Cascade Crew

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: LS1 Rear Brakes

What do you think? I've seen this particular item go up on e-Bay a few times over the last couple of month, yet no one has ever made a bid. Seller has a store on e-Bay, but never has there been a "Buy it Now" option for these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390027824939

Twilightoptics · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject:

Seems a little steep. I bought my used 13" C4 HD Setup for $250 for the same parts essentially. And anything "corvette" gets a premium.

I'd keep my eyes out at the JY and pull it yourself.

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks, might be why there's never been any bids. Add $75 for shipping too.

alloy · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

Well the rear cable brackets and cables are there at least, but to use the 4th gen style cables you will need the bracket from the floor of a 4th gen, and the 4th gen brake handle works soooooo much nicer than my old one did. A minor mod is needed to make the handlle work, but the LS1 brakes are well worth the $275 you will have wrapped up in it. Especially with the drum style e-brake setup. Those little suckers really grab. I was surprised and how well the hold the car. One thing I do suggest is making up your own rear braided brake hoses. The stock LS1 lines have to be bent at a bad angle to make them work. Not a good idea to do that.

Does the 13" C4 setup have a drum parking brake?

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:20 pm Post subject:

Would the length difference in the rear ends (3rd to 4th gen) be the reason for the crazy bend in the flexible lines???

I have the funds for this, I'll keep an eye on it - looks like it ends on Friday about the time I get home. Maybe - still undecided

redlava · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:31 am Post subject:

I would get the 11.75 pbr set up that is on from 89-97. I believe you can get a bolt in ebrake cable

alloy · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:51 am Post subject:

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 8:35 am Post subject:

Did you modify an existing flexible line or make it from scratch? What type of fittings did you use? Looks like a compression fitting prior to the 90* fitting. Are the 90* fittings flares?

Alphius · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:07 am Post subject:

Yeah, the brakes are great, but that's what I paid for my whole 98 SS rear axle with brakes and all. Wink

They sure do stop good. I'd say it's a worthwhile upgrade. Very Happy

alloy · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:59 am Post subject:

They are -3 AN style braided lines, not flare fittings. The fittings are the most expensive part of the lines. I think I have about $60 in the lines total.

There is a female 10 mm bubble flare to male to -3 AN adapter, a 90 deg -3 AN fitting, a straight -3 AN line end, and a -3 AN straight banjo fitting that goes directly on the end of the line. You will need less than 12" of -3 braided line. Buy two of each fitting.

I got the hard lines from the LS1 rear and was able to mod them also. I'm not sure your existing hard lines will work with the LS1 brakes. I went from drums to disks, so it was a little different for me. But hard lines are easy, cut, flare, install. You can rent a bubble flare tool from Schucks. I rented one and liked it so much kept it.

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:11 am Post subject:

My hard lines are for 82/83 disc so they have SAE fittings on them, I may have to get new ones again. Passenger side goes under the axle to the front where the caliper is (easy enough to cut & flare), driver side stays on the back side of the axle but goes all the way to the caliper (again an easy cut & flare). I have two double flaring tools (not bubble) so I might have to rent the one from Schucks/Auto Zone. I also want to change the flex line to the T-fitting on the axle to a braided line.

Thanks for all the info. If I get this I'll definately look this thread up again and most likely get in touch with you for advice Cool

alloy · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:21 am Post subject:

I have braided lines replacing all my flex hoses. Pedal (not petal) feel is much better.

Here is the pic I was looking for of my hoses I made.

Just let me know if you need any help with this. Overall it was very easy to do and a very rewarding upgrade for me.

blue89 · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:10 pm Post subject:

Did you do the same braided line for the the axle to chassis hose?

alloy · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

Yes I do have braided there. It was part of an Earl's 3-part kit for a drum brake car I bought a long time ago. I'm not sure if just that line is available separately or not. I modified the LS1 hard lines to work with my drum brake t-block.

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Al, do you have to run wheel spacers on the back of the car? This is for the red car right?

If your running spacers for your wheels you might consider finding the whole 4th gen rear end. All of this already on there plus 3.42 gears.

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

No spacers. Stock 1982 rear end and wheels with 26mm offset. If I was running with spacers, I might consider that swap, it's quite a bit easier since I have some (only once Shocked

) experience with it.

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject:

I went ahead and paid for these by phone. Shipping was a bit less than the e-Bay calculator. Since none of the yards local to me have these, I figured by the time I paid for the ferry/bridge toll/gas to yards farther away, I'd break even with the shipping charges. They should be here sometime next week - maybe Wednesday. Now to see if I can find a 4th gen brake handle, center cable and distributor bracket - there's a 4th gen bird at the yard near my place, but not open weekends.

alloy · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

Al, the cable bracket under the car is held in by a crap load of spot welds. Way to many to remove at the yard. I just got a pair of tin snips and cut a chunk of the floor board out around the bracket and then seperated the bracket when I got home and had better tools to use.

You will just love how the the gen brake handle grip goes on. Practice installing it out of the car first to get the hang of it. You will understand when you you see how it's set up. But even with this part of it being a pain, the spring loaded self adjust feature in the handle is a real dream. No more e-brake cable adjustments. Perfect tension all the time.

If you need to know what fittings to use for the braided brake lines let me know and I'll make up a list for you.

Al Hasse · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to remember to pack a set of snips when I go to retrieve the bracket.

I'll certainly hit you up for parts needed to make the flex lines. Also, since my rear end is from a 1982 Trans Am, my hard lines are SAE, 1/4" IIRC and the fittings I believe take a 3/8" wrench. I'd like to do the same to the T block on the axle also, which means replacing the block and the flex line. I replaced the fitting and reflared the chassis line to accept the SAE flex line.

iansane · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject:

Al, if you happen to find a yard with 2 of those ebrake brackets yank one for me and I'll reimburse you the next time I see you. I never have time to hit up yards and I need one of those as well.