Hi guys!! (Again) Well, I ordered ALL the suspension pieces for the car (thanks to those who helped) and now I wanted to know about converting my rear drums to disc while I'm back there changing everything out. I did a search on this site but some of the threads were so old that the links didn't work. Also, alot of people talked about different routes to take but no one really cited any experience with them on their Chevelles. So what do you guys think would be the best route for me to go? The car is not a Bonneville car and a stock setup w/ ebrake provision would be the way to go for me. I'm putting them in 17's so I don't expect clearance issues. Also, no one really talked about the proportioning valve. Do I need to reaplace it when going from disc/drum to 4 wheel discs? Thanks guys!!!

I just installed 98 up blazer rear disks brakes. I used 4x4 caliper and bracket parts and 2wd rotors. I believe all the brackets and calipers are the same though so that shouldn't matter. I used 2 washers on each bolt between the bracket and rear end housing. I also had to open the rotor hole slightly with a die grinder. I have not figured out the e-brake cables yet and that will be the hardest part. They come together on the drivers side and pull together.

This is a decent swap because it has the "brake shoe" e-brake which you can omit if you want. The calipers are aluminum much like Camaro ones (I think they may be the same). It doesn't have the e-brake built into the calipers like the older rear disk stuff which I'm not real fond of.

Being that I had 4 wheel drums I think I will leave the drum splitter block and use an adjustable proportioning valve on the rear. There are disk-disk proportioning blocks available though. A newer Camaro or the Blazer block would likely be a good fit. The main thing is to make sure the backs do not lock up first.

Peter

The 12 bolt that I bought already had discs on it,I bolted it in,used a reman master cylinder from a trans am with 4w disc brakes,bled the brakes, bought an adjustable proportioning valve and never had to use it,the brakes work great with the stock disc/drum prop. valve. and I depend on my brakes frequently as I've raced the last 2+ years full time with it.

Originally posted by Rapid Robert:
The 12 bolt that I bought already had discs on it,I bolted it in,used a reman master cylinder from a trans am with 4w disc brakes,bled the brakes, bought an adjustable proportioning valve and never had to use it,the brakes work great with the stock disc/drum prop. valve. and I depend on my brakes frequently as I've raced the last 2+ years full time with it. Wow, that's interesting...you didn't need a different P.V., huh? Good to know. smile.gif Thanks for the info. I guess I'd just like a stock style bolt on kit that was easy to install. Any kits I should know about?

Hinshaw's Chevelle parts has a complete kit (you need to buy a proportioning valve separately if you want it) which is reasonably priced. I think it is based on late model F-body rear brakes and is a direct bolt on with e-brake cables included.

I checked all over their website and then tried calling them (closed). I didn't see it anywhere. Is it just in their physical catalog?

He puts out a "new stuff" quarterly newspaper type thing. It was in the Spring issue. It was priced at $725.50 retail. I think he mentioned that the whole sale price he was quoted just prior to going to print actually has gone down recently so he might be able to offer an even better price.

If you can't get anyone to answer, try back on Monday. He may be traveling to a show this weekend. He does not respond quickly to e-mail so phone calls are your best bet.

Have you thought about the C5/LS1 setup (http://www.geocities.com/diels12000/RearDiscBrakes.html#twelveinch)?

Originally posted by 72SSAbody:
Have you thought about the C5/LS1 setup (http://www.geocities.com/diels12000/RearDiscBrakes.html#twelveinch)? That sounded good until I read that the C5/LS1 set up probably won't fit inside a 15-inch wheel. Shouldn't be a problem for Zefhix since he mentioned he will use 17s.

oh my god...thank you!!! That is perfect!!! And it'll work quite well for me because I have access to 4th gen camaro parts all day long for damn near nothing.....THANK YOU 72SS ABODY!!!!
graemlins/beers.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by Rich-L79:
If you can't get anyone to answer, try back on Monday. He may be traveling to a show this weekend. He does not respond quickly to e-mail so phone calls are your best bet. Rich,
This is customer appreciation/open house weekend at Hinshaw's. I would bet James and his crew are quite busy prepping for tomorrow's festivities.
Especially after just attending the SE regional Peachstate show all last weekend.

Originally posted by zefhix:
oh my god...thank you!!! That is perfect!!! And it'll work quite well for me because I have access to 4th gen camaro parts all day long for damn near nothing.....THANK YOU 72SS ABODY!!!!
graemlins/beers.gif graemlins/thumbsup.gif No problem. Let me know if you have any questions on the swap.

Joe

Are you actually running this setup on your car? How was it to put in? Any problems, tips? I've already made arrangements to purchase all of the hardware so I can post pics and info shortly if anyone is interested..... graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by zefhix:
Are you actually running this setup on your car? How was it to put in? Any problems, tips? I've already made arrangements to purchase all of the hardware so I can post pics and info shortly if anyone is interested..... graemlins/thumbsup.gif The car is currently stuck in "paint and body hell" right now. But they are on with some 17" I have laying around.

No problems what so ever putting them on. Only hard part is flaring the lines for the flex hoses and I welded on a bracket to retain the line/flex hose connection to the axle tube (off a '94 9C1 Caprice cop car).

You'll definitely need longer bolts for the backing plate/axle flange. Use grade 8 bolts AND grade 8 washers for the swap!

The master cylinder size depends on the front setup you'll be running, but you'll need/want an adjustable valve to dial in the setup.

Good luck!

Joe