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01-11-2014, 12:28 AM | #1 |
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Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Long story short, I'm thinking of re-doing the brakes on a project and keeping it for the long haul.
Is there a brake system off of any particular year of the c/k series that would perform best or have advantages over any other? As part of the re-vamp I would have no issue with buying everything new from the master cylinder/vacuum booster/lines/prop valve/rotors/calipers/hoses/drums/shoes/etc. Most of these parts are either worn, old, or have something wrong with them to begin with. Having said that, what would be the best performing set-up to use (ie which year) to go into a c10 with a 12bolt rear? I am concerned with stopping ability in heavy traffic and durability, do not care about bling factor which is why I am asking about stock configurations rather than the wilwood type stuff that actually has lower piston surface area than the stock stuff. It'll all be behind factory wheels anyways so nobody will see it. For the same reason, would be looking to just leave drums in the rear. Is there an advantage to going to an 80s setup with the aluminum master cylinder over the cast iron one? (which I hear rumored is more friendly to occasional driving since the piston doesn't stick and blow out the seal)? Would the HD 1.25" rotors and such be worth the effort to upgrade to? Is there a larger vacuum booster that would give any advantage over original? I am primarily a newbie when it comes to brake system upgrades and the like so thoughts welcomed and appreciated. |
01-11-2014, 01:23 AM | #2 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
If you want more clamping force all together I'd go with a hydroboost system. It boosts using hydraulic pressure from your power steering pump. I'm pretty sure it came stock on all the diesels. I'm not sure if it uses a different master cylinder than the vac systems. You will need a different power steering pump because they run different pressures. It will be more expensive than going vacuum, but gives you some pretty dang good brakes.
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1976...no...79...Chevy....wait...GMC shortbed 4x4. 5 inch lift on 35s, 355, sm465, daily driver. One day I'll figure out the story in that one. 1957 Chevy long stepper...not sure what I'm doing with that one yet. Awaiting funds I suppose. |
01-11-2014, 07:13 AM | #3 | |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Quote:
Its is uses on Diesels and HD one ton's. Master Cylinder applies ALL brake pressure. Desert |
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01-11-2014, 11:57 AM | #4 | |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Quote:
Although pressure is mostly subject to the master cylinder bore/travel than it is the booster/assist As for op's question. I have the jb3 brakes on my 86 and love them. The jb3 booster and master cylinder feel perfect to me and react quick. Whereas the 70s trucks can standard with pretty much 3/4 ton brakes. I will have to look up bore size differences of the master cylinder through the years. But to me for some reason the lighter duty brakes seem to work better than heavy duty in at least the area of feel and reaction A good upgrade is running 1.25 thick rotors on the front to help prolong the onset of brake fade. The next great upgrade you can do is get hawk hps brake pads. They bite a little more but don't needs I much heat like track pads would. In a nutshell our truck brakes are pretty sufficient for most driving and can be upgraded pretty cheap with thicker rotors and nice pads. Unless you autocross which then maybe not so.
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377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 Last edited by INSIDIOUS '86; 01-11-2014 at 12:07 PM. |
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01-11-2014, 06:58 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Quote:
Feel, travel, effort are all right where I expect them to be - even after 27 years and 200,000 miles. As a former brake development engineer for these trucks I can tell you it is the standard by which all other systems are judged. K Link to brake system release chart for 1987: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=510519
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01-11-2014, 09:18 PM | #6 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Sorry, I'll put it this way. If you don't want to use both feet and stand on it, a hydroboost unit will help you get more clamping force out of your brakes. From my experience, my hydroboost setup totally blows my brand new vacuum setup out of the water. And it's stopping a 3/4 ton on 35" tires rather than a 1/2 ton on 31s.
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1976...no...79...Chevy....wait...GMC shortbed 4x4. 5 inch lift on 35s, 355, sm465, daily driver. One day I'll figure out the story in that one. 1957 Chevy long stepper...not sure what I'm doing with that one yet. Awaiting funds I suppose. |
01-11-2014, 10:50 PM | #7 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
My brothers 78 has a hydro boost in a 1/2 ton.
Doesn't stop any different than my '73 in fact has a worse/funky pedal than a vacuum brake booster.
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01-11-2014, 11:59 PM | #8 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
My head is stuffy tonight, what is JB5, the option code for GM brake package?
Thanks, Les |
01-12-2014, 03:29 AM | #9 | |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Quote:
This is on my 86 And this should be jb5 on my 78
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377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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01-12-2014, 10:52 AM | #10 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Thanks for all the great responses and discussion, including (and especially) Keith for posting the brake sheets...
Is there an advantage to switching over to the system from say a 1987 that makes it worth while doing? I have to assume that the factory stopped using the cast iron master cylinder for a reason, but not really sure what it was... cost/appearances or performance/durability? I would be replacing everything top to bottom except the brake pedal, and I suppose could do that as well if required to get the best of performance/durability. The only reason I would not consider a hydroboost arrangement is future motor swap potential... I'm not sure how well a possible lsx swap could be adapted to use the power steering pump for the brakes... |
01-13-2014, 09:54 AM | #11 | |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Quote:
K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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01-13-2014, 10:18 AM | #12 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
I loved the JB5's on my '87, well balanced, strong, predictable, service-able. All around great brakes.
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01-18-2014, 08:51 AM | #13 | |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
Quote:
Desert |
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01-18-2014, 08:52 AM | #14 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
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01-18-2014, 03:44 PM | #15 |
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Re: Best Performing C/K Series Stock GM Brake System ???
My '85 single-wheel, 454/auto C3500 has hydro-boost brakes. The pedal doesn't travel nearly as far as vacuum-boost setups I've driven before you get a good application, but aside from getting used to the shorter pedal travel I've never had a problem with them - in many conditions, the wheels (especially the rears) will lock up before you run out of boost. I think a properly functioning vacuum-boosted system is more than adequate for most trucks (save for something extremely heavy or towing something heavy) but from my experience the hydro-boost is at least as good a system.
And, as with my '67 Suburban that has a dual-diaphragm booster on 4-wheel drum brakes... just don't expect it to stop like a new Corvette. Being another car's length closer to the guy in front of you won't get you to your destination 10 seconds faster.
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Alex V. ------ 1967 C10 Suburban, 350/NP435, Green/Green, PS, PB, HD cooling, charging, shocks, and springs. 1985 GMC C3500 SRW, Sierra Classic, 454/TH400, white/blue. |
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