#915454 - 01/28/12 01:46 AM
Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
devildog214
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Member
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sewell, NJ
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Well after ordering the parts to fix my crate motor, next on the to-do list is improving the braking. I was thinking budget-minded with oversized front calipers, new pads and possibly new rotors. (about 2 years ago i installed new shoes, rotors and pads, but wasnt thrilled with stock delco braking) But reading this months car craft makes these drum to disc conversions seem alot less scary, and who wouldnt want to get rid of those ugly rusting drums. Driving nothing but my monte since i started driving around 4 years ago makes me an expert in how not to overcook the rotors and knowing how to stop without killing anyone on my daily commute to the camden/Philadelphia area. The drivers around here love to slam on their brakes for a squirrel, police officer, accident on the opposite side of the highway, etc. And its given me quite a scare. But im thinking to myself "if i was in my moms 08 grand prix, i would have put myself through the windshield with her brakes and wouldnt have to be praying that my brakes would stop me intime."
So i will be searching some yards for the calipers, brackets, buying new lines, pads, rotors and my dad said he's found a way to use the parking brake on the fbody caliper. Anything i should keep a lookout for when pulling the parts? Or anything when doing the conversion we should lookout for? I know theres probably a write up but the CC article seems pretty straightforward, just wondering if they missed anything.
white 87 SS, G80 7.5 with 3.73s. vortec 350 flowmasters, performer RPM mani, comp HE268 edelbrock TES. UMI fixed upper and boxed lower rear control arms (non adj). UMI swaybars.
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#915483 - 01/28/12 02:46 AM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: 345HP87SSAC]
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
devildog214
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
sewell, NJ
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ok lookin good, i saw you used the ls1 rear disc as opposed to the lt1/1LE rear disc, i know the ls1 is a bit bigger and has a seperate parking brak which has its advantages. Is it any more difficult than the older 97 and below brakes? And i know you have big wheels on it but will they clear 15 inch rims? Also is moving the shock mount and mounting the calipers in that position necessary? Trying to make this a true bolt-in procedure and avoid fabrication.
Last edited by devildog214; 01/28/12 02:52 AM.
white 87 SS, G80 7.5 with 3.73s. vortec 350 flowmasters, performer RPM mani, comp HE268 edelbrock TES. UMI fixed upper and boxed lower rear control arms (non adj). UMI swaybars.
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#915632 - 01/29/12 03:28 AM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: ShadowRuleZ]
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
devildog214
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
sewell, NJ
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hmm ok like i thought its not as easy as CC thought. I saw some bolt in brake kits on summit for the 7.5, but some say they dont work with the g body and some dont specify, probably due to the flange.
white 87 SS, G80 7.5 with 3.73s. vortec 350 flowmasters, performer RPM mani, comp HE268 edelbrock TES. UMI fixed upper and boxed lower rear control arms (non adj). UMI swaybars.
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#915672 - 01/29/12 04:24 PM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: devildog214]
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 810
axisg
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Toronto, Ontario
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I too installed the LS1 rear brakes. One of the top 3 must-do upgrades to a gbody in my books. -As stated above if you clock the rotors in the stock fbody location ( 3oclock ) then you don't need to re-locate the shocks. -My 15 Alum rims ( in my sig ) clear the rotors but my 15" stock 85 steel wheels won't -As you know the parking brake will take some fab work ( I have not done that yet ) -Some recommend changing out the MC for a disk/disk unit ( something else I have not done ) It's really very little fab-work to get these set up. Follow the links below and do some research. http://www.poltergeist.us/page/elky/brakes/f-body/ls1brakes.htmthis one will have a link to the 3rd gen article Good luck !
TES Headers - done ! new cat-back exhaust - done ! 5.7 swap - done ! 3.73 posi rear - done ! blazer front brakes - done ! LS1 Rear Brakes - done! transmission - rebuilt ! now looking for a replacement rear __________________________________
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#915686 - 01/29/12 06:26 PM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: axisg]
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,246
ShadowRuleZ
15+ Year
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15+ Year
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,246
Grand Rapids, MI
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-As stated above if you clock the rotors in the stock fbody location ( 3oclock ) then you don't need to re-locate the shocks.
3 o clock on which side? I think a lot of this might have to do with the shocks you're using - there was no way mine were going to clear once the banjo bolt was installed, and I didn't see any way to clock them at all. Do you have a picture of yours installed? I even switched sides for the backing plates, but nothing I could do would clear the shocks. Here's my passenger side, with a relocation bracket I made (it's T shaped and goes up the control arm) and where I welded the brake hose tab:  -Some recommend changing out the MC for a disk/disk unit ( something else I have not done )
I gutted mine based on a directions I found for a Baer kit online. Haven't driven the car, so I don't know how well it works yet.
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#915734 - 01/29/12 11:58 PM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: ShadowRuleZ]
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 284
devildog214
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Joined: Dec 2008
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sewell, NJ
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aisg, that link was pretty helpful on showing a good parts list. Im still leaning towards a kit for the sake of no headaches "tamraz parts" seems like a pretty good business when i looked them up. They sell stuff on ebay, which is where i first found them and im always skeptical about buying new, expensive products from ebay vendors. But they seem to have a good rating, lifetime warranty, tech support, etc. And for 450 bucks you get everything new. http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-78-88-A-G-82-...=item5ae40f777bHave you guys used this company before?
white 87 SS, G80 7.5 with 3.73s. vortec 350 flowmasters, performer RPM mani, comp HE268 edelbrock TES. UMI fixed upper and boxed lower rear control arms (non adj). UMI swaybars.
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#915770 - 01/30/12 04:26 AM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: ShadowRuleZ]
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 810
axisg
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Member

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 810
Toronto, Ontario
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-As stated above if you clock the rotors in the stock fbody location ( 3oclock ) then you don't need to re-locate the shocks.
3 o clock on which side? I think a lot of this might have to do with the shocks you're using - there was no way mine were going to clear once the banjo bolt was installed, and I didn't see any way to clock them at all. Do you have a picture of yours installed? I even switched sides for the backing plates, but nothing I could do would clear the shocks. Here's my passenger side, with a relocation bracket I made (it's T shaped and goes up the control arm) and where I welded the brake hose tab:  -Some recommend changing out the MC for a disk/disk unit ( something else I have not done )
I gutted mine based on a directions I found for a Baer kit online. Haven't driven the car, so I don't know how well it works yet. This is a pic of the inside rear drivers wheel. The calipers can be mounted forwards of the rear axle. You can also see how little clearance there is with the 15" wheel  
Last edited by axisg; 01/30/12 04:28 AM.
TES Headers - done ! new cat-back exhaust - done ! 5.7 swap - done ! 3.73 posi rear - done ! blazer front brakes - done ! LS1 Rear Brakes - done! transmission - rebuilt ! now looking for a replacement rear __________________________________
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#915784 - 01/30/12 09:52 AM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: ShadowRuleZ]
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
MADMIKE
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C.V. CA
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-Some recommend changing out the MC for a disk/disk unit ( something else I have not done )
I gutted mine based on a directions I found for a Baer kit online. Haven't driven the car, so I don't know how well it works yet. I take it you mean you gutted your PV, and not the MC? A good page to check out is http://www.thirdgen.org/ls1reardisc and the monte-list page(unfinished) http://www.monte-list.com/tech/reardiskbrakes.shtmlThe two issues with installing the LS1 brakes on a A/G is as shown, either the rear shocks are in the way, or the sway bar mounting bolts are in the way. The latter seems to be hit or miss. IMO the factory rear sway bar is just a snap oversteer device anyway. As for wheels, not all GM 15" wheels will clear the rear calipers. The large raised bridge will come in contact with the center section of some wheels, or if the hoop has a large radius up to the center section(83-87 15" Olds SSIII). I tried two different 15" GM steel wheels. One cleared fine but the others center section would catch. Some '70s 15x7/15x6 Pontiac Rallyes cleared, but watch the weld bead at the hoop to center section. I had one rim that had a sloppy weld blob and it would just graze the caliper bridge.
-Michael Where the hell is JMD?!
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#915791 - 01/30/12 12:20 PM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: MADMIKE]
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,246
ShadowRuleZ
15+ Year
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15+ Year
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,246
Grand Rapids, MI
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I take it you mean you gutted your PV, and not the MC?
Sorry, I misread the original comment. You are correct, I modified the stock proportioning valve. I'm going to be running the stock master cylinder and upgraded to the booster to the larger b-body dual diaphragm. The two issues with installing the LS1 brakes on a A/G is as shown, either the rear shocks are in the way, or the sway bar mounting bolts are in the way. The latter seems to be hit or miss. IMO the factory rear sway bar is just a snap oversteer device anyway. I wish I could remember why I couldn't install them towards the front of the car, but I know I had problems when I tried.
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#915916 - 01/31/12 03:38 AM
Re: Fbody rear disc conversion any pointers?
[Re: ShadowRuleZ]
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 81
MADMIKE
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C.V. CA
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The two issues with installing the LS1 brakes on a A/G is as shown, either the rear shocks are in the way, or the sway bar mounting bolts are in the way. The latter seems to be hit or miss. IMO the factory rear sway bar is just a snap oversteer device anyway. I wish I could remember why I couldn't install them towards the front of the car, but I know I had problems when I tried. The two issues that seem to be the problem. Sway bar bolts with the nut facing out and the bolt shank coming into contact with the caliper. This can be rectified by simply flipping the bold to have the nut on the inside of the RLCA. Or removing the sway bar. The second was the banjo bolt head/banjo hose end or the bleeder screw comes into contact with the frame rail. But I thought this was only an issue on slammed(modified rear bumpstop) cars.
-Michael Where the hell is JMD?!
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