95 Caprice brake question

[Derek H.]

I am wanting to convert my rear drum brakes to disc brakes on my '95 Caprice. It has the 4.3L V-8 and the stock rear end. Anybody done this conversion yet?

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by Derek H.

I am wanting to convert my rear drum brakes to disc brakes on my '95 Caprice. It has the 4.3L V-8 and the stock rear end. Anybody done this conversion yet?

I've done it on my '88. You will need a driveshaft for a car with a 700R4/4L60/4L60E and an 8.5" axle if you do it the way I did it - which is swap out the entire rear end to one from a '94-'96 9C1 Caprice. The E-brake cable is different, so grab that along with the axle. Aside from those two things, it's a bolt-in swap.

[Blue Bowtie]

Once you get that done, check back in and learn how to improve the front/rear brake bias, and how to remove the residual pressure check valve before you eat the new rear pads within 1,000 miles.

[96capricemgr]

You should understand that until you do the mods bluebowtie mentioned the rear discs will HURT braking in normal driving. GM did not bother to make a proper proportioning valve so the rear discs will barely function unless it is a panic stop.

I have had the 9.5" drums, the 11" drums and the discs all in the same car and in stock form as GM inteneded the discs are the WORST for normal daily driving.

I am sure people will argue that, but fact is GM delivered the disc cars with drum proportioning valves which deliver inadequate volume, and like I said I have had all three setups in the same car, meaning I have a bit more experiance at it than just about everyone who will say I am wrong. Even after putting a slightly bigger master cylinder in the discs were still a step backwards from the drums. The proportioning valve mods blue spoke of fix that though and make the proportioning valve function as it should for a disc rear car.

Again this is not a matter of grabbing the proportioning valve off the disc car, GM delivered them with drum valves. You could go ahead and grab the proportioing valve off the disc car so you have a spare one to modify though.

[Blue Bowtie]

...I have a bit more experiance at it than just about everyone who will say I am wrong.

You have more experience, and you are NOT wrong.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Derek H.

I am wanting to convert my rear drum brakes to disc brakes on my '95 Caprice. It has the 4.3L V-8 and the stock rear end. Anybody done this conversion yet?

why do you wish to do this ? braking is weak ? this is usually because you need to replace your rear drums....if the drum is worn [i'm sure it is] this will cause your braking to be poor..you can't adjust out drum wear...