Highly recommend Blazer Brake Upgrade - El Camino Central Forum : Chevrolet El Camino Forums
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  #1  
Old 01-23-2013, 09:27 AM
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Default Highly recommend Blazer Brake Upgrade

I just finished the Blazer Brake Upgrade ( Dual Piston Calipers, thicker, slightly larger rotor). Wow, what a difference. Braking is way better- finally a match with the performance of the Elky. This is such an easy, bolt on upgrade, that I think anyone should consider this one. If you've got all the parts and adapters you need, this can be done in a couple of hours( 3 bolts each side, plus the brake line). Total cost for me was about $350, including new pads, 1 new hub, and having the rotors turned. Note: I do have Blazer 16" wheels, but I believe that these will fit with 15" wheels as well.

Tips: Get the Blazer brakes lines and bracket that attaches to the frame. I tried to use the stock G-body lines, but mine were braided steel, and I was just not happy with the way they were bending. I went with the Blazer stock lines, and used an adapter ( Edelman 258340- 2 ea) to connect to the stock G-body hard lines. Cut the ABS connector line off as close to the brake hub as you can get. Keep the connector on the brake hub for sealing purposes.
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  #2  
Old 01-23-2013, 09:36 AM
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Where did you buy the adapter for the brake lines?
I doen this soon, just getting all the parts together, as I plan on doing a complete
front end rebuild at the same time.
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Old 01-23-2013, 09:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melissadunagan View Post
Where did you buy the adapter for the brake lines?
You can get them from Autozone or Oreilly's. If you have time, you can possibly find them online. Just do a google search for the PN shown above.
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Old 01-23-2013, 01:11 PM
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Although the blazer set-up is nice I'd opt for a complete ls1(98-02 gbody)set-up,being that you can put a bigger rotor up front,as the pab's are larger and the calipers will all match.still use the blazer spindle though so it is NOT nessasary to grind notch your stock spindle for the nessasary "kore3/flynbye" adapter brackets.I have a complete ls1 (front/rear) set-up with turnable rotors-425.00,or without-325.00 shipped.pm me if interested.
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Old 01-23-2013, 01:35 PM
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I was under the impression that to use the LS1 / C5 rotor/caliper, that you would need to go to 17" wheels or larger. Will that work with 15" or 16" wheels?
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Old 01-23-2013, 02:36 PM
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I had seriously contemplated doing this, and IMO it's the best upgrade for the money. The only thing that I didn't like were the sealed hubs (expensive and non serviceable) and the fact I couldn't run my stock 14's. Ended up going drilled and slotted with over sized metric calipers and semi-metallic pads. Might do these on my other car if I ditch the stockers.
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Old 01-23-2013, 03:08 PM
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The price of the hubs had me initially worried as well, but you can find them online for under $40 now, and just to eliminate the hassle of packing bearings makes it worth it ( a little). I had initially considered just going with a bigger caliper, since I had new rotors already- but the bug hit me
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Old 01-23-2013, 04:17 PM
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Can anyone confirm that the blazer disc upgrade will work on either 14 or 15 in tires. I would like to do this and will eventually move to 15 in tires, but that might be a little while.
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Old 01-23-2013, 05:33 PM
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I think you have to ues 15" or larger. The Blazer uesd 15.
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Old 01-23-2013, 06:27 PM
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With the blazer set-up you must use 16 and up ls1's you can use 15's and up.14's are out on either?lol only 14's I have are on my lo-lo(lowrider)
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Old 01-23-2013, 06:42 PM
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You can use 15's with the blazer setup, considering blazers came stock with 15's.
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Old 01-24-2013, 12:51 PM
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I went to B body spindles, tall upper control arms, 12" rotors from an F body to retain the 4X475 bolt pattern, and now Wilwood makes nice D52 style calipers....still undecided on rears...upgrade shoes, or swap to disc.
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Old 03-04-2013, 02:37 PM
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I have 15s on my Blazer brakes, but for the LS1s you have to go up an inch or two. It depends on the wheels, some fit some won't.
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Old 03-12-2013, 04:54 AM
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Default disc brakes

This sounds like a good project for a newbie, I have a 1980 el camino with 16 in Centerline wheels, how do I get started, is there a step by step guide, or do I just jump in. would appreciate any help, remember I am a newbie, so no car jargon, just plain english. Thanks
I assume I am just going to buy Blazer disc brakes, right ? what year or size or whatever?
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Old 03-12-2013, 07:45 AM
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To accomplish this swap you replace the entire spindle/rotor/caliper from a 2wd Blazer onto your Elky.

here's a video on Youtube on what you need from the Junk Yard:

Here's a good detailed write up on how to do this swap:
http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?...3#.UT8-z9bCZ8E

This should get you started. If you need more info- let us know.
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