StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

I did the LS1 front brake conversion a few months back and wanted to share my experience. For the money and time needed to complete the swap, it is a steal. We all know how inadequate the stock LT1 brakes are, I have zero confidence in them especially when braking from high rates of speed. With most of us making our cars faster than stock, do yourself a favor and put the proper brakes on the car. I don't know why it took me 8 years to upgrade the brakes, probably because it's more boring than adding power or this or that but I should have done this a long time ago.

Benefits I realized after the conversion:

1. Drastically improved braking. Car stops very hard instead of pushing through the brakes like before. Much safer.
2. Weight. I put everything on a scale, the LS1 equipment weighs less than the LT1 equipment, resulting in ~10lbs. shed from the front of the car.
3. Aesthetics. The larger LS1 rotors and calipers look light years better than the puny LT1 setup IMO.

What I bought:

1. LS1 front brake calipers - $76 used
2. LS1 front spindles - $70 used
3. Stoptech rotors - $100 new/pair
4. Stoptech Street Performance Pads - $60 new
5. Bolts that connect calipers to spindles - $25 new (Unfortunately the calipers I bought did not come with these bolts so I had to grab them from a local dealer)

My total cost = $330 +/-

I should have taken pics of the install and done a writeup so my bad there. A couple notes:

*The LS1 front brake rotors are 12" vs. 11" for LT1. The LS1 calipers are dual piston vs single piston for LT1.
*I was able to use the stock LT1 brake lines. I did not need to bend the bracket. My car is lowered on coilovers so it is lower than most. If your car is not lowered or not lowered up to 2" like mine, I cannot guarantee you will be able to reuse the stock lines. The LS1 brake lines I received with my calipers were the same length as stock FWIW. Just to note, I think C5 lines are longer IIRC.
*The install was easy, probably took me 3 hours total maybe 4. I am **** so I clean things along the way and take the time to do things right.
*A lot of folks seem to do the C5 front brake upgrade as well. I considered but for literally 2-3x the cost, the difference in braking isn't worth it unless you road race the car IMO. I wanted the calipers to look as factory as possible, didn't want my calipers to read "Corvette". Not knocking them in any way, for me the LS1 swap made better sense, after all there's a C5Z sitting next to my WS6 in the garage so no hate here


LS1 setup on left, LT1 on right:




Before:


After:


Before:


After:

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

I apologize if this should be in the brake section, thought more LTx guys would see it in here.

1994Z28Lt1

iTrader: (1)

I wonder how much just doing the fronts affects the rear braking. logic would tell me that a proportioning valve would be needed to keep the front and rear braking balanced.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

No, you're OK with it here. HOWEVER, the LT1 front rotors are 11 inches, LS1 rotors are 12 inches.

This job should be a bolt-on, no proportioning valve changes needed.

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

The swap isnt any more difficult then a regular front brake job. Its definitaly worth it for who ever is thinking about it. I did mine a few years ago. Very noticeable difference in stopping power.

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

nice catch on the rotor dimensions, you are correct.

hyperzone

Im about to pull the trigger on the vette brakes conversion... Im also concerned with the possible need adjusting or upgrading the rears as well... soo... the consensus seems to be its not going to be a problem... any nay sayers to that? Are ls1 rear brakes bigger?

duh

iTrader: (16)

If you put LS rears in the car you will NEED to use the LS master. But even with Vette fronts and LT tears you can continue to use the stock LT master. The LS camaro calipers are actually the same as the base c5 caliper, only the rotor is larger.

It's truly amazing how much better the car stops once you do the swap.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

This is correct. The MC needs to match the rear brakes. There's a reason for that but it's been debated

One line at the MC has a different thread on it's fitting so it's NOT a direct bolt-in.

IDriveChevy

iTrader: (5)

I have the LS rears and fronts but still have the LT/(V6 technically) master on my car. I do have ABS deleted with a proportioning valve so that might alleviate any issues that would have arised.

Toronto LT1

iTrader: (2)

I will be doing this swap in the spring,but I will be using C5 Vette rotors,instead of stock LS1 Fbody units.

Cajun ELESS-ONE

i will be going to the junk yard soon to get the whole set up. i too want to do this swap. thanks for the info

Catmaigne

iTrader: (6)

For reference, all V6 cars of the LS era have the same disc brakes.

I have LS1 rears and a stock master. It doesn't feel or act any different than before. Was holding out until C5 brakes to change the MC and lines.

Puck

iTrader: (17)

The weight loss is nice, but IIRC you can't run 15" skinnies with the LS front brakes .

Worth mentioning for a drag car or street/strip build that sees a lot of track time.

Spartan7

iTrader: (7)

"LS1" rear brakes with LT1 MC here as well. I would be one of those that debates the need for the 98-02 MC. I only did the rears because I got them for free practically. They're not needed at all to balance the bias, there are plenty of others running "LS1" fronts only.

maybe2fast

iTrader: (4)

I have C5 fronts and LT1 rear and stock MC

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

Ls1 rears and stock MC here. No issues.

I missed the arguments, but why is it said you need an LS MC for LS rear brakes? Why do you need to change it at all?

StealthFormula

iTrader: (35)

It's my understanding that it depends on the wheel. Some drag wheels will bolt right up and some will require grinding down the fins a bit.

93M6Formula

This is true, I have Prostar skinnies on the front of my car that I bought from my buddy with an LS camaro, they fit just fine on his car.

JasonShort

iTrader: (242)

I agree. This is definitely a fantastic upgrade for very little money on a LT1 F-body.

If anyone in interested, I have a complete LS1 front brake setup minus spindles for only $100