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F-body brakes on a Nova?

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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:39 PM
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Default F-body brakes on a Nova?

Has anyone tried putting late model f-body brakes on a 67-69 camaro or 68-72 nova?
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:46 PM
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yes, it can be done. The way Im doing it is use drum brake spindles milled down on a brake lathe to fit inside the hat of the 12" rotor. Then mill down the top spindle boss to make it even with the bottom one. I bought the brackets off someone on Pro-touring to mount the calipers. Cheap upgrade.
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Old Mar 16, 2009 | 08:49 PM
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I thought it would work. That's a totally different way from what I was thinking. I was thinking about getting the whole hub off the f-body and getting some 2" drop spindles if it would work and fab my own bracket if I had to.
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 06:30 AM
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Be careful with drop spindles as its very easy to run into wheel to tie rod clearance issues.
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 07:10 AM
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Oh yeah, it can for sure be done. Car Craft had a whole article on a disk/power brake swap into I think it was a Chevelle from a Caprice a while back (its gonna be a similar deal), but I can't remember the issue.
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 08:48 AM
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The swap is actually very easy. Go to some of the more popular sites for first gens and you will find all the info needed there. You will need an adapter plate that you can make or buy and the have the stock drum hub milled down to fit a 4th gen rotor. There are variations to the theme such as a hybrid with 13 inch rotors, etc. Pro-touring and Lateral-G sites have detailed info. You can also try some of these sites:

http://www.pozziracing.com/cheap_big_brakes.htm

http://www.speedtech-performance.com...r_C4_Rotor.pdf

Depending on how you want to go you should be able to do the front yourself for about $300-$400 and the rear for less. If you want get a kit and spend $500-$700 for front and rear each.
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 09:14 AM
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we offer the brake adapter bracket for the front and 1998-2002 F-Body brakes for

$149
fits

1965-1972 A-Body
1967-1969 F-Body
1968-1972 X-Body
http://brphotrods.com/front%20dics%20brakes.html

Rear

$39

any 10 or 12 bolt car rear end from 1965-1981
http://brphotrods.com/Rear%20Brake%20kit.html
I have about 10 sets of pre milled hubs read to go in the shop fo 149 or 110 if you have a core to send back
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:49 AM
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Southern69, FYI I got my brackets for $50
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1NOVA
Southern69, FYI I got my brackets for $50
You got some pics of the spindle you milled down?
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 01:47 PM
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Also will the camaro hub work on a stock disc spindle or they two different sizes?
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BRPhotrods
1968-1972 X-Body
back
Maybe this is a stupid question, but whats the difference suspension wise between 72 and 73-74 X Bodys? There were appearance differences, but I was pretty sure the suspension didn't change until the next generation (1975).
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Old Mar 17, 2009 | 09:28 PM
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wondered that too, I seem to recall people using front discs off 73-4s on 1st gen f-bods ... could be wrong though
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Old Mar 19, 2009 | 08:03 PM
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Bump for more info lol
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Old Mar 19, 2009 | 08:56 PM
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Heres a couple pics of a LS1 brake swap on a Nova.

Last edited by LS1NOVA; Sep 10, 2010 at 05:12 PM.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 11:43 AM
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73-74 is the same as 68-72s. in '75 they went to taller one-piece/front steer spindles, and in '68 they used inferior 4-piston calipers (which wouldn't matter in this situation anyway).

and a lot of drop spindles only allow a maximum of around 3-3.5" of backspace. you'd need to check with the manufacturer. i'd go with QA1 coilovers before drop spindles.

finally, the only difference in disc and drum spindles for these cars is the upper mount pad. It's approx .500" taller for drum brakes. You can get it milled, like LS1NOVA did.

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/leadfoot/discs.htm
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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68-74 are rear steer, but the steering arms unbolt, but 75+ are front steer and are one piece.
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Old Jul 29, 2009 | 04:51 PM
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Default brake swap

Originally Posted by LS1NOVA
Heres a couple pics of a LS1 brake swap on a Nova.
LS1NOVA those pics are actually of a C4 swap thats similar to the LS1 swap -I believe you got your brackets from me so if anyone is interested please PM me i can send some pics of my swap on my 69 Firebird - not too tough and can be done alot cheaper than aftermarket swaps for sure
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