Author Topic: Rear drum to disk  (Read 2864 times)

wtatoy

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Rear drum to disk
« on: October 18, 2021, 07:05:13 PM »
Anyone do the conversion
What kit did you use

Thanks in advance

stros

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2021, 08:43:06 PM »
I went with Wilwood.  Ordered their 140-12570-DR kit.  It’s their D154 caliper in red.  Bolted right on without any issues.  Not as noticeable an upgrade as the fronts but I’m happy with them. 

It’s pretty tough to see the calipers behind the snowflake wheels too so you may want to save your money there (if you have snowflakes).

Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

wtatoy

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2021, 08:49:44 PM »
Thanks, I do like the clean parking brake set up

Did you keep the stock fronts?

Maxthe222

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2021, 09:22:12 PM »
This is the first time i've had a Firebird with rear drums so I'm considering doing the same thing, I was looking for a cheap kit to convert from drums to discs too, doesn't have to be anything fancy, preferably cheap and something that can be installed in a weekend.
1987 T/A GTA L98
1979 T/A Y84 WS6
1979 F/A W72 WS6
1978 T/A L80 WS6
1978 Formula L80 W50
1971 Formula 400 4-Speed

stros

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2021, 09:29:59 PM »
That’s a good point about the parking brake - the wilwood parking brake setup works very consistently.

On the front I’m running the Wilwood Corvette C5/C6 setup.  I ended up converting the front spindle to Corvette C5/C6 and the hubs to Corvette C7’s.  While this setup works fine it’s a bit complicated and expensive.  There are the simpler and cheaper conversions out now like those offered by Pro Touring F Body which may be comparable.
http://www.pro-touringf-body.com/brakes.html
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2021, 09:29:59 PM »

stros

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2021, 10:20:34 PM »
If you’re looking to go with probably the cheapest option, there’s this rear conversion from Scarebird Brakes.  Their owner is often on TAC (screen name “scarebird”)
http://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=178
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

Maxthe222

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2021, 10:40:49 PM »
If you’re looking to go with probably the cheapest option, there’s this rear conversion from Scarebird Brakes.  Their owner is often on TAC (screen name “scarebird”)
http://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=178


Hmm someone mentioned those, it says it uses a Jimmy brake set up? What's that? If all the brake parts aside from what is included from that set up are on rock auto it might be a reasonable option
1987 T/A GTA L98
1979 T/A Y84 WS6
1979 F/A W72 WS6
1978 T/A L80 WS6
1978 Formula L80 W50
1971 Formula 400 4-Speed

ryeguy2006a

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2021, 05:56:43 AM »
Best bang for your buck hands down is the 98-02 Fbody rear brakes. All models used the same brakes both Firebird and Camaro. You get a 12" brake rotor, aluminum PBR calipers, internal parking brake, and with a 1/4" small spacer it's a direct bolt onto your rear differential. I modified a Moser C-clip eliminator as my spacer. They will also fit under a 15" wheel, but does require trimming down some of the cooling fins on the caliper.

1976 Trans Am LS1 and much more...SOLD
1968 Camaro LSA, T56 Magnum, and much more...SOLD

Current Project: 1955 Nomad LC9, 4L80e, C5 brakes and etc...

roadking77

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2021, 07:07:38 AM »
I have a buddy that said the same as Ryan. He said you can pull the axles out of a 4th gen rear  :???: and they will swap into a 2nd gen rear :shock: Cant verify this, but supposedly he has done so. Get the rear from a junk yard for cheap and the wear parts should be able to bought off the shelf.

Are you running over extended h/p?  I have disc front and drum rear in my 77 t/a, 400 warmed over. Car stops just fine. I see no need to change what the factory engineers came up with. Most of the braking should be done in the front anyway.
I have a 79 with 4 wheel disc, will be curious to see how it handles in comparison.
Finished!
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79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
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82 Firebird - Sold
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ryeguy2006a

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2021, 07:45:31 AM »
Just clicked the link for that brake kit that Scarebird came up with and that is really slick!! That might be worth looking into over the LS1 rear brakes actually.

1976 Trans Am LS1 and much more...SOLD
1968 Camaro LSA, T56 Magnum, and much more...SOLD

Current Project: 1955 Nomad LC9, 4L80e, C5 brakes and etc...

BAD2000TA

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2022, 12:37:51 PM »
I liked the Wilwood kit listed above, just wished they offered with the smaller rotors. The 12.19" rotor is too big to retain my 15" Snowflakes. So, I went with the S10 set-up. Cheap and easy.

1980 Trans Am Y84 SE, WS6, 455, Sniper EFI, T-tops
2001 Trans Am WS6, 6-speed, Stroked LS6 (383), Custom Comp Cam, LS6 heads, Strange 60
"That's an attention-getter"

JJ 109

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2022, 08:25:23 AM »
I have a buddy that said the same as Ryan. He said you can pull the axles out of a 4th gen rear  :???: and they will swap into a 2nd gen rear :shock: Cant verify this, but supposedly he has done so. Get the rear from a junk yard for cheap and the wear parts should be able to bought off the shelf.

Are you running over extended h/p?  I have disc front and drum rear in my 77 t/a, 400 warmed over. Car stops just fine. I see no need to change what the factory engineers came up with. Most of the braking should be done in the front anyway.
I have a 79 with 4 wheel disc, will be curious to see how it handles in comparison.

What’s the purpose for getting the axels?
JJ
76 pro tour project
Twin Turbo LS1
Detroit

Wallington

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2022, 05:45:25 PM »
Longer studs and hub mount compared to drum, I'm guessing.

BAD2000TA

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2022, 08:52:20 PM »
I just completed the S10 conversion. Pretty easy and way less expensive than other "name" brands. All parts are relatively easy to acquire brand new. Just takes some time to get all the right ones. A lot of the old S10 conversion links have disappeared or no longer have the right information. At some point, I'll gather all my part numbers and post.

1980 Trans Am Y84 SE, WS6, 455, Sniper EFI, T-tops
2001 Trans Am WS6, 6-speed, Stroked LS6 (383), Custom Comp Cam, LS6 heads, Strange 60
"That's an attention-getter"

b_hill_86

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2022, 10:42:00 PM »
 Any measurable difference? Seat-of-your-pants or otherwise?  :-D
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2022, 10:42:00 PM »

scarebird

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #15 on: September 12, 2022, 10:55:32 PM »
Not unless you take it to a road course or flat-hat it everywhere...

FormTA

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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2022, 03:30:21 AM »
I did the 98 Fbody brake swap and to me they seem like modern brakes. Stop really well and don't seem to fade.  I had a few panic stops and the worked great. I also have the 17" wheels and wider tires. I love how the pedal feels. It just feels right, can't explain it better.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
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Re: Rear drum to disk
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2022, 03:30:21 AM »
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