Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

[jbmetal]

Like a month ago I bought an entire rear end from a 2002 T/A WS6 M6 with disc brakes and everything, which is for my 1997 Firebird (rear drums). At first, I never gave some thinking to the front brakes. As far as I know, LS1 rear rotorsare bigger than front rotors, which means more stopping power on the rear, or at least what I know.

Do I have to upgrade front brakes too?, if I upgrade, I will use practically same donor as for the rear.

Also, on some cars, doing brake upgrades like these involves changing the master cylinder. Is this case is one of those?, according to gmpartsdirect.com, the master cylinder for 93-97 f-bodies were the same for V6 and V8 cars, all models, but the master cylinder is a different one for 98-02 f-bodies, but the same for all models.

Can someone give me some advices about all this?

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

You master cylinder will determine the braking bias. Also, bigger rotors doesn't mean more braking power. The rear calipers as well as the pads are much smaller in the rear, even though the rotors have a larger diameter.

That said, the front brakes from an LS1 are a nice upgrade, but not necessary.

[jbmetal]

Re: Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

You master cylinder will determine the braking bias. Also, bigger rotors doesn't mean more braking power. The rear calipers as well as the pads are much smaller in the rear, even though the rotors have a larger diameter.

That said, the front brakes from an LS1 are a nice upgrade, but not necessary.

and about the master cylinder, not necessary an upgrade on this situation? the 93-97 master cylinder can be used, right?

[3.4grapeofwrath]

Re: Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

I did the same upgrade to my car and did not have to change the master cylinder. There was no noticeable change in braking. I just bought the LS1 upgrade for the front off E-bay. Will be installing them with my new K member when it arrives.

[jbmetal]

Re: Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

ok....and other thing...using the brakes from a 2002 T/A WS6, will those brakes fit the 16" x 8" wheels? I'm asking this, because I dont know if those rotors are bigger than a normal 98-02 T/A, which I think they must be the same, and if those are the same, they should fit 16" wheels...

[Skinny]

Re: Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

The 16" wheels will fit, but if you carry a spare, it won't fit on the rear. I learned this when I took my spare out of my old 94 Camaro to try and put it on a 98 Camaro SS. The spare rim wouldn't clear the brakes.

Edit- Scratch that, now that I think about it, that was on the front, not the rear. I would check the clearance of your spare though, if you carry one.

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: Rquesting advice for brakes upgrade

the front brakes do the majority of stopping, so that being said, I'd upgrade to 98 - 02 style front brakes. requires a complete replacement of the steering knuckle and hub though. but it was the best brake upgrade i ever did.