LT1 Rear Brake Conversion
firebirdycamaro
03-04-2005, 01:48 PM
Does anyone know anything about converting drum brakes to disc. On my 96 Firebird I am looking to replace those drums with a pair of LT1 Disc Brakes. Anyone know of any tutorials or should I not even bother and have it done profesionally. Also how much do you think it would cost to have them installed?
FormulaLT1
03-04-2005, 04:02 PM
You may want to PM this member http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=184935 , He just had this conversion done to his V6 97 Camaro. I am sure he can give you all the info you need. Good Luck.
John
John
tuske427
03-04-2005, 04:05 PM
Does anyone know anything about converting drum brakes to disc. On my 96 Firebird I am looking to replace those drums with a pair of LT1 Disc Brakes. Anyone know of any tutorials or should I not even bother and have it done profesionally. Also how much do you think it would cost to have them installed?
Thanks
Scott
You have a couple choices.
1- you could go buy a rear end for your car already with the disc brake set up (local salvage yard, f-body specific salvage yard like billy graham salvage, ebay, etc..)
2- you can buy a rear disc conversion kit.
If the 4th gen is anything like the 3rd gen, which it is- you can't just take stock gm rear disc brake parts and bolt it up to your drum housing. The flanges on the ends of the axle housings are different.
If I were you I'd buy another rear and bolt it in. This way you can get a posi rear also (if you don't have one already). If the gears are different you'll need to re-calibrate your speedo. get a hypertech power programmer... This is the simpler and probably cheaper of the 2 methods.
You may need the proportioning valve from the 4 wheel disc brake car, too. As you know, the braking requirements for drums and discs are different. If you go with the factory set up- it's a matter of bolting up. If you go aftermarket, then you need an adjustable one and have to adjust it until it is right.
Another thing to consider- GM upgraded the brakes for the Z-28/ Trans Am in '98 when they gave the cars a facelift. They used larger brakes in front and in back. You could upgrade your front brakes by getting the whole set up form a '98-02 car. You need to replace the spindle, caliper and rotor... Then, you could get the rear axle from a '98-02 car and you have a matched set.
If you wish to keep the front brakes on your car as-is, then you should look for the discs from a 93-97 car.
I think this sounds worse than it really is. If it were me, I'd buy a used posi rear. I'd look for a 3:42 posi rear and bolt that in, as well as the proportioning valve. Then have a cold beer.
I hope this is helpful.
Thanks
Scott
You have a couple choices.
1- you could go buy a rear end for your car already with the disc brake set up (local salvage yard, f-body specific salvage yard like billy graham salvage, ebay, etc..)
2- you can buy a rear disc conversion kit.
If the 4th gen is anything like the 3rd gen, which it is- you can't just take stock gm rear disc brake parts and bolt it up to your drum housing. The flanges on the ends of the axle housings are different.
If I were you I'd buy another rear and bolt it in. This way you can get a posi rear also (if you don't have one already). If the gears are different you'll need to re-calibrate your speedo. get a hypertech power programmer... This is the simpler and probably cheaper of the 2 methods.
You may need the proportioning valve from the 4 wheel disc brake car, too. As you know, the braking requirements for drums and discs are different. If you go with the factory set up- it's a matter of bolting up. If you go aftermarket, then you need an adjustable one and have to adjust it until it is right.
Another thing to consider- GM upgraded the brakes for the Z-28/ Trans Am in '98 when they gave the cars a facelift. They used larger brakes in front and in back. You could upgrade your front brakes by getting the whole set up form a '98-02 car. You need to replace the spindle, caliper and rotor... Then, you could get the rear axle from a '98-02 car and you have a matched set.
If you wish to keep the front brakes on your car as-is, then you should look for the discs from a 93-97 car.
I think this sounds worse than it really is. If it were me, I'd buy a used posi rear. I'd look for a 3:42 posi rear and bolt that in, as well as the proportioning valve. Then have a cold beer.
I hope this is helpful.
firebirdycamaro
03-04-2005, 11:59 PM
I got a quote from one website that went up to 450 for 3.42 gears...
what exactly is the diffrence with those ratios??? I was figuring if possible to order the parts through an autoparts store(i work at one so i get 20% off) if I could order all the parts which ones would i need??
Thanks!!
what exactly is the diffrence with those ratios??? I was figuring if possible to order the parts through an autoparts store(i work at one so i get 20% off) if I could order all the parts which ones would i need??
Thanks!!
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026