Got an '86 Firebird, base... I'm looking for a cost-efficient brake upgrade. Best bang for the buck, but something cheap. My four door grand am SE has bigger, meaner brakes then my performance car...need to change this.

 

I've seen a lot of braking upgrade kits for like $1000+...nothing really economical. A grand isn't in my pricerange...I could swing maybe $500 towards better brakes, but beyond that would be impossible for quite some time.

 

Raid the brakes off a junkyard LT1 or LS1 car. Thay can be made to fit without too much fabbing and you should be able to get the parts for a couple hundred bones. Check the suspension/brakes forum at TGO...there are a few brake upgrade threads over there.

 

I got my rear LT1 brakes for $100 shipped including everything. I saw a similar setup but with axles, and some other parts go for $125 just the other day in the parts for sale forum.

-Rippin

 

Braided hoses make a big difference for me. How about a set of rear disc brakes with a manual proportioning valve.

 

how much would it cost for braided hoses, rear discs and the proportioning valve?

Will any rear discs work? Like off of another thirdgen, or a fourth gen??? I've got 15" wheels... so I was worried about the calipers/etc clearing.

 

Hoses are about $95 with 4 wheel disc. Valve is about $75. Are you thinking of buying a kit like those from Stainless Steel Brakes?

Not sure. I know I have 16 wheels and they fit fine but I have never tried it on a 15

 

being on a budget, get ya some drilled rotors, carbon kevlar or ceramic pads like Porterfield's or PBR ultimate's and some good fluid like Ate Super Blue or Castrol SRF. The drilled rotors will help dissipate the heat better. The pads will give a better friction coefficient and the performance fluid will almost double the boiling point.

My 944 Turbo has 4 piston Brembo's at all 4 corners and with stock pads, fluid and rotors, I would see brake fade after just one hard stop from 140mph. Now with the Kevlar pads, drilled rotors and good fluid, I can make 2-3 hard stops from 140+mph before my brakes start to fade. Just bigger calipers is not enough. You must address all aspects of the brake system.

 

I'm running the C4 Vette upgrade on my RS and I have put together the LS1 upgrade also. Contact me if you need any info on doing the upgrades, they are SWEET and won't cost you an arm and a leg, both will run you less than $600.

Ed
ebmiller88@aol.com