Will brakes from a V8 fit a V6?
02-15-2015, 05:45 PM
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Staging Lane
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Will brakes from a V8 fit a V6? So I have a 1997 v6 Firebird. I know, I know, I'll save some of you guys the hassle:
"Should've bought a v8"
"Don't spend money on that piece of junk and spend it on buying a LT1/LS1"
"You suck"
Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way, let's get to business. It came with the Y87 brake package from the factory, but the single-piston caliper fronts leave more to be desired. I know the v8's have the two-piston calipers and also a bigger rotor. I bought the brakes (spindle, hub, caliper, and rotor) off a v8 from the junkyard last week and I'm wondering if I can use those to replace the ones on my car. Any help?
"Should've bought a v8"
"Don't spend money on that piece of junk and spend it on buying a LT1/LS1"
"You suck"
Now that we got the pleasantries out of the way, let's get to business. It came with the Y87 brake package from the factory, but the single-piston caliper fronts leave more to be desired. I know the v8's have the two-piston calipers and also a bigger rotor. I bought the brakes (spindle, hub, caliper, and rotor) off a v8 from the junkyard last week and I'm wondering if I can use those to replace the ones on my car. Any help?
02-15-2015, 06:31 PM
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I've got a v6, a 3.4 actually. They're not bad DD cars, just slow...lol
As far as I know, 94-97 v6 and v8's had the same brake system. Rotors, brake pads, calipers you name it, except for v6's had drums in the rear unless you have the Y87 package which you have. 93's were the only exception I believe. 98-02 had the two-piston calipers with bigger rotors and pads. Again v6 and v8 98-02 were the same.
The spindles are different from 93-97 to 98-02 tho. You can modify a LT spindle to accompany LS style brakes, but you can't modify LS spindles to accept LT styled brakes. As long you you pulled them off a 98-02 F-body, whether it's a v6 or v8, you're good to go
As far as I know, 94-97 v6 and v8's had the same brake system. Rotors, brake pads, calipers you name it, except for v6's had drums in the rear unless you have the Y87 package which you have. 93's were the only exception I believe. 98-02 had the two-piston calipers with bigger rotors and pads. Again v6 and v8 98-02 were the same.
The spindles are different from 93-97 to 98-02 tho. You can modify a LT spindle to accompany LS style brakes, but you can't modify LS spindles to accept LT styled brakes. As long you you pulled them off a 98-02 F-body, whether it's a v6 or v8, you're good to go
02-15-2015, 06:54 PM
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I've got a v6, a 3.4 actually. They're not bad DD cars, just slow...lol
As far as I know, 94-97 v6 and v8's had the same brake system. Rotors, brake pads, calipers you name it, except for v6's had drums in the rear unless you have the Y87 package which you have. 93's were the only exception I believe. 98-02 had the two-piston calipers with bigger rotors and pads. Again v6 and v8 98-02 were the same.
The spindles are different from 93-97 to 98-02 tho. You can modify a LT spindle to accompany LS style brakes, but you can't modify LS spindles to accept LT styled brakes. As long you you pulled them off a 98-02 F-body, whether it's a v6 or v8, you're good to go
As far as I know, 94-97 v6 and v8's had the same brake system. Rotors, brake pads, calipers you name it, except for v6's had drums in the rear unless you have the Y87 package which you have. 93's were the only exception I believe. 98-02 had the two-piston calipers with bigger rotors and pads. Again v6 and v8 98-02 were the same.
The spindles are different from 93-97 to 98-02 tho. You can modify a LT spindle to accompany LS style brakes, but you can't modify LS spindles to accept LT styled brakes. As long you you pulled them off a 98-02 F-body, whether it's a v6 or v8, you're good to go
I pulled them off a '96 LT1, but just looking at them the calipers are different from the ones on my v6. Do you think I'd still be safe in swapping the parts out, granted that I use parts (brake pads?) from the LT1 V8? If the only difference between both V8 model's brakes are the spindles, then I should be good to swap my v6 spindle for the ones I got. . . . unless I'm missing something.
02-15-2015, 09:12 PM
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All 93-97's fronts should have the same brake caliper, pads, rotors, and spindles as far as I know unless the Y87 package was something special they added. 93's were the guinea pigs, some things were odd in that year.
Unless... The donor car you got the parts from did the LT to LS brake conversion thus having the LS brakes...
Unless... The donor car you got the parts from did the LT to LS brake conversion thus having the LS brakes...
02-16-2015, 12:03 AM
#5
I know that 98+ all had the same brakes so everything was interchangeable. 93-97 had different brake setups between the V6 and V8 cars, but I don't believe the spindles in the front changed. I could be wrong.
But even if the front spindles were different you could still just swap them. Personally I wouldn't bother swapping to LT1 front spindles and just go straight to 98+ spindles and brakes.
Obviously if you have drum rears on the V6 car then you're going to have to swap out backing plates etc to put disc on the rear. I don't know if the optional rear disc on the v6 were the same as the V8 rear disc of that year range or not.
BTW, I'm a 99 3800 V6 owner, so there are a few of us V6 guys floating around here.
But even if the front spindles were different you could still just swap them. Personally I wouldn't bother swapping to LT1 front spindles and just go straight to 98+ spindles and brakes.
Obviously if you have drum rears on the V6 car then you're going to have to swap out backing plates etc to put disc on the rear. I don't know if the optional rear disc on the v6 were the same as the V8 rear disc of that year range or not.
BTW, I'm a 99 3800 V6 owner, so there are a few of us V6 guys floating around here.
02-16-2015, 01:30 PM
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Staging Lane
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From all these responses, might as well just put the LS1 brakes on there then. I've been looking around online, and all the calipers being sold for the LS1's are remanufactured items. Should I stay away from these? Or would I be safe with certain brands?
And to the V6 guys on this forum:
And to the V6 guys on this forum:
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02-17-2015, 11:25 PM
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What size wheels did the stock v8's have? I'd hate to buy everything and find out they don't fit 16's
And I've been looking around online for parts, and can't find anyone who sells the steering knuckles and spindles (aside from ebay). Are these called something else in auto stores?
And I've been looking around online for parts, and can't find anyone who sells the steering knuckles and spindles (aside from ebay). Are these called something else in auto stores?
Last edited by ChristopherWelkin; 02-17-2015 at 11:58 PM.
02-18-2015, 07:43 AM
#10
What size wheels did the stock v8's have? I'd hate to buy everything and find out they don't fit 16's
And I've been looking around online for parts, and can't find anyone who sells the steering knuckles and spindles (aside from ebay). Are these called something else in auto stores?
And I've been looking around online for parts, and can't find anyone who sells the steering knuckles and spindles (aside from ebay). Are these called something else in auto stores?
Can't get the spindles from any store that I know of. They rarely need replacing so they don't stock any. I don't know if anyone makes aftermarket replacements actually.
02-18-2015, 09:35 AM
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Steering knuckle, spindle same thing at least for these cars. Do a search for: Lt ls spindle. Lt's have the two tabs jutting out, it should be a good representation from the pictures. I can't upload pictures from my phone unfortunately...