[Gary 396]

This is Gary 396. I am Updating an older Team Chevelle Rear Disc Brake Conversion Post of doing a Rear Disc Brake Conversion on 1970 Chevelle with Factory Front Disc Brakes with a Factory 11" Front Disc Brakes, 1 1/8" Master Cylinder, Factory Hold Off Valve Mounted on Power Booster, a Factory Mounted Frame Distribution Block and replacement Rear Parking Cables and any other part that should be replaced economically. According to Wilwood Tech Department, the 1970 Chevelle Owner needs to replace the Chevelle Master Cylinder with a Corvette 1 1/8" Disc Disc Master Cylinder, Remove the Power Booster Hold Valve (agreed), Replace the Factory Frame Mounted Distribution Block with a Wilwood #260-11179 Adjustable Distribution Block with 5 Lines, and replace both Rear Parking Brake Cables with Wilwood #330-9371.

My Question, Are their any Team Chevelle Members whom have done a Rear Disc Brake Conversion before on a 1967 to 1972 (w Dual Master Cylinder) or a 1964-1966 Chevelle with Dual Master Cylinder? If so what Manufacturer (Wilwood, Baer, Master Brakes, Right Stuff, CPP, SSBC and etc) did You use and What Components were required to be replaced in Order to have proper Brake Modulation between the Front and Rear Wheels? Are their Disc Brake Kits that Team Chevelle Member should Avoid and Why?

So You can Better Under why I am asking You Guys these questions is my Updated Post Below.

https://www.chevelles.com/threads/1964-1972-chevelle-rear-disc-brake-conversion-vs-11-inch-rear-drum-brake-conversion.1163204/

I Thank All Team Chevelle Members for Helping me Update My Rear Disc Brake Conversion Post. Sincerely Gary 396

 

[Lew540]

I did the Wilwood 11 inch rear disk brakes. I have a 15 inch rim so going to a 12 can be tough because of fitment due to the big backspacing I have. I was very happy how it turned out and I am using the Corvette dual master cylinder 1 1/8. The video of the link in the post there shows the kit I have I think. I have a Ford Housing rear ends so my kit might be a little different. Wilwood recommends you get their parking cable set up too. On the front I am running the Impala (1976) 1989 TransAm 12 inch spindle/rotor with the Wilwood D52 Caliper. Also Have Global West Control arms. The combination of the 2 works really good. Here is my front.

 

[Lew540]

Rear disk photo with the 3.5 inch exhaust in the background.

 

[Gary 396]

Dear Lew540, Thank You Very Much for Responding. According to the Wilwood Tech, the Factory Chevelle Frame Distribution Block needs to be Replaced because this Distribution Block has an orfice that restricts the pressure going to the original rear Wheel Cylinders. Did You Keep or Replace Your Original Frame Mounted Brake Line Distribution Block? Did You install a Wilwood Adjustable Brake Line Valve to Modulate the Pressure going to the rear brakes? If You replaced this Distribution Block and installed an adjustable Brake Line Valve, could you please describe what You did. Also did you Use Your Original Parking Brake Cables or did you buy the Wilwood Brake Cables? Can You offer any Tips to make the Chevelle Rear Disc Brake Conversion Better. Thank You Very Much for Your Photos. Sincerely Gary 396

 

[Lew540]

I bought the Wilwood cables and installed a Corvette (4 wheel disc) distribution block with an adjustable valve from Wilwood. I would buy everything from Wilwood or XYZ so you have a complete system. The brakes work great on my car now. The rear discs were helpful - the Wildood rear 11 inch above is fine for your needs. The big thing is you want good front brakes and handling which is why I did a whole change up with spindles, control arms etc. If you want to stick with 11s and your current spindles and control arms buy a whole kit where everything has been thought out.

 

[Gary 396]

Dear Lew540, Again Thanks for Replying. The Front Photo of Your Chevelle Looks Very Impressive especially your 540 Engine Looks Brand New as well as Both Photos of Your Front and Rear Wilwood Brakes. Going Back to My Disc Brake Questions, Did You Mount Your Corvette Distribution Block Down at the Frame where the Original Distribution Block was or Did You Mount the Corvette Distribution Block somewhere near the Master Cylinder? Did You Mount the Adjustable Wilwood Valve at the Master Cylinder? Did You have to Run all New Brake Lines Every where or were you able to just modify some of the front brake lines? Was the Corvette Distribution Block a Direct Replacement for Your Original where You could Bolt it to the Frame and Do You have a part Number? Did You keep Your Original Power Booster and Master Cylinder or Replace it with a Non-Power Booster Wilwood Master Cylinder? And Finally, it Looks Like You have a Big Hat on You Rear Brake Rotor, is that Big Hat have the Wilwood Parking Brake Setup? If You have any Photos of the front installation, they are worth a Thousand Words. Again, I Thank You for Helping me on this Matter. Sincerely Gary 396

 

[Lew540]

The Corvette disc/disc block is on frame underneath the dimmer switch. The adjuster thing I would say is back by the door opening on the frame. I redid all the lines and I have a line lock so that is different. The block is the same size and your fitting should go right in. Mine was an all brass one not OEM and got it about 20 years ago. It looks different than OEM but external measurements and fittings are the same. I think they call them PV72 and have a PV4 on the bottom (the PV2 is for front disks). On the front stuff I had done the spindles 25 years ago this was just a replace the D52s and add the 1989 Trans Am (drilled) rotors on as an upgrade (I had OEM Trans AM rotors before). The power booster is a Master Power dual 9 inch diaphram because the BBC I need some clearance for tall valve covers. I run a Leeds vacuum pump to help out with vacuum brakes. The distribution block the Chevelle places and or Masterpower sell them. Yes, the drum brake is located under the hat for the parking brake. Master cylinder is just a parts store 1970 Corvette replacement with 2 equal size reservoirs.

 

[swampy 6x6]

Hi
Lew 540
looking to use a least part of your front brake package Can u confirm .
spindles Impalla 1976 ?? there seems to be before ~76 versions and after `76 versions differences ??
1989 rotor and hub Pontiac TransAm . Is this the optional factory setup or the stock setup ??

I locally can get close to the disc size but a better [bigger piston] [[large pad selection ] caliper is what I am really interested in . If I need to go your conversion 100% I will .

Are u awhere of any off the shelf kits for front 11.75 ---12 inch suit GM
many thanks

 

[Gary 396]

Dear Lew540. I Thank You Very Much for taking Your TIme to answer my many questions about the Chevelle Rear Disc Brake Conversion. You are a Very Nice Guy and a Faithful Team Chevelle Member. May You have a Very Prosperous New Year. Sincerely Gary 396

 

[Lew540]

There are two types of spindles and then two more. You have the Camaro spindle (1970+) and the Impala (1976+) spindle (which has the 12 inch brakes). Within the Impala spindle there are two types the taxi cab spindle and the one you want. You want like a 1977 and later ones the 1965-1975 were different and I think they may have had only 11 inch brakes too. Global West has a detailed description of what you need and have been doing the conversion for 30 years. Now if you change the spindle you will need to do several things. You need to at least get the Global West upper A-Arm because of the tall spindle the shimming is a nightmare without it (especially big block with headers). The Global West arms also now build a lot of caster in these now to help with steering. On the lower arms you can do two things keep your current ones if you do Global West sell a cut down ball joint (like .050 in the press in area) for you control arm as the Impala/Camaro spindle have a different taper/stud than your Chevelle spindle and the press in hole on Chevelle is too small and they shave .050 off the press in area on ball joint. Or you can buy the Global West lower arm which has the correct ball joint in it with slightly bigger press in area. The Trans Am rotor is a high performance WS6 option the normal Firebird had the 11 inch. There are no 12 inch GM kits because they then go to a 5 x 5 inch bolt pattern on the wheel when they get to that brake size. The reason you have to use the Trans Am one is it maintains the 5 x 4.75 inch bolt pattern and it is 1.05 inch (common) in width the Impala is 1.25 inches which then dictates a different caliper. I will see if I can dig up some more photos. These brakes just fit inside my 15 inch rims. If you stick with the GM D52 single piston caliper you have more wiggle room on rims as it is a little smaller. One thing nice about Wilwood is the dual piston spreads the pressure out on the pad/rotor better. It has slightly less piston area than GM one (6.3 vs 6.9 square inches) but the entire 6.3 inches is on the rotor and the pad is bigger due to the 2 pistons (2 inches in diameter). The GM piston is 2.9 inches wide the only problem is the contact area on the rotor is only 2 inches wide.

 

[Lcode70]

This is Gary 396. I am Updating an older Team Chevelle Rear Disc Brake Conversion Post of doing a Rear Disc Brake Conversion on 1970 Chevelle with Factory Front Disc Brakes with a Factory 11" Front Disc Brakes, 1 1/8" Master Cylinder, Factory Hold Off Valve Mounted on Power Booster, a Factory Mounted Frame Distribution Block and replacement Rear Parking Cables and any other part that should be replaced economically. According to Wilwood Tech Department, the 1970 Chevelle Owner needs to replace the Chevelle Master Cylinder with a Corvette 1 1/8" Disc Disc Master Cylinder, Remove the Power Booster Hold Valve (agreed), Replace the Factory Frame Mounted Distribution Block with a Wilwood #260-11179 Adjustable Distribution Block with 5 Lines, and replace both Rear Parking Brake Cables with Wilwood #330-9371.

My Question, Are their any Team Chevelle Members whom have done a Rear Disc Brake Conversion before on a 1967 to 1972 (w Dual Master Cylinder) or a 1964-1966 Chevelle with Dual Master Cylinder? If so what Manufacturer (Wilwood, Baer, Master Brakes, Right Stuff, CPP, SSBC and etc) did You use and What Components were required to be replaced in Order to have proper Brake Modulation between the Front and Rear Wheels? Are their Disc Brake Kits that Team Chevelle Member should Avoid and Why?

So You can Better Under why I am asking You Guys these questions is my Updated Post Below.

https://www.chevelles.com/threads/1964-1972-chevelle-rear-disc-brake-conversion-vs-11-inch-rear-drum-brake-conversion.1163204/

I Thank All Team Chevelle Members for Helping me Update My Rear Disc Brake Conversion Post. Sincerely Gary 396

So Gary, what did you end up doing?

 

[Gary 396]

Dear LCode70, I have a 1967 Chevelle SS 396 with Factory Front 4 Piston Disc Brakes that had 9" Rear Drums which I had converted to 1975-76 Monte 11" Rear Drum Brakes where I had used a 15/16" CPP Master Cylinder and kept the existing Power Booster Mounted Hold Off Valve required for Front Disc Brakes about 12 years ago which are currently not available as new or from the Monte Carlo Junk Yards. My Monte Carlo 11" Brakes Works Great as I went through 3 Master Cylinders before using the 15/16" CPP Master Cylinder which gave me Excellent Stopping Power.

I re-wrote and updated my Rear Brake Post for 1964-1972 Chevelle Owners to Update their 9" Rear Drum Brakes by doing a Rear Disc Brake Conversion at a reasonable cost. I believe that the Mustang Rear Floating Disc Brake Calipers is the Best Chevelle Rear Brake Replacement (as according to Master Power Brakes Tech Dept) as You can Eliminate your Power Booster Mounted Hold Off Valve, Keep Your Frame Proportioning Valve. I in addition, I would Convert Your Disc / Drum Brake Master Cylinder to a CPP 15/16" or 1" CPP Master Cylinder from Ebay because Your Stock 1 1/8" Master Cylinder has a Large Chamber for the Front Disc Brakes and a Smaller Rear Brake Chamber for Your 9" Rear Drum Brakes versus using the CPP Disc / Disc Master Cylinder with equal Brake Fluid Chambers. Also You will need to upgrade to 15" Rear Wheels to Clear the Rear Disc Brake Calipers. Master Power Brake Chevelle 11" Rear Disc Brake Caliper Kit (2005-2014 Mustang Rear Caliper) 800-472-4181

You Tube Video

If You wanted to keep everything GM You could Use the Right Stuff (Rear Parking Brake) Non Floating Cadillac SeVille Rear Calipers ($704) or the Auto City Classic (Rear Parking Brake) Non Floating Cadillac Seville Rear Calipers for $349. The Main Issue with using the Seville Cadillac Rear Calipers is the Difficulty with Proper Rear Caliper Adjustment (requires Cheap Disc Caliper Piston Adjustment Tool) which I cover in my Team Chevelle Post https://www.chevelles.com/threads/1...amaro-rear-disc-brake-conversion-or-11-inch-rear-brake-drum-conversion.1163204/.

Right Stuff Rear Caliper Adjustments

CPP Rear Caliper Adjustment:

Finally, if Money is No Object, You could Purchase the Kore Z51 or the Z06 Calipers ($1,150 to $1,250) or the Wilwood ($970 to $1,100) Rear Disc Kits plus many other costly parts needed to make these 2 Vendors Rear Disc Calipers work which is also covered in my above Team Chevelle Post plus 17" or 18" Wheel Depending on the Kit that You Purchase. Happy Memorial Day. Sincerely Gary 396

2005-2016 Mustang Rear Caliper Disc Pad Install & Rear Park Brake Adjustment Video

How to Replace Rear Brakes 05-16 Ford Mustang
Buy Now!New Brake Pad & Rotor Kit from 1AAuto.com 1A Auto | Aftermarket Car Parts - Buy Quality Auto Parts Online pads wear out over time, much like tires, and need replacing, on average,...

www.youtube.com

1966-72 Chevrolet Malibu Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit – Legend Series $687
Master # DB1791-BR Chevelle Rear Disc Kit $687 plus $125 Shipping
Master #VL3359-1K Combination Disc to Disc Valve which could be mounted on the Chevelle Frame $115
Master #HWC2500 Rear Brake Cables used in event Chevelles do not attach $193

 

[Lcode70]

Dear LCode70, I have a 1967 Chevelle SS 396 with Factory Front 4 Piston Disc Brakes that had 9" Rear Drums which I had converted to 1975 Monte 11" Rear Drum Brakes and used a 15/16" CPP Master Cylinder and kept the existing Power Booster Mounted Hold Off Valve required for Front Disc Brakes about 12 years ago which are currently not available as new or from the Monte Carlo Junk Yards. My Monte Carlo 11" Brakes Works Great as I went through 3 Master Cylinders before decided on using the 15/16" CPP Master Cylinder which gave me Excellent Stopping Power.

I re-wrote and updated my Rear Brake Post for 1964-1972 Chevelle Owners to Update their 9" Brakes and do a rear Disc Brake Conversion at a reasonable cost. I believe that the Mustang Rear Floating Disc Brake Calipers is the Best Chevelle Rear Brake Replacement (as according to Master Power Brakes Tech Dept) as You can Eliminate your Power Booster Mounted Hold Off Valve, Keep Your Frame Proportioning Valve, and I would Convert Your Disc / Drum Brake Master Cylinder to a CPP 15/16" or 1" CPP Master Cylinder from Ebay as Your Stock Master Cylinder has a Large Chamber for the Front Disc Brakes and a Smaller Rear Brake Chamber for Your 9" Rear Brakes versus using the CPP Disc / Disc Master Cylinder with equal Brake Fluid Chambers plus you need 15" Rear Wheels to Clear the Rear Disc Brake Calipers. Master Power Brake Chevelle 11" Rear Disc Brake Caliper Kit (2005-2014 Mustang Rear Caliper) 800-472-4181

You Tube Video

If You wanted to keep everything GM You could Use the Right Stuff (Rear Parking Brake) Non Floating Cadillac SeVille Rear Calipers ($704) or the Auto City Classic (Rear Parking Brake) Non Floating Cadillac Seville Rear Calipers for $349. The Main Issue with using the Seville Cadillac Rear Calipers is the Difficulty with Proper Rear Caliper Adjustment (requires Cheap Disc Caliper Piston Adjustment Tool) which I cover in my Team Chevelle Post https://www.chevelles.com/threads/1...amaro-rear-disc-brake-conversion-or-11-inch-rear-brake-drum-conversion.1163204/.

Right Stuff Rear Caliper Adjustments

CPP Rear Caliper Adjustment:

Finally, if Money is No Object, You could Purchase the Kore Z51 or the Z06 Calipers ($1,150 to $1,250) or the Wilwood ($970 to $1,100) Rear Disc Kits plus many other costly parts needed to make these 2 Vendors Rear Disc Calipers work which is also covered in my above Team Chevelle Post plus 17" or 18" Wheel Depending on the Kit that You Purchase. Happy Memorial Day. Sincerely Gary 396





2005-2016 Mustang Rear Caliper Disc Pad Install & Rear Park Brake Adjustment Video

How to Replace Rear Brakes 05-16 Ford Mustang
Buy Now!New Brake Pad & Rotor Kit from 1AAuto.com 1A Auto | Aftermarket Car Parts - Buy Quality Auto Parts Online pads wear out over time, much like tires, and need replacing, on average,...

www.youtube.com

1966-72 Chevrolet Malibu Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit – Legend Series $687
Master # DB1791-BR Chevelle Rear Disc Kit $687 plus $125 Shipping
Master #VL3359-1K Combination Disc to Disc Valve which could be mounted on the Chevelle Frame $115
Master #HWC2500 Rear Brake Cables used in event Chevelles do not attach $193

Thank you so much Gary!

 

[MKinPA]

Trimming this reply down now that I'm less frantic:

It's tough to find specs but Chevelle rear axle hubs are slightly too large for the S10 Blazer rear disc at the hub register hole.

The "LS1" and C5 rear rotors have a slightly larger register hole which appears to work with the 10 and 12 bolt axles, which most of you probably already know.

Bottom line: If you don't want to modify axles or rotors, avoid the S10 Blazer rear disc swap and use one of the other options that @Gary 396 already listed in this thread.

 

[Gary 396]

Dear MKinPA This is Gary 396. Thank You Very Much for Up Dating the Team Chevelle Members Not to Use the S10 Rear Disc Brake Swap Due to the Hole in the S10 Rear Discs being Too Small to Fit the Chevelle 10 and 12 Bolt Axles. Sincerely Gary 396