make the front brakes work?
How do you like them, compared to stock? Do you ever auto-X?

Neil

Here's a link to a good site with pics and technical specs.
http://82lt1.cz28.com/brakes/brakes.html
Everything from spindle & hub modification to adapter brackets is discussed. If you don't want to buy the adapter brackets from Todd for $125, I know a guy in here in H-town that will fab up these brackets relatively cheap. I even made a template from wood for him to use.
In addition to swapping calipers and rotors, I also switched to an LS1 master cylinder and an adjustable prop. valve. So, with all that I noticed a huge difference in braking. I don't autoX so I can't tell you how it performs on the track but it at least looks good
I am going to try and make the Fall Brawl that all depends on my work schedule.

Oh, don' t the new C6-ZO6 calipers look awesome? Maybe I should upgrade again? NOT

esc

iTrader: (6)

That is an interesting site. It doesn't look any harder than the 1LE conversion, but parts are still available.

BTW are you running the wheel spacers just for the rims or are they needed with all rims, for caliper clearance?

1bad91Z

iTrader: (1)

Spacers are for rims only, any 17in' wheel will clear the calipers / rotors.

Neil

Yeah, just like Mike said, however, when I was looking into a set of custom wheels, some manufacturers said their 17" wheels would NOT clear C5 vette calipers and rotors, so use caution when selecting wheels! I can't remember which company it was though.

esc

iTrader: (6)

Cool. I already have 17" rims I plan on using. I expect they will fit OK.

I'm about done with the LT1 rear brake conversion. After a few minor difficulties it wasn't a problem. The brackets needed to be milled 0.075" and the parking brake cables don't fit. Thats about it so far.

Neil

I also did the LT1 rear brake upgrade and I do have the LT1 e-brake cables as well, but I haven't installed them yet. I even replaced the stock e-brake lever with the LT1 lever, but again I haven't bothered to install the cables. Too lazy

Keep us posted on how you get those cables to work.

esc

iTrader: (6)

I finally got my brakes bled today and they work great!

The pedal is firmer than I can remember it having been in a LONG time.

I still can't lock them up in a straight line, but going around a corner the inside front will lock up just before the outside front. I'm not too worried about not being able to lock up the rear's. The combination of racing tires and 0" of vacuum at 500 rpm explains that. But all 4 rotors get hot, and the braking/weight transfer FEELS right.

As for the parking brake...I picked up the (I believe) correct 3rd-gen cables today and will install them in a day or two. I'll let you know how that works.

My next issue is that I need a new or rebuilt proportioning valve. Mine has a blown seal which allows fluid to leak in to the switch area and causes teh brake warning light to stay on. Anyone know where I can get one?

esc

iTrader: (6)

This other thread has some pictures from my upgrade.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...72#post2613772

Sonar_un

I think you can pick up a prop valve at any auto parts store without too much trouble. If not, the dealer is sure to have one.

I would also reccomend picking up a willwood rear proportioning valve ~$40. It will help you dial in those rear brakes so they lock up at the proper time.

But hell, what do I know, my brakes suck REAL bad anyway.

esc

iTrader: (6)

I've tried Napa, AutoZone and Oreilies, none have the proportionaing valve.

Zap Racing

Post that question on the appropiate tech board here on thirdgen.org or maybe a search may reveal whereto get one?

Actually from what I have read about replacing it with the Wilwood proportioning valve, that the best thing U could do!

There's a complete step by step with pics, including parts needed, archived in the tech articles section. I have read it a couple times but never done mine yet. I have the dial valve, collecting dust--got it from Sumitt.

Barry85Iroc

I'd definately get the Earl's steel-braided line kit also. The factory prop. valve is dealer-only.

esc

iTrader: (6)

I've got steel lines front and center(from my old setup) just not the outside rear lines.

I had a chance to drive the car some more today..and I am VERY happy.

The soft spongey feeliong that my brakes have had for the last 20 years is gone. The pedal is nice and firm with very little travel. Well, firm is hardly the word for it, without enough manufold vacuum to operate the booster properly it takes both feet to lock up the wheels, but hte pedel doesn't travel very far.


The LT! rear brakes mod get a bug from me.

My :
I would recommend this mod to anyone with the early style read disks.