Brake Conversion

[zipnsip]

I have been thinking of getting rims soon, but I hate the look of itty bitty rotors and drums behind rotors. So I have been thinking of doing a conversion to disc brakes in the rear, and getting bigger rotors all around, maybe 12" rotors. Anyone have any opinions or advice?

[erimar77]

if you get larger than 11" rotors, you'll need at least 17" wheels

i'm not sure about the cavalier, but the gase, malibu and other n-body's can use parts from the gagt's to do a rear brake conversion

[zipnsip]

I know I need at least 17" rims. Which is exactly what I have in mind. ;)

[birdhouse]

Drum conversions are hard, time consuming, and expensive... I know how you feel about the drums in the back, but it might be more wise to just leave the brakes in the back alone, and do a conversion up front to something bigger... Make people look at your front wheels and not your back ones.

[Wallflower]

Originally posted by birdhouse
Drum conversions are hard, time consuming, and expensive... I know how you feel about the drums in the back, but it might be more wise to just leave the brakes in the back alone, and do a conversion up front to something bigger... Make people look at your front wheels and not your back ones.

Not sure what your wrench experience is, but I'd call a rear conversion on the 99+ GA as simple. A few bolts, two hoses, and two cables, you are done. Time consuming shouldn't outweigh the benefit of better performance. As for expensive, I don't think so. I was quoted $250 by the local junker for two complete rear hubs from a GT. My job was going to cost more due to the fact that on certain pieces, I wanted new or upgraded parts. If you go all new parts from a dealer then it can certainly be expected to cost some money.

[erimar77]

yeah, a couple malibu owners at n-body.net have done it, i wouldn't call them mechanics or anything, just regular people. a day project at most if you run into no problems

[sunrunner_pei]

It may be more difficult though to install the disks on the rear of the J-body, especially since the option wasn't available from the factory. It doesn't have the same suspension setup as the n-body, so the parts may not just bolt up. I'm sure there are kits available, however.

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Originally posted by erimar77
yeah, a couple malibu owners at n-body.net have done it, i wouldn't call them mechanics or anything, just regular people. a day project at most if you run into no problems

exactly. I'd like to do this with my car... but i need money first.:(

[mattsgtp]

Would Alero or Intrigue rotors and calipers fit the front of the GA? I think those are 11.9" ...

[zipnsip]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
It may be more difficult though to install the disks on the rear of the J-body, especially since the option wasn't available from the factory. It doesn't have the same suspension setup as the n-body, so the parts may not just bolt up. I'm sure there are kits available, however.

Shawn,
You hit the nail on the head. I found a nice conversion and I figured with the HP that I am planning on getting out of this baby that rear disc brakes might benefit me more. The mechanic part is no problem. I have a few hook ups in the family :D But before I get to this poing, I have a few other "goodies" in mind for the cavy. Not going to spill the beans on those yet, everyone will see in due time. :)

[LexGoyle]

K, just wanna make sure i'm reading this correctly. So if I want to do a rear drum to disc conversion on my `96 GASE I would grab a pair of rear hubs from a GAGT, get the rotors (and since I want larger rotors i'll need 17" + rims) bigger calipers and brake pads to match, and necessary hoses/cables and such?

Is there a specific year(s) I should look at with GAGTs for the rear hubs?

- Lex

[grn97gagt]

not gonna work on a 98 or older this is strictly for the newer GA's
our require the spending or lots of cash on an actual kit unless someone out there knows of some GM FWD that had rear discs on a 5x100 hub

[nice96gt]

^ :agree:

You will have to buy the kit and do it properly, there is no EASY way of doing this on our gen GA