what are my options for upgrading brakes on an 85 GSLSE... we're talking the whole thing calipers and all..

and what would the cost be compared with just replacing them stock?

 

First Question: How much money do you have?

Second Question: How handy are you?

Finally, What are your goals? Fast street driving, track days, cone dodging, all put different demands on brakes, and should follow different upgrade paths.

SO:

Assuming realistic budget and fast street driving:

NEW rotors. Good pads (I like EBC Greenstuff, but do your own research). Make sure your calipers and mastercylinder are good (rebuild/rebuilt). Replace your flex lines.

That's your best increase/$ option. if you are handy, or spendy, you can get all kinds of upgrades, but that will likely drive different wheels, etc.

 

ya i guess i was a little vague there.... the car has sat for 4 freakin years (!) the rotors are shot, i'm sure the calipers are in rough shape and the lines needed replacing beforeit was parked...

the car is essentally stock and i'm am looking at bringing it back to life as a winter project. i have never done brakes before but i can follow directions...

so i guess one of my questions is, since i am doing almost the whole system anyways, is there a better deal in some of the upgraded brakes out there than just replacing the stock stuff... and by stock i don't mean the cheapest stuff that just happens to fit... i mean at least as good as from the factory.

i would like to keep my stock SE wheels.

money is not a problem.

 

As far as upgrading your brakes and still keeping the -SE wheels, that might be a problem... I was going to suggest the T2 brake upgrade, but im pretty sure they wont fit under those wheels... You could just get some nice drilled rotors all around, with some good pads, new calipers and lines. I had that on my car for a long time, and never any complaints (now im doing a full big brake upgrade all around) Also remeber, that tires will help your stopping alot aswell..

 

thanks jimmy, long time no talk! you ever go back up to Aurora? i moved to stouffville now. (this is where jimmy says....who the hell are you?)

 

The only kit I know of that is cheap and is a direct bolt on is the TII brake conversion kit from Respeed.

http://www.mrcmfg.com/respeed/catalo...88371aa6265057

You have to supply the spindles and bearings, calipers, rotors and pads, but other than that its the cheapest way to go bigger with your brakes. But you need at least a 15" wheel. Since you have a GSL-SE, you can just use the 4 bolt spindles and redrill a set of 5 bolt rotors to fit the 4 bolt spindles, then you keep the same bolt pattern.

There are quite a few people on the 1st gen forum that have used this kit. Just search for Respeed brake kit and you should come up with the info you need.