Hi guys, newbie here! I have a 95 firebird that I am wanting to put the corvette "big brakes" on because the stock brakes on this car really, really suck! I am not sure about what adapter brackets to use. Most people I talk to say I should use "track brackets" that they are good. I have seen some UMI makes for $199 but that seems a little pricey and I'm not real sure about the powder coat thing, seems like it will just chip or flake off after a while and where I live, the road crews use plenty of salt on the roads. I've also seen some cheaper steel ones but they look like something I could make myself LOL. I already have the calipers and rotors, I just need the correct "abutment" brackets as the ones I have came off of a base C5 and the adapter brackets. Does any one have any information or know where I can get these "track brackets" and how much they are? Also will I need new brake lines or will my old ones work. I am wanting to do a few upgrades so I can do a little autocrossing once in a while, as the SCCA head quarters is at my back door. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif) Yup, I live in T town.......Thanks for any input.

For just autocrossing you should be good with a decent set of pads and fresh fluid. 'Big brakes' will only add unsprung weight to the front wheels, a place you don't want it on an F-body. Additionally, what class do you run, those brakes won't be legal for many classes?

Just some things to consider.

Thanks for the insight. Thought I would trade some weight with a fiberglass hood. I have a ws6 air box (as well as a pile of other parts) I was going to put on, to make it functional, I would have to ditch the current stock hood. I know that it is sprung weight but it is still a weight trade off. As far as what class would I run in? I have no clue. The car is currently all stock lt1 except for a Hurst shift knob, and skip shift eliminator and I have never been involved in this before. When ever there is a event in town, I see all the cars in town and hear everyone having fun, (guess everyone was in Nebraska last year) so I'm just "fired up" and want to try this out. Just wanting to get my feet wet so to speak and up grade my "toy" some what.............I have also heard of up grading to 98-2002 LS fbody brakes as well, so if a change is going to be made, I figure may as well go all the way. Surely there are classes where the up grade would be legal? I guess I should get educated on the requirements and classes. Any info any one wants to throw out there would be appreciated............

This post has been edited by hotrodponcho: Feb 4 2012, 07:15 PM

Yes, you do want the trackbrackets. Widely considered the best quality bracket for what you are trying to accomplish.

And will allow for C5 or C6 upgrade

Look here:

http://www.hotpart.com/shop/index.php?l=pr...detail&p=71

Trackbird on this forum may still have some available at a discount.

1) Thanks cccbock! First real info I've seen about these.

2) Trackbird are you out there? No offense hotpart, but if a discount is available..what can I say?.........

3) Any one know if I need different brake lines for the conversion?

4) Are the calipers to be oriented to the front or back of the spindles?

Thanks for any help!

5) Is there a online rule site for classes and requirements? Edit Ok got this one, was just on SCCA website and down loaded rule book.

This post has been edited by hotrodponcho: Feb 5 2012, 03:37 AM

Hopefully I won't hi-jack this but can anyone outline the spindle modifications ?

Are they reversible (back to LS1 brakes) ?

I have C6 brake in my '82 and love 'em ! The '02 needs them someday (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

TIA ! ~DaVe

If you go with LS-brakes, you _may_ be able to fit in ESP with the update/backdate. I'm not sure if fiberglass body parts are allowed, unless it's a factory replacement, but I don't follow ESP that much. I also think the shifter is open in ESP, but not sure. Upgrading to aftermarket or C5/6 brakes may bump you out of ESP. You may fit better into one of the ST classes locally. My preference would be move to CP and be done with it. But we have a truck and trailer to tow our CP ride around. It's VERY hard to be competitive with a street-legal CP car.

The LS1 brakes require cutting the caliper ears off the spindle so definitely not ESP legal. Its been a while since I looked, but I think third and fourth gen cars are on different lines, so no update/backdate. 1LE would be legal, but $ for performance is lacking unless you can get lucky.

From the info I have gathered, I believe you would have to change out the entire steering knuckle/spindle assembly to a stock un-modified assembly, because you have to cut the ears off that the stock calipers mount on to mount the adapter brackets that allow use of the C5 brakes. Or use the brackets that don't require cutting the "ears " off your current knuckles. Sorry I don't know who makes them but I ran across an add for them one time a while back so I know they are out there.

This post has been edited by hotrodponcho: Feb 8 2012, 02:51 AM

Thanks for the input. I am still trying to decipher all these class. ESP, CP, ST, WT? (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Anyhow..............right now just want to up grade my cars performance. Call me old fashioned, but I feel it's better to enhance a car's whoa power before enhancing it's go power, so that is where I am starting and.............. I want to be able to flog the crap out of my car in a safe, legal, controlled environment. Not real worried about competing with anyone but myself. I don't want to turn this car into a dedicated race car, although I have a 3/4 ton diesel and access to a trailer I can use pretty much at will. (If it is gone out of my buddy's yard when he gets home, he knows who has it. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif) ) Even if I compete in a "lower" class......I think I would still trailer it if I were to travel very far out of town anyhow. So here is my quest.................I want to upgrade with "bolt ons" that I can reverse if I want, and run some autocross so I can play without worrying about hurting someone or myself, or worry about getting a ticket. I suppose if I really "get the fever" I can always buy a already done dedicated car and "tinker" with it to make it suit me. So the question of what class to run in with this car, with my planned up grades remains...............trying to make heads and tails of this rule book....................................

This post has been edited by hotrodponcho: Feb 8 2012, 05:37 PM

Aren't 93-02 fourth gen? I thought to put LS1 brakes on my 95, all I had to do was swap in the steering knuckles and spindles from a 98-02 car. I have been told it is a direct swap. I have also seen an advertisement for some brackets that are made for the LS cars that do not require cutting the ears where the brake calipers mount, to use C5 brakes. Theoretically, I could change out my knuckles to 98-02 knuckles, and use the brackets that don't require cutting to use the C5 brakes. Or I could go the 1LE route probably about for the same money either way............ but then again where would this all put me? I think it's easier to cut the ears off my current knuckles and adapt what I have. I could just put a in new set of 95 knuckles and spindles if I ever want to reverse it. The brake line thing is a whole another issue........that I still am working on.

Whoops, thirdgen's on my mind at the moment, you're restricted to 1LE for the 82-92 cars. Sorry for the confusion.

Yes, you can update/backdate the entire knuckle from the newer car since 93-02 are on the same line in ESP.

This post has been edited by roostmeyer: Feb 8 2012, 04:17 AM

Thanks for the clarification..................had me wondering. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I'll attach the instructions. These are the old instructions and some of the links may be dead by now. Either way, it should help explain the setup.

And, as I remember, the C5 brake package was actually lighter than the LT1 brakes (due to removing that heavy cast iron caliper) and it works better.

And yes, you need C5 length hoses or I can get you the C5/C6 braided (DOT legal) conversion hoses for your LT1 car from Hotpart. If you need them, PM me and I'll get the current price on them.

Here's the instructions:

Thanks Trackbird. Looks pretty straight forward to me. Glad to hear I will be shaving a little weight after all. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

OK, so I feel like a real idiot! Spent some time in the Tech section last night, particularly, the suspension and brake sections..............my lap top is a mini, and when I bring this site up, the lower sections are always hidden...............damn computers !!!!!! (I'm much better at mechanical things!) Anyhow, just wanted to give everyone kudos for such a great and informative site! Also thanks for everyone's input, it is appreciated. I look forward to learning much more in the future!