Sloppy Mechanics

LS1 rear disk brake install on the chevelle

As I am waiting for my front C5 rotors I decided that I will start on the rear disk swap. For the rear I am using 98-02 F-body (Camaro/Firebird) parts. Stock GM caliper mounting bracket and backing plates for the internal parking brake.

 

I am also using PBR calipers with their pad abutments and stock brake pads. These are the same calipers used on the F-bodys, Corvettes, and Mustang Cobra’s. IMO good quality parts. So, first things first. I started by removing the drum, brake shoes, hardware, and the e-brake cables from both sides..

 

Then I started by draining the rear diff fluid because well, I have to pull the axle out to do so. Being as this is a Lovely GM vehicle and still having C clip axles it’s the only way the axles are going to come out.

Once the axles were out I was able to undo the line from the wheel cylinder, and remove the 4 bolts that hold the backing plate to the housing end.

Now comes time to install the F-body caliper brackets and E-brake backing plates. This is very simple to do as it bolts right in place of the original drum equipment. How awesome is GM for keeping things the same for over 40yrs? But this is also where things get a little tricky and depend on what you want to do. For me I am going to keep the factory foot e-brake lever and the factory e-brake lines. The stock drum brake cables pulled from the back of the vehicle to the front. The F-body E-brake pulled from the front of the vehicle to the back. As you read this could be challenging, and really, it’s a simple fix. Just flip the Left side bracket/backing plate to the right, and the right side to the left. Done deal. The e-brake parts still work the same, and all you will have to do is either cut and put a clamp on the factory e-brake cable to make a loop or get cables from a Ford Explorer IIRC which already has the hook and from what I was told by Tobin at Kore3 they will work with I believe almost no modification, but do not quote me.

So now next thing to do once caliper brackets are on and mounted would be to install the E-brake shoes. I was going to assembly them until I realized I am missing some parts from the adjuster. So no will need to do some searching.. The E-brake shoes don’t have to go on at this point, but it makes life easier. For E-brake shoes I am using PBR’s.

After the backing plate is on and the E-brake stuff is on you can now finally reinstall the axles. Just install them the same way you took them out..

Here is a little comparison of a front C5 caliper and a rear C5 vette and LS1 F-body caliper..

For brake lines I will be using braided stainless steel lines I bought from Kore3. They are very nice pieces and have a clear heat shielding on them to protect them from any elements out there. I had gotten the 5 line kit. Kit consists of two (2) front 14” braided lines (front), two (2) 12” braided lines (rear), and a braided center drop for the rear. Also came with all the banjo bolts, washers, hardware, and brackets to weld to the rear axle for placement of the rear lines. I thought I lucked out on the rear brake line and didn’t have to make cut and flare about 6” of line, but I just may have to.. I found this..

But it was a false alarm, it was a repair someone made as the other side has one solid brake line.. damn. The lines I am using..

 

I still need to get some hardware to mount the caliper to the bracket, front and rear rotors, E-brake parts and a few other things before I can claim this finished. Aaron