Rear disc brakes - the low budget method

[ShawnR]

I am going to swap out my 7.5 rear for an 8.5 and decided that it would probably be worth upgrading to rear disc brakes before I installed it in the car.

I picked up an entire rear end from a 95 Z28 assuming that I would use most of those parts. Ended up that I only used them for core deposits on the calipers as the caliper mounting plates were not even close to fitting. I did end up using new rotors & calipers for a Z28, but you could probably make almost anything work.

I pulled the drums and cut off the backing plate and just made up a new plate from 3/16 plate steel and welded it to what was left from the original plate.

Total cost was right around $100 for the rotors/calipers/pads. Still need to make up brake lines and figure out parking brake.



Please chime in if you notice any obvious problems.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

That caliper might hit the frame in that orientation.

I ended up with this caliper after trying the El Dorado calipers, which aren't as deep inboard as the Fbody calipers you have.

https://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/CaliperProd?itemno=120-9333

It doesn't have a parking brake provision, but it's super compact and clears just fine.

 

[ShawnR]

That caliper might hit the frame in that orientation.
.

Here it is with the axle rotated up into running position. Still think there might be interference with the frame?



I haven't crawled under the car yet to give it a look. It will suck if it won't fit, but at least I haven't mounted the hard lines yet.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

You're going to want to measure it. 20/20 hindsight indicates these things are best mocked up with the axle in the car.

It makes a horrible noise when they hit. I learned that the hard way.

 

[ShawnR]

You're going to want to measure it. 20/20 hindsight indicates these things are best mocked up with the axle in the car.

It makes a horrible noise when they hit. I learned that the hard way.

I'm finally getting around to installing this axle and this recommendation is accurate. I'm fairly confident it won't hit on the frame, but it is directly in the way of the shock mount on the axle. I'll have to make up something to move in a couple of inches towards the center.