Thread: Fbody brake swap questions...

Plenty of people have had issues with the spacer method. While many have not, many have.

Drilling and tapping the brackets is easy to do and in many views, safer to do.

Funny. I can't see anyone having issues or reporting issues, ever

And no. The 06+ impala calipers need 06+ impala rotors.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/big-b...ead-39174.html

/end thread

you can use either 04+ rotors or f-body rotors. they both fit fine with f-body calipers.

Originally Posted by Logan541

I tapped the brackets for mine. A lot safer and not hard to do.

If ya don't mind would you explain how to do it?

Do I just smooth out the threads and run a tap through? Do I Drill the hole to size then run a tap through? Is there a reason why you and just bring the bracket and caliper to home depot and find a bolt to fit?

Thanks[/QUOTE]

You need to use a 15/32 drill I believe... I forget exactly. I can look it up though. Then tap them with an m14x2 tap.

You just use your stock bracket bolts from your stock setup.

Yep 15/32 is the correct drill size. I set mine up on a milling machine and did the work.

I told you what tap you need lol

M14x2

Or, you can mail them to me and ill do the work, then mail them back.

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

the spacers are hardened steel bearings. i see nothing wrong with using them at all. got em on my car, no problems.

Correct, in fact these spacer bushings are a common practice across the car community, alot of people use them. In fact I'm using them AGAIN for my new setup design I just came up with for another Car.

Originally Posted by 99PGPGT

Don't use the spacers to do it... Lemme rephrase that..


You can use the spacers, but I wouldn't trust that one bit.

I tapped the brackets for mine. A lot safer and not hard to do.

I've had my bushings in place for next to 3 years, first the Corvette brakes and now the CTS-Vs; with the close tolerances with the CTS-V setup (caliper to rotor clearances), the spacer bushings are rock solid; even after 3 years of abuse on the bushing.

Originally Posted by Logan541

Ok they say for the rears we can use 2004 GXP's on a 97-03 its a direct bolt on is that the only year or is it 04+?

Correct, 97-03's use an ebrake in the hub, 04+ GP's have the e-brake in the caliper, the only time the switch back occurred was with the GXP's

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

pretty sure the 04 and up use a e brake in the caliper, not the drum in the rotor like the 97-03 and it is convertible to the newer style.

Correct, you need the rear knuckle, bearing and e-brake setup off a GXP for the 04+ conversion.

Originally Posted by kuntzie

You can't use the rotors from a camaro, you need to use monte or impala rotors

Use F-body calipers with F-body rotors; 06+ Monte/Impala calipers and rotors.

Originally Posted by crazyguy03

Wrong

You use the 06+ impala rotors with 06* impala calipers.
That's due to the change in the bracket and the design of the hat on the rotor

Correct, the 06+ Monte/Impala rotors are also thinner by 1/10"

Originally Posted by crazybrownklick

Aren't the Camaro rotors 5x120 and ours 5x 115

Yes, but the 98-02 Camaro rotors holes are enlarged to fit both bolt patterns of 5x120 and 5x115

Originally Posted by Odi

http://www.grandprixforums.net/big-b...ead-39174.html

/end thread

you can use either 04+ rotors or f-body rotors. they both fit fine with f-body calipers.

Actually I need to remove 04+ rotors, you should only use F-Body rotors, there is just a slight size difference (see images below)

Originally Posted by 99PGPGT

Yep 15/32 is the correct drill size. I set mine up on a milling machine and did the work.

Correct and the tap is 14x2


Comparison of rotors

04+ Grand Prix


98-02 F-body rotors


06+ Monte/Impala (posted respectively)



303mm = 11.92"
52mm = 2.04"
30.1mm = 1.18"
28.6mm = 1.12"
70.7mm = 2.78"
14.2mm = 0.55"

So confused now....

98-02 F-body brake upgrade

F-body calipers
F-body Rotors
F-body Pads
F-body banjo bolts

Either drill and tap the caliper brackets to fit or use the bushing spacers, both ways are safe.

Drill and Tap allows you to use the GP caliper bracket bolts, bushings allow you to use the F-body caliper bracket bolts.

ok Drunkie, for simple idiot understanding.. If I source all the parts from say a 2000 Camaro, that will work right? all this talk about GXP this and 04 monte that has me lost as hell...

I ask as last time I walked through my local Boneyard there were about 4 Camaros that had the complete front brakes stil there. I would get new rotors from the local parts store thoug, but the rest... 1998 up camaro will work?

Yes, its the 98-02 stuff, get the bracket bolts too.

Originally Posted by Logan541

Drunkie would you recommend rebuilding the calipers if we get them from the jy or if they lok like they are not leaking just clean them up and throw them on and anyone got a how to on rebuilding a F body caliper?

I can guarantee you will not find a late 4th gen in the junkyard