Hey All I want to buy new front Brake Pads for my car. Its a 1992 Firebird Formula WS6. Now, I'm not 100 percent on all of that which is where my problem comes in. I have all the defining characteristics of the 92 formula, Dash Stamp saying Performance suspention, 16 wheels, center caps saying WS6..the 5 spoke snowflake wheels, the Tear Drop Cowl hood...all that. So I'm pretty sure its a 1992 Formula WS6 but just not 100 on it. When I look up New brake pads I wanted to get Ceramic Pads. On JC whitney and everywhere else I can find, they offer them for my year car..but they say "exc. performance packages". So does that mean they won't fit my car...assuming that WS6 is the package they are refering too? and if so what is the WS6 package called from factory..1LE?? I really don't know. I have seen some ceramic pads offered for 1LE performance packages at more than double the cost! So, I'd really like to know what it is I really have, and what I can get. Thanks and sorry if this post is confusing.

 

Look at your RPO codes. If there's a 1LE, the non performance pads will not work. Otherwise you prolly have the same 10.5 discs on the front most of us had. Of which you should very easily be able to find the pads for whether at autozone, or JC Whitney, whatever...

If your car has rear disc it most definitely has the 12" 1LE "style" brakes on the back. Of which the performance package brake pads will work. Do a search for 1LE and brakes for more info

 

Ya I wanted to look at my RPO Codes but I don't know where to find them, or if I even have them still in this car. I would love to find out what the 1LE is and whether or not it correlates to WS6 or if they are separate things. I did find brake pads for the 1LE on some sites, but others say they don't have them for "performance package" firebirds...and I'm assuming they mean 1LE or WS6..again I don't know. Thanks for the reply though.

 

WS6 and 1LE are not the same thing. WS6 is strictly a suspension package with different sway bars and springs....I think the wonderbar and fast ratio steering box too. Nothing to do with the brakes. 1LE included special baffled fuel tank, JG1 aluminum driveshaft and 12 inch rotors all the way around along with some different bushings/end links and LCA's. If all else fails measure you rotor diameter

 

Sweet Thanks. I appreciate the quick replies. That's almost all I needed to know. I don't want to measure tonight, its too dark and cold out. But Now that you've defined the differences between the two types of packages I'm pretty sure I don't have the 1LE package and just the WS6 because I have rear Drum Brakes. If that's the case then I can buy the ceramic ones from JC whitney and they should fit just fine...and that would be great and save me money. Thanks again...and I'll measure tomorrow if I can to be sure.

 

They are 10.5".....trust me! I have the same set up you have on my 91 Z28 with the FE2 suspension. If ya got drums i can assurre you that you have the smaller discs up front.
BTW, I know about that cold and the rain where your at....lol. I was there for a year at PSNSY doing a submarine decommishing.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info. I'm positive now that I've got the 10.5...it makes sense and I'm glad you know about the cold out here and the rain. That's why I want the Ceramic Brake pads, less noice..specially when its wet, and better wet stopping ability...among all the other neat qualities it has. I also drive by the PSNS all the time, my girlfriend goes to college out that way. Most of my friends live in that area too. Thanks again man.

 

No problem.....anytime

 

There's no way to miss the fact if you actually have 1LE front brakes on your car. For one thing, the 12" rotor looks like a dinner plate compared to the 10.5" rotor, and there's no way you can mistake the huge twin piston aluminum caliper for the cast iron ones on the standard front discs. All the rear disc setups from 89 up are the same deal, but the 1LE front brakes are very unique and hard to mistake. Just thought I'd throw some info your way since I did the 1LE conversion on the front of mine. P.S. I got the ceramic pads too. I like the idea that they create very little brake dust, which is a PITA to clean off nice looking wheels all the time!

 

Thanks for the added info, I just ordered new rotors and brakes...so I can't wait Too many mods, so little money.....Thanks again

 

If ya plan on buying new bearing while replacing rotors....
I just rebuilt my brake sys on my 92z. Alls the parts and bearings matched, except the outer bearing. All the part listings at all the stores showed part V3 or A3... A2 was tried and A1 was tried. But only A12(BCA?Federal Mogul) was the only one that fit perfect.
Hope this helps and good luck!

 

Actually doing the bearings and new seals is a good idea. Seeing as your going that far with the rotors might as well replace the crappy plastic framed factory bearings.

 

Sweet guys thanks. Where could I find new, better bearings for the front and seals? I'd like to do that as well...just never done it before and need the know-how and where to get e'm. Thanks

 

AutoZone, Advance, Pep boys....etc...