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rear disc brake conversion on 99 X


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Old 04-21-2002, 02:35 AM   #1
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rear disc brake conversion on 99 X

is it possible to covert my rear drums to disc, ive seen something on ebay for this, but it looked shady.
Old 04-23-2002, 01:33 PM   #2
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yeah but itll run you about $800
Old 04-23-2002, 01:39 PM   #3
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It would be alot cheaper if you can find a Disc Brake equiped rear axle out of a 98+ ZR2. Its a factory option that is out there, if you can find them.
Old 04-25-2002, 12:33 AM   #4
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I think.....

Quote:
Originally posted by Xtreme Jimmy
It would be alot cheaper if you can find a Disc Brake equiped rear axle out of a 98+ ZR2. Its a factory option that is out there, if you can find them.
the axles on the ZR2's are wider than regular 4x4's and 2WD s10's, I'm pretty certain about that but i could be wrong.

Nathan
Old 04-25-2002, 06:32 AM   #5
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yep they are lots larger like 4" . 4x4 is 2" larger. From what I"ve been seeing a new f-body of even a new blazer one would fit perfectly, but you need the master cylinder and proportioning valve to go with it, not positive on master though
Old 04-28-2002, 08:40 PM   #6
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$800 ?!?!? maybe $300 tops !!!

I just did this yesterday, lost the "real" bolts so I had to take it back off. Anyway here is what you do...

1. get caliper mounting brackets (the guy on ebay is cool). If you don't want to "risk it", go to a salvage yard and ask for a 93+ Z28 or T/A rear end that is "blown up". (A good one will cost you $400+). You should be able to get a destoyed on for about $150 (you don't care about the pumpkin) and alot of times they will give you just the brackets for $15-$20.

2. Take the brackets off.

3. If you got the entire axle you got it easy. Have the rotrs resurfaced (just to be safe) or buy remans ($100 - there is a GP on another forum for Brembo drilled and slotted for $150/pair)

4. Clean up the calipers (or just buy remans - $150)

5. disassemble your rear end. You have to do the WHOLE thing. pull the axles out, remove the drum backing.

6. put the brackets on - use the same bolts (mine sprouted legs so I had to order some more)

7. slide the axles back through (make sure the bearings on the brackets are still good (depends on the year as to if they are there).

8. "put together" your rear

9. slide the rotors on and bolt the calipers (and pads) on and bolt them down.

10. THE FUN PART - you can "customize" your existing lines by bending them to reach or the best way is to get the lines from the Camaro rear end !!!

You now have rear discs for about $300. I "temporarily" put mine on with Home Depot special grade 3 bolts to test it out. It stops on a dime !!! Took it all off but I'll put pictures up when I "redo" it all again.

Mike
Old 05-09-2002, 02:28 PM   #7
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Everything sounds great. Will this also work for a 94 S-10 2WD with rear drum brakes? It would seem to me that as long as the axle bolt patern was the same, that pretty much any GM disk brake system would work and still have the same lug pattern for the wheels. Any thoughts?
Old 05-09-2002, 08:23 PM   #8
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I'm not for certain on the 94 but here is how you tell...

The brackets (or backing plates as some call them) have 4 bolts that mount them to the axle housing. If those are the same, you are in there. If you use the standard 5 on 4.75 lug pattern, Camaro rotors are fine. If you have converted to a 5 on 5 lug pattern, then you will need to find rotors that are the same diameter and thickness (I think some of the mid 80's Caddy rotors work) and go from there. I did it with the LT1 stuff and worked great. I just bought some LS1 rear brakes (they are larger and have a better designed caliper) and I am having those brought to me over Memorial Day Weekend. I will put a picture filled "how to" up then. It is REAL easy though (with the right tools).
Old 05-10-2002, 03:34 PM   #9
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Hey Onyx02XCabX,
Did you have to change out your proportioning valve? I don't think it is that critical since a higher percentage of the braking power is already going to the front brakes. I have discovered very quickly that a junked rear end is not that easy to come up with. After making several phone calls I have come up with nothing. I'll keep looking around.
Old 05-10-2002, 09:26 PM   #10
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All I did was swap the rear braking parts. I would say if anything, there is too much going to the rear after the swap. You can lock up the rear pretty easy. Remember, it takes more force (pressure) to stop a drum than a disc. As for getting parts, try this out (I forgot to put it here)....

Call Billy @ Billy Graham's Camaro Salvage (really good guy). Here are his prices EACH, except the brake lines:

Brackets.....$15(LT1).....$25(LS1)
Caliper.....$35(LT1).....$50(LS1)
Rotor.....$35(LT1).....$50(LS1)
Brake lines and hoses(all of the rear).....$25(LT1 or LS1)

TOTAL.....$195(LT1).....$275(LS1)

Guess oyu need the number...(205) 668-1169. He is in Alabama and can/will ship anywhere. The only real "mod" you have to make is bending your line to meet the brake hose. Nothing a good pair of hands can't do.
Old 05-10-2002, 09:31 PM   #11
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yea..they rear stop harder b/c you don't have a porportioning vavle...get that...adn i think you will be set...
Old 05-10-2002, 10:52 PM   #12
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I looked around at most of the aftermarket kits before I decided to try this and no of them come with or recommend as part of the install to change the prop valve. It would make sense but the weight difference front/rear is quite a bit different between the Camaro and the S-series. I'll have to try some prop valves out. After all, it's only brake fluid.
Old 05-12-2002, 05:38 PM   #13
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yeah it can be done. i just did mine for $410.00 with slotted rotors and carbon pads........... mines a 98 ls
Old 05-12-2002, 07:06 PM   #14
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Rear Discs

So is this all bolt on or do you have to swap out the rear axles, 195 isnt too bad for rear discs and a buddy of mine was wanting to do this.

Nathan
Old 05-13-2002, 10:53 AM   #15
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If I understand correctly the axle has to be removed and the drum backing plate swapped for the disk bracket. You can then re-install the original axle. Seal replacement? Isn't there a seal behind the axle flange? They can't cost too much. Better off replacing that instead of taking a chance. I'm going to call Billy Graham's to check availability and shipping costs.
Old 05-13-2002, 09:49 PM   #16
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Mine had a seal but Advance didn't have a reference for it. It was real easy to do. I will be doing it again over Memorial Day weekend and I'll post some pics. You can lock up the rear, but the ABS still works. As far as the axles, you pull them out, unbolt the drum plates, put the disc ones on and put the axles back in. It stops a TON better, especially with a little weight back there !!!

Mike
Old 05-14-2002, 01:21 PM   #17
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Is it possible to swap out the ABS module for the camaro one? If you use the module that is for 4 wheel disk brakes, wouldn't that fix the lock up? Billy Graham's has all of the brake parts on hand. I was told shipping would be about $25. Sounds pretty good.
Old 05-14-2002, 06:56 PM   #18
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Your ABS WILL still work. It is a little easier to lock the rear up after converting. When the rear locks the sensors "see" it and "unlock" the rear. Basically, it is just easier to make the ABS "activate". It's no big deal. And by locking up easier, I simply mean you don't have to put the pedal through the floor to lock them up, BUT you still have to give it some muscle. It is by NO MEANS a problem, just a little something to be aware of.

Mike
Old 05-14-2002, 09:41 PM   #19
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I understand. If my truck stops even a little bit better it would be a miracle. I don't understand why it was designed with such poor braking capability. I love my truck and it only has 70K on it. Not bad for a '94. I'm counting my pennies to see when I can do this.
Old 05-17-2002, 12:10 PM   #20
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So I could get some 28 spline axels and a zexel posi unit some brake parts off a camaro and maybe a proportioning valve and all new seals and bearings and my 86 would be set right? if so sweet! I'll start counting my pocket change!
:thumbup:
Old 05-17-2002, 02:58 PM   #21
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It DEPENDS !!! Check where the drum backing plates mount to the axle housing. They are 1 of 2 ways. Either square or rectagular. The older are squre (you have to use cadillac parts from the 70's) or rectangle (you can use camaro parts. Check it out before you go get parts !!!
Old 05-23-2002, 04:22 PM   #22
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I managed to dig up a pair of rotors for a '93-'97 Camaro and am now searching for the other parts. Funny though, I thought that the parking brake was a small drum on the inside of the rotor. Is it built into the caliper instead?
Old 05-23-2002, 07:35 PM   #23
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my buddy bought the 98 blazer rear end from car-part.com for 350 bucks shipped and said it fit right in.
Old 05-26-2002, 03:02 PM   #24
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Ok, I completed the LS1 swap in UNDER 3 hours !!! It is the same as the LT1 stuff, but BETTER. I do not have the lock up problem at all. I figure this is due to larger rotors from the LS1. Is it a STRAIGHT bolt on. Where ever you get your parts from you need to ensure that you get the bolts that hold the backing plates on from the F-body !!! This is near critical !!! The S10 bolts will work, BUT you will not be able to get much thread.

Now the bad news, since I am on a military base and the hobby shop is right next to the air field, they would not let me take pictures

But if you send me an email and want to see a particular section of the install, I will send a pic. I did add one so you can see the finished product.

THIS ROCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg reardisc.jpg (57.9 KB, 2181 views)
Old 05-28-2002, 11:55 AM   #25
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Does any one know the part numbers for the LT1 and LS1 rotors? Or the dimensions? Now I'm not sure which ones I have.
Old 06-09-2002, 06:50 PM   #26
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Onyx02XCabX

Out of curiosity can you still power brake you truck to get the tires to smoke with the LS1 rear disc brakes.
Old 06-09-2002, 08:00 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally posted by skyboss
Funny though, I thought that the parking brake was a small drum on the inside of the rotor. Is it built into the caliper instead?
It's built into the calipers.
Old 06-10-2002, 02:14 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally posted by Onyx02XCabX
Call Billy @ Billy Graham's Camaro Salvage (really good guy). Here are his prices EACH, except the brake lines:

Brackets.....$15(LT1).....$25(LS1)
Caliper.....$35(LT1).....$50(LS1)
Rotor.....$35(LT1).....$50(LS1)
Brake lines and hoses(all of the rear).....$25(LT1 or LS1)

TOTAL.....$195(LT1).....$275(LS1)

Guess oyu need the number...(205) 668-1169. He is in Alabama and can/will ship anywhere. The only real "mod" you have to make is bending your line to meet the brake hose. Nothing a good pair of hands can't do.
So thats all I need? Really!?! Holy Sh!t! I'm psyched.
Old 06-11-2002, 11:00 PM   #29
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Yep, that is all you NEED. To make it work perfect, you need the 2 black pbrake brackets from the Camaro. Then you cut them, weld them (or send them to me with enough $$$ to get my neighbor a 6 pack-he owns the welder).

You can still power brake it if you have ALOT of power. When these bad boys clamp down, they hold !!!

At last measure, the LT1 were 9.5" and LS1 were 10" (I think). The LS1 caliper is HUGE.

If you want me to "make" the brackets for you, it's no big deal. I will be on vacation for 2 weeks. So when I get back, I'll help all I can. I'll get the pbrake setup up here ASAP (tomorrow I hope). Also, I'm not sure if 15" wheels will clear. I haven't seen Camaros run 15", but if they can then no prob for the S10s. Like I said, I'll try for pics tomorrow.

Here's a pic after I got everything on, just to get the blood pumping...
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File Type: jpg xtreme rear discs.jpg (73.6 KB, 1554 views)
Old 06-11-2002, 11:11 PM   #30
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D**n pictures, that was supposed to be me locking up all 4 with smoke and the whole bit. Oh well.

Forgot to add this little tidbit. Just got back from a VA to KC trip and I honestly feel this setup SAVED my front end !!! Some stupid 150 yo lady slammed on her brakes on the highway. Everyone was swerving and all kinds of stuff. I simply put the pedal to the floor (NO lockup) and went from 55 (okay, okay 85) to 0 on a dime. I ended up like 4.5 feet from the guy in front of me. Hmmm, where would I have been with the drums ? We may never know. But, I say my insurance company wasn't called because of the swap.

Also, if anyone is looking, there is a BRAND NEW YELLOW ZQ8 with paper license plates at some salvage yard in WV. The guy said he only had it 2 weeks. Did I forget to mention it no longer has a roof ? 18 wheeler pulling a flat bed made a covertible out of it QUICK !!! The dude said he saw the truck lock up and he laid in the seat and prayed. Worked for him, but his truck was screwed !!!
Old 06-12-2002, 08:06 PM   #31
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will the zq8 16 inch wheels clear the calipers?
Old 06-13-2002, 06:06 PM   #32
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YEP !!! No problem. But, you wheels will stick out about 1/4 more or so. No where near a problem, just some info.
Old 06-13-2002, 06:09 PM   #33
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Cool! I want it now!
Old 06-14-2002, 03:54 PM   #34
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My rear wheels could use some pushing out.
Old 06-18-2002, 01:36 PM   #35
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do you have any more pics? damn it... thanks... now i'm going to have to go do this... i got the stock rotors from my 99 z28 so i guess that's one less thing to buy :|

i know you said 3 hours... but was it tough? i've never taken axles out before. what were the hardest parts?
Old 07-01-2002, 07:57 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally posted by cyclonewannab
yeah but itll run you about $800
where in md are you?