Bigger brakes - what's available? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Project1970 · 03-08-2005, 10:04 PM

Finally having the LS1 in the truck and running (I'd be out driving and washing it now if it weren't for an oil pan leak... *sigh*) has made me realize that the brakes on that truck, while not bad, really aren't all that great either. I think part of it might be I'm not getting enough vacuum to the booster, but even then they don't seem to stop the truck as good as they should with 350hp on tap. Especially since I had the "opportunity" to drive my mom's '02 Trailblazer EXT back-to-back, and the four-wheel discs do an excellent job of slowing that 5000+lb SUV down, much better than my '71-'80 front discs and rear drums slow down the 4000lb truck.

I've got Early Classic's 6-lug disc kit on the front. I know they make a big-drum kit for the back which I might go with (since the disc kits seem to be iffy as to parking brakes) but does anyone make a big-disc kit for the front? I imagine I'd be pretty happy to get the Trailblazer's discs and calipers on front if I could. Only thing is, that locks me into 6-lug for sure, and I want to go 5-lug eventually and get some Torq-Thrust IIs.

Low69CST · 03-08-2005, 10:34 PM

I think Baer makes a big disc kit. You have to buy spindles though. Also SSB makes a big brake kit. They also have upgrades. If you put torq-thrusts on, I would make it 4 wheel disc brakes. In my opinion it would look funny to have high tech front brakes and drums on the rear. With Torq-Thrusts you really get to see the brakes. If you just want to upgrade, SSB makes upgrades to help the stopping without putting big brakes on it. I woudln't be affraid of the rear parking brake. They prettty much have that solved. It all else fails you can put a driveline parking brake on.

CHEVIBUBBA · 03-08-2005, 11:58 PM

these guys have a good selection of brake upgrades;
http://www.p-s-t.com/truck/tvcatalog.html

68LSS1 · 03-09-2005, 12:10 AM

Or just add a hydraboost unit from Hydratech.

old gearhead · 03-09-2005, 12:16 AM

Classic Chevy truck Mag. is doing a two part 4 wheel disc upgrade/ road test on one of these trucks over last month's issue and this month's issue. They are using Stainless steel brakes' "Force 10" kits which are 4 piston calipers and oversize rotors and a huge price tag. (about 2 grand an axle)

68LSS1 · 03-09-2005, 03:49 AM

Just keep in mind that if you took a stock braked truck and put it against a Baer/Wilwood 4 wheel disc truck the stopping distances aren't going to be much different. Tires are what stops your truck. If you can lock your brakes up now putting big brakes on it are only going to make it so you can lock them up sooner/quicker which is not going to reduce stopping distances. If you can't lock the brakes up now then there's a problem with the current brake system. Going with a wider and lower profile tire will help decrease distances (more contact means more traction or to allow more braking force to be applied before loss of traction). And I know what Baer and Wilwood say on their websites and tech data and I'm not against their products either. In fact I'm running the BAER Track system (13" rotors, 2 piston PBR calipers) and will be upgrading the stock 8.8 disc rear later along with using the Hydratech hydroboost. It's just a lot of money to spend on something that may not meet expectations. They (big brakes) do have their benefits but just swapping the stock stuff out for them usually doesn't change a whole lot in decreasing stopping distances (unless there were issues with the stock stuff). And again, there are benefits, this is just not one of them. Keep in mind with the big brakes a wheel under 17" probably will not clear and there may even be issues with those (clearance).
Take a look at the Hydratech hydroboost. I think it is what will make the difference.

And before the flaming starts take a look at Pro-touring.com or Lateral-G.net and you will find that this is the general consensus among those guys.

4x4Poet · 03-09-2005, 05:22 AM

I agree, 68LSS1, though I've never thought of all those good details you provided. Your rational pretty much matches my reasons for using PraiseDynoBrake upgrades that fit oem componets or replace oem stuff with oem-sized upgraded componets.

Project1970 · 03-09-2005, 10:44 AM

68LSS1: I think that might be where I start with the brakes, it really doesn't feel like I'm getting the assist I should be, and to make those things grab they way they should, you need some force...

Does the LS1 just not make enough vacuum to run the booster for one of these trucks? Right now the line's going into the back of the manifold...I'm getting some assist, but not much.

OldJimmy57 · 03-09-2005, 11:11 AM

You have a IM sir. Also what lug pattern are you using on the front wheels? And what size brakes do you have?

68LSS1 · 03-09-2005, 01:44 PM

The LS1 should be making good enough vacuum especially if your on stock cam and heads.

Project1970 · 03-09-2005, 09:28 PM

Right now, 6-on-5.5" (ECE's 6-lug discs). As far as I know, the brakes are basically the stock ones for a '71-'80 truck, aside from the custom rotors. Would I be correct in assuming that any upgraded parts (discs, calipers) for a '71-'80 would be more or less a bolton?

03-08-2005, 10:04 PM	#1
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Bigger brakes - what's available? Finally having the LS1 in the truck and running (I'd be out driving and washing it now if it weren't for an oil pan leak... sigh) has made me realize that the brakes on that truck, while not bad, really aren't all that great either. I think part of it might be I'm not getting enough vacuum to the booster, but even then they don't seem to stop the truck as good as they should with 350hp on tap. Especially since I had the "opportunity" to drive my mom's '02 Trailblazer EXT back-to-back, and the four-wheel discs do an excellent job of slowing that 5000+lb SUV down, much better than my '71-'80 front discs and rear drums slow down the 4000lb truck. I've got Early Classic's 6-lug disc kit on the front. I know they make a big-drum kit for the back which I might go with (since the disc kits seem to be iffy as to parking brakes) but does anyone make a big-disc kit for the front? I imagine I'd be pretty happy to get the Trailblazer's discs and calipers on front if I could. Only thing is, that locks me into 6-lug for sure, and I want to go 5-lug eventually and get some Torq-Thrust IIs. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

03-08-2005, 10:34 PM	#2
Low69CST Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA Posts: 2,163	I think Baer makes a big disc kit. You have to buy spindles though. Also SSB makes a big brake kit. They also have upgrades. If you put torq-thrusts on, I would make it 4 wheel disc brakes. In my opinion it would look funny to have high tech front brakes and drums on the rear. With Torq-Thrusts you really get to see the brakes. If you just want to upgrade, SSB makes upgrades to help the stopping without putting big brakes on it. I woudln't be affraid of the rear parking brake. They prettty much have that solved. It all else fails you can put a driveline parking brake on. __________________ '69 CST Short fleetside Lowered, 400 small block, 700R4, 4 wheel disc brakes, front sway bar & rear camaro sway bar (in progress) '87 V10 4x4 Short Fleetside Quad Suspension and Dual Tanks

03-09-2005, 12:10 AM	#4
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	Or just add a hydraboost unit from Hydratech. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

03-09-2005, 03:49 AM	#6
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	Just keep in mind that if you took a stock braked truck and put it against a Baer/Wilwood 4 wheel disc truck the stopping distances aren't going to be much different. Tires are what stops your truck. If you can lock your brakes up now putting big brakes on it are only going to make it so you can lock them up sooner/quicker which is not going to reduce stopping distances. If you can't lock the brakes up now then there's a problem with the current brake system. Going with a wider and lower profile tire will help decrease distances (more contact means more traction or to allow more braking force to be applied before loss of traction). And I know what Baer and Wilwood say on their websites and tech data and I'm not against their products either. In fact I'm running the BAER Track system (13" rotors, 2 piston PBR calipers) and will be upgrading the stock 8.8 disc rear later along with using the Hydratech hydroboost. It's just a lot of money to spend on something that may not meet expectations. They (big brakes) do have their benefits but just swapping the stock stuff out for them usually doesn't change a whole lot in decreasing stopping distances (unless there were issues with the stock stuff). And again, there are benefits, this is just not one of them. Keep in mind with the big brakes a wheel under 17" probably will not clear and there may even be issues with those (clearance). Take a look at the Hydratech hydroboost. I think it is what will make the difference. And before the flaming starts take a look at Pro-touring.com or Lateral-G.net and you will find that this is the general consensus among those guys. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc Last edited by 68LSS1; 03-09-2005 at 03:56 AM.

03-09-2005, 05:22 AM	#7
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	I agree, 68LSS1, though I've never thought of all those good details you provided. Your rational pretty much matches my reasons for using PraiseDynoBrake upgrades that fit oem componets or replace oem stuff with oem-sized upgraded componets. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

03-08-2005, 11:58 PM	#3
CHEVIBUBBA got boost? Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 123	these guys have a good selection of brake upgrades; http://www.p-s-t.com/truck/tvcatalog.html

03-09-2005, 12:16 AM	#5
old gearhead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guthrie, OK Posts: 21	Classic Chevy truck Mag. is doing a two part 4 wheel disc upgrade/ road test on one of these trucks over last month's issue and this month's issue. They are using Stainless steel brakes' "Force 10" kits which are 4 piston calipers and oversize rotors and a huge price tag. (about 2 grand an axle)

03-09-2005, 10:44 AM	#8
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	68LSS1: I think that might be where I start with the brakes, it really doesn't feel like I'm getting the assist I should be, and to make those things grab they way they should, you need some force... Does the LS1 just not make enough vacuum to run the booster for one of these trucks? Right now the line's going into the back of the manifold...I'm getting some assist, but not much. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

03-09-2005, 11:11 AM	#9
OldJimmy57 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: mesquite texas Posts: 143	You have a IM sir. Also what lug pattern are you using on the front wheels? And what size brakes do you have?

03-09-2005, 01:44 PM	#10
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	The LS1 should be making good enough vacuum especially if your on stock cam and heads. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

03-09-2005, 09:28 PM	#11
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Right now, 6-on-5.5" (ECE's 6-lug discs). As far as I know, the brakes are basically the stock ones for a '71-'80 truck, aside from the custom rotors. Would I be correct in assuming that any upgraded parts (discs, calipers) for a '71-'80 would be more or less a bolton? __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.