Brakes upgrade

[TIP-T0P]

I want to go to a nice brakes upgrade also upgrade from rear drum brakes.

What is the biggest brake kit that I can install and still be able to put back on my standard 15" wheels if I wanted to?

If I go with a wilwood big brakes kit I was looking at I'm always stuck with 17"-18" wheels.

I see the C5 brake conversion is popular, will 15" wheels work with that kit?

I'm sure others have had the same thoughts on this.

 

[73Z L92]

I like and run the C5 front brakes on my hot rod projects. I can't see the C5 brakes fitting with a 15" wheels. Stock C5 rotors are 13" in diameter.
I run 18" wheels with the C5 brakes and have had zero fitment problems. You might find a 17" wheel that might fit. 17" wheels have kind of gone by the way side so selection might be a bit limited.

 

[FS87LT]

One question, "Why" do feel the need? Just curious.

On my '77LT, I never was really satisfied with the way it stopped from new. Those years, brake dust was an issue so they used one organic lining on the outside and a metallic lining on the inside pad. It was pretty easy to fade them with just a bit of repeated moderately-hard usage, yet NONE of the car magazines mentioned this in any of the many Z/28 road tests. So I began a hunt for better front brake pads.

That hunt ended when the '79 Nova COPO-9c police car road test came out. I looked up the GM part number for the OEM pads and put them on. A world of difference! It then stopped with plenty of pedal left, with just that one change. I was pleased.

Then the 1981 Chevy part book came out and listed "Export" rear brakes for that year Z/28, so i ordered some of those linings. Only thing was that they were 11x2 linings. So I then did more research and discovered that the ONLY year that used 11x2 brakes on a smaller car was the 1977 Monte Carlo, with the same linings and such being on the earlier 1980s Caprice police cars. So I ordered that hardware and a friend's shop installed all of that. THEN the car stopped like I wanted it to! Those Export linings were completely white in color, fwiw.

The '79 WS-6 Trans Ams had rr disc brakes, but they needed a different axle housing with the caliper mounts on them. No go for that! But when the '90s Caprice had 4whl disc brakes, with bolt-on brackets, THAT became an option. But I was not the only one to notice this. So salvage yard parts for the caliper brackets and such, then some reman calipers seemed like "the deal". THEN the '90s S-Blazer with the 4.3L V-6 and 5-spd manual transmission came with an 8.5 rear axle and rear disc brakes, except those tended more toward the 1980s A- and F-body style. So for the normal 10-bolts in our Camaros, the Caprice parts might be the best option.

DO be aware that the Caprices ran the parking brake cable for the rh side behind the rear axle, rather than both cables entering from the front. For the 11x2 rear drums, the stamping for the backing plate is the same for both sides, the only difference is the holes for the parking brake to enter. So the rh Caprice backing plate can be drilled to accept the Camaro cable entry location.

With the 11x2 rear brakes, the lining life is much better, too. Several years after I did mine, then one of the vendors (CPP possibly?) came out with a complete bolt-on 11x2 rear brake kit.

The original GM part numbrer on those COPO-9C1 pads was 12300192, which fit a Cadillac sedan with the Livery Option (i.e., limosine prep, or something like that). Everything else I got (for the rear) was for the 1977 Monte Carlo application. Those high-metallic pads stopped well at below 32 degrees F and no squeaks. I later did a set of the Carbon Metallic front pads, when they first came out. They acted as nice, but were a bit weaker in the cold weather and had some slight squeaks, sometimes. All of this was going on well before Wilwood started to do "consumer road vehicles", when their products were for "drag strip use only", due to their lighter weight and smaller size.

For many, the "new normal" is that everything had to have 4-whl power disc brakes as that is what the OEMs are using. But in prior times, the correct pairing of disc front and drum rear brakes could do very well. For example, one road test I found on a '69 Olds W-31 Cutlass stopped at greater than 1.0G on the skid pad, with the normal linings and 9.5" rear drums. With G70-15 Polyglas GT tires.

I had already spent months tracking road tests road tests, part numbers, and such. After the '79 Nova COPO-9C1 front pads, never did look back. Especially after adding the 11x2 rear drums. All with the factory 15x7 Z/28 steel wheels.

Just my experiences,
FS87LT

 

[TheReelEss]

https://www.jegs.com/i/Right-Stuff/965/AFXRDM5/10002/-1

 

[TIP-T0P]

Wow,

One question, "Why" do feel the need? Just curious.

On my '77LT, I never was really satisfied with the way it stopped from new. Those years, brake dust was an issue so they used one organic lining on the outside and a metallic lining on the inside pad. It was pretty easy to fade them with just a bit of repeated moderately-hard usage, yet NONE of the car magazines mentioned this in any of the many Z/28 road tests. So I began a hunt for better front brake pads.

That hunt ended when the '79 Nova COPO-9c police car road test came out. I looked up the GM part number for the OEM pads and put them on. A world of difference! It then stopped with plenty of pedal left, with just that one change. I was pleased.

Then the 1981 Chevy part book came out and listed "Export" rear brakes for that year Z/28, so i ordered some of those linings. Only thing was that they were 11x2 linings. So I then did more research and discovered that the ONLY year that used 11x2 brakes on a smaller car was the 1977 Monte Carlo, with the same linings and such being on the earlier 1980s Caprice police cars. So I ordered that hardware and a friend's shop installed all of that. THEN the car stopped like I wanted it to! Those Export linings were completely white in color, fwiw.

The '79 WS-6 Trans Ams had rr disc brakes, but they needed a different axle housing with the caliper mounts on them. No go for that! But when the '90s Caprice had 4whl disc brakes, with bolt-on brackets, THAT became an option. But I was not the only one to notice this. So salvage yard parts for the caliper brackets and such, then some reman calipers seemed like "the deal". THEN the '90s S-Blazer with the 4.3L V-6 and 5-spd manual transmission came with an 8.5 rear axle and rear disc brakes, except those tended more toward the 1980s A- and F-body style. So for the normal 10-bolts in our Camaros, the Caprice parts might be the best option.

DO be aware that the Caprices ran the parking brake cable for the rh side behind the rear axle, rather than both cables entering from the front. For the 11x2 rear drums, the stamping for the backing plate is the same for both sides, the only difference is the holes for the parking brake to enter. So the rh Caprice backing plate can be drilled to accept the Camaro cable entry location.

With the 11x2 rear brakes, the lining life is much better, too. Several years after I did mine, then one of the vendors (CPP possibly?) came out with a complete bolt-on 11x2 rear brake kit.

The original GM part numbrer on those COPO-9C1 pads was 12300192, which fit a Cadillac sedan with the Livery Option (i.e., limosine prep, or something like that). Everything else I got (for the rear) was for the 1977 Monte Carlo application. Those high-metallic pads stopped well at below 32 degrees F and no squeaks. I later did a set of the Carbon Metallic front pads, when they first came out. They acted as nice, but were a bit weaker in the cold weather and had some slight squeaks, sometimes. All of this was going on well before Wilwood started to do "consumer road vehicles", when their products were for "drag strip use only", due to their lighter weight and smaller size.

For many, the "new normal" is that everything had to have 4-whl power disc brakes as that is what the OEMs are using. But in prior times, the correct pairing of disc front and drum rear brakes could do very well. For example, one road test I found on a '69 Olds W-31 Cutlass stopped at greater than 1.0G on the skid pad, with the normal linings and 9.5" rear drums. With G70-15 Polyglas GT tires.

I had already spent months tracking road tests road tests, part numbers, and such. After the '79 Nova COPO-9C1 front pads, never did look back. Especially after adding the 11x2 rear drums. All with the factory 15x7 Z/28 steel wheels.

Just my experiences,
FS87LT

Amazing amount of time and knowledge just shared! Thank you!

 

[TIP-T0P]

One question, "Why" do feel the need? Just curious.

On my '77LT, I never was really satisfied with the way it stopped from new. Those years, brake dust was an issue so they used one organic lining on the outside and a metallic lining on the inside pad. It was pretty easy to fade them with just a bit of repeated moderately-hard usage, yet NONE of the car magazines mentioned this in any of the many Z/28 road tests. So I began a hunt for better front brake pads.

That hunt ended when the '79 Nova COPO-9c police car road test came out. I looked up the GM part number for the OEM pads and put them on. A world of difference! It then stopped with plenty of pedal left, with just that one change. I was pleased.

Then the 1981 Chevy part book came out and listed "Export" rear brakes for that year Z/28, so i ordered some of those linings. Only thing was that they were 11x2 linings. So I then did more research and discovered that the ONLY year that used 11x2 brakes on a smaller car was the 1977 Monte Carlo, with the same linings and such being on the earlier 1980s Caprice police cars. So I ordered that hardware and a friend's shop installed all of that. THEN the car stopped like I wanted it to! Those Export linings were completely white in color, fwiw.

The '79 WS-6 Trans Ams had rr disc brakes, but they needed a different axle housing with the caliper mounts on them. No go for that! But when the '90s Caprice had 4whl disc brakes, with bolt-on brackets, THAT became an option. But I was not the only one to notice this. So salvage yard parts for the caliper brackets and such, then some reman calipers seemed like "the deal". THEN the '90s S-Blazer with the 4.3L V-6 and 5-spd manual transmission came with an 8.5 rear axle and rear disc brakes, except those tended more toward the 1980s A- and F-body style. So for the normal 10-bolts in our Camaros, the Caprice parts might be the best option.

DO be aware that the Caprices ran the parking brake cable for the rh side behind the rear axle, rather than both cables entering from the front. For the 11x2 rear drums, the stamping for the backing plate is the same for both sides, the only difference is the holes for the parking brake to enter. So the rh Caprice backing plate can be drilled to accept the Camaro cable entry location.

With the 11x2 rear brakes, the lining life is much better, too. Several years after I did mine, then one of the vendors (CPP possibly?) came out with a complete bolt-on 11x2 rear brake kit.

The original GM part numbrer on those COPO-9C1 pads was 12300192, which fit a Cadillac sedan with the Livery Option (i.e., limosine prep, or something like that). Everything else I got (for the rear) was for the 1977 Monte Carlo application. Those high-metallic pads stopped well at below 32 degrees F and no squeaks. I later did a set of the Carbon Metallic front pads, when they first came out. They acted as nice, but were a bit weaker in the cold weather and had some slight squeaks, sometimes. All of this was going on well before Wilwood started to do "consumer road vehicles", when their products were for "drag strip use only", due to their lighter weight and smaller size.

For many, the "new normal" is that everything had to have 4-whl power disc brakes as that is what the OEMs are using. But in prior times, the correct pairing of disc front and drum rear brakes could do very well. For example, one road test I found on a '69 Olds W-31 Cutlass stopped at greater than 1.0G on the skid pad, with the normal linings and 9.5" rear drums. With G70-15 Polyglas GT tires.

I had already spent months tracking road tests road tests, part numbers, and such. After the '79 Nova COPO-9C1 front pads, never did look back. Especially after adding the 11x2 rear drums. All with the factory 15x7 Z/28 steel wheels.

Just my experiences,
FS87LT

Reason, new 18" wheels, love them, not so much the old brakes, I'm doing full coilovers control arms up front, while everything is apart what to also upgrade brakes.

 

[TIP-T0P]

Reason, new 18" wheels, love them, not so much the old brakes, I'm doing full coilovers control arms up front, while everything is apart what to also upgrade brakes.

 

[FS87LT]

Thanks for the reply. Just for the looks, probably needs rear disc to compliment the good- looking wheel/tire combination.

FS87LT

 

[Lowend]

Honestly - modern wheels and tires (no one makes a good 15" tire in our sizes anymore), will do more to help with stopping distances than a brake upgrade.

 

[TIP-T0P]

Thanks for the reply. Just for the looks, probably needs rear disc to compliment the good- looking wheel/tire combination.

FS87LT

Thanks, yes for me looks is a part of it but the modern upgrade of technology is loved also. And yes my new 18" wheels especially the rear would look and perform better without the drums.

I'm not a pure stock purist, every Camaro I've ever owned, first purchase has almost always been for custom wheels and tires for the look and stance I wanted. Hell every model car I ever built since a kid had to have custom wheels 🛞.

I have to admit I just love looking at classic cars at car shows, and when I see nice wheels and beautiful upgraded brakes together I'm like wow, nice! I'm admiring both the visual look and the modern marvel of performance upgrades.

Will update....