Which would be lighter - a 3.42 drum (3rd gen) rear with the SLP take off posi, or a 4th gen 3.42 posi disc brake setup?

 

DRUMS!!! Definately drums. Midway thru my 3.73/posi/disc swap, the though of "oh damn this is much heavier then the drum axle" went thru my mind quite a few times. Don't forget, not only is there the added weight of the rotor, but there's also the caliper -and- the caliper bracket.

 

Ok then... See, I have a problem - I can score a 3.42 posi disc rear end out of the local boneyard (The same one I can get a 3.4 complete for $375) for $200. I want to... but not sure if its worth the extra weight, and effort to go to discs. Did you notice any improvements when you did, TomP?

 

Rear disc brakes are worth their weight in gold. They stop the vehicle so much better than drum brakes. The most important thing on any car is brakes, you can't go fast safely if you can't slow back down fast. Try to get the PBR rear disc setup if possible. They will save you alot of headaches, they are a much better design. I have alot of money in upgrades in my iron caliper brakes to make them reliable and semi- race worthy, even then I still warp rotors every year.

p.s I did a brake stop test again 2 weeks ago and this car stops 60-0 @ 125 ft with EBC green stuff pads (they suck) it has stopped in a previous test @ 114 ft with Stillen pads. Stillen pads will be going back on it real soon (they are sitting their awaiting my busy schudule)

 

So will the 4th gen rear just bolt right up to my car?

 

I think that it will go under there, but the 4th gen rears are wider than the ones in our cars. The rims on the 4th gen cars run with a lot more offset, just like the FWD cars have. I would stick with a third gen rear if it were me.

 

It was an -amazing- improvement in braking... I had more fun braking then I did accelerating! When I hit the breaks, the car actually "sat down" when it stopped... very cool.

'Course I went thru hell with the conversion, most of which due to the fact that I changed out the m/c (air trapped that wouldn't leave!) and the recall parts for 82-88 rear discs. Went thru over $600 for the swap, including tons of brake fluid, and 2 master cylinders. If I had to do it over again, I just would've bought a new posi and new 3.73 gearset, and had them installed. It really sucked when the posi (really an Eaton gov-lock) blew up, and I've been back on an 88 Camaro's 3.42/open/drum axle since. Can't find 90-up f-bodies in junkyards anywhere for the 28 spline axles... dammit.

Hey, here's something for the Pennsylvania guys: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33731

 

Tom P you are from Central Jersey why dont you roll down to South Philly and get yourself some stuff out of our Passyunk Avenue junkyards. There is a very good chance u will find a 90-92 Camaro/Firebird up there, I always find 91/92 Teal RS' with 3.1's in them, but be aware that they do crush these cars and move em' out. Just an idea for you.

 

Thanks for the tip!! I might just have to do that! Thanks!

 

In case anyone was wanting to lighten up their car a little bit, I was wandering through the junkyard the other day, and found a berlinetta with aluminum rear drums on it. I know they are aluminum because i cut on one of them just a little with my pocket knife to make sure it was. No way I can do that to cast iron. Anyway, i can pick them up for cheap if they are worth having, and if anyone would want them. I can't use them. Every third gen car I have has 4 wheel disc brakes on it. This is the only pair aluminum drums I have ever seen in a junkyard. Does anyone know how rare they are, and if they work worth a crap or not?

 

How much does the boneyard want for 'em? I might be interested in those!

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