LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

What all is needed to put 98+ Brakes on a 97 or below?

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Old May 4, 2008 | 12:51 PM
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Default What all is needed to put 98+ Brakes on a 97 or below?

I know I found a how to thread and now I can not find it anymore. A friend has a set of front calipers and brackets he says and it has my interest.

I would like to get better braking since I am playing around from time to time. So if anyone has kept the link around or just wants to tell me that would really be nice.

Ok after some feedback everything for the rear to include e-brake setup woudl be nice to know too... what all do I need? (And if anyone has some good stock ls calipers they want to let go of for the front that is now all I am missing...)

Last edited by Cross; May 6, 2008 at 03:02 AM.
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Old May 4, 2008 | 01:26 PM
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You need:

LS1 Spindles
LS1 Brake Brackets
LS1 Brake Calipers
4 Brake Bracket Bolts

You can re-use your lines, but you might end up replacing your ball joints. When I did my conversion I ripped my ball joints. They were only like 10 bucks at auto-zone. Your going to need a front end alignment also.

Make sure when you get the calipers and brackets that you get the metal clips that hold the brake pads on. There are 2 for each bracket and one for each caliper.

Good luck!
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Old May 4, 2008 | 02:06 PM
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1oo% correct and you will love the results from the swap...
i NEVER had a problem with the Lt1 brakes,they worked nicely!
the main reason for me doing the swap was due to me warping the rotors front and rear was gonna cost 350.00 to replace the original Lt1 parts so i did some searching and found the rear Ls1 brake set up for 75.00(52k)and the front spindles,calipers,brake lines etc.with only (21k)for 85.00 latsly i purchased 2 bottles of castrol syntec synthetic brake fluid 16.00 so i save a butt load of cash on this deal!
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Old May 4, 2008 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 96lt1m6
1oo% correct and you will love the results from the swap...
i NEVER had a problem with the Lt1 brakes,they worked nicely!
the main reason for me doing the swap was due to me warping the rotors front and rear was gonna cost 350.00 to replace the original Lt1 parts so i did some searching and found the rear Ls1 brake set up for 75.00(52k)and the front spindles,calipers,brake lines etc.with only (21k)for 85.00 latsly i purchased 2 bottles of castrol syntec synthetic brake fluid 16.00 so i save a butt load of cash on this deal!
Is there really any difference with the rear ls1 and lt1 brakes?
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Old May 4, 2008 | 07:42 PM
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The backing plates put the calipers on the opposite side. E-brake cables are different. From all the reading I've done there is no performance increase so upgrading is pointless.
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Old May 4, 2008 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackLT1Z
The backing plates put the calipers on the opposite side. E-brake cables are different. From all the reading I've done there is no performance increase so upgrading is pointless.
Thats it .You will love the LS1 brakes.
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Old May 4, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by halucinator
Is there really any difference with the rear ls1 and lt1 brakes?
Yes there is! 1" more contact surface on the Ls1 rears as well as the front...
it is a matter of opinion,similar to some people that cannot tell the difference between a clear stereo at a high volume and those that cannot hear/understand what distortion sounds like!
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Old May 4, 2008 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by phantomzer0
You need:

LS1 Spindles
LS1 Brake Brackets
LS1 Brake Calipers
4 Brake Bracket Bolts

You can re-use your lines, but you might end up replacing your ball joints. When I did my conversion I ripped my ball joints. They were only like 10 bucks at auto-zone. Your going to need a front end alignment also.

Make sure when you get the calipers and brackets that you get the metal clips that hold the brake pads on. There are 2 for each bracket and one for each caliper.

Good luck!
I have most of this stuff for the swap, but think I lost these metal clips, can you get them locally anywhere? Also I believe I have the brackets, but they have no spindals installed in them. Can I just swap out spindals from my 97? (the circular part thats pressed in correct?)
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Old May 5, 2008 | 02:21 AM
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no you have to use the Ls1 spindle for this......the hub assembly will transfer into either spindle.
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Old May 5, 2008 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 97LT1
I have most of this stuff for the swap, but think I lost these metal clips, can you get them locally anywhere? Also I believe I have the brackets, but they have no spindals installed in them. Can I just swap out spindals from my 97? (the circular part thats pressed in correct?)
The spindle is the whole arm like unit that holds the caliper, rotor, and wheel bearing. There are 2 ball joints that attach to it, one at the top and one on the bottom. The spindle is considerably large.
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Old May 5, 2008 | 06:05 PM
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Looks like I just got a parts LS1 so perfect lol.
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Old May 5, 2008 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by BlackLT1Z
The backing plates put the calipers on the opposite side. E-brake cables are different. From all the reading I've done there is no performance increase so upgrading is pointless.
I disagree with that.. The rear parking brake on my LT1 worked for crap! It wouldn't keep the car from rolling no matter what I did New calipers, adjustment, Pads & rotors NOTHING! So I switched to the LS1 rears because the were bigger and incorporated a "Mini Drum" System inside the rotor and since the swap I've had no issues with the parking brake and it works 100x's better then trying to put more clamping force on the rotor like the LT1 setup did.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 03:02 AM
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Ok then what all is needed for the rear. The front rotors I traded for ended up being off a 98Z so I am now getting everything but I need a parts list for the rear. I am giving him the front one now.
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Old May 6, 2008 | 04:16 PM
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Recommend getting the whole rear if possible. It will swap with no issue just make sure you get the parking brake cables & Brackets

Reason I say that is because it will be alot easier then trying to find every part needed to convert the rears.

Also guys keep in mind when swapping the braking performance is improved but if you plan to run drag wheels you will have to grind the calipers or run spacers to get the wheels to fit correctly as with the LT1 brakes you will not!
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Old May 6, 2008 | 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by 96lt1m6
no you have to use the Ls1 spindle for this......the hub assembly will transfer into either spindle.
Doh! thats what i mean I have the spindals, with no wheel hubs installed in those. Can I just swap over?
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Old May 7, 2008 | 01:22 AM
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yes you would be good to go then...
side note:
i did my rears before the front and i noticed the car stopped a bit better,the e-brake works much better
especially on inclines!
when i did the front it totally completed the conversion.
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Old May 7, 2008 | 03:34 AM
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Originally Posted by SmokedOutZ28
I disagree with that.. The rear parking brake on my LT1 worked for crap! It wouldn't keep the car from rolling no matter what I did New calipers, adjustment, Pads & rotors NOTHING! So I switched to the LS1 rears because the were bigger and incorporated a "Mini Drum" System inside the rotor and since the swap I've had no issues with the parking brake and it works 100x's better then trying to put more clamping force on the rotor like the LT1 setup did.
I also have issues with the parking brake. I just recently did calipers, pads, and rotors in the rear with no luck either. Is it as easy as getting the calipers, pads, and backing plates for the rears? I know the axles have to come out but that is no biggie. Other than that I just need the rear cables correct?
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Old May 7, 2008 | 08:53 AM
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YES,the rear cables are a must!
1" bigger brakes at all 4 corners make a very nice difference!
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Old May 7, 2008 | 09:26 AM
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I have LS1 rears and the site I get specs from, from time to time, said .3" in the rear...
93-97: Brakes : 11.7"
98-02: Brakes : 12"
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Old May 7, 2008 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by phantomzer0

Make sure when you get the calipers and brackets that you get the metal clips that hold the brake pads on. There are 2 for each bracket and one for each caliper.

Good luck!
Can I get these clips from the parts store?
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