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Old 01-25-2006, 02:47 PM
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Derek69SS Derek69SS is offline
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Post Low Budget: convert 4-wheel drums to 4-wheel discs for $800!

Jim asked me yesterday on Chat about my brakes, so I figured if I'm compiling info, I might as well share with anyone interested

All prices and part-#s listed are current as of today, 01-25-06


Modifying stock DRUM spindles to use stock 11” DISC BRAKES on ’67-69 F-body (Camaro, Firebird), ’68-74 X-body (Nova, Omega, Ventura, Appollo), and ’64-72 A-body (Malibu/Chevelle, Monte Carlo, El Camino, Sprint, Skylark/GS, Cutlass/442, LeMans/GTO)

Spindles: $0 (assuming your car has drum brakes on it.) These can be “converted” to disc brake spindles with an angle grinder in about 20 minutes each.

Caliper Brackets .................................................. ............$79.95 pr +shipping
Bolts .................................................. ..........................$1.95ea (x2) = $2.90 pr

Backing Plates (optional - you don't really need these)............................$39.95 pr

*note: I used Ground-Up’s prices because their website is easiest to navigate. Other sources may be cheaper, or have cheaper shipping*

The procedure for making disc spindles from drum spindles is simple. Bolt the caliper bracket tight. (but loose enough so you can rotate the bracket) to the lower bolt boss on the spindle. Then start grinding on the upper bolt boss on the spindle until the bracket can sit flat on both the upper, and lower surfaces. You will need to remove about 5/16-3/8” from the upper boss (estimated - I never actually measured).

The rest of the parts can be bought at any parts-store… NAPA part numbers and prices: (retail price)

Calipers w/ hardware #542-2016………17.75 ea + $9.00 core = $53.50 pr
- they include the caliper bolts and copper washers for the brake line.
Premium Brake pad set #AE728A…………….…….........…….……….. $30.47 pr
Economy “Loaded” Calipers…..…$28.70 ea + $9.00 core = $75.40 pr
Premium Rotors #85532 …………………………..…….$77.31 ea (x2) = $154.62 pr
Economy Rotors #4885532………….....…. $46.88 ea (x2) =$93.76 pr
Inner bearings #BR6…………………………. $7.31 ea (x2) = $14.62 pr
Outer bearing #BR2…………………………… $7.45 ea (x2) = $14.90 pr
Seal #17187………………………….…..……… $2.08 ea (x2) = $4.16 pr
69 camaro brake hose #36672……....……$18.92 ea (x2) = $37.84 pr
– on chevelles, drum cars had a different bracket, and the camaro hose fits better.
Banjo bolt #82701…………………….……… $3.46 ea (x2) = $6.92 pr

Total: (Economy)…………………………………….......………….$330.45

Total: (Premium)................…………………………………………………………..$ 439.83

REAR Disc Brakes for GM 10-bolt &12-bolt

Brackets from Steeltech Solutions: .....................$89/pr +$10 shipping = $99

Again, the rest can be bought at any Parts Store (Prices & Part #s are from NAPA):

Rotors – Rear 11” rotors for ’80 Trans-Am #85774... $41.16 ea (x2) = $82.32 pr
Loaded Calipers (w/ E-brake)…...………. $127.46 ea + $66 core = $386.92 pr
– 85 Caddy Seville rear disc calipers.
Loaded Calipers (w/o E-brake)……….....$34.75 ea + $22 core = $113.50 pr
– 85 Camaro FRONT calipers. (I think I bought mine for ½ that price from Auto Zone)
Hoses – for ‘85 Camaro front……………………….$13.79 (x2) = $27.58 pr

Sub-Total w/o E-brake……………………...……….………………. $322.40

Sub-Total w/ E-brake: $595.82 -cheaper just to buy the kit from Steeltech: $499.00

Then to make everything work properly, I used:

’68 Corvette manual Master Cylinder (NAPA #101371)….…............$20.69
Power Brake booster – ’69 Chevelle (NAPA #5471105) ………….....$81.87
Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve (Summit Racing)……….......$50.00

Sub-Total:..................…………………………………………………$152.56

My Sub-Total because I used a $25 used booster from a junk-yard:..…… $95.69

TOTAL (With all NEW parts, but done as cheap as possible)….…..$805.41
(upgraded parts prices listed so you can calculate your costs accordingly)
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