Ls1 brake swap issues

[Monte_ExpreSS]

Hello all,

I just completed the LS1 front brake swap. But I'm having alot of issues with it. I've bled the fronts several times, but still have a low pedal & the brakes just don't feel like they're working as well as I thought they would.

Next problem is that after a drive in it, it's blowing brake fluid out the top of the resovoir (sp?)

Any ideas? This is on my 88 Monte SS.

TIA

 

[EB1STGN]

Are you sure it's leaking out of the top of the master cylinder and not the rear? Soft breaks and external master cylinder leak would be a bad master cylinder.

 

[jdhogg1]

The soft pedal is from your leak, it's got to be a sealed system to work. Maybe your master cyl cap is warped, or the seal isn't seated properly.

 

[Monte_ExpreSS]

Are you sure it's leaking out of the top of the master cylinder and not the rear? Soft breaks and external master cylinder leak would be a bad master cylinder.

Yes, it's definitely leaking out the cover. Besides, the master was fine up until the swap.

I descided to pick up a B body master & give it a try. Bench bled it & bolted it up & the pedal is right up there now & has a great feel. Unfortunately, I opted for the reman unit & it appears to have some seepage where the plastic part fits into the aluminum cylinder part.
Tommorow I'll take it back & get a new unit.

The brakes still feel a little weaker than I would have expected from what I've read though. They are better than stock, but it really seems only marginal to me. I didn't really cheap out either as I currently have Hawk HPS pads with drilled/slotted rotors, & Russel braided flex lines. Teh only thing used on the system now are the front LS1 calipers, but they appear in great shape.

How long should I wait until to let everything break in? I don't really think I'm going to gain that much more anyway.

 

[BlackMetal]

I was never all that impressed with my 12" front brake upgrade either. If you have brand new rotors then it will take a few miles for the pads to set with the rotor.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Hello all,

I just completed the LS1 front brake swap. But I'm having alot of issues with it. I've bled the fronts several times, but still have a low pedal & the brakes just don't feel like they're working as well as I thought they would.

Next problem is that after a drive in it, it's blowing brake fluid out the top of the resovoir (sp?)

Any ideas? This is on my 88 Monte SS.

TIA

which spindles did you use?
did you problem get resolved, and what was it?

 

[Monte_ExpreSS]

I used belltech drop spindles. Yes, issue was resolved shortly after with another master & re bleeding the brakes. After some time for the pads to set in, the brakes felt awesome. 4 years later, I still have the same parts on the car & the they still work great, without issue. The LS1 swap has my vote for the best budget brake upgrade.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

Any one do this swap and used the G-body spindles?

 

[novaderrik]

Any one do this swap and used the G-body spindles?

you mean like stock spindles?

i just did my 86 Camaro, which uses a spindle that is based on the G body spindle but has a mount for a macpherson strut instead of an upper control arm... it was easy, and the brakes are awesome- in fact, almost too awesome.. i think i might get rid of the brake booster and try a manual setup just to help modulate the brake pressure a bit.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

you mean like stock spindles?

i just did my 86 Camaro, which uses a spindle that is based on the G body spindle but has a mount for a macpherson strut instead of an upper control arm... it was easy, and the brakes are awesome- in fact, almost too awesome.. i think i might get rid of the brake booster and try a manual setup just to help modulate the brake pressure a bit.

I mean actually used G- body spindles.
I don't want to use the S10 spindles with sealed bearings.
IF possible can you re-post the picture of where you made the cuts on your spindles? - Thats the one picture that no longer visible.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

BTW i am willing to pay some one to this mod to my spindles as i purchased an extra set just for this?
cough Novaderrick cough did you read this??????

 

[novaderrik]

I mean actually used G- body spindles.
I don't want to use the S10 spindles with sealed bearings.
IF possible can you re-post the picture of where you made the cuts on your spindles? - Thats the one picture that no longer visible.

the red is what i cut off, the round circles are the dust shield holes that get drilled and tapped for bigger fasteners.. i think i went with 12mm fine thread:

and here is the caliper mounting bracket that i made bolted to the modified spindle. i mocked it up and made this one myself, but there are templates out there that can be downloaded:

just to reiterate for people that might stumble across this and go "those don't look like my spindles!!!"... these are 84 Camaro spindles, which are similar to 78-88 G body and 2wd S truck spindles except for the strut mount instead of a mount for an upper balljoint. every other mounting point is the same as a G body.