I need opinions on which rearend with discs to use please

[coyote11]

I have a '67 Vert Firebird. I'm going to turn it pro touring, just love the looks and performance. I have several rear end choices available to me and need some opinions on what to use:

1) I have a '79 Trans Am 10 bolt rear with Posi, 3.23's and disc brakes. Te calipers are in need of rebuilding,one possibly replaced. I have cut all the brackets of of it to put it under my car.

2) I have all the disc brake hardware from a 79 Lincoln Versaille 9 inch, and I have a locked 3rd member drop out with 3.50's.

3) I have an entire running and driving 1995 Formula Firebird with 5.7 and T56 that will be going in soon. It also has a limited slip rear with disc brakes, however the wms to wms (wheel mounting surface) distance is a bit wider than the stock axles. This axle has 4.10's and a posi.

I have toyed with the idea of putting the '95 axle in, but the width makes for a poor choice of backspacing when I select my new wheels.

Using the '79 TA axle is the identical wms to wms as stock. I have to source one new caliper and new rotors.

The 9 inch is sweet, but I'm trying to keep everything Pontiac for the cool (in my mind) factor. If it comes down to it though, I'm not affraid to put a 9 inch in.

So I'm wondering, can I bolt up the '95 rotors and backing plates and calipers to the '79 10 bolt? I don't know if there is any interchangeability there? Tha t would give me some nice calipers in the rear, and I already have the parts.

Either that or I'm going to get some new calipers for the '79, I know to look at Rivieras, Sevilles, Eldorados, etc...

What opinions do you all have on this?

I don't autocross or race the car, strictly show and DD in summer. Don't need or want Wilwoods, don't get me wrong, they are beautiful, but more than I need. I can spend that money elsewhere.

TIA for any suggestions and recommendations.

[Skip Fix]

The 79 TA rear I would think is an incorrect width for a first gen. You can have it narrowed and put good taper bearing ends to eliminate the C clips and take cornering abuse. Also you can get new leaf spring brackets to weld on as the spring perches are in different locations. A 8.5" 10 bolt is a good strong rear.

The caliper design stinks. Getting lifetime warranty rebuilts is the way to go. and then swap them out if the ratchet e brake quits. I think SSBC has come out with a replacement that may be better.

The 79 has the calipers stagered because of teh staggered shocks, not sure how your setup is there.

[coyote11]

actually the '79 TA rear is the exact same wms to wms, a great benefit. My shocks are non staggered also, since I have a '67.

I'm really hoping that I could bolt on with minimal modification the '95 rotors and calipers, something a little newer age as the oldones are a bit on the dated side.

I just did a search and see that this is a very viable option for me, I did not know the 93-97 brakes were C4's, I am actively reading some write ups right now.

Sorry for the newbie questions, the terminology thru me.

[Skip Fix]

Really double check your dimensions. I know axles are not interchangeable between first gen and second gen. A body and second gen are. Same with first gen 12 bolts not fitting second gens.

There are alot of folks making brackets for late model better calipers fitting our early rears.

[Hammered]

Some of the first gen Firebirds came with a 1" wider rear than the Camaro making it the same as the 2nd gen. I'm in the process of figuring out how to put '98-02 Firebird discs on the rear of my '67.

[coyote11]

yep, I not only double checked, but had a buddy with a '69 Bird get under and measure with me. I was surprised, but the wms to wms was almost dead on, if not exaclty. I had my wheels on the '67 when we measured, so if there was any difference it was less than 1/2 inch at most.

The '79 year is questionable as it was pulled years ago. But it was a 79-81 I pretty positive.

I've been emailing David Pozzi, I think I will use me '79 TA axle with my '95 brakes, best of both worlds.

[Skip Fix]

I think the later brakes would probably be a better deal. There are also some guys adapting some of the Blazer rear discs.

[coyote11]

That's excellent info. I'm definitely going to persue the '95 Formula brakes on my '79 axle, since I have all that stuff available to me. Then I found a guy local that wants all the '79 hardware, so this should all work out great.