aluminum drum brakes

[LETZRIDE]

Where can I pick up a set of lightweight aluminum drum brake covers to replace the cast iron?

[Mogobs30th]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

Never seen nor heard of such a thing. I can't imagine aluminum withstanding such high heat for a sustained period of time like you see in braking....

EDIT: After taking a quick peek, I have seen a few instances where they have used aluminum for a drum. I have heard of aluminum rotors, but I figure those things would cool fast enough, didn't think a drum could do the same...but again, never seen them for an Fbody, most would have just switched to a disc brake rear if they really needed lighter/better braking.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

I know they were an option on GN's/T-Types. Dunno if they would even fit though. We did put them on my buddies Typhoon.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

well I was reading that they are an aluminum casting, aluminum fins, but where the brake shoe touches is cast iron...Drums are already lighter then disc brakes as far as I know...and these aluminum ones are supposed to drop another 5lbs off of each wheel (doesnt sound like alot, but think about how much money people spend to get a rim that is 5 lbs lighter )

[bigbrian442]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

Your local Pick a part. 78-87 G bodies. Not all of them had them, only like one 1 of 4. You might find them on some 3rd gen F bodies aswell.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

no one sells them new though? I thought it might be an off the shelf thing I might be able to pick up?

[mtscorvette]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

theres a couple on ebay but they are not new they dont look bad you never know hard to tell from a picture.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GNX-G...s#ht_500wt_956

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EL-CA...#ht_1391wt_939

[bigbrian442]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

no one sells them new though? I thought it might be an off the shelf thing I might be able to pick up?

Not even GM.

[ssms5411]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

But if you want lighter just swap the front to 98+ brakes that are alm. 2 piston, I have my 98+ spindles and calipers to swap on my front. I would stay with disc setup Wickedex6 had some light weight rotors on his front and ground down calipers, for the rear I would just do disc myself, but theres a post on FTv6 where some one was using Alm. drum covers. I would want the most weight to the rear.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

no way in hell I am converting to disc in the rear after working on the other car....not a chance in hell...you couldnt pay me enough lol....

[FirebirdGT]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

I did just the rear disc brake conversion on the existing rear end - it was easy. Just use the same year calipers as the car. I used the 93-96 rears, not 98+ rears, on my 96.

.

[bigbrian442]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

But if you want lighter just swap the front to 98+ brakes that are alm. 2 piston, I have my 98+ spindles and calipers to swap on my front. I would stay with disc setup Wickedex6 had some light weight rotors on his front and ground down calipers, for the rear I would just do disc myself, but theres a post on FTv6 where some one was using Alm. drum covers. I would want the most weight to the rear.

The aluminum rear drums are lighter than any of the disc brakes.

[ssms5411]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

I would drop 10 lbs , then that would take care of the weight factor. LOL For the use of better braking.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

ahhh...but its 10lbs rotational mass...irrc its something like for every 1 lb rotational mass you loose, its the equivalent of taking 10lbs off the car....so try 100lbs :P

and actually it should be more...the chevy HP magazine that was suggesting this said that there test drum brakes weighed in at 13lbs and the aluminum ones were 8lbs...I weighed mine last night to be in at 16 almost 17lbs...so I think I would be looking at closer to 16-18lbs of lost rotational mass...

[ssms5411]

Re: aluminum drum brakes

Just take the drums off when you race, and put plastic covers over the rear studs. LOL