It's come to my attention that there might have been two versions of the front PBR 1LE caliper. The early one might have been a 1988 only, or perhaps early 89. Some might call it a narrow bodied version.

I have no documentation to support this yet, just checking if anyone else knew about this.

I am trying to put my 1988 TA back to original specs which was factory delivered with front PBR calipers and 12" rotors. No, my car is not a 1LE, but it was the first to leave the assembly line with the 1LE brake option. It was built specifically for the Player's Challenge race series.


Anyone have more info?

Mark.

 

After some digging, I found out that the early corvette calipers were made by Girlock of Austraila, but the only info I have is that they were single piston calipers. The only dual piston calipers were made by PBR.

Just need to find out what changes PBR made to their calipers over the 88-96 years when they were used.


Mark.

 

I'd heard that the predecessors of the 1LE's (I think they were called R7U's) used re-drilled caprice rotors with corvette calipers. I'd assume that was the 12" narrow bodied calipers. Anyone know what a thickness a mid to late 80's caprice rotor was? I recall this tip from an article from an old magazine in the early 90's called All Chevy.

 

R7U was the Canadian Player's Challenge code used from 89-92.

In 1986-1987, the Player's cars and SCCA cars used the caprice rotor with Brembo calipers. Perhaps that is what people have referred to as the "early" caliper.

I am not aware that they ever used the Caprice single piston caliper in the Canadian race series. Only the Bremo and PBR.

Mark.

 

Got me.....


Ed

 

Can anyone post pictures of the PBR calipers (from the top looking down so you can see the PBR logo? Also on the inside of the caliper (as viewed if it was on the car), there may be a number stamped on it. I believe it is a date code. Something like 21M3 (This is mine), where I am guess the 21 is the day, M is the year by Vin (M-91) and 3 is the month. Did I mention ... I am really guessing!

My calipers have the PBR as an outlined font (high ridges around the letters, resessed on the inside) and no "whoosh" symbol (sort of a right angle bracket or > thing).

My calipers are also a very rough sand casting, and the latest PBR that I see from BAER, SSBC, etc. are very smooth.

I know I probably sound pretty picky about things, but I would like to ensure I have the right parts. Plus I just like to "know" things like date codes and variances. History buff and all.

Mark.

 

My 1LE PBRs are sand cast as well. The Baer and SSBCs are probably put through a vibratory polisher to make them pretty.

 

Mine, front and rear, look like the above pic.

JamesC

 

I too have an 88 that came with the PBR calipers. Im the 2nd owner & not shure if their original, but the first owner told me that the car had no modifications when I bught it. So untill I get further info on my car Im asuming they are original. Now when I changed my front calipers, I bought them from Ed & I dont think that they were 88 specific & they fit perfect. I belive there wolud have ben problems with difrent size calipers. Right?

 

The only 1988 cars to come with these brakes were 1LE or A4U cars. Do you have either of these option codes?

Mark.

 

If he does, he'll have one of only 4 1LE cars that got them that year so I highly doubt it's original, no offense Alex. I have numerous sets of PBRs (1LEs and C4s) on hand and they all look like the pic posted with minor differences in the standard and HD/1LE castings.


Need a pic?


Ed

 

Just as an aside - I've also heard that some of the Player's cars had Brembo brakes on them.

 

Indeed they did. From June 1986 through the end of the 1987 season, the teams were outfitted with 12" front rotors (same ones as 1LE, but directly from the caprice), and Brembo twin piston calipers. These brakes were designed and built by GM as an "option" for the f-body, but they did not make it out to production. When the 1986 race season started, the cars were essentially running off the track at the end of the races due to "no brakes". The heavy duty brakes were then brought back out and used on all the race cars.

These were the origins of the 1LE package. PBR calipers were more readily available and a production line item, hence they became the replacement for the expensive Brembo's.

Mark.

 

Hey Mark,

I don't know the numbers off mine on the inside but they look the same as those you posted. Haven't got the car out yet to test the shift light question either. I hope to do that real soon