The Yellow Avenger gets new brakes

[blancojp]

Howdy All!
During a test ride of Rick's vehicle I noticed the car could barely stop. Even with lots of push on the pedal, the car barely stopped and even the front wheels never locked. So my vacation started, he dropped the car off and now the magic will start. I decided to install Fiero brakes on his GT. The system consists of 309mm rotors, Fiero brackets and chevy S-10 calipers. Now before the unsprung weight gods start to speak, this setup has aluminum calipers and are 9 ounces lighter than the stock GT brakes.

So without further ramblings, we start the installation saga.

1) The stock brakes are removed and the rotors are sepparated from the hubs. I also turned the rear of the hubs to remove and smooth out the casting which removed 3 ounces of weight overall from the hubs.

2) The rotors are now drilled to accept the new 4x100 bolt pattern. After which, two small holes are also drilled through the rotors and hubs and the hub holes are tapped to accept the counter sinked screw which will hold the rotor in place.

3) The rotor is now placed over the hub to check fit and also to check the clearance on the counter sunk screw to make sure it will not interfere. This is very inportance since we need this face to be as flat as possible.

4) Steps two and three are performed to both hubs/rotors and you are now set to perform part 2.

[blancojp]

Due to the 5 pic limit, we will continue in parts until all is viewed.

After getting the rotors and hubs setup, you can now start to install the assembly on the car. Here is also a picture of the hubs after the backside was cleaned up adn deburred.

1) The caliper brackets are installed first on the face of the spindle. You will need two washers per bolt and one lock washer to properly attach the bracket to the spindle. Make sure the bolts are torqued to 80lbs and you can proceed to step two.

2) Since the rotors are now married to the hubs due to the counter sunk screws, select a hub/rotor combination and install the hub on the spindle. Make sure there is plenty of grease, torque the castle nut as described on the manual and insert the cotter pin. Verify smooth operation of the hub making sure it turns with no play.

3) Install the rotor over the hub and secure with the two counter sunk screws. Tighten both screws but don't over do it since their sole purpose is to hold the rotor in place during assembly.

4) Install the loaded caliper using the slider hardware. Torque the two slider bolts to 45lbs and verify the assemby rotates freely and no rubbing of any type is observed.

5) Install a rear brake hose from an Acura Legend using a 10mm banjo bolt. The Acura hose is 16" in length and also uses a 10mm tube nut so it can replace the stock hose perfectly.

Do the same for the other side, bleed the brakes and install your wheels back on. I do however hear Rick in the background yelling " that's my car ".

And to qoute a hippie friend of mine, " YOUR BRAKES A HUGE DUDE!"

[BQS4]

JP;
With rotors that big, you obviously can't use stock 13" Opel wheels.

[yellaopelgt]

Is this Benncojr'S yellow GT? The one that came from here in Milwaukee?

Whatever became of the rear disc brackets for sale for the Honda caliper conversion?????

[benncojr]

Yes it is the car from Milwaukee.

[gtzero]

Very cool. What size wheels are required to cover this brake setup? And more importantly, what backspacing?

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by yellaopelgt Is this Benncojr'S yellow GT? The one that came from here in Milwaukee? Whatever became of the rear disc brackets for sale for the Honda caliper conversion?????

To answer all before I pass out, you need a 14" alloy wheel minimum to clear the caliper since now the assembly is 13 3/8" overall diameter.

The Honda conversion is not a dead issue, I got the parts in and I will be verifying the fit before I release the parts. The bracket you see here is part of the group and will be available also after I verify operation. So far I see no problems in either one of the three but it does not hurt to tripple check.

All I have to say is, These brakes are huge!!!!

[blancojp]

Hello All!
I finished the Yellow Avenger today and went for a test ride. The brakes performed extremely well but I did find a few other things I needed to look at. So after the first test ride, I tuned the car completely and went out again.

On the second test ride I noticed the brake pedal only travels 1/2" before the car comes to a stop. Barely touching the pedal with a stock M/C the brakes waste no time slowing the car down, they are awsome to say the least.

[gtzero]

Originally Posted by blancojp Hello All! I finished the Yellow Avenger today and went for a test ride. The brakes performed extremely well but I did find a few other things I needed to look at. So after the first test ride, I tuned the car completely and went out again.

What sort of "tuning" did you do?

[jeff denton]

I like it! The simplicity is beautiful!
But, can you think up a way to reduce the diameter so 13" wheels will fit?
13 inch Bassett racing wheels, that is, in case you were wondering what car I would like to try this on...
Maybe turn down the diameter of the rotor a bit, adjust the bracket/spindle mounting holes, trim the caliper? Sounds like just a little of each would do it.

[benncojr]

Originally Posted by gtzero What sort of "tuning" did you do?

The car was having some timing and electrical issues and JP worked on figuring out what the trouble was (Bad Coil, and other issues).

[gtzero]

Originally Posted by benncojr The car was having some timing and electrical issues and JP worked on figuring out what the trouble was (Bad Coil, and other issues).

My bad. I thought the tuning was brake related. I have to work on my reading comprehension. Great job on the brakes. What size wheels are required to fit over this setup?

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by jeff denton I like it! The simplicity is beautiful! But, can you think up a way to reduce the diameter so 13" wheels will fit? 13 inch Bassett racing wheels, that is, in case you were wondering what car I would like to try this on... Maybe turn down the diameter of the rotor a bit, adjust the bracket/spindle mounting holes, trim the caliper? Sounds like just a little of each would do it.

Vented brakes for a 13" wheel are easier than these I installed using the same bracket. I believe you can save about 24 ounces using 248mm vented rotors and aluminum calipers.