LT-1 Rear brake questions

[ITLBTU]

I have aquired a set of rear LT-1 disc brakes. Is it worth getting the LS-1 rear brakes instead? I understand that I need 2 RH brackets, but do you then put one disc on the front of the axel, and one on the rear side, or should I re-locate the shocks? Another question... Will the disc brake keep the wheel on the car if you snap an axel?
Thanks

[nancejd]

I wouldn't count on the disk brake keeping the axle in the car. The bracket just isn't designed to do that.

I don't see that the LS1 rears are worth the extra effort to get them on a leaf spring car and keep the parking brake. When I looked at doing this, the parking brake pull would have had to have been right through the leaf spring mount.

The brakes can be reclocked, or you can just bolt on the two right side LT1 brakes.

It isn't that it can't be done, it just isn't as simple.

[Taylor1969]

I wouldn't count on the disk brake keeping the axle in the car. The bracket just isn't designed to do that.

I don't see that the LS1 rears are worth the extra effort to get them on a leaf spring car and keep the parking brake. When I looked at doing this, the parking brake pull would have had to have been right through the leaf spring mount.

The brakes can be reclocked, or you can just bolt on the two right side LT1 brakes.

It isn't that it can't be done, it just isn't as simple.

I did ls1's for under $500 w/ parking brake.

I got the brake setup off ebay (calipers, rotors, brake cables, etc.) + bracket and shock relocation w/ parking break mount from BRP.

Ebay Brakes ls1 complete kit- $150
BRP Bracket - $40
BRP Shock Relocation - $150
Pads + rotors - $150

Total - $490

[ITLBTU]

Is it worth getting rid of the rear LT-1's and finding some LS-1's for the rear instead?

[matthimself456]

Just FYI the Lt1 parking brake is pretty much useless.

[Samckitt]

Why do you say the LT1 parking brake is useless? I have those calipers, but don't have the E brake hooked up yet.

[72SSAbody]

Is it worth getting rid of the rear LT-1's and finding some LS-1's for the rear instead?

In a short and sweet answer...No.

You're better off spending your money in other places. I keep preaching this and preaching this, but the best improvement you can ever make to your braking system is a very sticky set of tires.

A ton of people don't realize that your brakes aren't what stop your car...it's your tires. So buy the best you can.

Joe

[Chad-1stGen]

The LT1 parking brake holds my car fine for most of my parking applications. But I don't see them having the ability to lock the tires at speed or hold the car in san francisco. Maybe others have more experience.

[nancejd]

I don't have any experience with the brakes I'm putting on my '69, but on my '96 with the stock rear brakes, the parking brake doesn't really seem to cut it. It would take a long time to stop the car from speed, and on a steep hill, I doubt it would hold by itself. The cables have been replaced (one snapped on me), and it probably is due for new pads and rotors, which might be what is causing the poor perfromance of the parking brake now. I always leave my car in gear when it's parked though. I'd be more concerned with an auto and the park pall, since I know it isn't good on the transmission to leave it it park without the brake on.

[jsconiers]

If your shocks aren't staggered there is no need to use to RH brakes.

[matthimself456]

Stock parking brake on my 93 Formula won't even hold the car still on my very slightly sloped driveway. Granted the brakes aren't brand new so probably not the best gauge. As far as stopping goes they work great, just remember to leave it in gear if you park on any kind of hill.

[Samckitt]

Are the LS1 rear E brakes any better?

[nancejd]

I think they are since the parking brake function is divorced from the standard braking function, with an integral drum. I don't think I had a problem with the brakes on my '96 when it was new, but it has about 90k on it, with original rotors, and the second pair of pads in the rear. My suspicion is that it is a wear issue for me.

[Samckitt]

The LT1 calipers are nice because the E brake is built in. Sounds like the LS1 calipers might be a pain to swap.

Any one have pics of the install?

[83hurstguy]

The LT1 calipers are nice because the E brake is built in. Sounds like the LS1 calipers might be a pain to swap.

Any one have pics of the install?

I haven't done it, but here's how I understand it...

you can put them on the G-body rear pretty easy. You have to cut off the top of the flange on the housing (where the upper huge third bolt runs), the bolt up the backing plate with the bottom two small bolts. You use the backing plate as a template to drill the upper two small holes for mounting. (The LS1 backing plate has a small 4 bolt square pattern vs. the stock G-body 2 small lowers and huge upper triangle).

I am going to run the LT1's b/c I dont want to cut up my original rear housing on the Hurst.

Found the article on third gen for doing the LS1 conversion on a 3 bolt style flange...
http://www.thirdgen.org/ls1reardisc

[Samckitt]

Luke,
Why would you not have to cut the rear on the Hurst when using the LT1 calipers?

[Chad-1stGen]

Luke,
Why would you not have to cut the rear on the Hurst when using the LT1 calipers?

He said he had to cut it for the LS1 calipers. Thought I've never heard that one.

[83hurstguy]

Luke,
Why would you not have to cut the rear on the Hurst when using the LT1 calipers?

I have the bracket for a rear Baer setup that bolts onto a 3 bolt rear flange and uses LT1 style calipers. When I got my 8.5" rear, the Baer brackets were bolted onto it (previous owner had kept the calipers/rotors), and nothing was trimmed.

If I was going to run LS1 brakes, you gotta run the LS1 backing plate with internal parking brake setup, and according to that thirdgen link I posted, trim the top of the housing ends off. Maybe you don't have to, and I'm totally wrong. But that's how they did it, and the stock Camaro housing ends are small squares, not the large rectangles stock on a G-body housing.

I want to be able to return the Hurst to stock one day after I'm done hot rodding it, hence my mods are all bolt on pieces.

[Samckitt]

Ah gotcha. I have the Baer brackets & went to the junk yard to get calipers & ordered rotors from GMPartsdirect.com.