Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

[Jer]

I'm considering swapping out the rear drums the same time I do my 12" front brake kit. I've got a few questions for those who have done this mod:

1) Which 'kit' did you go with (LS1, aftermarket....)?
2) Can you rate them over all on a scale of 1 to 10 for improvement over the drums?
3) Would you spend the money and put in the time to do it again if you had to?
4) How much boost are you able to hold before the brakes start to let loose?
5) Refer back to question one and state if you would do the same kit again or if you would choose another if you could.
6) What types of items need removed, cut or moved are needed for your particular kit?

Thanks for all the help fellas.

 

[scotts4]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

i did the 13 inch front baer kit and the ls1 rears . the truck stops on a dime now . i have held 15 psi of boost and it held fine thats the highest amount i have tried but it can hold more . do it you wount be disapointed .

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

Haven't run the truck as of yet (seeing as it hasn't got a motor in it, but oh well ). However, to do the LS1 rear brakes is all bolt up, with the exception of the flare on the brake lines and the parking brakes. Need custom brackets for that. I have had those made, and scotts4 is getting a pair just like them. I probably ougth to do some measurments on them, so they can be replicated more easily...
Took me a total of 1.5 hours to do that swap, once I had the brackets for the p-brake.

 

[scotts4]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

cant wait to hook up my ebrake

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

Wow - those brackets look great.

 

[Jer]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

Yeah, I saw those brackets on the other thread.... very nice.

I doubt I'll need them as I never use my parking brake anyway. Matter of fact, it wasn't until the place I had put in my remote start set the parking brake did I find out there wasn't even a release handle for some reason. So, it never gets used and I see no reason to go to the effort of making it work as it'll never get used.

I'm concerned more with how easy the install is, how much it costs and how much boost I can hold at the line before it lets loose. The current drums do well of clamping and I've seen ~18psi at the line using them. I'm afraid from what I've heard that I won't be able to build boost at the line due to the limiting holding factor of the rear discs, which is what I'm trying to find out.

Sounds like this and how to get the fittings to match up will be my only two concerns.

 

[spooldup]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

Haven't run the truck as of yet (seeing as it hasn't got a motor in it, but oh well ). However, to do the LS1 rear brakes is all bolt up, with the exception of the flare on the brake lines and the parking brakes. Need custom brackets for that. I have had those made, and scotts4 is getting a pair just like them. I probably ougth to do some measurments on them, so they can be replicated more easily...
Took me a total of 1.5 hours to do that swap, once I had the brackets for the p-brake.

I need these barckets as well. Where can i get them?

Do the disc conversion! You will never go back!

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

I had the brackets custom made at the local rod shop. When I get them back from being replicated I'll do some measurments and post them up here...

 

[Crimson93Ty]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

How much did they charge? Think they would do more?

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

it was $100, I imagine he'd make some more, maybe I ought to start making these as a kit...

 

[SoLoS-10]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

definately...how much did it cost you to do the ls-1 rear brake conversion...i have a 1986 s-10 with a 400 small block that could use a little bit better brakes...and i am buying a typhoon...also...junk yard parts

 

[SEL777]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

What about the Master Cylinder? Does it need to be changed or is the stock MC capable of operating a 4 wheel disc system?

 

[turbodog]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

Mine was under $150 total, but I went a cheaper route on the p-brake brackets. The master cyl is fine, but the proportioning is not right. Only noticeable in the wet. Rears want to lock up early compared to the (stock) fronts. With a 12" or 13" front upgrade, the balance might be fine. A cheap solution for this was discussed in the old syty.org email list: a combination valve from a 2nd gen s-blazer with rear disc brakes. I haven't gone junkyard cruising for mine yet. A final verdict on this was never posted, however, so I can't vouch for it until I try it. A better (but more expensive) solution is a brake balance valve in-line with the rear brakes. If you google 'rear disc brake conversion' you'll find most experiences shops highly recommend you plan on the balance valve as part of the conversion.

 

[jbone]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

I recently saw a kit on Ebay someone is selling that lets you do an LS-1 conversion all around. Has anyone done this? Would it be worth it or should I go with the Baer fronts and LS-1 rears?

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

I'll have LS1s all the way around soon (this weekend they should get done). I have the rears now and it is better than stock for sure.

 

[jjorgensen52]

Re: Questions for those w/rear drum/disc conversions

Mine was under $150 total, but I went a cheaper route on the p-brake brackets. The master cyl is fine, but the proportioning is not right. Only noticeable in the wet. Rears want to lock up early compared to the (stock) fronts. With a 12" or 13" front upgrade, the balance might be fine. A cheap solution for this was discussed in the old syty.org email list: a combination valve from a 2nd gen s-blazer with rear disc brakes. I haven't gone junkyard cruising for mine yet. A final verdict on this was never posted, however, so I can't vouch for it until I try it. A better (but more expensive) solution is a brake balance valve in-line with the rear brakes. If you google 'rear disc brake conversion' you'll find most experiences shops highly recommend you plan on the balance valve as part of the conversion.

What'd you do for the p-brake (pics)?