I am wondering what your basis for judgement is. I just installed a rearend from an '88 IROC w/ disc brakes into my T/A that had drums. The discs stop just as good, if not better than the drums. The drum brakes were properly operating, and fully adjusted as the basis of comparison. After the swap, the pedal was low, but a simple adjustment of the E-brake cable fixed that. The brakes work great, and the E-brake holds better than the drums.

Of course, proper maintnence will be required to keep them this way, but I have yet to hear from somebody who actually likes the '88 and older style.

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It's not that the 88-older are horrible, just that it's not difficult to find an 89 or newer rearend with disc's, and the price will only be slightly more if at all. I picked up my 89 posi 9-bolt rearend with 3.27 gears and aluminum calipered disc braked for $250. Not a bad improvement for the money over my 87 open 10 bolt rearend with 3.23's and drums, for the money.

 

I think the 'horrible' part lies w/in the 'rachet action' adjuster on the older style calipers (which I have & don't see the problem either,, but heard they have been to some)

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I had a hell of a time installing the e-brake with that stupid spring on a pre-88 9-bolt. Though I don't think I had my e-brake adjusted loose enough when I was trying to do it either.

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GMTech:

Mine worked excellent for about the first 3000 miles and then slowly came out of adjustment. Wait a little while before making your judgement.



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I am getting ready to do this swap into my 84 Firebird this summer. I guess I am lucky in that I am getting a rear-end out of an 84 Camaro. Simple swap, and i can't wait to put the discs to work late braking in to hard turns.

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I have heard that changing the brake pads is a pain in the *** with the 82-88 disc brake rears... Plus who doesnt like having larger brakes? The good thing about them, the front and rears take the same brake pads.

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Mine woorked fine ( iwent from drum to 88 iroc rear disc to 92 rear calipers and 89 9-bolt backing plates) I just wanted the bigger brakes and I think the new ones look cooler.

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my car has the factory rear w/ discs, and I can change the brakes in 30 minutes easy..

 

My brakes were easy to change on the rear.
Now the brakes son't work the way they used to. Extremly soft, I have another question asking what the problem is on the board. Maybe you guys might want to shae info on that chain.

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The '84 discs I put on my '86 aren't working that hot... well, the passenger one works great, the driver's side doesn't. I've gotta get that GM repair kit, that's all... but right now, it's too damn cold to do the job.


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The rear discs on my 85 IROC, 5-speed, have always worked well. The key, I think, is regularly using the e-brake. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the e-brake adjusts the calipers. At any rate, I've never experienced any difficulties. There is a TSB relating to the problem in general, but only for manuals, so for some of you, a free fix may be in order.

JamesC

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[This message has been edited by JamesC (edited March 02, 2001).]

 

I replaced my whole 4-wheel disc brake system,exept the metal lines and prop. valve,with parts from autozone. I used Autozones "carbon-mettalic" pads all around.my brakes work awsome,I could throw your A$$ throught the windshield if you weren't buckled up..you have to remember that it is an antique brake system,no ABS or slotted rotors. I have different tecniques for different stopping situations. most of the time I tap the pedal to "set" the pads,then I work the pedal letting the rotors cool,composite pads are designed to heat up faster,because they are originally developed for aircraft landings. they tend to get hot at sudden stops,so I just chase that "sweet spot" in braking pressure.