1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

81' Drum to disc conversion

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Old 09-26-03, 05:37 AM
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81' Drum to disc conversion

Want to convert my drum brakes on my 83' to disc. Will the GSL axles of the same year swap or would I have to change the complete differential
Old 09-26-03, 09:39 AM
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Not sure if the axles will work, you might as well put the whole GSL rear end in since it has limited slip and disks already on it. Its an easy swap, you could do it in a weekend easily.
Old 09-26-03, 12:10 PM
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You need the caliper brackets that are on the disk brake axle housing. Swap the whole thing out.


-billy
Old 09-26-03, 12:44 PM
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For it to turn out right your gonna need to swap the whole thing, plus grab the e-brake cable, and the doner car driveshaft. You will also be gaining a limited slip third member(pumkin).It's a straight forward job, about 3 hours. IMO.
Old 09-26-03, 01:38 PM
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Yeah, what they all said. Welcome to the forum by the way .

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Old 09-26-03, 01:52 PM
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I didn't want to start a whole new thread and I figure its sort of related so I'll just ask here. Will the LSD from a GSL-SE fit in a GSL rear end??
Old 09-26-03, 03:16 PM
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What year GSL ? 84-85 yes. not the other years.
Old 09-26-03, 03:18 PM
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What year GSL ? 84-85 yes. not the other years. 84-85 axles are larger diameter@ the splines.
Old 09-26-03, 03:21 PM
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What year GSL ? 84-85 yes. not the other years. 84-85 axles are larger diameter@ the splines.but the housing
from a 84-85 GSL will hold a 84-85 -SE third member,,,if i'm not mistaken.
Old 09-26-03, 05:58 PM
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One other thing. The rear brake bias is different between the drum and disc brake setups. You need to swap brake master cylinders to do it properly.

Why are you swapping to discs?
Old 09-26-03, 10:01 PM
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yes the master cyl is different. Why is swapping to disks? isn't the answer obvious? drums blow ***. duh
Old 09-26-03, 10:12 PM
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ever seen high performance drum brake kits? if you do, let me know.
Old 09-27-03, 06:48 AM
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I got a 85 GSL
Old 09-27-03, 07:12 AM
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Depending on how the car is used, rear drums can be more than adequate given the front does most of the braking.

Where rear disks really have a functional advantage is in repeated high speed braking operations usually only encountered in road racing or lapping days on track. Even there, there are ways to make drums work.

If the use of the car is moderately aggressive street driving and autocross, drums work fine. Spend the time / money elsewhere.
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