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'87 Camry rear drum to disc brakes conversion


maatsi
11-08-2005, 06:28 AM
Hi all Camry owners/fans,

This is my first post to this forum and as a proud owner of my first ever Toyota I'd like to know has anyone ever changed the rear drums to discs? I know that the SV21 chassis has been made with 2,2L engine, which has rear discs so it should not be impossible to change the drums. Can anyone give some advice?

My Camry has 3SFE (2,0L) engine and has 123k miles on it. It has very humble number of options, only the basics, manual gearbox, manual windows, manual seats, manual mirrors, no A/C, no sunroof. But it is perfect for DIY.

The car was shipped from Florida to Finland back in '89 and came to me a bit over a month ago. Now it sits in a carage over the winter. Just changed new rear shocks and patched up couple of rust holes :( Next I'll change the clucth and the timing belt, try to fix the front speaker, maybe install rear speakers as well. Brake lines need to be flushed and the radiator needs to be changed since 85% of the radiator 'fins' are bent or damaged. The engine is not overheating but the rad looks awful.

Sorry about the off-topic, hope to hear some comments to my question though.

AccordCodger
11-08-2005, 05:47 PM
Why would you want to go to the expense of swapping to rear discs? Save your money for the rust-related repairs it's going to continue to need having been in Finland.

Live in Florida? Buy a Florida car. No rust.

csaxon
11-11-2005, 09:27 AM
maatsi (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=402315) it's been done and there are several web sites that have examples. Just use the search function.

Here's an example http://www.toymods.org.au/Brakes/

http://www.geocities.com/kocho_chestimenski/camry.html

Do you have access to "junk yard" or used parts or are you looking for new?

maatsi
11-14-2005, 02:08 AM
Thanks csaxon, your link to toymods helps. My problem is that all the SV21 models imported to Finland are with drums, only the 4x4 SV25 are with discs and I'm not sure if I can use the brake assembly from that model. The "junk yard" parts would be my choice, new parts would cost more that the car itself. ;)

I've read few articles about the conversion and noticed that the brakes feels a bit softer after the change. I was just wondering should I change the master cylinder as well?

AccordCodger has a point too, but since the car is more like a toy than everyday transportation I prefer to fiddle with it otherwise too. :)

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