I've spent nearly 5 hours this week searching for the information I'm needing, and I still haven't found it... So, I'm posting this in the hopes someone can help me out.

My 1988 IROC convertible has a 10-bolt drum rear with 2.73 gears. Sitting in the garage, I have a 1988 9-bolt disk rear with 3.27 gears that I'd like to swap in place of the 10-bolt. I believe the swap is relatively straight forward. I'll probably go with a Wilwood PV, which should be the only change that needs to be made, right?

My problem is in the area of the rear disk brake setup. I want to move over to the '89 style PBRs, but I'm not really clear on what I need to do this. If someone would list parts, prices, suppliers, or anything else that might be helpful here, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks. - John '89 L98

 

It would be cheaper to locate a 1989 9-bolt with the 11.655 rotors and PBR calipers with the parking brake cables and correct proportioning valve. This is unless you already have all the parts which sounds like you don't have now.

 

Why is that?

 

u need the backing plates that connect to the housing that hold the calipers then just get a like 92 z PV

 

While I'm not really sure as to what you meant to reply with, Spdfrk, but I'm going to ask this: Am I to understand this rear end is useless unless I want to stick with the stock disk brake setup? There are no brake upgrades to this rear that are relatively inexpensive? That's hard to believe... - John '89 L98

 

Believe it anyway. The PBR backing plates are discontinued, and AFAIK nobody is making repro ones; so you have what you have, and that's that. Unless of course you want to bite off on Baer or other aftermarket systems, of course.

 

Again, "there are no brake upgrades to this rear that are relatively inexpensive?" If not from GM, from anyone? You mentioned Baer, but can they be the only ones? I'm looking to make the swap to the 9-bolt rear with as little modification as possible. If I can replace the brakes with something better, and do it without having to cut brake lines, drill new holes, and fabricate brackets, that would be outstanding. Please... Any and all advice will be appreciated. - John '89 L98

 

As I stated in the first reply, start looking for a 1989 9-bolt with the PBR disc brakes. Or just use what you have, not to many options. Lucky you don't have the 89 parts.

 

Hey Wheaton--hello from Lemont.

"there are no brake upgrades to this rear that are relatively inexpensive?"

Sure! Cobble your own stuff together.

"If I can replace the brakes with something better, and do it without having to cut brake lines, drill new holes, and fabricate brackets, that would be outstanding."

Sure again! Baer.

It sure would be nice to have inexpensive AND easy together for early 9 bolt rears. Unfortunately you are asking alot. I know because I was in the same boat, so I opted for cobbling up my own setup from '89 stuff I scrounged. They are out there, you just have to look--hang in there!

 

'89 was the only year for the 9 bolt PBR brakes, so the biggest challenge is the backing plates. . After that, the rest of the parts are fairly easy. You can get rebuilt PBR calipers at Auto Zone for an inexpensive price.

Option 2 is the Baer kit, which will run you $700+.

Now, there is also another swap that is getting popular and that is to adapt LS1 rear brakes. However that entails drilling new holes in the LS1 plates to fit your 9bolt BW rear end and you also need to adapt the e-brake cables. It's a nice upgrade and IIRC can be done a little cheaper than the Baer kit..

 

Yes, you CAN get a complete rear brake kit for your 9 bolt. Both AndyZ28 and Baer offer them, but Andy's kit is more complete and will get you everything you need....Baer does not. If you already have a set of PBRs, which I don't think you do, you can just get a set of backing plates and you'd be almost all set. Since you already have the disc rear, you shouldn't need a new prop valve.

E-mail me or contact me directly and I can explain it to you in detail.


Ed
803-396-5693