Corvette front brakes???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jays68yak · 12-18-2002, 03:01 PM

Ok I was thinking again (I know thats a bad thing). Does any one know how tall the corvette spindles are? Are there any years that are close the the height of our truck spindles? I was wondering if you could take and put them on our trucks with out too many mods. Kinda like F-body spindles on an older A-body.

Frank_Zeller · 12-18-2002, 07:04 PM

see web site...lots of good info on first gen F body. Some of it can be applied to trucks. See front brake pages towards the bottom

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...suspension.htm

jays68yak · 12-18-2002, 08:05 PM

Wow there is some good info on there. Now you have me rethinking my disc brake swap on my lemans. I was going to use 73 camaro setup and after market upper arms. But if I can use my stock spindles and get 13 inch rotors...........Down side would be I would have to buy new rims and tires.

Think tho 13 inch rotors ona 69 suburban.......that would really help the towing.

Mike C · 12-18-2002, 11:24 PM

Your first choice with the camaro spindles would be better for overall driveability IMO. More than sufficient brake wise on the street and the handling with the more modern geometry is significantly better. I am doing the Corvette brake swap on my 68 camaro convertible. Basically the JL8 setup including a custom rear axle. I wouldn't do the 'vette brakes on the truck. The rotos are not much bigger than the trucks and the spindles and balljoints are rated for a much lighter vehicle. Trucks need truck suspension parts. Personally, I think even the 1/2 ton stuff is too light duty....

jays68yak · 12-18-2002, 11:40 PM

True, that was one thing that crossed my mind. But if you take a look at that link above they have you using to stock drum brake spindles. Iam now wondering if the adapter would work on the stock truck drum spindles also. If thats the case I dont see how the rotors, calipers, and what not would have any weight handling issues. Arent the truck drums using hubs also? So you could redrill either the hub or the rotor and run either 5 lug or 6 lug. Im wondering if for about the same money as buying a kit to convert my drums to disc why not go to 13" discs. Wouldnt that give me more stopping power. And go for 11-12 in the back. Would that make my suburban stop better/faster and help in the towing department?

On my lemans it wouldnt be an issue, but I would go to 12 so that I could use my rim and tire that I have now.

My friend has a 01 Lighting with 13 in front and 12 in back. That think stops nicly. Not to mention halls butt.

rolnlow · 12-19-2002, 12:41 AM

I have those same lightning 12 inch brakes on my rearend for my 72 chevy, that was a fun conversion.

Mike C · 12-19-2002, 10:23 AM

On the street rather than sheer size of the brakes, the balance of the braking system and the TIRES are the main issue. A big aftermarket brake setup will have better feel and modulation than the OEM stuff, but with stainless lines and composite frition material, the R&R OEM brakes will work very well with your street tires. Just incorporate an adjustable prop valve in the rear. Big brakes really show their stuff when you have to stop from high speeds repetitivelly. They larger rotors can absorb more heat and have more surface area to shed that heat. I would just rather do several mods to my truck rather than just the brake mod considering the price.

Duallie · 12-20-2002, 03:48 AM

I have never measured '83-up spindles, but I know that '81-down Vette spindles have both of their balljoint pointimg down, making it difficult to swap to our trucks. I did once overhear some guy stating he put '78-down Toronado/ElDorado FWD spindles on. His reasoning was to get a taller spindle for more negative camber gain while turning, or a better tire scrub, or he was fulla sh!t. I never saw it.

jays68yak · 12-20-2002, 11:25 AM

A taller spindle will give you more negatvie camber which should help the vechicle handle better. At the same time making it harder to aline and adding a lot of shims.
The mid to late 80s spindles from a vetter are 9 5/8, while I think the truck ones are around 8.

12-18-2002, 03:01 PM	#1
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	Corvette front brakes???? Ok I was thinking again (I know thats a bad thing). Does any one know how tall the corvette spindles are? Are there any years that are close the the height of our truck spindles? I was wondering if you could take and put them on our trucks with out too many mods. Kinda like F-body spindles on an older A-body. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

12-18-2002, 07:04 PM	#2
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	see web site...lots of good info on first gen F body. Some of it can be applied to trucks. See front brake pages towards the bottom http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...suspension.htm __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas

12-18-2002, 08:05 PM	#3
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	Wow there is some good info on there. Now you have me rethinking my disc brake swap on my lemans. I was going to use 73 camaro setup and after market upper arms. But if I can use my stock spindles and get 13 inch rotors...........Down side would be I would have to buy new rims and tires. Think tho 13 inch rotors ona 69 suburban.......that would really help the towing. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

12-18-2002, 11:24 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	Your first choice with the camaro spindles would be better for overall driveability IMO. More than sufficient brake wise on the street and the handling with the more modern geometry is significantly better. I am doing the Corvette brake swap on my 68 camaro convertible. Basically the JL8 setup including a custom rear axle. I wouldn't do the 'vette brakes on the truck. The rotos are not much bigger than the trucks and the spindles and balljoints are rated for a much lighter vehicle. Trucks need truck suspension parts. Personally, I think even the 1/2 ton stuff is too light duty.... __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

12-18-2002, 11:40 PM	#5
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	True, that was one thing that crossed my mind. But if you take a look at that link above they have you using to stock drum brake spindles. Iam now wondering if the adapter would work on the stock truck drum spindles also. If thats the case I dont see how the rotors, calipers, and what not would have any weight handling issues. Arent the truck drums using hubs also? So you could redrill either the hub or the rotor and run either 5 lug or 6 lug. Im wondering if for about the same money as buying a kit to convert my drums to disc why not go to 13" discs. Wouldnt that give me more stopping power. And go for 11-12 in the back. Would that make my suburban stop better/faster and help in the towing department? On my lemans it wouldnt be an issue, but I would go to 12 so that I could use my rim and tire that I have now. My friend has a 01 Lighting with 13 in front and 12 in back. That think stops nicly. Not to mention halls butt. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

12-19-2002, 12:41 AM	#6
rolnlow Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: independence mo usa Posts: 333	12 inch rear brakes I have those same lightning 12 inch brakes on my rearend for my 72 chevy, that was a fun conversion.

12-19-2002, 10:23 AM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	On the street rather than sheer size of the brakes, the balance of the braking system and the TIRES are the main issue. A big aftermarket brake setup will have better feel and modulation than the OEM stuff, but with stainless lines and composite frition material, the R&R OEM brakes will work very well with your street tires. Just incorporate an adjustable prop valve in the rear. Big brakes really show their stuff when you have to stop from high speeds repetitivelly. They larger rotors can absorb more heat and have more surface area to shed that heat. I would just rather do several mods to my truck rather than just the brake mod considering the price. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

12-20-2002, 03:48 AM	#8
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	I have never measured '83-up spindles, but I know that '81-down Vette spindles have both of their balljoint pointimg down, making it difficult to swap to our trucks. I did once overhear some guy stating he put '78-down Toronado/ElDorado FWD spindles on. His reasoning was to get a taller spindle for more negative camber gain while turning, or a better tire scrub, or he was fulla sh!t. I never saw it. __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

12-20-2002, 11:25 AM	#9
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,454	A taller spindle will give you more negatvie camber which should help the vechicle handle better. At the same time making it harder to aline and adding a lot of shims. The mid to late 80s spindles from a vetter are 9 5/8, while I think the truck ones are around 8. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "



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