[Dave A]

Hmmmmm, if a 12" single piston cast iron disc brake can't lock the wheels, then something is probably wrong with it. Beyond that, stopping distance will be a function of brake balance, brake response time, and tire traction. I'd have a hard time believing that the stopping distance of an '84 TA would be improved so much by virtue of additional braking power. I'd guess that HPP had a car with pretty bad braking balance if they got 80 feet out of bolting on new brakes.

Of course, the Baer brakes are plenty worthwhile for someone who will be using them repeatedly and hard. A 12" brake with a single piston cast iron caliper is going to be pretty marginal for track usage (my co-workers have the banana-shaped brake pads welded to the caliper to prove it).

[Rick Lightfoot]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mr_GTO:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rick Lightfoot:
$1100? such a deal. Since I have $400 invested in my 12" B-car conversion brakes, I have money left over to put into stabilizer bars, heavy springs, and other chassis improvements. Chris, show me some data to prove that the single piston 12" GM brakes are so terrible.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/files/77canam.jpg <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I already have chasis improvements. If I can find the issue where HPP put Baer brakes on a 84 TA and the car stopped something like 80 FEET shorter than the single piston OEM brakes. It was a long time ago, but I am sure I have the issue somewhere.

I am sure the single piston are fine for the street on a stock car, but my car won't be stock and chances are I will take it on a track at least once.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>My car is certainly not stock, and at the track at the end of the quarter mile doing over 105mph, with 12" front discs and the 11 x 2.5" police drums with performance friction linings, the 4200 lb. car will stop without hesistation, and great pedal feel. Didn't the HPP '84 TA have the stock brakes prior to the Baer conversion? I do know that a 1LE '89 Camaro will stop on a dime with those "*****ty single piston 12" front brakes". A friend had one he raced in SCCA and I drove it, and the brakes felt really good, plus the car had the 11" rear discs, and special pads.

[Mr_GTO]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rick Lightfoot:
My car is certainly not stock, and at the track at the end of the quarter mile doing over 105mph, with 12" front discs and the 11 x 2.5" police drums with performance friction linings, the 4200 lb. car will stop without hesistation, and great pedal feel. Didn't the HPP '84 TA have the stock brakes prior to the Baer conversion? I do know that a 1LE '89 Camaro will stop on a dime with those "*****ty single piston 12" front brakes". A friend had one he raced in SCCA and I drove it, and the brakes felt really good, plus the car had the 11" rear discs, and special pads.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/files/77canam.jpg <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


And that goes to show you how much you really DON'T know about 1LE brakes. They used 2 piston aluminum PBR calipers.

So, if you think it is just the rotor diamater on your car, wrong. It isn't just the diamater of the rotor, but the actual caliper design. Non 1LE F-bodies(which weight a lot less than my GTO) use single piston cast iron calipers.

Go ask owners of Turbo Trans Am's and see what they think of their 1LE brakes. Not many like them.

[This message was edited by Mr_GTO on January 09, 2003 at 05:32 PM.]

[67cruiser]

I am in the process of just using my drum spindles and converting them over to disc. i still think its going to be a easy swap. Just take em and have the top bolt area where backing plate bolts on the mill em down to disc brake size!! only other differance is the bolt size, shoot once again drill em out go bigger and Wa la
its done!!

[Rick Lightfoot]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mr_GTO:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rick Lightfoot:
My car is certainly not stock, and at the track at the end of the quarter mile doing over 105mph, with 12" front discs and the 11 x 2.5" police drums with performance friction linings, the 4200 lb. car will stop without hesistation, and great pedal feel. Didn't the HPP '84 TA have the stock brakes prior to the Baer conversion? I do know that a 1LE '89 Camaro will stop on a dime with those "*****ty single piston 12" front brakes". A friend had one he raced in SCCA and I drove it, and the brakes felt really good, plus the car had the 11" rear discs, and special pads.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/files/77canam.jpg <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


And that goes to show you how much you really _DON'T_ know about 1LE brakes. They used 2 piston aluminum PBR calipers.

So, if you think it is just the rotor diamater on your car, wrong. It isn't just the diamater of the rotor, but the actual caliper design. Non 1LE F-bodies(which weight a lot less than my GTO) use single piston cast iron calipers.

Go ask owners of Turbo Trans Am's and see what they think of their 1LE brakes. Not many like them.

[This message was edited by Mr_GTO on January 09, 2003 at 05:32 PM.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Ok, Chris, you got me there. I called my buddy up tonight, and he confirmed that the front brakes on the Camaro he had (destroyed years ago) were a dual piston caliper made by Girlock. I guess I should have asked him first about the fine details. However, my boat with the 1LE rotors and the B body 12" spindles/calipers perform well on a pig MUCH heavier than your GTO will ever be.

[GDK_1968]

Ken K -

Looks like you are the resident expert when dealing with the S-10 spindle swap. I am flip-flopping whether or not to try it or try to find direct bolt-on disc brakes from appropriate year and model vehicle.

At any rate, should I go the S-10 route, would you please confirm the shopping list below and make sure I am not missing or overlooking anything? Much appreciated.

QTY ITEM
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1 Turned-down lower ball joint kit (Hotchkis, catalog item 1103)
<LI>2 Outer tie-rod ends for '77 Grand Prix (Autozone)
<LI>2 Rebuilt calipers for '84 S-10 (Autozone)
<LI>2 Rotors for '84 S-10 (if required)
<LI>2 Inner wheel bearings for '84 S-10 (Autozone)
<LI>2 Outer wheel bearings for '84 S-10 (Autozone)
<LI>2 Wheel seal for '84 S-10 (Autozone has inner, need outer as well?)
<LI>2 Brake hose, front for '77 Grand Prix (Autozone)[/list]
Will there be any special fabrication/adaptation required to connect the GP brake soft hoses to S-10 calipers and brake hard-line bracket?

Will there be any special fabrication/adaptation required to connect S-10 proportioning valve to an A-Body master cylinder? I was thinking pre-bent lines from Inline Tube in Michigan.


1969 GTO Restoration