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02-16-2007, 01:07 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mount Holly, NJ
Posts: 242
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4th Gen Manual Brakes Swap?
Well, it looks like I'm finally gonna get my hands on a 4th gen daily driver tomorrow. It's a 93 Z28 with a 94 LT1 in it (hardtop, auto ![Sad](http://www.njfboa.org/forums/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif) ). I wanna keep this thing street friendly and comfortable to drive (that means I can go all-out on my '81!) with a few performance upgrades focusing on stiffening up the chassis and better handling. Also, C6 Z51 brakes are in the plans.
My question is about the Billingsley Racing manual brakes conversion that BMR sells:
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/misc/BR-MBK.jpg
Has anyone done this conversion? The Strange MC is basically a Mopar MC that cost about thirty bucks (did this swap for my '81) so I'd like to do it on the cheap by maybe making my own firewall adapter and pushrod. Any thoughts?
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'81 Sport Coupe 229 V6 -Junked
'93 Z28 LT1 - Parting out
"Is that a rat? No, it's just a really fat mouse."
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02-16-2007, 01:30 PM
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#2
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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what are the gains of manual brakes? especially in a daily driver, maybe i'm just not seeing the point...
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02-16-2007, 01:34 PM
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#3
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokingSS
what are the gains of manual brakes? especially in a daily driver, maybe i'm just not seeing the point...
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Me neither. People go to great lengths to KEEP power brakes. I'm not sure why you'd want to get rid of them.
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02-16-2007, 01:40 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mount Holly, NJ
Posts: 242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokingSS
what are the gains of manual brakes? especially in a daily driver, maybe i'm just not seeing the point...
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Power brakes give you a relatively non-responsive pedal. When you combine that with upgraded brakes and performance, you run the risk of easily inducing a skid. Plus, I like the pedal-feel. If you calculate the pedal ratio correctly, you can set up your brakes to require the same amount of pressure as a power set-up with the response of a manual as you get closer and closer to locking the discs.
__________________
'81 Sport Coupe 229 V6 -Junked
'93 Z28 LT1 - Parting out
"Is that a rat? No, it's just a really fat mouse."
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02-16-2007, 03:23 PM
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#5
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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ill stick with my power brakes and ABS
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02-16-2007, 03:30 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mount Holly, NJ
Posts: 242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokingSS
ill stick with my power brakes and ABS
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Have you ever driven a car with manual brakes?
__________________
'81 Sport Coupe 229 V6 -Junked
'93 Z28 LT1 - Parting out
"Is that a rat? No, it's just a really fat mouse."
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02-16-2007, 03:39 PM
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#7
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Stalker
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,077
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yes i have, and i understand they can be setup to be equal quality. But for a daily driver... id just leave it, but thats just me. Regardless, if you personally like the feel better and if you can do it inexpensively then it is an option for you.
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02-16-2007, 03:42 PM
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#8
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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i wouldn't recomend changing to manual brakes if you have the benefit of antilocks already. hardline is right about the feel of manual brakes, it is much more immediate and direct.
manual also has the added benefit of linear pedal pressure, making them much easier to modulate at or close to the limit. vacuum power brakes tend to be more spikey in this regard as vacuum pressure is variable depending on engine speed and what you were doing just before you slammed on the brakes.
i have driven a bunch of different braking systems and my best advice to everyone is to use the one you are the most comfortable with from your own personal experiences.
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02-16-2007, 03:46 PM
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#9
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mount Holly, NJ
Posts: 242
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokingSS
yes i have, and i understand they can be setup to be equal quality. But for a daily driver... id just leave it, but thats just me. Regardless, if you personally like the feel better and if you can do it inexpensively then it is an option for you.
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Inexpensive is the key word. Also, I have to admit that while I know a fair amount about 2nd gens, I know nothing about 4th gens so I'm making a lot of assumptions as to what needs to be "fixed" and what doesn't. I'll definitely wait a bit before the manual brakes swap. For starters, a set of SFC's (most likely a set of simple square-tube DIY's) some adjustable LCA's and panhard bar with Johnny Joints and some springs will be enough. Maybe a simple torque arm later on.
__________________
'81 Sport Coupe 229 V6 -Junked
'93 Z28 LT1 - Parting out
"Is that a rat? No, it's just a really fat mouse."
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02-16-2007, 08:47 PM
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#10
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,149
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It's your DD, leave it alone. Concentrate on one project at a time.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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02-20-2007, 07:12 PM
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#11
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Banned Camp Director Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Somerset County
Posts: 8,395
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I'd do SFC's, a torque arm and LCA's. and that would be it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baddest434
and 1 more smart ass answer by you and i'm going to reach into this monitor and grab you by the throat
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03-11-2007, 12:23 AM
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#12
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Haledon, NJ
Posts: 5,162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
It's your DD, leave it alone. Concentrate on one project at a time. ![](http://www.njfboa.org/forums/images/smilies/twocents.gif)
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__________________
1989 IROC-Z 355 LT1 T56 Swapped
2016 Chevy Colorado LT 3.6 v6
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L RIP 12/29/2016
1998 Honda CBR 600F3
2003 Yamaha FX140
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