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Stopping Power!!

                    BEFORE                                         AFTER

In this segment we'll show you how to perform a brake upgrade on your 82-92 FBODY. If you've upgraded your suspension and motor... You'll eventually need to upgrade your stopping power.  

GM's F-Body line of cars were supplied with "adequate" braking for a street car with 200hp.  Many enthusiasts have double that horsepower rating!  

So what's a budget minded hot-rodder to do?  

Common fbody UPGRADES-

The Factory 1LE option & Baer 

Both Company's utilize C4 Corvette PBR calipers... And cost THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR$!!!  Good luck finding all of the components required for a 1LE upgrade!  The General has discontinued many of the parts needed.  Baer sends you rebuilt spindles and requires your cores back. Plus you may need to upgrade your wheel and tire combo to clear the new rotors!

Wilwood & Aerospace Components- 

Thinner and light-weight, use of composite material.  Great for Drag Racing... Not-so-great for the street. 

Master Tech's Solution-

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severe-duty slotted & cross-drilled rotors

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hi-performance street compound brake pads

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braided stainless steel brake lines

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high performance high-temp brake fluid

For those interested, the customer opted for- Raybestos severe duty rotors, Hawk Racing's Street compound brake pads, Earl's/Holley Stainless Steel Hyperfirm brake lines, new wheel bearings & Castrol Synthetic Fluid

This procedure will produce shorter stops and improve pedal feel with less fade.

To Start-

Pull the tire and remove the two mounting bolts for the caliper (wrench) and the dust boot.  Under the dust cover you'll find a castle nut and cotter pin setup.

Remove the caliper and set it up and out of the way (suspended by wire hanger).  Next remove the rotor/hub assembly.  You should be left with this.

Prepare the new rotor with wheel bearing grease and new bearings.

Lube the spindle liberally with wheel bearing grease.

Re-install the new rotor, castle nut & cotter pin

Clean the caliper mounting hardware of any rust or irregularities.  Here Adam uses a rotary die grinder with a "brown cookie" to de-burr and clean the bracket.  Reassemble & install caliper with new pads.  Installation is reverse of disassembly.

Spray the brake line connections with a penetrating oil such as PB Blaster or BREAK-AWAY. It will make the connections easier to remove.

Final assembly.  Check connections. Bleed the brakes. Eat Pizza.

The Results-

The IROCZ now stops more consistently and confidently from every speed.  The vehicle can stop on a dime... and give nine cents change!