12" or 13" brake Kit for 2nd gen F-bodies

[cdoggy81]

Checking to see how interested some of you would be in a big brake kit for the 70-81 Firebirds & Camaros. I know there are already several out there in a few different styles. They range from $700 for just the fronts to over $2000 for everything. Since a lot of us can & like to do our own wrenching I would like to come up with a more economical solution.

So...... I'm building my own & if there is a demand or at least a few people interested I will put together a kit with various different options. Hopefully we can buy in larger #'s & get the price even lower. I'm looking for your input to help with this as well! Currently I'm going with a 12" rear & 12" or 13" front with optional drilled & slotted rotors. Calipers are & will be based on the popular LS1 style PBR's. Again this is very early in the game so LMK what you guys think / want / would like to see!

[cdoggy81]

I think b/c when I first started looking for brakes the numerous different choices & prices that I was a bit overwhelmed. I liked one guys stuff for the rear but the fronts were too much $$$. Then I found another solution but the calipers didn't match (looked crappy & too pieced together). Then I found a good set for the front but the rotors were different looking from another vendors rear set up I liked. It just looked too mismatched.

I'm going to keep working on it & try to find something as best I can. I'll post up info of what works the best together, looks the best together all for the best price. I have a resale license & various wholesale acts & after doing more digging I can't get the price where I thought I could save some people some $$$ even on a group buy. Maybe some of the vendors would put one together. Anyone want to step up??? :)

[71FormulaRA3]

I'm interested in a big rotor front kit. I'm already converting the rears to disc... Let me know what you find out.

[MrQuick]

http://members.aol.com/diels1/brackets

[cdoggy81]

He makes good stuff too :)

[BonzoHansen]

12" fronts? What's the use? 2nd gen guys been doing that on the cheap for years.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I'm using the brackets from the above link for $69.95 with the C5 brake caliper/13"rotor/SS braided hose for $599.95 powdercoated red (any color available).

http://www.discbrakesrus.com/make/chevrolet/corvetteleftfrontrotorz06.jpg

They also have either the C5 or LS1 rear caliper (rotor included???) in the same matching color.

Doug

[MrQuick]

I'm using the brackets from the above link for $69.95 with the C5 brake caliper/13"rotor/SS braided hose for $599.95 powdercoated red (any color available).

http://www.discbrakesrus.com/make/chevrolet/corvetteleftfrontrotorz06.jpg

They also have either the C5 or LS1 rear caliper (rotor included???) in the same matching color.

Doug

I was using D-B R-US for a few builds and the quality fell off. I had 2 sets that where powder coated red over rust and dirt. Another set had stripped banjo bolt threads.

User beware.

[86Cutlass383SR]

Thanks for the heads-up on them! I've had my setup for a couple years now but I haven't installed it yet. I was going to get the rear calipers too but haven't done so yet. I *may* have to find another source for my red pc rear cals.

Doug

[cdoggy81]

I'd like to come up with a cheaper front set up than the C5 stuff. Working on a 13" front rotor w/ the LS1 based caliper. Rear will be a 12" rotor with LS1 caliper.

[1973tpi]

I would also be interested in a affordable brake kit . For the front and rear of my 73 Camaro. Let me know what you come up with. Thanks

[evo462]

i'd be interested also, depending on cost?

[cdoggy81]

For GM 10/12 bolt rear's = no problem. Going with LS1 rear caliper & 12" rotors with custom brackets ($40).
For fronts there are the C5 kits which are ~ $700 to start. They use the C5 caliper & 13" rotor. I'll end up going that route if I can't find some way to use the cheaper LS1 front caliper & find a 13" rotor that will work & then have some custom front spindle adapter brackets made for them... :)

[1973tpi]

I am still in. What type of master cylinder and proportioning valve would I have to use? Would it work with 2" drop spindles? Would I be getting the kit from you? Sorry this is my frist 2nd generation and I am new to this whole big brake thing. I dig the C5 stuff. Thank you

[ebmiller88]

... They use the C5 caliper & 13" rotor. I'll end up going that route if I can't find some way to use the cheaper LS1 front caliper & find a 13" rotor that will work & then have some custom front spindle adapter brackets made for them... :)

FYI the C5 and LS1 caliper will interchange with each other but you must use the pad for the caliper abutment you will be using. The C5 pad is slightly longer than the LS1 and won't fit right.

Ed

[cdoggy81]

1973tpi,
There are a few MC that will work. For porp. valve most of the adj. ones will be fine. I don't think drop spindles will work. You have to modify the stock spindles based on the adapter bracket. Take a look at the pic by Wilwood.
I don't really want to sell complete "kits". I'd like to put something together where we can all save some $$$ & everything would match... Maybe have a bracket made to do it cheaper based off current avail. parts (LS1, C5, 1LE, etc...) we could get from vendors. I will make a list of whatever I use.

Ed,
So a kit based off the the C5 caliper would also allow the LS1 caliper to bolt up & interchange with it? Just use the LS1 pads? Wow, this is good to know if so :)

[1973tpi]

Yes, please let me know. I am still in.:hail:

[GTOnate]

Hey I really need brakes when can I get them??? I drive mine half the week. They just started to squeal yesterday! I am not wasting money on stock stuff so if you got a kit I can buy from you ready I will order it today. If not i will have to drop 1000 on just fronts this week and still need rears :(

[71FormulaRA3]

So do we need a new MC in the second gen F-bodys when since we have front discs already? I've heard conflicting stories. Some say you just have to reomve the pressure boosters inline and change the P.V.

[MrQuick]

You could use all your original equiptment but the combo valve. MP and other vendors sell a disc/disc combo valve. I usually use a 3rd gen camaro disc/disc but they are getting difficult to find.

[jayb53guy]

For the right price I would be interested also. Thanks-

[cdoggy81]

I just sold another one of my cars so I will have more time (& $ :) ) to mess with this stuff soon...

[ebmiller88]

Ed,
So a kit based off the the C5 caliper would also allow the LS1 caliper to bolt up & interchange with it? Just use the LS1 pads? Wow, this is good to know if so :)

Yessireee, I've done it numerous times for wheel clearance concerns. For instance, most people know C5 brakes won't fit TT2 wheels, but if you use a LS1 rotor and a C5 caliper it fits great and looks perfect. The downside so to speak is you lose .75" of rotor diameter. This setup uses the full LS1 setup but the C5 caliper:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/brake-board/429725-simple-solution-c5-tt2.html?highlight=wheels+tt2

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/LS1C5TT2D-1.jpg

Ed

[cdoggy81]

Good stuff Ed! Specially for those wheel fitment situations.
I would like to try to use the 13" rotor from the C5 but with the less expensive LS1 caliper. You think it could work?

[ebmiller88]

Good stuff Ed! Specially for those wheel fitment situations.
I would like to try to use the 13" rotor from the C5 but with the less expensive LS1 caliper. You think it could work?

Yes, but again use the pad for the carrier/abutment you use. I have a good number of powdercoated LS1 calipers in the shop and I'm trying to clean it out a bit, LMK if you'd be interested.

Ed

[cdoggy81]

Well guys we may have a good LS1 caliper guy to get them from :)
Now to find a good hub...

[GTOnate]

cdoggy81 how much longer!!! lol you ain't too far from me. You go to any events around here?

[cdoggy81]

Well..... don't hold your breath tooooo loooooong........ :)
I will be getting the rest of the $ for my 70 TA on Monday when he comes to pick it up but I'll be out of town the rest of the week. Then the other 70 goes in my garage for tear down & then back out for media blasting. When that is all done the fab. work starts. As you can see it may be a few weeks or months even depending on scheduling & free time.

What do you have in your 80?

[cdoggy81]

UPDATE:
It looks like Phil from BRP Hot Rods ( http://www.brphotrods.com/ ) will be getting this done. Not exactly how soon though... but he is getting it done :)
It's looking like a complete kit or you can get just the parts you need. Currently he has the rear brackets & 12" D&S zinc washed rotors to fit the LS1 caliper to your 12 or 10 bolt GM posi. Should have a matching 13" D&S zinc washed rotor & adapter to do the same with the LS1 caliper for the front. (May be able to do a 12" front for those who want to run a 15 or 16" wheel). Basically it should be a more economical version of the C5 kits currently available. I will keep you all posted as things develop more.

[1973tpi]

Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cdoggy81]

My car will be going in late May for the mock up so look for something June or later. I know this is a ways off for some of you guys but it has to be right & will be worth the wait :)

[1973tpi]

I am still in. Thank you for the update

[cdoggy81]

No problem!

[cdoggy81]

Car is in the shop :)
We are going to end up with a 13" front rotor & 12" rear with LS1 calipers. A 12" front may still be an option in the future. Will have final pieces ~ July. I will keep you informed as we go.

[1973tpi]

:cool:

[cdoggy81]

Phill has my car & is starting on it :) Check it out:
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44237

[cdoggy81]

UPDATE:
We did it but not really worth it... Had to change this & do that.... :( I'll post pics later.

You are better off buying a kit for the front from www.engineeredvelocity.com or www.kore3.com & then going with the easy LS1 mod for the rear.

[radback]

Too bad!

I was after a cheap solution to get 13" front and 12" rear.

Do anyone know how much the C5 kits increase track width?

[cdoggy81]

I would think not by much. I should have measured the before & after but forgot to :(
Tobin would have some info for ya.

[CRead01]

UPDATE:
We did it but not really worth it... Had to change this & do that.... :( I'll post pics later.

You are better off buying a kit for the front from www.engineeredvelocity.com (http://www.engineeredvelocity.com) or www.kore3.com (http://www.kore3.com) & then going with the easy LS1 mod for the rear.


What parts did you end up using for the ls1 mod for the rear?

[cdoggy81]

$39 adapter brackets + backing plates off any LS1 f-body :)

[ebmiller88]

There's also an option for the full 13" C4 J55 brakes onto a 2nd gen as well, I just finished them up. These will allow a 16" wheel to be run with a full 13" x 1.1" rotor, here's what the brackets and finished setup look like:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/C4HD2GENwebJPG-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/C4HDdoneJPG-1.jpg

[CRead01]

$39 adapter brackets + backing plates off any LS1 f-body :)


wow... that is easy.

I just figured out my next upgrade.

btw. Where do you get the adapter brackets?

[CRead01]

oops... just figured it out. brp.

[cdoggy81]

Good call. I forgot about those Ed. Do you have a web site? You need one with all the good stuff you have !

[ebmiller88]

Yes but with respect to rules I can't post it. You can check my profile or Google. Thanks!

Ed

[cdoggy81]

Found it!
You can put it in your signature can't you?

[Throttle]

I got all my stuff from Ed Miller and I love it.. C6 Z51 setup on the front..

[cdoggy81]

Ed does good stuff.